Upper/Lower UHF Transceiver (Commercial)?

[chanjyj]

Hi all

For several years I've been looking at the various options for a 400-520MHz transceiver (commercial specs). Basically a 400-470MHz + 450-520Mhz band in 1 radio. Nothing really much in the market I found so far, which is understandable considering the product market.

I only know of these few real products (and not some prototype):
1. Motorola APX 7000
136-174, 380-470, 764-870 MHz Note: have to manually switch bands.
2. Thales Liberty Multiband Land Mobile Radio
136-174, 380-520, 700(?), 800(?) MHz
3. Harris Unity XG-100P
136-174, 380-520, 762-870 MHz

Anybody knows of any other? I am starting to seriously consider getting one. I am getting sick of holding on to 1 VHF, 1 lower UHF, 1 upper UHF and am willing to fork out some cash for one. Ham transceivers are not really an alternative - I have used them for RX but for TX they don't cut it.

And please, no legality issues here. I am fully covered in my home country (Singapore) and will be looking into how to get a licence here. If you could provide advice on licensing here it would be great, but please, no "it's illegal!" stuff here. I've been through the black, grey and white areas

And damn, the cost of a 1 year frequency licence is crazy in Australia. And it appears that even if I use the radio as a scanner (RX only) I would still be contravening the laws as it can function as a transmitter. Damnit.

[Comint]

2. Thales Liberty Multiband Land Mobile Radio
136-174, 380-520, 700(?), 800(?) MHz.

I believe the Thales Liberty does cover the 700 and 800 MHz Bands. Pity it doesn't cover the Australian 70 to 85 MHz Band.

Many years ago, I believe Magnavox was developing a similar multi-band Land Mobile Radio, which also covered the aeronautical bands (AM), and the 30 to 75 MHz Band favoured by the the American Military (although they forgot about the 150 Hz tone squelch). Someone bought out that particular Division, and nothing more was heard about the radio.

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Comint

[chanjyj]

The most amazing thing I find about these transceivers is the ability for them to use 1 antenna without needing to switch them around. I wonder how the antennas perform though.

The price is a killer. Any high UHF-low UHF portable you know of? Vertex Standard came out with FTH-2070 (VHF-UHF) which was replaced by the VX-230 (single band only) in 2009.

[chanjyj]

Interesting. I found a Chinese radio brand "Wouxun" that covers VHF, UHF Lower and UHF Upper (136-174 / 375-512). To comply with US regulations they locked the keyboard, but once you connect it to a computer and unlock it it's front panel programmable.

In essence, it's a multi-band, FPP commercial radio. I wonder how it performs.

[Comint]

Interesting. I found a Chinese radio brand "Wouxun" that covers VHF, UHF Lower and UHF Upper (136-174 / 375-512). To comply with US regulations they locked the keyboard, but once you connect it to a computer and unlock it it's front panel programmable.

In essence, it's a multi-band, FPP commercial radio. I wonder how it performs.

Not too bad. They are quite popular in Australia. Just make sure you don't get the KG-UV6 models, as there is no unlock program for them at this time, only for the 1, 2, and 3 models.

Also, they don't cover 375-512 in one version. They are basically:-
350-470, or
400-470/480, or
420-520 MHz.

--
Comint

[dags]

Wouxun KG-UV6D Wider RX frequency band, RX:136-174Mhz, 370-512MHz
TX:144-148Mhz and 430-450Mhz (Amateur Band Only)

[Vkfour]

I would hardly count the Wouxan as a commercial transceiver. Granted, it is better than its other Chinese stable mates, and they advertise them as "commercial", but "commercial" they ain't.

[chanjyj]

I've since bought a Motorola DP4800 (XPR7550 w/o bluetooth for the US folks) that covers 403-512MHz. Now waiting for a cheap UHF/VHF commercial rig.