Hello Gang,
Our local Red Cross chapter is looking to purchase some new radios and they have their minds set on the EX series. With this being a relatively new radio can somebody give me some pros and cons about them. I unfortunately have never even seen one much less played around with them.
Doug...N9JSF
EX600 Radio
Moderator: Queue Moderator
EX600 Radio
May the Schwarz be with you.
As a Red Cross type myself...
Your Red Cross people are likely to be as hard if not harder on the radio than a typical cop. If they aren't radio people, you can count on the radio hitting the ground, being used for various non-radio purposes, etc. And, if the radio is being used in a disaster environment, the last thing you want is an unreliable radio. Depending on the person, they may or may not like the small form factor - I like carrying Visar-size radios when I anticipate only needing them if a situation arises. If I'm going in to a large scene, I'd much prefer a full-size radio.
We have LPE200s on a local wide-area system, and they were tough enough that only a few were ever damaged. Antennas were destroyed, speaker-mics were destroyed, etc., but that's not a big deal. But the LPE is a real public-safety class radio and far more rugged (IMO) than the EX600.
I'd be very tempted to look at used gear, if they're willing to do it. MT/MTS2000s or Sabers would be an excellent choice. If you don't want Saber 3s or A7 MT2000s in perfect condition, you can probably find the radios you need cheaper than new EX600s.
Your Red Cross people are likely to be as hard if not harder on the radio than a typical cop. If they aren't radio people, you can count on the radio hitting the ground, being used for various non-radio purposes, etc. And, if the radio is being used in a disaster environment, the last thing you want is an unreliable radio. Depending on the person, they may or may not like the small form factor - I like carrying Visar-size radios when I anticipate only needing them if a situation arises. If I'm going in to a large scene, I'd much prefer a full-size radio.
We have LPE200s on a local wide-area system, and they were tough enough that only a few were ever damaged. Antennas were destroyed, speaker-mics were destroyed, etc., but that's not a big deal. But the LPE is a real public-safety class radio and far more rugged (IMO) than the EX600.
I'd be very tempted to look at used gear, if they're willing to do it. MT/MTS2000s or Sabers would be an excellent choice. If you don't want Saber 3s or A7 MT2000s in perfect condition, you can probably find the radios you need cheaper than new EX600s.
My everyday radio is a VHF EX600XLS. As someone who carried an HT-1000 for over three years, the EX-series is both a blessing and a curse. The good things:
1) The battery life of the EX600 is impressive. I had to charge my HT-1000 every day at the end of a shift, and the EX600 often goes three days between charges.
2) The EX600 is one tough radio. Mine has been dropped more than I care to remember, and it always works.
3) The size makes it easy to carry, and the radio is quite light.
4) The radio appears to be well-protected from the elements. Mine has survived driving rain storms.
5) Three-year warranty.
6) 160-channels
7) 10 scan lists
The negatives
1) The size makes it easier to drop, at least for me.
2) The receive audio is not as loud as the HT-1000. This has been an issue on occasion. I sometimes miss the audio from my HT-1000.
3) Does not use JEDI-series accessories, meaning a new investment in accessories.
1) The battery life of the EX600 is impressive. I had to charge my HT-1000 every day at the end of a shift, and the EX600 often goes three days between charges.
2) The EX600 is one tough radio. Mine has been dropped more than I care to remember, and it always works.
3) The size makes it easy to carry, and the radio is quite light.
4) The radio appears to be well-protected from the elements. Mine has survived driving rain storms.
5) Three-year warranty.
6) 160-channels
7) 10 scan lists
The negatives
1) The size makes it easier to drop, at least for me.
2) The receive audio is not as loud as the HT-1000. This has been an issue on occasion. I sometimes miss the audio from my HT-1000.
3) Does not use JEDI-series accessories, meaning a new investment in accessories.
Scott
tvsjr & farscott,
Thanks for the replies. These radios are going to be issued to paid staff and they're looking for something compact that they can keep in a briefcase or purse. I'm trying to talk them into staying with our current line of equipment (HT750's) for ease of accessories and such but I'm not having much luck.
Doug
Thanks for the replies. These radios are going to be issued to paid staff and they're looking for something compact that they can keep in a briefcase or purse. I'm trying to talk them into staying with our current line of equipment (HT750's) for ease of accessories and such but I'm not having much luck.
Doug
May the Schwarz be with you.