Programming and Bench Test  (insert the added-value stuff here)

I can provide initial radio programming services as a courtesy if you purchase a radio here. This gives me the opportunity to not only program exactly what you want, but more importantly spec the radio on the service monitor again before it ships out.  If you want to do your own programming, then I will insert a test frequency and still spec the radio. I do this for peace of mind knowing that if I pass along a radio, it would be one that I would not hesitate to use on one of our repeaters or links here locally. Besides, I may be talking on your node link some day, and want my thundering voice to sound its finest!

If desired, we will:
-Read and save the code plug,
-program your frequencies, 
-Add PL or Digital tone encode/decode, 
-Set transmit time-out timer, 
-Adjust internal squelch, 
-Check the COS logic, 
-Warp the reference oscillator if necessary, 
-Check the receive sensitivity and audio response, 
-Check the transmit deviation, 
-Check the PA power out and throttle it back a bit for better continuous duty operation if you like. 
-Check your radio on a spectrum analyzer to insure that it is "clean" at your desired power level.
-Program other special signaling or accessory pin assignments.

I will even hook up your purchase to my in-house test node and let you listen - a kind of remote test drive if you will... provided that you have another working node to access in your area.

A Word about eBay Purchases

It seems that over the last 4 years that I am not the only one having an unusually number of bad news experiences with radios secured from eBay auctions. Many of the ones I gathered were ultimately nowhere close in performance to what was listed, discovering either swapped logic or RF boards or worse, damaged internally.  Here is one example of a recent listing that raised a red flag with me. If you are familiar with the model numbers, see if you can spots the discrepancies.  

eBay item # 5832913885 MOTOROLA RADIUS M120  MOBILE RADIO.   TESTED AND WORKS GREAT.  FREQUENCY RANGE IS 449-470MHZ,  2 CHANNELS, 40 WATTS POWER,  16 PIN CONNECTOR.   MODEL NUMBER M44GMC29C1AA.   CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED TO  CH1 464.4875 DPL 025,   AND CH2 464.6375 DPL 025.   RADIO COMES WITH MIC,  POWER CABLE PLUG,  AND UHF ANTENNA ROD AND NUT.  SHIPPING IS $15    FEEL FREE TO EMAIL  WITH ANY QUESTION

There are several unusual things about this listing. A M44GMC29C1AA, is typically a 40 watt UHF  (M44GM), 16 channel GM300 403-430 split with expanded logic board (C29C1).  So something is not adding up. How did it get from a 403 split to a 450 split?  This is also the first one I have ever seen with a 16 channel expanded logic board with a 2 channel head attached.... hmmmm.  Either it once was a GM300 with now has a M120 2 channel head or some magic osmosis has moved it from a 420 split to a 460 split with a 16 channel expanded logic board. You would think that the seller did not pull a random model number out of the hat, but something has certainly changed along the way or Motorola made an error when they slapped the original sticker on for it. ;-) The only thing I see that might be right is that it is a 25-40 watt UHF radio. This radio is probably workable, but makes diagnostics a little tricky when programming and certainly a roll of the dice with a potential purchase.

So I hope you can appreciate the fact that we have screened every radio to insure that it performs as it should.  You might eventually find a better deal on eBay, but you are buying a little added value with the ones we have to offer.  If further programming is necessary later or if you wish for me to check out your eBay find, time permitting, I can offer the bench service at $50. per hour and programming at $25 per radio and you take care of the shipping.