Looking for a cheap radio to talk to RT524 from another vehcle or on foot.

[1 Patriot-of-many]

Seems all the options I've looked at are spendy, Isn't there any cheap portable or vehicle units that operate on at least one frequency that the RT524 uses? Legal would be nice. I only plan to use the radios running in convoy.

 

[papakb]

There are a whole bunch of amateur radios that will work in the 6 meter band since it's part of the amateur radio spectrum. They will communicate but will not be usable with squelch because the civilian ctss tones aren't the same as the 150 hz that the military uses. That and the commercial radios are narrow band while the military stuff is wide band. That doesn't mean they won't talk, they just won't be as clear as mil to mil sets.

The Baofeng and Wuxon Chinese sets are super cheap but you get what you pay for there. Google or search Ebay for 6 meter radios.

Kurt
KG6KMJ

 

[Augi]

My Yaesu VX8 communicates fine with all of the new family gear but it's not cheap. Set the squelch knob to "Old" on the 524 and you are in business. The received audio volume on the 524 may be a bit low but I haven't noticed it.

If you have a PRC 25 or 77 then you have to turn the squelch off.

You need a radio that operates in the 6m band. Most of the cheap Chinese stuff only does 2m and 70cm.

Augi

 

[m38inmaine]

A Motorola MT1000 42-50 will work on both old and new squelch, I have a couple and they work fine. To be legal would require a ham radio license, the MT1000 accepts the 150Hz squelch tone and you can turn up the deviation on the radio to help with the volume issue. You can get them pretty cheap, make sure it has a good antenna, a new antenna may cost more than you pay for the radio.

 

[BillIdaho]

What about an old PRC-128? I see those quite often and really inexpensive. Get one of those adapters to use AA batteries and you are GTG.

 

[CommoChief]

The Wouxun KG-UV7D works great.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Works and legal are different - to use 6 meters (50-51 MHz) you MUST have an amateur radio license, which is not hard to get.

 

[CommoChief]

Works and legal are different - to use 6 meters (50-51 MHz) you MUST have an amateur radio license, which is not hard to get.

I don’t recalll the original poster requesting an illegal solution. Most people assume positive intent. When you purchase a car you must have a drivers license to operate it. When purchasing a radio reputable businesses state right on their website that you need an amateur radio license. Again, the Wouxun works great.

Bill
KC3BOQ

 

[CommoChief]

I don’t recalll the original poster requesting an illegal solution. Most people assume positive intent. When you purchase a car you must have a drivers license to operate it. When purchasing a radio reputable businesses state right on their website that you need an amateur radio license. Again, the Wouxun works great.

Bill
KC3BOQ

Naturally, the other assumption of positive intent is that the original poster has an amateur license for operating his RT-524.

 

[SCSG-G4]

I have never had anyone ask me if I had an amateur license when I bought radios in person or by mail. On new stuff there was usually something from the manufacturer stating a license was required, but never with any of the military surplus radios I've ever purchased. Long time ago I had a -68, and I still have a couple of -77's and several -524's.

 

[CommoChief]

I have never had anyone ask me if I had an amateur license when I bought radios in person or by mail. On new stuff there was usually something from the manufacturer stating a license was required, but never with any of the military surplus radios I've ever purchased. Long time ago I had a -68, and I still have a couple of -77's and several -524's.

If your radios are in working order you are probably sitting on a gold mine. At least in terms of up here in PA. Working 524’s and 77’s are almost unobtainium.

 

[SCSG-G4]

If your radios are in working order you are probably sitting on a gold mine. At least in terms of up here in PA. Working 524’s and 77’s are almost unobtainium.

Come to the VA Rally over the Labor Day weekend (see Graves Mountain Trail Rides - or contact @CGarbee on this site) for details. Bring money! I have mounts and antennas that I can bring. Two of the -524's I got from Pvt Jarhead five or six years ago, others are untested. I'll probably keep the -77's as I have the PRC-68.com battery adapters for them.

 

[Artillerydan]

What about an old PRC-128? I see those quite often and really inexpensive. Get one of those adapters to use AA batteries and you are GTG.

Where are these "really inexpensive" PRC-128s you speak of.....

 

[Artillerydan]

What is the best $100 -$150 or less handheld civilian radio. I saw all the above but after reaseach I only came up with more questions. I looked at the suggestions above but was not sure I was going to buy the right one based on the original post asking for the cheap option.... or the possible squelch issue. Help

 

[Wpql]

Come to the VA Rally over the Labor Day weekend (see Graves Mountain Trail Rides - or contact @CGarbee on this site) for details. Bring money! I have mounts and antennas that I can bring. Two of the -524's I got from Pvt Jarhead five or six years ago, others are untested. I'll probably keep the -77's as I have the PRC-68.com battery adapters for them.

Price on the the rt-524?

 

[ke6rwj]

Where are these "really inexpensive" PRC-128s you speak of.....

Dang, this is what I was gonna say, mine cost a pretty penny... HOWEVER I did find a PRC-126 at Finley this year as the guy unloaded it for 35 bucks WOOOOOOOOOOOT!!! works perfectly!!

 

[ke6rwj]

I know everyone wants to get all up on da-mil radios, but I've repaired and maintained a lot of RT524 and PRC-77 ( have prolly 5 RT524 that are supposed to work, but often are flaky when you need them, and the PRC-77 are ok, but also flakey) and they are getting VERY LONG IN THE TOOTH... they drift off freq like crazy and it takes a lot of effort to replace all the out of spec components. RT-524 are just as bad.

If you want good Comms go with GMRS using mobiles, instead of handhelds, or full ham... If military radios are your thing, I use a couple RT-1439 non-crypto Sincgars but those are super pricey...

 

[SCSG-G4]

Price on the the rt-524?

You waited to ask the question after I was already rolling towards the Rally (left Wed am around 7:30). Won't be back up that way till next year. That's OK since it will take a couple of days to dig them out. The two I got from Pvt Jarhead will be more than the others.

 

[DREAD KT]

Seems all the options I've looked at are spendy, Isn't there any cheap portable or vehicle units that operate on at least one frequency that the RT524 uses? Legal would be nice. I only plan to use the radios running in convoy.

I have a VRM-5080 in my M109A4 and it works nicely. I got the full kit with antenna, etc. but had to make up a connection so I could move the head unit to mount it just off the CTIS mounting. The main unit is located under the passenger seat. I have it wired into a Clansman intercom system throughout the truck. The VRM full kit was less than $300 and shipped from Poland. It was pulled off an old British Chieftain. It was actually easy to wire the antenna and the range and power is impressive. It's a very modern radio for a 1978 design. Look me up at KI5REV.