The Radio Information Board

Well this is my initial review of the VX-900 radio and software (windows) after about a week using it.

Overall I find that it has a good feel, seems very well built, and performs quite well. It is slightly smaller than an HT1000 and a little bigger than an HT1250. It has the FNB-V69LI battery (7.4v 2400 mAh lithium-ion) and it lasted about 36 hours on a charge, scanning mostly, some transmitting and about 10 hours on page.

Programming:
The software does it's job, it's fairly straight forward. It does seem to be picky about too long of file names, but I'm not sure this is the software or something to do with my computer (WinXP). It just closed a couple of times when I used Save As and added what I had changed to the end of the file name. I switched to using a date_revision# naming method now.

The 2-Tone paging options only allow you to use standard codes/tones, which covers everything EXCEPT the old Federal Signal tones. Our ambulance uses a Federal tone set (i have no idea why) so I couldn't put those tones in it, but discovered that a Reach group C and a Motorola Group 11 tones worked (both about 10 Hz off). It only does a single 2-tone per channel, 10 different pairs radio wide, and group call off of either tone 1 or tone 2.

If you have more than 16 channels per group, then you have to have a channel up button. You also can have the 16 position selector knob select groups then have a channel up and channel down button. You can assign a button for the set mode which lets you change/select squelch, scan list type, beep, bell, light, lock mode, current group, scan, dual watch, talk-around, encryption, minimum volume, and beep volume. Button below the PTT (monitor by default) shares it's function with the speaker-mic button in the same place. All the buttons can be changed in the software, the button below the PTT doesn't seem to lock when in lock mode though so this should be considered when selecting a function for it.

My only complaints are the lack independent control of the beeping for functions and paging and the paging beep sound. To have it beep at you for a page, you have to have beeps on, which means it beeps when you push a button, move the selector, turn it on. Anything except PTT makes it beep. I believe this could be changed with a software and/or firmware update (theres many different beep sounds the radio can make for various things.). Firmware version is 1.33 here. It is a radio though so my pager can be used for what its made for.

The field programming is just like described in another post here, but I will add that shorting the 2 pins and holding a couple of buttons isn't the handiest thing to do. Talked to the tech we bought them from and he had talked to the district rep about that. He wasn't sure if the 2 pins could be shorted all the time, but if they can then just something simple in the cap that covers the connector when not in use should make for a simple programming key.
Rumor is that vertex has a identical looking model that has been approved by the Forest Service that programs off of the front keypad that will be available soon.

As the snow is here, I'm sure the true test will come soon. Radios skipping down the icy roads, water running off of the roof into the pocket your radio is in. It is the season.

More to come I'm sure. Feel free to ask or suggest anything.

Tom

When on duty (volunteer EMS), I have a need to transmit on both VHF and UHF frequencies. Any opinions on carrying two VX-800s (one VHF, one UHF)? Opinions on the VX-800 in general? Comparisons to the VX-600 or VX-900?

This is my own money so cost is definately an issue. But so is reability, performance, etc. -- the main reason for using my own radios rather than those provided are (a) have more than one portable radio available -- I can have mine and my partner can use the one provided by the agency and (b) I know the condition of my radios and batteries all the time, not something you can say for a shared radio that may not get fully discharged/recharged, get dropped, etc.

I have both the 800 and 900 in vhf. Both are fantastic radios. Both have fantastic TX and RX reports. I have both for my work as a radio tech with local sheriff. I have got a few local agencies switching over to the 800's and they all love them.

If I had to choose one over the other, it would be the 800. Small, good battery life for the size, great audio. The 900 is much louder but if you need to carry a vhf and uhf, get the 800.

My discussions with the local vertex rep says that vertex will introduce a new dual band sometime soon (1 yr??) to replace the fth-2070 and it will be based on the 900 style radio. And I have also heard the rumor of more user friendly front panel programming for the 900 for the USFS but that still waits to be seen. I understand it will be a firmware upgrade for current owners of the 900.

Ever since trying the new vertex line about two years ago, I have not looked back to the big M. I did get some 1550's for a local agency at their request and after programming them and using them, I have even a lower opinion of Mot. The MT1000 was the last good portable that Motorola made. Everything since then has not lived up to the Motorola legend.

The 900 seems to have quite a beefy speaker/mic....much nicer that the Jedi series mic from /\/\. I am going to be switching over the a VHF 900 as soon as I figure out if it will cover down to 144MHz, and with how much hassle.

Any input?

I just programmed 144.000 into mine and it TX and RX just fine. So all is good for the whole 2 meter band.

Yes the speaker mic is very nice. I love mine.
Radio is working great, no complaints, hasn't had any hard use yet though.

Tom

Tom, check your PM....thanks for the info.

Where the HELL can I get on of these 900's ???? Wisconsin is a /\/\ stronghold with -very- few other vendors. Anyone got a good vendor with good prices in their pocket?

Oh yeah, for those of you out east...what is this "territorial restriction" for sales I keep seeing on all the eastern vertex dealer sites?

What I did after lots of searching was to email Vertex/Stanard sales and then they put me in touch with the district rep here who put me in contact with a close dealer.

vertexstandard@vxstdusa.com

It might be a few days or a week getting a reply from your district rep, but that address worked for me.

A quick search came up with this for Wisconsin.
http://www.dba4u.com/dealers-alpha.htm

Thanks for the info

Is it me, or is the VX800 the same chassis as my VX150?

Yeah, same size (or very close), but it has a different connector on the side. Might be the same connector as the VX-900/600. (95% sure it is. look at the specs, see if its the same speaker mic.)


Tom

firephoto39 wrote:Yeah, same size (or very close), but it has a different connector on the side. Might be the same connector as the VX-900/600. (95% sure it is. look at the specs, see if its the same speaker mic.)

According to rfwiz.com which seems to list all of the accessories for the various radios -- makes a nice reference even if I can't buy from them! -- it is the same public safety speaker mic.

Dual VX-800s on order; time will tell... Thanks for the notes.

-g

P.S. Seeing more Vertex stuff on Batlabs recently for some reason; now if we can just get them to come here and build up something as strong as Batlabs since the M stuff is loosing favor amongst some, for a variety of reasons.

Yeah I've noticed the increase in Vertex being brought up too at batlabs, but it always seems to me that it is when I am hitting the submit button. LoL I'm not the only one saying it there though.
For the price and quality, motorola can't compete in this class. My departments not going digital any time soon, and I don't imagine my county is either, and it's bigger than a few states! lol

Tom

I'm all about these new Vertex radios....I was just over at another diehard /\/\ supporter's place and showed him the Vertex site. He was very impressed with the features! As it stands right now, the only thing I'm going to lose (that I actively use) with the VX900 over my MT2000 is Data Operated Squelch.

I get 2.25X the channels, less weight, no RSS dodging and all the accessories I like to have.

My mobiles will be /\/\ until I see a 512 mode 110w Vertex!