Need a quick Primer on Tactical hand held Radios

Ok I need a quick run down on tactical hand held two way radios. I have a chance to pick up some Motorola Sabers, cheap. I know they are obsolete being analog, hence the cheap price. I also know that Motorola is now no longer supporting them either. The thought process there is buy em cheap and use em up.

Not Ideal by any means.

Here is the deal, I at least know that, I don’t know enough “to be dangerous” in this area of knowledge, so HABU (Hook A Brother Up) on the ins and outs of current hand helds.

Who makes what, what is good, what is bad, what will reach how far, battery life oh and cost… all that jazz.

IPSC_GUY
SIERRA II ALPHA

Biggest issue you’re going to have is programming the frequencies if not already done so, and for them to be on frequencies you can legally use.

The programming software apparently is difficult to get and runs only on older DOS computers, esp for Saber 1 series radios.

How are the Sabers? I have a chance to pick some up cheap. Also who can work on them now that Motorola does not?

Anyplace I can read about what frequencies are available?

IPSC_GUY
SIERRA II ALPHA

There’s a site called batlabs.com or something like that. It tells how you can determine some of the characteristics of the radio, such as if UHF/VHF, if securenet capable, etc., by looking up the model number. Doesn’t give you everything, but a good start.

I don’t know anyone who can work on these.