It’s got all the goodies, PL encode and decode as well as DPL and offset functions, audio is very loud from the built in speaker, the mic is noise concealing so background noise isn’t overwhelming – although the radio works best when close talked, it’s not absolutely necessary.īattery life is superb, when idle the receiver goes into a battery save mode, receive run time is several days with the 1500 mA/h battery pack – there are two packs available, a smaller slim line pack reduces the HT’s bulk. Some which were sold gray market to the amateur community have a modification that allows programming from the keypad, once the repeater data is programmed and stored that’s what you see, a channel number. As delivered this radio is intended to be dealer programmed and the VFO function is not available to the user.
The GP-68 is not intended to be used for amateur radio service and is not type accepted for such-that said, this radio is commercial quality unit which from a performance standpoint pretty much outshines just about anything you can get for the amateur radio market. I would have spent more money but with extra channels and hopefully a better and more informative display, it would be worth the extra outlay. I probably should have bought a used Kenwood uhf radio and programming software. I don't regret the purchase, but with the exception of pretty loud receive audio, it doesn't do anything more than the other ht's I have in the closet right now. The audio is good but with 20 channels and no computer interface, use is pretty limited. It's a good enough radio to program on frs channels and hand to a buddy in another vehicle (after you lock the radio). I think I spent about $80 delivered after shipping and stuff. The batteries have an internal diode to keep you from shorting out the battery if you set it on something.but that diode probably precludes you from modifying the charging base for use with a smart charger because the smart charger cannot sense the battery voltage. I found a transformer, a few diodes and resistors.so any thought that it is a fast charger capable of effectively handling a Ni-MH cell would be an incorrect notion. I have also found mine shows "ctcss" in the display whether "ctcss" or "dcs" is actually selected. I'm 42 with decent eyes but found a magnifying lens most helpful. The display data, other than channel #, is very small. I have not found a way to enter a name on the channel memory.so your options are frequency OR channel # displayed.
The user manual included with the HK radio is on cd rom and is pretty hideous, but I found one on line for a similar radio and was able to program all 20 channels pretty easily. The "F.Loc" disappears in 2.5 seconds and the light shuts off in 3.0 seconds which means you have exactly one half second to read the channel information.
Stupid software error means that when you push the "light" button (with the unit locked) to read the display, all the information is replaced with "F.Loc" to remind you the radio is locked. The marking on the lower row of buttons (* 0 #) are already starting to rub off after 3 months. You have to keep the unit in "lock" anytime you're not changing channels, etc.or you will mistakenly push a button and change power level, go into scan, etc. The upper row of buttons are too easily depressed when you open the belt clip.
The radio has good speaker audio.better and louder than my other HT's.th79, vx-5r, vx-3r, th78. I have heard the HK shops took a bunch of old Moto surplus inventory and assembled the radios from parts.
I bought one of those eBay Hong Kong seller radios which they say are "95% new" whatever that means. It is rugged, very well built (as always from Motorola).
It has also a phone patch facility using codes for access, and direct dial, which are applicable to a commercial radio, but you just switch these off.Īudio is brilliant on both send and receive.
Full range of CTCSS tones, programmable repeater offsets, etc. Spec is 20 memories, high (4w) and low (1w) and full VFO coverage in 5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20 and 25kHz steps from 430-470MHz. If you need it email me and I will send you a copy.
The supplied manual on disk is awful, but online you can find the Motorola AP73 manual in PDF form, which is the amateur 2m version and the instructions are much clearer. I bought one of these as a cheap 70cm handie (yes ther are GP68's for 70cm and 2m).īought from Hong Kong via ebay (g8hkshop)It cost me £29.90 plus £13.50 postage, so just over £40 for what looks like a brand new 4w 70cm handie c/w desk charger can't be bad.