Steve, No more than for a D-star capable rig, either mobile or portable. Used Astro Sabers go for anywhere from $150 for a basic 16 channel model to $700 for a full blown 255 channel model with display and keypad. EF Johnson 5100's can be had for about $500 used (and they are front panel programable through a menu!). Mobiles are a little more, but also have more power and better receive front ends than any amateur radio will ever have (at least until they get rid of wideband receive).
The repeaters are about the same or less than a D-star machine and are made by several manufactures, and the bonus is, that a repeater in mixed mode can still be used by amateurs with non-IMBE equipment to talk to each other. It all comes down to what you want to spend on the equipment, just like everything else with this hobby of ours. Dan KA8YPY On Apr 24, 2007, at 8:06 PM, Steve Bosshard (NU5D) wrote: > Thanks Gary, so what will it cost Mondo Ham to go out and buy a VHF > P25 radio - portable - battery and charger antenna and speaker/mic new > or used and the stuff to program it with? > > Thanks, Steve > > On 4/24/07, Gary <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> Project 25 standard. Many multiband excitation technologies commonly >> used today are the property of Digital Voice System Inc. (DVSI). They >> license Motorola (and other manufactures) to use the designs in their >> P25 radio systems. P25 amateur repeaters are slowing popping up here >> and >> there but mostly by LMR professionals who are also amateurs and have >> access to surplus gear so I agree with you that it will be some time >> before it becomes mainstream. >> Gary > > > > -- > Ham Radio Spoken Here.....NU5D > Nickel Under Five Dollars
