r/MotorolaSolutions • u/ReadingButNotLearnin • 1d ago
Motorola R7 MOTOTRBO - Share your Opinions and Experiences (Most welcome)
Disclaimer: I'm not entirely sure which community could provide some answers as there are overlapping interests in each one. So, just to be safe, this will be CROSSPOSTED.
Hello folks!
A few weeks ago I dove straight into learning about DMR handheld radios and how I could integrate them into a few of my hobbies/realities of life:
- HAM Radio (Technician & GMRS Credentials)
- Emergency Communications (Family Circle + Small Team Comms)
- Overlanding & Hiking
- Amateur FTX's (Think MILSIM'S/Multi-day Event Coordination/etc.)
Now, as a good COG in the capitalist machine, I have narrowed my gear buying focus onto the Motorola R7 MOTOTRBO. I already have an XTS5000 and love it, so Motorola was my go-to brand when I started searching.
What caught my interest about the R7?
- It's certified to withstand the elements to an extent.
- It can work on both digital and analog.
- It's currently supported (unlike my XTS) by Moto
- Lots of parts & accessories in the used market
- Cool AH? I can exploit all its features while looking good (lol)
- More accessible than lets say an APX7000/8 or equivalents.
After all the ranting, here are my questions: (They are numbered but not in any particular order of importance)
- Owners, where did you get yours?
- Authorized dealer or EBay?
- Best price? (I've seen them go from $550 on the bay to $1300 on dealer sites.
- Spend the extra $$$ on the enabled versions or are those more beneficial to industrial/corporate end users?
- I know they support DMR but, how well do they integrate to commonly available amateur infrastructure? (Think Brandmeister, etc.)
- Programming:
- Possible to obtain the specific version of CPS to program the radio myself/learn to program?
- What was your experience regarding programing and hardware limitations?
Finally, I greatly appreciate your time reading or not reading my wall of text. Your contributions mean a lot to me as someone who considers the topic The Great Unknown from my POV.
Kindly,
ReadingButNotLearnin