APX series multi-band operation - what can it do?

[borisf]

Let's take the APX7500 for example.

Can it ...
a) receive on both bands simultaneously?
b) scan channels from different bands within the same scanlist?
c) none of the above?!

Is the power output the same on both bands?
Are there any differences between the performance on both bands?



Please excuse me if the answer to this is already out there since I did use the search but obviously couldn't find the right keywords.

[Tom in D.C.]

yes, if the radio is scanning. Otherwise, no.
yes
n/a

slight power differences IIRC

comments based on experience with a 7000 HT

[Spiffy50]

To clarify the first one, no you cannot receive on both bands at the same time. It doesn't have a "Dual VFO" like a ham rig. Tom is correct though, you can scan between both bands. The radio doesn't see it as "dual band" necessarily, it's just another channel in the scan list.

[borisf]

Thanks for the info.

Can anyone shed light on the performance differences between the primary/secondary band?

[tvsjr]

No performance differences - two separate RF paths.

From my experience, the APX platform (after being aligned - the factory alignment is *very* rough) is a large enough improvement over the ASTRO25 platform to be noticed by non-radio-nerd end users. I'm very pleased with mine.

[borisf]

Thanks!

[Jim202]

You might look at the type of use you expect to use the radio in. If your only plans are to stay on one band or the other at an incident, then your fine. If you plan on being able to monitor active traffic on both of the bands, then your :o out of luck. Sure the radio can scan the dual band channels, but your only going to hear the first channel to open the radio. If activity comes up on the other band, you won't hear it as long as the first open channel is active.

The use of these dual band radios is limited in their effectiveness on not being able to hear both bands at the same time. For that you would almost need 2 receivers in the radio. Someone that is at an incident where both bands are active and there is no patching or gateway to link the 2 different band channels together, your not going to hear all the active traffic. Only the first channel band to talk will open up the receiver. Any activity on the 2nd band channel will be lost. You would be much better off in this case to have 2 different radios, one for each band if you need to hear all the traffic on each band at the same time.

Jim

[motorola_otaku]

The best way to think of it is as a single-band radio with a very wide operating bandwidth (and a much larger scan list - 30 modes versus the usual 16.)

Transmit power levels are the same as the XTS, Jedi, and Astro Saber lines - 5W on VHF, 4W on UHF, and 3W on 700/800.

[loband]

Transmit power on the APX7000 series is like the XTS5K....6 watts VHF, 5 watts UHF. The RX & TX specs are better than the XTS and it is a smaller and lighter package. The best portable radio I carried since the MT500 came out....

[d119]

Can channels in the APX be programmed for, say, VHF transmit UHF receive? Or do the channels need to have their TX and RX frequencies within the same band?

[loband]

Yes, just tried it with mine. Split bands on the same mode.

[bezking]

Can you order one in "dual band" with UHF-1 and UHF-2 for a range of 380-520?

[d119]

Yes, just tried it with mine. Split bands on the same mode.

Oh yeah now that is hamsexy right there.

Seriously though there are quite a few legitimate uses for that functionality - that's awesome. I wish the Kenwood 90 series dual radio arrangement could do that.

[loband]

Liberty will do it too, just tried that one.