Finding Used Radios/Pagers

W

WuLabsWuTecH

Forum Deputy Chief
1,244
7
38
Other than eBay, does anyone know a good place to find used (read: cheap) radios or pagers? We're mainly looking for pagers, but at the rate we're acquiring the ones we want on eBay, we'll be here for a few years before we get what we're looking for!

I figure that as departments upgrade, they'd have some older ones they are looking to sell, but I have no idea where to look!

Thanks guys!
 
mycrofft

mycrofft

Still crazy but elsewhere
11,322
48
48
I have a red PLECTRON "Chief", might need some new tubes…

no.
 
NomadicMedic

NomadicMedic

I know a guy who knows a guy.
12,108
6,853
113
Government liquidation sites. Govliquidators.com is a good one.
 
mycrofft

mycrofft

Still crazy but elsewhere
11,322
48
48
I hate to say this, but usually those radios are being ditched for a reason.
Cheap radios are like cheap condoms.
 
Tigger

Tigger

Dodges Pucks
Community Leader
7,852
2,808
113
mycrofft said:
I hate to say this, but usually those radios are being ditched for a reason.
Cheap radios are like cheap condoms.
Click to expand...

Not at all. There are plenty of solid VHF and UHF radio systems being phased out by trunked radio systems in the name of "interoperability." The equipment in question often works just fine, it's just no longer suitable for use in its original system.
 
H

Handsome Robb

Youngin'
Premium Member
9,736
1,174
113
mycrofft said:
I hate to say this, but usually those radios are being ditched for a reason.

Cheap radios are like cheap condoms.
Click to expand...


Our handhelds are obnoxiously expensive and really don't work all that well. Partly because of the system they're on but I do think there are good comms devices out there for a reasonable price especially in scenarios like Tigger mentioned.
 
mycrofft

mycrofft

Still crazy but elsewhere
11,322
48
48
"Not at all" your not at all. ;)

I've encountered two bad handheld systems being passed along by responders (fire depts) because they were ICOM crud. They just sat on them until someone came along. Like donating your worn out sneakers for disaster relief.

Trust and test; but as I learned the hard way, units I tested would break down sporadically later (usually I think due to tiny breaks in antenna and button-related linkages to circuit board due to throwing, and by picking up by the antennas, during the original ownership). One week they'd work clearly over 1/4 mile, the next my Target store Motorolas worked better and the ICOM's were basically line of sight on a foggy day.

OK for training newbies if there's enough to swap quickly, but not to risk safety and health upon. TEST, and get a return policy set up.
 
U

UnkiEMT

Forum Truck Monkey
Premium Member
326
5
18
http://www.propertyroom.com/s/radio

http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?f...on=ad&timing=BySimple&timingType=&category=28

http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/browse/cataucs?catid=206

govliquidation is primarily a military surplus site, whereas those three are more focused on the municipal to state level.

And, as other people have pointed out, buying used is very much a case of caveat emptor, can still be worthwhile, if you save enough over new...especially if you have someone who can do even basic repairs.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
NomadicMedic

NomadicMedic

I know a guy who knows a guy.
12,108
6,853
113
As far as the radios being junk, most agencies receive periodic funding to replace aging communications equipment. When Motorola was aggressively pushing the then new XTS series radio, agencies were dumping MTS/HT and Saber radios by the truck load. I made a pretty significant amount of money buying these radios in bulk auction lots, rehousing and realigning them and selling them as individual units.

You need to know what you're looking for, what your buying and what your technical level is. Otherwise, you're buying a box if broken plastic and antennas.

Govliquidation.com was a treasure trove of Motorola V/U gear a few years ago, as a lot of the facilities transitioned to trunked systems.

Looking on eBay for county/state auctions and going to the local auctions in person can also pay off. I bought an entire box truck full of radios, laptops, mounting devices and cruiser consoles. I sold the whole batch within a week. :) The lot was marked "office supplies, misc"
 
mycrofft

mycrofft

Still crazy but elsewhere
11,322
48
48
DEmedic said:
As far as the radios being junk, most agencies receive periodic funding to replace aging communications equipment. When Motorola was aggressively pushing the then new XTS series radio, agencies were dumping MTS/HT and Saber radios by the truck load. I made a pretty significant amount of money buying these radios in bulk auction lots, rehousing and realigning them and selling them as individual units.

You need to know what you're looking for, what your buying and what your technical level is. Otherwise, you're buying a box if broken plastic and antennas.

Govliquidation.com was a treasure trove of Motorola V/U gear a few years ago, as a lot of the facilities transitioned to trunked systems.

Looking on eBay for county/state auctions and going to the local auctions in person can also pay off. I bought an entire box truck full of radios, laptops, mounting devices and cruiser consoles. I sold the whole batch within a week. :) The lot was marked "office supplies, misc"
Click to expand...

True all of that. The stuff I was running into was stuck in some closet where they didn't have a firm liquidation/surplus program set up. The County simply puts ALL electronics into e-waste, including computers, PA amplifiers, radios, etc.

I tried local HAM organization. No dice.
 
NomadicMedic

NomadicMedic

I know a guy who knows a guy.
12,108
6,853
113
WuLabsWuTecH said:
Other than eBay, does anyone know a good place to find used (read: cheap) radios or pagers? We're mainly looking for pagers, but at the rate we're acquiring the ones we want on eBay, we'll be here for a few years before we get what we're looking for!

I figure that as departments upgrade, they'd have some older ones they are looking to sell, but I have no idea where to look!

Thanks guys!
Click to expand...

What frequency? And how many do you need? And do you want pagers or radios? Which specific model?
 
OP
OP
W

WuLabsWuTecH

Forum Deputy Chief
1,244
7
38
Well I'll eventually need radios too, but right now I'm just looking for pagers. VHF, Hi band or low band doesn't matter (we have a license for both and both are currently unused, though I'd prefer high band).

And yes, I've been onto all those sites with not much to find in the way of pagers. I figured that as people upgrade the minitor IV's and V's would start to trickle their way into the used market.
 
R

rails

Forum Lieutenant
Premium Member
117
5
18
I know you're focused on used, but have you looked into grants to fund purchases of new ones? We've personally had good luck with grants, and you're welcome to PM me if I can offer any guidance.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top