While in the field, possibly on a border patrol, surveillance, emergency rescue, medical services, or public agency duty, the need for a high-quality audio profile radio cannot be overemphasized. You need a two-way communication system that can dependably and effectively convey information and receive sounds even in harsh weather or loud environments and conditions.
The radio provides the best experience as a multiband radio designed with multiple agencies’ needs and requests worldwide. The portable multiband portable radio assures reliable and quality long hours communication with clarity that allows the share of information between inter-operable agencies performing two radios’ functions in one.
The audio efficiency is twice higher than most radios in its class. Features like noise reduction software, for example, help filter sound to produce clear audio and transmit sounds to receivers.
The dual-sided radio is unique in its structure. While it might look a little strange at first, the design with a large LCD Display and keypad at the front end and the speaker at the back end will eventually turn out to be one of the best designs you can get, especially when it is related to functionality.
You have a small speaker on the radio’s front side, which is not as loud as the other end. Multiple built-in microphones capture even the lowest of sounds and transmit to the listener, allowing effective communication on the field.
With the flexible design, you have the option of changing the outer casing of the radio to any color of your choice if you are the type particular about aesthetics and your devices’ appearance.
With user safety in mind, the Motorola APX7000 was designed for first responders with innovative features for efficiency when in use. Considering the criticality of missions these individuals have to undertake, the technology used in designing this radio assures public safety and aids officials’ effort to keep the community safer.
An easy to operate radio, control friendly, high-performance super-quality task-efficient device with loud and clear audio and noise suppression microphone is what every first responder will want to have in hand.
Table of Contents
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING THE MOTOROLA APX 7000
Effective communication is crucial to every first responder. For an officer on patrol or any other field duty, they must have a device that can perfectly convey voice and text messages, irrespective of environmental conditions. A public safety officer also wants to be sure that such a device is as portable and comfortable to use as possible, not to mention the need for reliability.
You have listed in this review the important factors to consider when choosing the Motorola APX 7000 radio.
Ease of Usage
With this radio, you have portability, ease of handling even with gloves, lightweight, high-contrast adjustable display, full-size keypad, top display, Large Color Display, extreme audio profile, among others. These features put together in the radio design to ensure users’ comfort and ease while handling the device. All of these features improve functionality to make an official’s job easier while on duty.
The two knobs on the radio (the power switch and the volume knobs) were designed for easy usage. Even with thick gloves as required for public safety procedures, the knobs can still be handled properly with ease.
Durability
The kind of duties a first responder performs is such that it would require a very durable device. The rugged construction of the APX 7000 radio, with a well-built structure, is one of the major considerations for choosing the radio.
Accessories
For reliability, a radio’s accessory is as important as the radio. The Motorola accessories are tested and certified for optimal functioning. It is also important to consider the cost of acquiring accessories as the total cost of ownership can quickly rise with accessories’ cost.
The smart audio accessories enable clear communication irrespective of the talker’s pitch or how noisy the background is. Receivers do not have to strain their ears or adjust volumes to critically high levels to hear what is being said.
The energy accessories ensure you can boast of stable power and running of your radio. You are kept informed of your battery level. The IMPRES energy system consists of the charger and battery. The charger tells you your battery level before inserting it into your rad. It also indicates when a battery has reached expiration; hence you are not caught unawares of your battery level.
The Wireless Bluetooth accessories enable secure and fast pairing to available certified Bluetooth devices. Wireless audio devices like earbuds can be comfortably and discreetly connected with the radio for private conversations or enhanced communications in noisy environments. The wireless accessories also confer, to a very appreciable degree, comfortability and ease of use.
Security
Secure communications are important for public agencies. There might be reasons for private and secure communications, and an official need to be assured of security while working on going home after every day’s work confidently. The APX 700 uses hardware encryption to ensure secure communications.
Audio quality
If you are on an emergency front, you need a reliable radio for crystal clear communication. The exceptional audio production of the APX 7000 gives the loudest and clearest sound you can get from a portable multiband radio.
FEATURES
Multiband Operation
While aligning with the standard Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, P25 standard specifications, the APX 7000 is a compact multiband radio with lightweight that conveniently produces the effect of two radios in one.
P25 Phase 2-TDMA
The radio has improved voice capacity, allowing multiple users by using the Time Division Multiple Access without additional frequency or set-up.
1-Watt Speaker
Reproduces quality sounds with speech dynamics for high-level intelligibility in most environments using custom-designed, enhanced loudspeakers with 1-Watt power consumption.
Extreme Audio Profile
Filters sound to give clear audio output using the latest noise reduction software for impressive outdoor user experience, especially in loud environments.
Dual Microphone
The Dual microphone noise suppression technology targets the talker and blocks out every other background sound, delivering clear sound at the receiver’s end.
AMBE Vocoder
With the latest super-efficient and simple AMBE vocoder, providing an extremely flexible voice compression, the standard is set for high-quality and performance speech quality.
Expansion Slot
The Contains an expansion slot on the motherboard for potential improvement of functionality like the addition of option cards or data applications.
Universal PTT
Possesses an easy to locate Universal Push-to-talk button enhanced with grooves that can be activated by touch.
Optimized T-Grip
The Optimized T-grip design aids firm grip and better control of the radio when it is being handled. This aids grip even with gloves on.
Full-Size Keypad
The large full-size keypad allows easy use and navigation. The front keypad can be used to program the radio, and this is a significant advantage, especially when there is a need to change the frequency or other settings while on the go.
Display
This model comes with two LCDs: the top display and the large color display at the front of the radio.
The High contrast large color display feature of the Motorola APX7000 stands it out among radios with its easy-to-read multi-colored display that comes in diverse kinds of light. This displays the radio status, channels, zones and time, battery level, GPS information, and other notifications.
The bright display might be energy-consuming with an effect on battery life. To manage this, you can adjust the display timer through the programming software for economical energy consumption. The display brightness cannot be adjusted through preprogrammed settings, but you may purchase the high capacity IMPRES battery to make up for this.
With an eight-character top display, the radio presents channel information in a seamless hands-off operation.
Mission Critical Wireless
An efficient wireless connection that locates nearby Bluetooth devices and allows secure and fast wire-free connections.
Integrated GPS
Allows the tracking of the device’s location or an individual or a vehicle as the case may be, which can be transferred to a map-based location application to pin exact locations.
Encryption
The highest level of security is ensured using the FIPS 140-2 Level 3 certified hardware encryption. This ascertains secure communications without fear of being spied upon or tapped into by prying ears.
Intelligent Lighting
Different lightings are programmed for various notifications. Uses diverse colors to communicate radio mode, emergencies, potential emergencies, events, and upcoming happenings. These color alerts are informative with ease and at a glance.
Radio Profiles
Audio levels, lightning, and tones adjustments can be manually selected by the user or through automated options. Users can customize their settings according to their needs to suit purposes per time.
Digital Modes
It supports the APCO P25 digital and narrow-band analog communications. Communications on both Phase I (FDMA) and Phase II (TDMA) are allowed. All communications, both digital and analog, are clear and distinct.
While this radio is built to be ready for new applications and technologies in the future, it does not support MOTOTRBRO, which is the proprietary digital model of Motorola.
RF Performance
Both RX and TX specifications of this radio are of high quality. You can configure the TX output power for either high or low power setting using the APX CPX programming software. Detailed information can be found in the APX 7000 manual.
Text Messaging
There is a text messaging for discreet and efficient communication in the fastest possible time in addition to audio communication.
Voice Announcement
Distinct and audible pre-recorded voices provide a description to guide users through selected channels or zones.
Over-the-Air Programming
Using the Motorola exclusive P25 standard ASTRO 25 systems, integrated voice and data communications are allowed, making possible the programming and rekeying a subscriber’s radio over the air.
The ASTRO 25 network allows for greater spectrum efficiency, lower maintenance cost with advanced radio properties, and flexibility. It also offers enhanced network security.
The radio comes with three programmable buttons on the side, which can be set for various tasks as desired by the user.
MOTOROLA APX 7000 ACCESSORIES
The standard accessories produced with the Motorola APX7000 includes antennas, audio accessories, Bluetooth audio, earpieces, headsets, mobile radio microphones, carry solutions, chargers, control station accessories, remote speaker microphones, batteries, Bluetooth accessories, call boxes, installation and mounting, public address and speakers.
Antenna
The antenna to be used depends on the RF bands installed on the radio. The right antenna should cover the entire band range, allowing the user to operate on a range of frequencies within the band. With the right selection of antenna, you won’t have to change antennas for different frequencies.
Antennas with a wide frequency range might be particularly long, and this choice is left to users to decide. While some might prefer a single antenna for all needed frequency ranges, others might desire short length antennas even if it might mean changing antennas for different frequencies.
Audio Accessories
The Motorola audio accessories are amazingly very loud with audio output in the range of 500mW, enhancing sound reach even in the noisiest of environments and under the harshest conditions.
Battery
There are several battery capacities and compositions available; however, the two major IMPRES lithium-ion capacity available is the standard capacity and high capacity lithium-ion batteries.
The major differences between the two battery types are stated in their specifications. While the standard capacity battery can last for eight hours for normal use, if you are the type to use your radio extensively with an energy-consuming feature, you should go for the high capacity battery. However, the additional battery will increase your device’s length by about 2″, even without the antenna being attached.
Charger
The suitable charger is the single unit IMPRES charger made exclusively for the unit. However, you may be able to use any existing IMPRES charger for other series if you purchase an adapter that will allow the APX 7000 fit into the charger.
MOTOROLA APX7000 MODELS
There are essentially two models in circulation.
Model 1.5 Top Display
Possesses a one-line text/eight characters top display, full bitmap monochromatic LC-Display, one line of Icons, no menu support, and multi-color backlight.
Coverage includes: 700/800 MHz (763-870 MHz), VHF (136-174 MHz), UHF Range 1 (380-470 MHz), UHF Range 2 (450-520 MHz), 3000 channels.
Model 3.5 Dual Display
This model comes with LCD, home and data buttons, full bitmap color display, four-line text or character top display, two lines of icons, one menu line, three menus, multi-color backlight, keypad light, full keypad, three soft keys, four-direction navigation key, 4×3 keypad keys.
Coverage includes: 700/800 MHz (763-870 MHz), VHF (136-174 MHz), UHF Range 1 (380-470 MHz), UHF Range 2 (450-520 MHz), 3000 channels.
FAQs
How do I lock my keypad on Motorola APX7000?
To lock or unlock your keypad, rotary knobs, switches, or programmable buttons, toggle the keypad lock button to turn it on. The display will show the Kypd/Ctrl lock. You can repeat the process to unlock the keypad.
You can also turn the keypad tones on or off using the preprogrammed keypad mute button. To do this, use the navigation < or > to mute. Press the menu select button that is directly below mute, and the display shows a momentary tone on or off depending on the action selected. When keypad tones are on, you hear a short beep indicating that the tones are back up.
How do I turn on Scan mode on my radio?
The scan feature helps to monitor the traffic on a channel. When the scan icon comes on, it is an indication that the channel in use is in the scan list.
You can turn on or off your scan mode through two methods. You can first use the preprogrammed scan button or turn on or off the preprogrammed scan switch on your radio. Alternatively, navigate to scan and press the menu select button just below scan. Your display indicator will show whether you are on the scan on or off mode, as you have selected.
Conclusion
In the production and designing of this multi-band two-way radio, the manufacturers worked with first responders, public safety, and federal personnel. This ensures that this one product will proffer solution to safety issues, effectiveness in communication, portability, and ease of handling, security, and clarity in connection.
Whatever duty you may be performing, the interoperability of this multi-band radio is a feature to harness. Communications across agencies at different levels, be it local, state, or federal, are possible on a single radio. On-demand, interoperability is delivered seamlessly for voice and data exchange.
The need for instant connection when you are isolated on duty or probably during harsh weather conditions is also one of the main reasons you should choose the Motorola APX 7000. It offers you reliable, long-lasting connection for crystal clear communications when it is most needed.
The officer’s safety is very much accounted for with mission-critical voice, threat warnings and alerts, health status monitoring, and GPS location tracker in case of emergencies. An officer can feel much safer with the radio in hand than without it.
With its P25 operation for public safety and first responders, multiband operation, future expandability, best-in-class audio, and incredibly enhanced features, this mission-critical communication tool is next to none other and the most appropriate choice for any public safety official.
