Choosing the right mobile........

for an individual user needs can be quite different.  One user is mostly interested in price, another in features, another with future requirements in mind, and in some cases the user wants the mobile for use as a base station after adding the appropriate options.  There are also those who want a particular brand based on prior experience.  The trick is to offer a variety of mobiles capable of meeting the needs of the majority of our customers.

We don't carry all brands.  We don't want to spread ourselves out to the point where we are of minimal value to our customers, the manufacturers we represent, and ourselves.  For that reason, we focus on products by ICOM,  Motorola, and Relm.  We don't offer all models offered even by these three manufacturers.  There are reasons for making selective choices on your behalf.  The first is that we select particular models based on their benefits applicable to those we serve.  To a lesser extent, we are prohibited from nationally advertising certain Motorola models.  We are allowed to sell these products within our local assigned marketing area (Essentially the greater Birmingham metro area plus some selected rural Alabama counties).  We are allowed to sell these products outside our local marketing area, but we cannot advertise them.  The bottom line is that if you don't see what you want, give us a call at 1-800-489-2611.

The two mobiles that meet the requirements of the majority of our users are both by Motorola - the CM200 and the CM300 series.  On the following page, we have provided a comparison sheet for different models.  The major difference between the CM200 and CM300 Series is channel capacity and signaling options.

If you are looking for value, performance, and low cost of operation, we think you will like the new Relm RM series mobiles with 25 watt versions available in both VHF and UHF as well as a high powered 50 watt VHF and 45 watt mobile.  All Relm mobiles offered have up to 128 channel capability, can send and receive 2-tone pages, and are FIELD PROGRAMMABLE!

Sometimes, it is matter of trying to decide whether you should trade in your old mobile and get a new one.  If you are one of those who is trying to decide whether to keep your old mobile and keep paying for repairs, or whether or not you should upgrade to one with the new narrow band 12.5 kHz capability.  (Didn't someone say the FCC had made some rule changes calling for this new standard?).  If you have those kind of questions, please read the following section on holding, folding, or raising.

Thanks for visiting with us.  We appreciate you!

Hold, Fold, or Raise?

Poker players have to make a decision each time a card is played – to stay in the game, get out of the game, or raise the stakes of the game.  You have similar choices.  You can choose to gamble on an older 2-way radio continuing to operate without incurring a large repair cost.  Or you might pay for preventative maintenance and upgrading expendables (antennas, microphones, power cords, etc.), or you could consider trading for a new model.

There are many reasons for taking any of these positions.  We call them HOLD (Upgrade an existing radio, pay for anticipated maintenance, and invest in new batteries, antennas, and housing), FOLD (keep the old radio and hope nothing goes wrong), or RAISE (trade in the old radio and get a new one).

Generally speaking, there are only a few basic reasons for replacing an older radio.  Sometimes, it is a matter of technical compliance (Meeting FCC narrow band requirements for compatibility with a new repeater for example).  Sometimes it is for the benefit of new features (expanded bandwidth, user programmability, or other useful functions).  Sometimes it is for performance (more power, channels, etc.).  Sometimes it for reasons of reliability and sometimes, it is for reasons of reducing repair costs and sometimes, it is for ALL of these reasons

There are also reasons for keeping an older radio.  For example, the Motorola GM300 was one of the best performing all around radios ever built.  There are many users who like their ten-year old GM300’s, M1225’s or SM50’s.  They have gotten used to the radio and they don’t want to change.  Those who make the decision to keep the older radio have to decide whether to fold or hold. 

If you decide to FOLD (do nothing), you are gambling that nothing will happen in the next year.  Frankly, the odds are against you. If your radio requires repair, the current flat rate factory repair charge is $225.  This means you could spend as much as $285 for the next twelve months of operation.  Of course you could spend nothing, but the odds are against you.

You also have the choice to HOLD.  This is a relatively new option.  Falcon Direct now offers a new program known as ReNew.  Here’s how it works.  You pay $195 for a complete checkout and adjustment of your radio to original factory specifications.  You get a new antenna and one year of factory maintenance covering ANY repair exclusive of abuse.  Your radio looks and acts like new and you are guaranteed to incur no maintenance costs for one full year.  This could save you roughly 30% over gambling (and losing) if you decided to gamble by folding.  The ReNew program is available for the GM300, Maxtrac, M1225, SM50 and other popular Motorola models.

One point to remember – The GM300 and SM50 cannot meet the FCC requirements for narrow band (12.5 kHz operation).

Our final option is to RAISE.  If your radio is over five years old, this could be your best choice.  If you purchase a new radio such as the Motorola CM200, you get a narrow band compatible radio with the highest level of MIL-SPEC 810 compliance of any model (The cost is about a third more than the ReNew program ($372 for VHF or $432 for the UHF 25 watt models), but you get twice the warranty (2 years versus one with ReNew) and all the features and benefits of one of Motorola’s most advanced products.

Now it’s time to do a little fancy math.  Motorola is currently offering (May 2005 - subject to change at any time) payment terms of one year, payable monthly with NO INTEREST when you purchase ten units or more.  That means you get ten VHF radios for $3,320.  You determine your monthly payment by dividing the purchase price by 12.  In this example, your monthly payment would be $277.  That is an annual cost per radio that is just slightly more than the cost of a repair on an older mobile and only about 25% more than the cost to HOLD your old radio.  That brings your net cost down to about what it would cost to ReNew your old radio!

The Motorola CM200 and CM300  

basically replaces the GM300, MaxTrac, M100, M1225, and SM50 mobiles (at least in our opinion they do).  These new radios feature dual mode capability (12.5 and 25 kHz compliant), and have all the features of the radios they replace plus some important new ones such as  the ability to send a digital ID code called MDC1200 that can be read on consoles, base stations, and mobiles with MDC1200 display capability.

The CM300, in addition to having more channels (32) has a unique feature that allows this mobile to display the ID codes of other CM200 or CM300 mobiles plus all Motorola handheld radios with MDC1200 digital ID capability.  The following chart will provide a quick comparison and price guide for both the CM200 and  CM300.  

The Relm RM Series  

If you've been looking for a mobile radio with the features you want at the price you want to pay, you need to check out the new Relm RM series! These radios bring back the user programming capability made famous by the original slope front mobiles introduced  over 25 years ago plus some new features such as the ability to send and receive 2-tone paging, 128 channel capability, programmable hot buttons for instant feature selection and full bandwidth capability for both VHF and UHF bands.  You can pay a lot more, but you can't get better value than the RMV25 and RMU25 offering 25 watts of power in VHF or UHF or the 50 watt RMV50 VHF or 45 watt RMU45 model for high powered UHF performance

You can order on line by clicking on the links below. Governmental and approved corporate purchase orders gladly accepted and your satisfaction is guaranteed.  Try any of our products for up to 15 days and prepay shipment to us for a full refund or credit (Subject to equipment being returned in undamaged condition with original documents and shipping container included).  Our low prices INCLUDE free programming on the frequencies of your choice.  You can send your programming information to us by fax to 205.853.6178 or email to sales@falcondirect.com.

Post Sale Service Plans

Customer is responsible for return to Motorola, Relm, Ritron, or TEKK as applicable during warranty term with two exceptions.  Defective radio(s) can be dropped off to Falcon Direct who ships to the applicable manufacturer and returns to customer ($35 charge).  Falcon can also provide a loaner radio (model may be different than customer radio) by adding $40. Next Day Exchange (N.D.E.) provides a replacement radio  (same model type) within 24 hours.  Falcon sends a UPS call tag to pick up defective unit and pays for all shipping.  Cost is $29 on either the Ritron or TEKK radios or $33 on Motorola models and is paid annually.  After the warranty period, there is a choice of time and materials shop service, flat rate repair, or annual contract plans.  See chart below for applicable charges.  Prices include standard ground shipping via UPS.

When you are ready to purchase, use the on-line order form below.   If you have any additional questions, please email us at sales@falcondirect.com.  Thanks again for visiting us!

User information.  Products sold by Falcon Direct are warranted to be technically compliant with the manufacturers specifications.  No other warranty relative to use of the equipment or related service, when applicable, is expressed or implied.  Falcon Direct makes no claim for suitability or fitness of users purpose or application.  Falcon Direct is not responsible for claims arising from the use of equipment or services provided by or through Falcon Direct in which there are losses attributed to the use or application of equipment and/or related services.  User agrees to these terms as a condition of purchase.

Shipping is not included.  Shipping will be automatically added to your on-line order, calculated at  $11 for first radio and $5 for each additional radio.  Shipping is FREE on accessories when ordered with radio(s).  Sales tax for Alabama non-exempt users will be added at 5% of the total excluding shipping.  No sales tax is applicable on out of state orders or for educational, municipal, and governmental users.

Information on ICOM mobiles is available at www.falcondirect.com/icom.  More information on Motorola mobiles is available at www.falcondirect.com/motorola. You can order Midland mobiles at www.falcondirect.com/midland and you can order  Relm mobiles by going to www.falcondirect.com/RelmMobiles.   

We can save you a lot of money when you order on line.  Paying by credit card takes us our of the accounts receivable business.  We cut overhead costs - YOU save money!  

Don't see what you need? Got a question?   Call Joy King at 1-800-489-2611 or email sales@falcondirect.com.

Copyright 2007 - Falcon Direct, Inc.
This page last update 05/21/2007

 
                      36 - 20th Avenue NW- Birmingham, AL 35215