Motorola to withdraw CP040 & GP340. Looking ahead now for a replacement radio.

In April 2015 Motorola will withdraw much of it's current range of Analogue UHF radios. This includes the end life of the ubiquitous Motorola GP340 and CP040 radios synonymous with TV Studio and Outside Radio Talkback in the UK and much of the rest of Europe. 

The mechanism driving the withdrawal of these radios is the growth in sales of Digital Transceivers.
Whilst digital radios have their merits and indeed advantages (for instance Radio Talkback can't easily be eavesdropped with a scanner) it does however pose a problem for all those in the Broadcast and Special Event Programme making world who use a base station for Production Talkback or Show Relay.

The root of the problem is two fold

• In the first instance a DIGITAL base unit introduces a significant enough delay for Production talkback not to be instantaneous enough for cues.
   
• Secondly Digital software processing in the base and handsets causes awful phasing of radio conversations. This is particularly noticeable when live sound is picked up on an FM or SM's headset.  The resultant audio when combined with PGM SND (prgam sound),Talk Through and/or pick up from the Director's open mic is not pretty to the ear. 

There is some reprieve most of the digital handsets currently on the market can all be used in Analogue to work alongside existing radios such as GP340s and CP040s.  Adding to existing GP340s and CP040s won't be a major issue however there are only a few digital base units that are capable of constant carrier mode and I currently do not know of a Digital Base unit with balanced audio input and output fitted as standard.

Motorola P145 and DP1400 to take up the current position of the GP340 and CP040 radios.
Motorola P145
The Motorola P145 will be the one Motorola analogue, UHF, 16 channel radio still available.
It is 4W capable and has the same 2 pin Motorola accessory socket as the GP300 and the CP040.

Motorola P145 Analogue Radio

Currently overlooked by most Motorola Dealers and end users this will be the analogue Motorola radio we see appearing in a charge near you.

Motorola DP1400
The Motorola DP1400 is a canny introduction to the Motorola range of radios.
I would describe the DP1400 as a digital capable radio at a familiar analogue radio price.
The DP1400 can be purchased as an analogue radio, making it less expensive to purchase than current Digital radio's working in analogue mode. The DP1400 will work alongside all your existing GP340 and CP040 radios.  However the story does not end there.  Lieing dormant within the radio is the capacity to enter a special Key Code. This code will shed the DP1400's Analogue Mortal coil and it will re-spring into life to work in Digital Mode alongside any of the Motorola MotoTrbo digital radios.  In short pay now for analogue and unlock digital capability when required. The cost of the Key is just the difference between purchasing the DP1400  digital and DP1400 analogue (approx £85 plus VAT currently).

Motorola DP1400 Analogue or Digital Radio

There is no Call To Action and no Hard Sales Drive behind this post just what I think is useful info for when the Plug is finally pulled and it next comes round to replacing some radio talkback.

As a post script I would just like to thank Fountain Studios for their recent order of 36 x GP340 radios and whom helped us test various Kenwood Digital handsets and a Digital base unit  during rehearsals at X factor Last year.