WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Hi all,

I'm short on ideas and I figure asking here will turn up at least one other person who's had to tackle this!

We've got a series of Motorola DP340x series handhelds at work and I'm trying to work out a way to clearly label each radio with its ID on the exterior of the unit (we use the IDs for signing them out to the contract security officers that walk the beat for us)

For those not familiar, the surface makes it near impossible to get a regular label-maker style label to stick and while engraving is an option, it isn't particular useful from the perspective of the amount of time it takes to do each radio.

Thoughts?

Color coded bands on the aerials?

Hey jezza,

We're already banding the antennas for the different divisions so at a glance you know "that's a security radio" or "that's an ops radio". Sticky labels on these had a habit of peeling back as well over time, which isn't a terrible thing if it lasts longer than just attempting to stick one on the body.

I would prefer the body of the unit to be labelled though rather than bits that can be swapped out.

An antenna can be easily swapped. I have ex-commercial radios that have been professionally engraved. I think it's the only way to be sure, even if you do it yourself.

We had all of our hand held UHF and VHF radios at the ABC engraved by a sign/engraving company. Looks neat, clean, uniform and professional. No idea what it cost though.

Heat shrink on the beltclip and antenna like DFES
Nick

Can you sticker behind the battery?

Nick wrote:Heat shrink on the beltclip and antenna like DFES
Nick

Yes was just going to mention that's what we do with ours. We use thick white heat shrink as it appears to be more durable and works well with the black permanent marker.

Thanks guys - engraving looks like it may still be the best option to get the marking on the main body rather than one of the interchangeable parts (we don't actually have belt clips, the security officers put them in pouches). If that doesn't work out the white heat shrink in addition to our coloured shrink may have to do as a fall back position.

kylep wrote: Can you sticker behind the battery?

We'd prefer not to as that requires the security/parking officer taking part of the radio off to get the ID.

the police have their XTS's engraved by a machine using a stencil and then fill it in with a yellow ink.
looks nice and neat and is easily seen.