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Reviews For: Radio Shack HTX-242

Category: Transceivers: VHF/UHF+ Amateur Base/Mobile (non hand-held)

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Review Summary For : Radio Shack HTX-242
Reviews: 63MSRP: 249.99
Description:
10/45 Watt 2-Meter Mobile FM Amateur Transceiver
Product is not in production
More Info: http://www.radioshack.ca/en/templates/ProdTemp.asp?dept%5Fid=92
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00634
KU4GW Rating: 2000-12-22
Great Rig..Top Performer! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've owned an HTX-242 since 1996 & it still works great! It has 40 memory channels. I put a $4.00 whisper fan on the heat sink & it runs barely warm at 45 watts output. I would definitely buy another. I have had comments on how natural the voice audio sounds. A Top Performer,Radio Shack knew what they were doing when they made this rig,not only a good starter rig,but one you'll enjoy for many years to come!
73 all from KU4GW Cliff
AA8X Rating: 2000-12-21
Incredible Bargain Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
A few weeks ago I walked into Radio Shack and they had the HTX-242 two meter transceiver on sale for $99.95. I find this rig to be an outstanding buy for the money. It had 40 memories, 45 watts out, auto memory storage, true FM modulation, CTCSS/DTMF capabilities and a great receiver. It flaunts a long list of standard bells & whistles that should satisfy any amateur. If you are able to find one I suggest you purchase it immediately. You won't be disappointed.
VE3FMA Rating: 2000-12-21
Excellent 2m mobile Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is an excellent 2m mobile. It really cannot be beat for the price. I paid 200 $CDN for it and considering the features it has, I don't think you could get a better deal with any other 2 meter rig. The rig performs very well with great receiver sensitivity/intermod rejection and solid audio on transmit. It does everything I want it to do. The nice thing about Radio Shack products is that there is a 1 month return policy with full refund and no hassles. I am certainly not going to return this radio, though! Highly recommended to anyone who wants a solid 2 meter mobile at a reasonable cost.
K6NT Rating: 2000-12-01
Very Good Mobil Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have had one mobile for over 3.5 years. Works great, simple to operate. Very good immunity to cross-modulation interference - much better than other major brands. Shame they discontinued it.
KC0EZR Rating: 2000-11-27
Great Radio Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The HTX-242 is a great radio. I purchased it a couple of months ago on clearance, and I've been very impressed with its features. At first, I became frustrated when I encountered the same lock-up problems that other HTX-242 users have experienced, but I discovered that simply putting some distance between the antenna and radio will fix the problem. My HTX-242 has provided me with wonderful audio quality and a strong signal at a very, very affordable price.
KK6I Rating: 2000-11-04
Cursed with Problems Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
I have been trouble shooting an HTX-242 for a fellow ham, who purchased it new at Radio Shack during the closeout. The radio has already been returned to Radio Shack for repairs, as the TX would hang up after unkeying. The rig now perfoms well on TX, but the audio level is extremely low. Other hams report nice signal, but poor audio. I will be recommending to my fellow ham that he return the radio for a refund while it is under warranty, and purchase a higher quality, reliable 2M rig.
KD5HPG Rating: 2000-10-25
Excellent 2M mobile radio Time Owned: more than 12 months.
This was the first 2M mobile radio I purchased after getting my ticket. I installed and programmed the radio in about 2 hours and was on the air using a 5/8 wave Radio Shack magnet-mount antenna. The radio was installed in a 4x4 pickup and has gone from one temperature extreme to the other without any problems. The HTX-242 is very easy to program and operate. The AMS (Auto Memory Store) feature wroks very well when traveling, it locates and stores active frequencies, including appropriate repeater offsets. The HTX-242 comes with a built-in CTCSS encoder and decoder. Selectable 10 / 45 watt transmit power. I continue to get excellent signal reports and have been told that my aduio is crisp and clean. The HTX-242 rejects intermod interference as well as any radio I have ever owned. The only drawback for me would be that the microphone on this radio is not backlite, however you have very good control of the HTX-242's features fron the microphone. I would highly recommend this radio to anyone.

73's
VA3KS Rating: 2000-10-25
great little rig Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Wow, what a deal. I picked one up at my local
Radio Shack for $199 CDN. For the price, I
cannot complain. 40 memories is more than
enough for my uses and 45watts is lots of
RF. The extended receiver range works nicely
giving me great coverage up to the weather
band. What really is neat is the intermod
rejection....beats my kenwood hands down.
KB9WPV Rating: 2000-09-11
Great 2 mtr rig..hopefully Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I bought a HTX-242 about 3 months ago on clearance and had to return it after 1 week because it would lock on when transmitting, I returned the unit for a refund and then last weekend I was in a different Radio Shack and seen the HTX-242 on super clearance for $129 so I bought it, havent got the antenna up yet but a fellow ham had told me that the previous problem that I had was a faulty final due to always using 45 watts out, he said he only uses 10 watts out and his works fine. I only hope this one will work ok this time around. A great rig for the money!
KG4EDY Rating: 2000-08-04
Not bad for the money, but... Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
As stated, it's a value priced unit with a number of good base features. Makes a good back-up or "go kit" rig. However, I had problems with the unit locking in the transmit mode, forcing me to cycle the power switch to disconnect from the repeater. Returned the first two units to my local RS dealer till I got one that didn't do it. Any thoughts from other owners as to the cause of the problem?