Programming Services
Some dealers do programming for free, forever. Others charge nearly the cost of the radio for programming. We don't think either of them will be around to serve your future needs!
Programming involves the purchase of software, cables, test equipment, training, labor cost, and overhead. Someone has to pay. Guess who it is? Still, we program the first 16 channels on the two way radios that we sell at no charge. Additional channels can be programmed for a charge of $1 per channel. If you bought your radio somewhere else, we'll do your programming at a cost of $32 for the first 16 channels and $1.50 for each additional channel.
Many of the newer radios utilize a digital ID and limited messaging/control system known as MDC-1200. There are some wonderful benefits associated with MDC-1200 but programming is significantly more involved than just programming frequencies and tones. We make a $25 surcharge for any radio requiring MDC-1200 programming and we earn our money! The new full digital handheld and mobile radios such as the ICOM F3061/4061 and F70/80 P25 radios as well as Midland P25 radios, Motorola DTR650, and Relm/BK P25 radios also require considerably more time than their analog counterparts and are subject to the aforementioned digital radio surcharge.
Free programming or supplemental programming as applicable assumes work performed at our shop with a normal 24 hour turnaround - sorry, we don't do programming while you wait. If you've ever noticed, a surgeon schedules his or her operations and they don't invite visitors. Automobile mechanics do the same thing. Why do you think that is? There are several good reasons - we can't do your best work in a panic mode and if we are talking to you, we are being diverted from our primary task of correctly programming your radio or radios as applicable. Then there is that small matter of acknowledging that someone else may already be scheduled. You wouldn't want to break in line would you?
Speaking of correct programming - what you give us is what we program. To avoid mistakes and corrective action (which is billed at $75 per hour), you need to give us correct programming information the first time. If we have to go back and make changes, somebody has to pay - not only for labor and overhead, but delivery charges as well. Help us do things right the first time and we all benefit.
If you don't know the frequency information, we can often look up this information for you. Just remember that you go on the clock at $75 per hour when the search beings with a $35 minimum. As we said before, we assume programming to be done at our shop. You can bring your radios in, ship them to us, or we can have a courier pick them up if you wish - all at a price of course. The message here is that programming doesn't have to cost a lot if you work with us. That's what a good business relationship is all about - working together!
We also offer PC programming kits for the radios we sell. If you are a self servicing user, you may want to consider purchasing one of the kits. It could save you a lot of money in the long term.
