[MRCA] Your thoughts on acquiring a BC-611 today

[scottjohnson1 at cox.net]

OK, first, a disclaimer:  I was a career Motorolan, and had dealings with the Motorola Museum in Schaumburg, I am in short, a Motophile. (Galvophile?)

I have had a pair of BC-611s since grade school, and a BC-1000 since high school.  I find the 611 to be quaint, cool and an instant conversation starter (with the commensurate BS stories being generated).  It must have been effective foxhole to foxhole, but my 100mW Midland Channel 11 walkies would outperform the BC-611.  I still, however, cherish them, and drag them out occasionally for MV meet and Ham club meetings.  The BC-1000 is a whole ‘nuther story, it changed things dramatically.  Dan Noble was the inventor/developer, and he set the stage for Motorola to Lead in the 2-way business, he was also the impetus for Motorola to delve into semiconductor research, initially to support the2 way business, but they would become the largest merchant semiconductor manufacturer in the world for many years.  Anyway, they don’t make ‘em anymore, so if you can find a pair, and perhaps a parts unit, I don’t think you would regret purchasing them.

 

Scott, W7SVJ

 

From: mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net <mrca-bounces at mailman.qth.net> On Behalf Of Jason WA6BBQ via MRCA
Sent: Monday, May 25, 2026 10:42 AM
To: MMRCG at groups.io; MRCG-West at groups.io; mrca at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [MRCA] Your thoughts on acquiring a BC-611 today

 

Said radio to me seems like the apex for us military radio collecting and operating nerds, especially after considering the “dollars per pound” and “dollars per milliwatt” calculations. (Much safer for one’s toes, however.)

 

But no denying the cool factor, checks a lot of my boxes: Operational history, AM, highly portable,  seems to be the origin story for why the 75M AM center of the universe landing on 3885, as someone who works in public safety communications and has revived a lot of old Motorola gear to work on the ham bands, having “Motorola’s first HT” (yeah, I know… Galvin… minor technicality)

 

But I want to ask those of you who have had one for a while… do you love it? Hate it? Worth it? If you could do over, would you still have bought one, or skipped it? Easy or difficult to keep running? Horror stories? Experiences with recent power supply modules?

 

(I do have both of Mark Francis’ books… he’s much more objective than the subjective that I’m inquiring upon)

 

What other thoughts and advice do you have?

 

Thanks and 73,

Jason WA6BBQ

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