Motorola RMU2040 Two Way 4 Channel UHF Business Radio

The RMU2040 is the entry point into Motorola's RM Series and the simplest radio in it. Four channels on 450 to 470 MHz, two programmable buttons, and channel changes made through those buttons rather than a selector knob. For a site that runs one crew on one channel and keeps a spare for a second, the four-channel radio is the whole requirement and the eight-channel models are paying for capacity nobody uses.

Transmit power is 2 watts high and 1 watt low. Motorola puts coverage at up to 250,000 square feet or 20 floors and says in the same sentence that it varies with terrain, conditions and radio model, which is the honest way to read any coverage figure. Run time at a 5/5/90 duty cycle is up to 15 hours with battery save switched on, 12 without.

Durability is the point of this series. The case is sealed to IP55 and tested against Military Standard 810 C, D, E, F and G, and the radio is rated from -30 C to +60 C. Motorola describes an accelerated life testing program simulating up to five years of field use, including 30 minutes of blowing rain on every surface, 48 hours of salt fog, six hours of blowing dust and 18 shocks at a minimum of 40 G.

The radio weighs 8.6 oz (244 g) with the standard Li-Ion battery, in a body 4.5 in high, 2.2 in wide and 1.6 in deep. An antimicrobial coating is applied to the housing, and Motorola's own footnote is worth repeating: that coating does not protect users against bacteria, viruses or other disease organisms.

Motorola supplies the RM package with the radio, a Li-Ion battery, a carry holster with swivel belt clip, a compact drop-in charging tray with power supply, and the user guide. Programming runs in a web browser through Motorola's Customer Programming Software.

Who it is for

The RMU2040 is the RM series radio for a small crew on a construction site, in a workshop or on a shop floor that needs a rugged 2 watt UHF radio with four channels. Spoken channel announcements let a non-display radio be worked on the belt. UHF suits buildings and built-up sites; read UHF vs VHF two-way radios if the band choice is still open.

Size, weight and battery

• Size: 4.5 x 2.2 x 1.6 in (115.6 x 57.6 x 40.5 mm) with either battery.
• Weight: 8.6 oz (244 g) with the standard Li-Ion battery; 8.7 oz (247 g) with the high-capacity battery.
• Battery life: up to 15 hours with battery save on, or up to 12 hours without, on the standard 2150 mAh Li-Ion battery at a 5/5/90 duty cycle; a 3200 mAh high-capacity battery is available.
• Power and band: 2 W high and 1 W low on UHF 450 to 470 MHz, 4 channels, 12.5 kHz channel spacing.
• Audio: 1500 mW.
• Coverage: Motorola quotes up to 250,000 square feet or 20 floors, varying with terrain, conditions and the radio model.
• Protection: IP55, tested to Military Standard 810 C through G and to Motorola's accelerated life test simulating up to 5 years of field use; operating temperature -22 F to 140 F (-30 C to +60 C).

Licence

This radio operates on licensed business frequencies. An FCC business radio licence (Part 90) is required to transmit; CMI can point you at the process when you order.

Accessories that fit

CMI connector code: MA. Motorola's RM series user guide lists these as authorised accessories: the HKLN4599 earpiece with PTT and microphone, the HKLN4601 surveillance earpiece, the HKLN4604 swivel earpiece, the HKLN4606 remote speaker microphone, the PMNN4434 standard battery and PMNN4453 3200 mAh high-capacity battery, the HKLN4510 swivel holster, the PMLN6394 single-unit charger kit, the PMLN6384 six-unit multi-unit charger, the HKKN4028 cloning cable and the HKKN4027 programming cable. Motorola also states that RDX series audio accessories can be reused on the RM series.

Part number

CMI part number: RMU2040. The rest of the RM series: RMU2080 (eight-channel UHF), RMU2080d (eight-channel UHF with a display), RMV2080 (eight-channel VHF), RMM2050 (five-channel MURS, licence-free). See CMI's RM series collection, Motorola collection and business radio collection.