Recently we celebrated the 40th celebration for the world’s initial mobile phone communication. In...

1. Evaluation of the portable GP340 2 way radio
Recently we celebrated the 40th celebration for the world’s initial mobile phone communication.
Inevitable, it was a Motorola employee who completed the historic phone call and, more
unsurprisingly, the call was made on the Motorola phone (or, in this instance, prototype telephone).
If you are taking one thing from this introductory piece, it ought to be this: Motorola are chief, and
when it comes to communications.
With that in mind, I reviewed the GP340 Portable Radio, the standard in a long line of excellent
Motorola radio devices. The following is what I thought about it.
THE SPECS
With up to eleven hours of battery, signal encryption and a selection of VHF or UHF bands, the
GP340 hits the ground successively and goes from there. A well-built, slightly military-esque device
gives the GP340 a professional appearance and facilitates for significant sturdiness across numerous
environments.
At 137mm high, 57mm wide and weighing just 420 grams, the GP340 is also naturally moveable,
which adds to the complete feel of this two way radio as an ‘action’ radio, possibly better
matched than most 2 way radios to more involved use.
What is further, you get sixteen audio channels, as well as a ‘channel scan’ function.
There’s no screen to be found here, which is possibly a shame, but I disbelief this will influence
the device in any major way, to be frank.
THE PRICE
Someplace between £230 and £280, depending
on where you search. It pays to run a thorough
web search at this point, because there looks to be
quite a few offers going on at the moment.
THE PERFORMANCE
The GP340 is certainly more of a team walkie
talkie, especially if that company happens to be
posted a considerable distance away. To quote
directly from the Motorola website,
“Streamlining operations with two way radio
communication increases productivity and can
outline part of an businesses health and safety
structure that is particularly significant for
individuals who work on their own or isolated from the squad”.

2. This is incredibly true, as the inclusion of a dazzling orange ‘emergency button’ as well as an
ATEX-approved ‘mandown’ option board capably demonstrates Motorola’s commitment to
user security. If you're a organisation owner and shopping to outfit a group (particularly one going
into a probably dangerous situation) with 2 way radio units, you could do a lot worse than a set of Gp
340s.
In addition, the audible ‘low battery’ alerts are helpful and typically unobtrusive. On the other
hand, if you use the changeable power level use, you can make the battery life survive that little
longer and save yourself the sound.
The ‘Call Forward’ function is also an conclusive treat, allowing you to, in essence ‘leave a
message’ for a user who is otherwise indisposed.
THE VERDICT
This looks like one more great 2 way radio from Motorola. The numerous, well-designed and
considerate security features on this one are a real plus point, as is the universal durability and
craftsmanship inherent to almost all Motorola 2 way radios.
The whole impression of this 2 way radio is one of carefulness and consideration. Workers can feel
that their employer genuinely needs to keep them secure at all times and employers can recognize
that their labor force are continuously contactable, especially in an crisis.
It lacks the crystal clarity and audio-level adjustment of the DP3400, but that’s about the only
weakness I can discover with it. Even then, the signal is normally clear and passable. This premium
level of presentation, along with a pail load of features to aid everything from user safety to battery
life, is what makes the Motorola gp340 a real winner.