Just arrived in stock, we have the latest radio from Intek - the M-550 Power. This is, I suppose, their equivalent to the Midland 48 Excel.
The other radios in the Intek range have proved to be good quality and reliable. The build quality of the Inteks does seem a little better than the equivalent Midland model.
Like most new radios, this is a “multi-standard” version, so can be used in most EU countries. In fact the radio is capable of up to 16 different bands. When used in the UK it covers all 80 legal channels. In countries which permit AM, then it becomes AM/FM switchable.
Unusually for new radios, it has a green LED display as opposed to the usual LCD display - this does certainly help when viewing the radio from odd angles (eg from below) where LCD’s sometimes become difficult to see. The radio also has a traditional analogue signal meter & rotary channel change.
There are rotary controls for: volume, squelch, channel-change, RF-gain and mic-gain. The other controls are: ANL, roger bleep, PA, channel 9/19, and echo.
The echo feature is an optional extra. An internally fitted echo board is available for only £14.95 (with free fitting if ordered at the same time as the radio!).
The microphone is the same as that used on other Inteks - it features buttons on the top of the mic for channel change (up/down) and lock (to lock the mic buttons if you prefer not to use them). It is fitted with a standard 6-pin plug, and is wired the same as most other 6-pin radios. We now also have spare original mics in stock (price £15.95).
Surprisingly on the box it says maximum transmit power 12W. This is a reference to the high power Mosfet output transistor the radio uses, and where conditions permit the radio is capable (with slight modification) of this. However in the UK and EU the output power is a standard 4W.
Both the quality and the performance are good, so it’s really a case of what you’re looking for in a radio. The main advantages of this radio over similar models are it’s LED display (for ease of visibility), expansion capabilities (if used where this is legal) and it’s built-in echo (although you have to pay a little extra for this). If any of these features are important to you, then this could be the radio for you.
