using the old multimode

right many years ago i started off with a ham international multimode 2 which i still have would it still be ok to use this (legal wise) or would it be better to get a more modern ssb usb/lsb rig , answers on a post card thanks  

Hi Lionel. The Multimode 2 is not type approved and so not legal to use here in UK. That said, people do use them, I would if I had one. The chances of being caught are not as high as back in the day. Choice to use and take the small risk is up to you

Hi Lionel,

Lovely radio - completely 'illegal' - but it ain't stopped anyone yet!


Not many of the radios on the market today are technically 'type approved' apart from a few exceptions yet those and many of the older radios are in use everyday.

No legal advice is given here but the old days of the Radio Communications Agency or 'Buzby' knocking at the door are thankfully long gone. Besides, unless you boast about what you're transmitting on who would know?

I know, I know, some are probably shuddering in their boots at those words or ready to condone me but honestly there are far more heinous crimes you could be committing in society today.

Technically a 'Ham' could use one of the 'type approved' radios today on 10m totally legally or they could use it on CB as it's now a licence free system, but......they couldn't use the same radio on both....Go figure!?!

(To be 'legal' they'd have to own two different radios even if they're the same model!)

Madness I know but the world has slightly caught up. You're far less likely to be prosecuted for using an 'illegal' CB than you are texting whilst driving and so it should be. I don't know anyone killed or maimed whilst operating a non-approved radio.....

Of course, I'm now a 'licenced' Ham so shudder at my own thoughts.....only because I've become protective over it and wouldn't want some miserable old sod doing their very best to 'dob' me in.

If they wanted to start hammering down on radio operators they'd be best using their time to track down the ignoramuses that key up on repeaters, key & whistle over HF transmissions or scream "this frequency is in use!" when it clearly isn't.


Again, no 'legal' advice has been given and I am in no way a practitioner of the law.
(That should cover my backside anyway. )

yes thanks for that it's probably time to go shopping for something a bit more up to date but i think i will go for a used model in good nick 

You could always sell the Multimode 2 and use the proceeds to fund a new radio.

Currently there is one on the bay with no cases or front panel and marked as 'spares or repairs' for £100. I've seen them go for the £150 upwards price bracket which would go a long way towards a new radio.

If you don't want the hassle then it may well be calling up a few of the dealers and see what they'll give you as trade in value for a new radio or maybe even newer second hand unit.

Best of luck. 

Keep the mm2 if it is working well.
If it's not working that well put it up for sale on the bay.
When sold some fool will have paid you enough to buy a new radio.
Job done lol.
Short and sweet but still on my first coffee.

thanks guys i think i will keep the MM as it works well in the early 80's when i bought it new it was £160 and had good use out of it

Hi another question about the MM2 are they true fm thanks

The MM2's are FM enough for normal channels, if a little quiet, but they can struggle on UK FM due to how the shift and deviation is set up. They can be modded to sound a lot better on FM of course and it's simple and worth doing. Has yours been modded at all? With the FM vco mod plus a legal board it'll work just the same as a UK FM rig if that's what you want.

Hi Mitch no the radio has never been touched and i have had it from new so perhaps i should think about a proper rig doctor taking a look at it   thanks

It might be time for a service then 'cause I'll bet it's drifted a bit in the last 40+ years. However, servicing radios this old, especially if it's the first time, some of the adjustable componants will break if turned (horseshoe pots in particular), it's an age thing, just so you know it could do more harm than good.

I'd certainly have the FM mod done, 'unpopping' the squelch is a good mod too. Legal board is good for convenience but not that cheap and all the UK channels can be got anyway with 2 bands and shift plus sometimes.

The easiest is probably to just get an FM rig and keep the MM2 bog standard as no doubt in the future it will be worth more if untouched, and use it for SSB stuff.

yes i think you could be right Mitch. a while ago i bought a president mc kinley off northern crusader and even though it is a great radio i have to keep getting the instruction book out even to do the simplest thing so i might be letting it go shortly and get a radio that's easier to use

great radio but if i was you sell it by a 148 cobra much better radio and as illegal as mm2

i have decided to keep the mm2 and getting more used to the  president