Description
The Motorola MT500 is a professional portable FM radio (Handie-Talkie / walkie-talkie) introduced by Motorola in February 1977 as the successor to the famous HT220 series. Produced for only a few years (until the arrival of the MX series), it was available in two main versions: Slim-Line (thinner) and Omni/Universal (thicker, with a high-capacity battery and side speaker-mic connector).
Rugged, reliable, and cutting-edge for its time, it supported up to 8 channels, with a typical power of 4-5 W in VHF or 4 W in UHF. It became iconic in cinema thanks to the movie Ghostbusters (1984), where it is used by the protagonists (especially Venkman and Egon) as a communication radio during ghost hunts.
Dark gray vintage design, characteristic stubby antenna, and “bulletproof” construction make it a piece of professional communications history.
Value for Ghostbusters fans
For Ghostbusters fans, the MT500 has immense value, almost cult-like:
- Cinematic iconicity: It is the team’s “official” radio (even though Ray occasionally uses the HT220). It appears in memorable scenes and perfectly represents the Ghostbusters’ 80s gear. Many simply call it “the Ghostbusters walkie-talkie”.
- Nostalgia and screen-accuracy: Collectors and cosplayers seek it out for perfect costume replicas. There are 3D kits, sound modules (with movie lines like “Come in Ray!” or proton pack sounds), leather holsters, and dedicated stubby antennas specifically to make the prop as faithful as possible.
- Collectibility: As a vintage model retired for decades, original units in working or good condition fetch high prices on the secondary market. Variants used in professional contexts (police, fire department) add extra charm.
- Emotional value: It represents the pre-digital analog era, when radios were heavy, solid, and “indestructible” objects. For old-school fans, it is more “authentic” than modern replicas.
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