Product Information
What Is the Motorola CLP1080e?
The Motorola CLP1080e is a 1-watt, 8-channel UHF business two-way radio designed for discreet, earpiece-only communication in service environments such as restaurants, hotels, retail stores, dental offices, and assisted living facilities.
It operates on 90 business-exclusive UHF frequencies (450–470 MHz), weighs 3.35 ounces, and delivers up to 18 hours of battery life from a lithium-ion cell. The radio carries an IP54 ingress protection rating and MIL-STD-810H certification, with antimicrobial polycarbonate housing and a smart LED status glow ring surrounding the push-to-talk button.
Product Page by Kristin Wood, a two-way radio consultant @ Tech Wholesale | Last Updated: May 2026
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Number | CLP1080e |
| Frequency Band | UHF (450–470 MHz) |
| Power Output | 1 watt |
| Channels | 8 |
| Available Frequencies | 90 business-exclusive UHF frequencies |
| Indoor Range | Up to 100,000 sq ft / 10 floors (unit-to-unit) |
| Outdoor Range | Up to 1 mile |
| Range with Repeater | Up to 250,000 sq ft / 20 floors |
| Battery | Lithium-ion, 1800 mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 18 hours (5/5/90 duty cycle) |
| IP Rating | IP54 (dust and splash resistant) |
| Military Standard | MIL-STD-810H (shock, vibration, temperature, water, dust) |
| Weight | 3.35 oz (with standard battery) |
| Dimensions | 3.55 × 2.00 × 0.98 inches |
| Antenna | Internal (embedded) |
| Audio | Earpiece-only (no external speaker) |
| Audio Port | Single-pin |
| Volume Levels | 15 |
| Call Tones | 6 |
| Interference Elimination Codes | 219 total (39 standard PL / 6 custom PL / 84 standard DPL / 84 inverted DPL / 6 custom DPL) |
| Navigation | Voice-guided channel menus |
| Hands-Free | VOX capable |
| Housing | Antimicrobial polycarbonate |
| Protocol | Analog conventional |
| Programmable | Yes, via free CPS software + programming cable HKKN4027 |
| Repeater Capable | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years (manufacturer) |
| FCC License | Part 90, UHF Business Band |
What's Included
- Motorola CLP1080e radio
- Lithium-ion battery (1800 mAh)
- Swivel earpiece with in-line PTT microphone (PMLN8077)
- Single-unit stand-up charging tray + wall charger
- Belt clip
- User manual
Who Is This Radio For?
The CLP1080e is built for customer-facing businesses where discretion, hygiene, and ease of use matter more than raw range or ruggedness. Below are the four buyer profiles it fits best.
1. Hospitality and Food Service Operations
Restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and event venues benefit from earpiece-only audio that keeps staff communication invisible to guests. A server can confirm kitchen availability or a bellhop can coordinate room readiness without interrupting the environment. The 18-hour battery easily covers a double shift, and the absence of an external speaker prevents walkie-talkie noise from reaching dining rooms or lobbies. See our restaurant two-way radio guide and hotel radio guide.
2. Retail Stores and Car Dealerships
Retail floor staff need to answer product questions, check back-stock, and coordinate at the register without running across the store. The CLP1080e's 8-channel setup lets a single-location retailer separate departments cleanly—floor associates on channel 1, stockroom on channel 2, management on channel 3. Car dealerships specifically benefit from the discreet profile: conversations about pricing, availability, and trade-in values stay between staff, not broadcast over a speaker. See our retail store radio guide.
3. Medical, Dental, and Assisted Living Facilities
The CLP1080e's antimicrobial polycarbonate housing is directly relevant to hygiene-sensitive environments—dental operatories, clinical exam rooms, and assisted living corridors. Radios move between multiple staff members throughout the day; the antimicrobial surface treatment inhibits bacterial growth on the housing itself. HIPAA-sensitive conversations about patient status stay in the earpiece, not broadcast into waiting rooms. See our dental office radio guide.
4. Multi-Department Facilities Needing Organized Channels
Schools, event centers, and mixed-use facilities with 10 or more staff members who need to segment communication by role—security, facilities, front desk, classroom coordination—get utility from the 8-channel structure. Up to 219 interference elimination codes prevent cross-talk from nearby businesses operating on shared frequencies. If your footprint exceeds 10 floors or 100,000 sq ft, a repeater extends coverage to 20 floors or 250,000 sq ft.
How Does the CLP1080e Compare to Similar Radios?
| CLP1080e | Motorola CLP1010e | Motorola CLS1410 | Motorola DLR1060 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | 8 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Power | 1W | 1W | 1W | N/A (900 MHz FHSS) |
| Frequency | UHF 450–470 MHz | UHF 450–470 MHz | UHF 462–467 MHz | 902–928 MHz |
| FCC License Required | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hrs | 18 hrs | 14 hrs | 14 hrs |
| IP Rating | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 |
| Earpiece-Only Audio | Yes | Yes | No (external speaker) | Yes |
| Antimicrobial Housing | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Repeater Capable | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Best For | Multi-dept facilities needing channel segmentation | Single-channel small teams | Staff preferring speaker audio | License-free environments |
CLP1080e vs. CLP1010e
The CLP1010e is the single-channel version of the same radio—same form factor, same battery, same earpiece-only design. If your operation only needs one channel and doesn't require department segmentation, the CLP1010e costs less. The CLP1080e is the right choice for any team with more than one working group.
CLP1080e vs. CLS1410
The CLS1410 has an external speaker and is slightly larger. It's a better fit for staff who can't manage an earpiece or who work in noisy environments where hearing the radio over ambient sound is more important than discretion. The CLP1080e wins on form factor, weight, and antimicrobial properties.
CLP1080e vs. DLR1060
The DLR1060 operates on the 900 MHz DECT spectrum and requires no FCC license, making it attractive for facilities that want to avoid the licensing process. However, the DLR is not repeater-capable, has less frequency flexibility, and cannot interoperate with the broader ecosystem of UHF business radios. If you have or plan to build a licensed UHF system, the CLP1080e integrates with that ecosystem; if you want zero licensing overhead, the DLR is worth considering.
Regulatory and Compliance Details
FCC Licensing
The CLP1080e operates under 47 CFR Part 90 (Private Land Mobile Radio Services), UHF Business Band. This tehnically requires an FCC license. A license is not required to purchase radios. Licenses are issued to businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations—not individuals. License applications are filed through the FCC Universal Licensing System. Typical license term is 10 years.
Military Standard
MIL-STD-810H — tested for temperature shock, vibration, humidity, immersion, dust, altitude, and mechanical shock.
IP Rating
IP54 per IEC 60529 — dust protected (no harmful ingress of dust) and splash resistant from all directions.
Frequencies
90 business-exclusive UHF frequencies, 450–470 MHz. These frequencies are shared-use channels coordinated by the FCC licensing process to minimize co-channel interference within a geographic area. They are not the same as FRS (Family Radio Service) or GMRS channels used by consumer walkie-talkies.
Note on Antimicrobial Claims
The antimicrobial housing is treated to inhibit bacterial growth on the radio's surface. This is a surface treatment, not a sterilization rating. Radios used in clinical or surgical environments should still be cleaned per your facility's infection control protocols.
Accessories
| Accessory | Part Number | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| High-Capacity Battery | HKNN4013 | Extended runtime |
| 6-Unit Charging Dock | HKPN4007 | Fleet charging |
| Single-Unit Charger | HKPN4008 | Spare charger |
| Swivel Earpiece — Long Cord | PMLN8077 | Standard (included) |
| Swivel Earpiece — Short Cord | PMLN8125 | Lower-profile cord |
| Surveillance Earpiece | PMLN8190 | Security/concierge use |
| Swivel Belt Holster | PMLN8065 | Carrying |
| Programming Cable | HKKN4027 | CPS programming |
Resources
- VIDEO: Complete Motorola CLPe Radio Overview (6:07)
- Motorola CLPe User Guide (PDF)
- Motorola CLPe Spec Sheet (PDF)
- How to Program the CLP1080e
- FCC Universal Licensing System
- Find My Radio Tool
Equipping a full team? Contact Tech Wholesale for pricing and expert support at 888.925.5982 or Service@TechWholesale.com.
Does the CLP1080e require an FCC license?
Yes, technically. The CLP1080e operates on UHF business-exclusive frequencies (450–470 MHz) under FCC Part 90. This is a business land mobile radio license, not a consumer license—it applies to businesses, non-profits, and government agencies. Individual consumer FRS/GMRS channels are not the same as the Part 90 frequencies this radio uses. A license is not required to purchase radios.
Can the CLP1080e communicate with other Motorola radios we already own?
It depends on the model. The CLP1080e operates on 90 UHF business-exclusive frequencies that overlap with several other Motorola business radios, including the CLS1110, CLS1410, RDU2020, RDU2080d, RDU4100, and RDU4160d—provided both radios are programmed to the same frequency and privacy code. Radios operating on VHF, MURS, 900 MHz (DTR/DLR series), or digital-only protocols will not be directly compatible. If you're unsure whether your existing radios are compatible, contact our team with the model numbers and we'll verify before you order.
How do I program the CLP1080e?
The CLP1080e ships with default frequencies pre-loaded. To customize channels, assign frequencies, or configure privacy codes, you'll need the free Motorola Customer Programming Software (CPS) and a CPS programming cable (HKKN4027), which is sold separately. The CPS software is a PC application (Windows). Motorola also provides a cloning function that lets you copy settings from one programmed radio to another via the multi-unit charger or a cloning cable. Full programming instructions are available in our CLP1080e programming guide and the Motorola CLPe User Guide.
What is the actual battery life, and is there an extended option?
Motorola rates the standard 1800 mAh lithium-ion battery at up to 18 hours using the industry-standard 5/5/90 duty cycle (5% transmit, 5% receive, 90% standby). In heavier-use environments where staff is transmitting frequently, real-world life will be shorter. For around-the-clock or high-transmit operations, the HKNN4013 High-Capacity Battery provides extended runtime and is a direct drop-in replacement. Teams running multiple shifts can also equip a 6-unit charging dock (HKPN4007) to rotate batteries or charge a full squad overnight.
Is the CLP1080e waterproof? Can it survive a kitchen or outdoor event environment?
The CLP1080e is rated IP54, meaning it is protected against dust ingress and water splashed from any direction—spills, rain, brief exposure to wet hands. It is not submersible and should not be dropped in a sink or submerged. Combined with its MIL-STD-810H certification (tested against shock, vibration, humidity, temperature extremes, and dust), it handles the daily abuse of a commercial kitchen, outdoor venue, or warehouse dock without issue. It is not rated for hazardous or intrinsically safe environments. For intrinsically safe requirements, see our intrinsically safe radio options.
What earpiece options are available beyond what's included?
The radio ships with the standard PMLN8077 long-cord swivel earpiece. Additional options include the PMLN8125 short-cord swivel earpiece for staff who prefer a less visible cord, and the PMLN8190 surveillance-style earpiece with a clear acoustic tube for security or front-of-house staff. All earpieces use a single-pin connector specific to the CLPe series. See the full CLPe accessories catalog for the complete list.
How many radios can operate on the same system?
There is no hard cap on the number of radios that can share the same channel and frequency—the CLP1080e is a conventional analog radio, not a trunked or digital system with licensed user slots. In practice, large groups communicating on the same channel simultaneously create congestion. The 8-channel structure allows you to segment departments to keep traffic manageable. For facilities with more than 20–30 simultaneous users or those requiring encrypted communication, a more advanced system such as the Motorola DTR series or a licensed repeater-based system may be more appropriate.
