900 MHZ Spread Spectrum "FRS" radios

Started by Major Lord, July 07, 2010, 11:11:17 PM

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Major Lord

Has anyone tried any of the new breed of 900 Digital Spread Spectrum license free radios? These can have thousands of unique "channels" and use encryption too. I am wondering about the audio quality and comparative range. http://www.trisquare.us/tsx100.htm

Major Lord
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the iniquities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."

Fubar

I have had really good luck with these, but given they have that really expensive "Motorola" sticker on them.

DTR 410

The audio quality is very good, the encryption works, and the group and private call features are great. There are text messaging capabilities, but I haven't used them.

Jerry Jacobs

XRS radios are really cool and I have a HAM friend who owns a pair of them, but you still need to be relatively close to get them to work right and you might as well just talk on HAM simplex if you want to use a radio

wuzafuzz

I'm also curious to hear about their effective range. My own experience with 800mhz simplex has been dismal.
"You can't stop the signal, Mal."

CommGeek

depending on terrain...a mile is pushing it. because its digital, if you start to drop packets you lose the whole transmition.

CommGeek

#5
you can also use the un license MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) for "non-CAP business"   accentualy  this has become the 'New CB Radio service"

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=multi_use

These are all VHF channels, so the old non compliant CAP radios will work....(Don't throw away your VX-150)

Link to full FCC Docket   http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2009-title47-vol5/pdf/CFR-2009-title47-vol5-part95.pdf

CAP.is.1337

You can also use inexpensive, surplus Motorola iDEN handsets simplex, (called DirectConnect IIRC.) They'll be much less expensive and more rugged if need be.
1st Lt Anthony Rinaldi
Byrd Field Composite Squadron โ€“ Virginia Wing

Earhart Award: 14753
Mitchell Award: 55897
Wright Bros Award: 3634

CommGeek

They market it as Directalk....smart thinkin.  Ebay!!! lot of 30 just went for $65

SarDragon

Quote from: CommGeek on July 08, 2010, 03:32:26 PM
you can also use the un license MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) for "non-CAP business"   accentualy  this has become the 'New CB Radio service"

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=multi_use

These are all VHF channels, so the old non compliant CAP radios will work....(Don't throw away your VX-150)

Link to full FCC Docket   http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2009-title47-vol5/pdf/CFR-2009-title47-vol5-part95.pdf

I haven't done the digging yet, but I think that band is for use on "type accepted" radios, and the VX-150 doesn't fit that category. GMRS and FRS radios are also in that category, among others.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

JoeTomasone

Quote from: SarDragon on July 09, 2010, 03:54:15 AM
Quote from: CommGeek on July 08, 2010, 03:32:26 PM
you can also use the un license MURS (Multi Use Radio Service) for "non-CAP business"   accentualy  this has become the 'New CB Radio service"

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=service_home&id=multi_use

These are all VHF channels, so the old non compliant CAP radios will work....(Don't throw away your VX-150)

Link to full FCC Docket   http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2009-title47-vol5/pdf/CFR-2009-title47-vol5-part95.pdf

I haven't done the digging yet, but I think that band is for use on "type accepted" radios, and the VX-150 doesn't fit that category. GMRS and FRS radios are also in that category, among others.


You are correct; MURS radios must be type-accepted.

Quote from: http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?job=operations_1&id=multi_use
Each Multi-Use Radio Service transmitter (a transmitter that operates or is intended to operate in the MURS) must be certificated in accordance with Part 95, Subpart J of the Commission's rules. Those radio units certificated as of November 12, 2002 need not be recertificated. No MURS unit, under any condition of modulation, shall exceed 2 Watts transmitter power output.

Quote from: ยง 95.603
(g) Each Multi-Use Radio Service
transmitter (a transmitter that operates
or is intended to operate in the
MURS) must be certificated in accordance
with subpart J of part 2 of this
chapter, Provided however, that those
radio units certificated as of November
12, 2002 need not be recertificated.


A VX-150 could not be certified because the power output exceeds the 2W MURS maximum, and MURS transmitters cannot have the capability to operate on other frequencies.


SarDragon

Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

CAP.is.1337

So wait a minute... Does this mean that MURS falls under the FRS waiver, or am I just getting my hopes up?
1st Lt Anthony Rinaldi
Byrd Field Composite Squadron โ€“ Virginia Wing

Earhart Award: 14753
Mitchell Award: 55897
Wright Bros Award: 3634

SarDragon

Under the concept of "can't do it unless specifically allowed", I would say no.

YMMV.
Dave Bowles
Maj, CAP
AT1, USN Retired
50 Year Member
Mitchell Award (unnumbered)
C/WO, CAP, Ret

JoeTomasone

Quote from: CAP.is.1337 on July 16, 2010, 06:39:36 PM
So wait a minute... Does this mean that MURS falls under the FRS waiver, or am I just getting my hopes up?

No, because:

1. They are different services
2. The exception relates to the likelyhood of the search objective having one - 99% of the nation has never heard of MURS.

CAP.is.1337

I knew I was reading more into the post than was there.

Anyone know if Nextel DirectConnect would fall under the same rules as cell phones?
1st Lt Anthony Rinaldi
Byrd Field Composite Squadron โ€“ Virginia Wing

Earhart Award: 14753
Mitchell Award: 55897
Wright Bros Award: 3634

CommGeek

Depends who you ask.  Nextel started as a radio dispatch service, to  technically until Nextel completes their rebanding, then it is still a dispatch radio...not a phone.

Just about   all the Medical and Sheriff Helos in FL use nextel while airborne.