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
I have had really good luck with these, but given they have that really expensive "Motorola" sticker on them.
DTR 410 (http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services/Two-Way+Radios+and+Pagers+-+Business/Portable+Radios/On-Site+Small+Business/DTR410_US-EN)
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.
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
I'm also curious to hear about their effective range. My own experience with 800mhz simplex has been dismal.
depending on terrain...a mile is pushing it. because its digital, if you start to drop packets you lose the whole transmition.
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
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.
They market it as Directalk....smart thinkin. Ebay!!! lot of 30 just went for $65
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 (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 (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.
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 (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 (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.
Thanks. You dig faster than I do. :)
So wait a minute... Does this mean that MURS falls under the FRS waiver, or am I just getting my hopes up?
Under the concept of "can't do it unless specifically allowed", I would say no.
YMMV.
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.
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?
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.