Part 95 certification

[WQOQ867]

I would like to be able to use Motorola trbo radios on GMRS or the new vertex vdx-720 in analog. I don't think they are part 95 certified. (if they are please let me know!) how hard would it be to get them part 95 certified if that's even possible?

[mmckenna]

If a radio isn't already certified by the manufacturer, I'm not exactly sure how you would go about doing it. Not that it would be impossible, just not sure of the steps.

To do it, the radio has to be checked out by an approved test facility, not just any old shop with a service monitor. There are a number of tests that need to be done that require expensive and specialized test equipment. It's not something you'll likely want to do, as it's going to be expensive.

If you can post the FCC ID number from the back of the radio(s), we can assist you in looking them up to see what they are certified for.

[mmckenna]

I took a quick look at some of the MotoTrbo UHF models, and none of them had a part 95 certification, so out of luck there. Haven't been able to find the FCC ID for the Vertex model yet.

[willgrah]

I think one of the few manufacturers that actually go all the way to get Part 95 acceptance is Ritron. If you haven't already made your purchase the SLX series are quality PC programmable HT's with a wide frequency range. Worth a look. I love mine and love to be able to plug them into the PC to make whatever changes I want in minutes.

[mmckenna]

Icom portables, at least up until a couple of years ago, had Part 95 certification on the UHF models. I think my knowledge on those stopped around the F-4TR time, so it's a bit dated. Mobile UHF radios didn't have the certifications, however.

[willgrah]

The Ritrons like the RPM450 and the newer RPM460 have the Part 95 acceptance. They are both PC programmable and field programmable. Both are 25 Watt mobiles.

[n1das]

I use Kenwood NEXEDGE NX-300 digital portables on GMRS, in analog mode. I've been playing with NDXN digital mode on the 440 ham band.

Kenwood's NEXEDGE line of digital portables, mobiles, and NXR series repeaters specifically have Part 95 type acceptance, in addition to Part 90. It appears to be Kenwood's company policy, i.e., make the radio marketable in every radio service the frequency range covers. Makes sense. Motorola and others didn't bother to check the Part 95 box on FCC Form 730 when applying for type acceptance, most likely because it pertains to where they intend to market the radio. Kenwood's approach may be somewhat of a leftover from the old days where you had to use Part 90 radios on GMRS because there weren't any cheap bubble pack radios around at the time.

Kenwood is an excellent choice for good Part 90 radios that specifically have Part 95 type acceptance in addition to Part 90.