All legalities aside, how difficult would it be to modify an FRS radio to receive the 460 MHz police band? I want to listen to a particular agency and the FRS would be perfect but it's about 2 MHz too high. I am not asking for comments about not modding an FRS radio. Any suggestions? Would this be terribly difficult?
FRS mod to receive 460 MHz police band
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RayAir
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Impractical, if not impossible. If you want to listen in the 460MHz band, just buy a scanner.......
You must be looking to TX?
N
N_Jay
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There would be nothing illegal as long as you don't transmit, and you respect the part 15 certification of the receiver.
It is most likely impossible. High volume consumer products like FRS radios have most of their functionality locked down in the chips (cheapest way to make lots of the same thing).
You can but cheap commercial handhelds that are not much bigger then FRS units.
Again, Transmitting would be illegal.
I have no reason nor intention of transmitting. Let's face it, if I wanted to transmit, I could just go out and buy a wide-open ham rig. What I'm looking for is a receiver that's the size of a pager and not as large as a scanner. I just don't want to pay 350 for a pager, and those freqs sure are close. If it actually worked out, I'd probably just take out the transmit switch altogether. It's not like I would need it.
Don_Burke
Member
As others have stated, it would not be easy, although it might prove to be an interesting science project with yard sale FRS radios.
A BC246T is not much bigger than most FRS radios, and you could have a lot more fun with it. Granted, much more expensive than an FRS, but a LOT of bang for your buck. Maybe you could get one used on the buy sell forum. Get a small rubber duck antenna and you should get as good or better receive performance as the FRS with it's small antenna.
I have one -- it's my primary radio for scanning/recording, so I don't carry it with me. Otherwise it would work great; it's just the only radio I own that's computer-controlled. I did look into getting a used pager but they're all too expensive for what I want to do.
PHOENIX_SCANNER
Member
RS has the little uniden racing scanner for like $70 or something now, and it is the same case as the 396.
Modifying a frs radio to get a different frequency will be all but impossible. Forget about it. I have had them apart and there are only chips packed in tightly on a board. You aren't going to modify anything.
Spend a few dollars to save a bunch.
Modifying a frs radio to get a different frequency will be all but impossible. Forget about it. I have had them apart and there are only chips packed in tightly on a board. You aren't going to modify anything.
Spend a few dollars to save a bunch.
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Check these out.
Would something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000OYLCOA/ref=dp_olp_1/?tag=price4502-20 work for your freq range? Seems kinda cool and pretty cheap even if they recieve so/so. Looks like they only come in sets of two, so you can buy the set and send me the spare.........
Would something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000OYLCOA/ref=dp_olp_1/?tag=price4502-20 work for your freq range? Seems kinda cool and pretty cheap even if they recieve so/so. Looks like they only come in sets of two, so you can buy the set and send me the spare.........
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You are so awesome! That would work perfectly for what I need, and I've never heard of such a thing. Even if it's not that sensitive, the repeater I'm listening to is very powerful. And I bet it is okay since FRS is right there in the same band. Thanks so much for the help!
Great, glad to be of some help. Please if you do get a set check back in and give us a report on performance. I really thought they seemed like a pretty cool idea, I only wish they went up a little higher as my area operates in the "T-Band". (490-512MHz).
If I buy it I will absolutely let you all know how they work out.
Get an ICOM IC-R5.
Well it looks as if this is only one of those "bubble-pack" type hybrid FRS/GMRS (overrated mileage coverage) radios that also receives, or scans, the frequencies allocated to RACING.
Probably not going to receive the 460MHz "Police Band" you're looking to monitor, even with your modifications if you were able to do so...
Good luck!
cpuerror
Member
According to the manual...
Your GMRS7015RC can search for any active scan frequencies from 450MHz
to 469.9875MHz in 6.25kHz (LO) steps or 12.5kHz (Hi) steps.
So it looks like it might be the ticket!
Your GMRS7015RC can search for any active scan frequencies from 450MHz
to 469.9875MHz in 6.25kHz (LO) steps or 12.5kHz (Hi) steps.
So it looks like it might be the ticket!
Rover
Member
Icom q7a 2m/440 ham HT is real small and can receive 30mhz-1300mhz. These can be found used. I have one with a Micro 2m/440 stubby antenna and it works well for receive above 400 mhz. My 2c...73 Rover
RayAir
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I have a Kenwood TH-K2, it's pretty small and is easily modded. Just remove 2 diodes and do a front panel reset. Granted mine is VHF, but I am sure they have a UHF 70cm transceiver. I modded mine for MURS use since they don't sell any MURS radios anywhere I have been.
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