HT1000 on MURS

[Rainbow_Dash_7x]

So I have been trying to find out some info about using an motorola HT1000 on MURS. So my idea is to put a Motorola HT1000 on a MURS frequency and be able to talk to my friend with it(my friend would have a usual murs radio). I can't just use FRS radios because they just barely don't reach from my house to his. I'm thinking that having two watts of power and using vhf would help in this, I want to do it on a motorola HT1000 because I already intend to get one and put some local HAM repeaters into it to talk on.

Is there a way to program it so it is legal on those frequencies and also be able to use it on HAM repeaters?

Thanks

 

[nd5y]

Is there a way to program it so it is legal on those frequencies and also be able to use it on HAM repeaters?

Only if the HT1000 has Part 95 certification. You need to look up the FCC ID on the radio (or post it here) to find out what it rule parts it is certified for.

 

[cmjonesinc]

Its not part certified for MURS. On low power though (or even high power really) I extremely doubt anyone will ever even know the difference. Just keep in mind it's not legal per part certification. Perfectly fine on ham though.

 

[zz0468]

I'm of the opinion that if you follow the spirit of the regulation regarding part 95 certification (low power, portable only, etc.), no one of any importance will care if you use an HT1000 on MURS.

 

[mmckenna]

So I have been trying to find out some info about using an motorola HT1000 on MURS. So my idea is to put a Motorola HT1000 on a MURS frequency and be able to talk to my friend with it(my friend would have a usual murs radio). I can't just use FRS radios because they just barely don't reach from my house to his. I'm thinking that having two watts of power and using vhf would help in this, I want to do it on a motorola HT1000 because I already intend to get one and put some local HAM repeaters into it to talk on.

Indoors, 2 watts @ VHF likely isn't going to make any difference compared to 2 watts on UHF. In fact, UHF tends to do better penetrating buildings. If you are using the newer 2 watt FRS radios, and they have a half way decent antenna, I'd not waste money on an HT-1000, programming cable, battery, etc. and expect much of a change. If you are using the old 1/2 watt (usually much lower ERP) FRS radios, then getting a pair of the newer 2 watt units might be enough to work if the current ones are coming up a bit short.

Is there a way to program it so it is legal on those frequencies and also be able to use it on HAM repeaters?

Not "legal" per Part 95, but as others said, unlikely anyone would notice. I won't ever recommend someone ignore the rules though.

The HT-1000's work fine for amateur radio use, but the limitation of 16 channels can be problematic for some. If you are planning on getting your amateur radio license, you can save a bit of headache by getting an amateur radio with a VFO, if gives you more flexibility. As a second radio, the HT-1000's are great, durable, and will last forever if you keep feeding them batteries.
Don't get hung up on brand names, though. While you can get a VHF HT-1000 pretty cheap, you do need to get a programming cable ($20-$40 for an aftermarket), and have an old-n-slow DOS machine for the RSS.

If you are looking for a professional radio, Kenwood TK-2180's are inexpensive and the programming software will run on a windoze machine. TK-290's are a good choice, too. As durable as an HT-1000, more channels, and can be set up for front panel programming.

 

[Rainbow_Dash_7x]

Thanks for the help, I kind of thought that there would be some sort of certification issue. I was thinking that MURS would be a better option because it is pretty much a straight line with no large buildings in front of it, and you can't use 2 watts on FRS, there is a lower power rating. Does anyone know of a good, inexpensive MURS radio that can be used as the ht1000 can't, I am looking for good range and having it be a handheld unit.

 

[nd5y]

Last year the FCC changed the FRS and GMRS rules.
FRS is allowed 2 W on the fifteen 462 MHz channels now.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, newer FRS radios will do 2 watts (or so they claim). ERP is actually lower.

For type accepted MURS radios, Ritron makes a few. https://www.ritron.com/2-way-radios
The Ritron PT-150M is pretty good. My brother in law is using those for his tower crews. Probably a bit more pricy than what you want.

Ideally, skip the stuff and either both of you get your amateur licenses, or get a GMRS license. Might as well invest in the right stuff.

 

[KB7MIB]

FRS is still limited to a half watt ERP on channels 8-14, but is now allowed 2 watts on the rest of the channels (1-7 & 15-22). FRS does not allow repeater privileges on channels 15-22 as the GMRS does.

Were you planning on attaching your MURS radio to an outdoor antenna, or at least a gain type antenna on a decent ground plane indoors, (a magmount on a metal filing cabinet or at least a baking sheet up as high as possible) or did you want the freedom to be able to walk around your house and property? An external antenna would all but guarantee that you and your friend could talk over that distance. FRS radios of course are still prohibited from using external antennas.

If you can find a pair of the old Radio Shack magmount mobile FRS radios, they *might* work over that distance. They used an actual quarter wave antenna and were pretty close to the max 0.5 watt ERP limit of the old rules.

Using external antennas on your MURS radios would probably work, unless being tied to one spot and not being able to walk around your home and property is a deal breaker. Otherwise, a Ham or GMRS license and access to a repeater would be a better choice.

Note: A doubling of your power output, meaning going from a 2 watt handheld on MURS to a 4-5 watt handheld on 2m, or from a 2 watt FRS radio to a 4 watt GMRS or 70cm radio, and not using an external antenna, may not necessarily get you the range you need if you don't have access to a repeater. You may still need to attach a better antenna to those radios, such as a telescopic 1/2 wave or 5/8 wave on 2m or I believe Larsen has 1/2 wave rubber ducks for UHF. There may be telescopics for UHF as well. Or a magmount on a baking sheet or an actual rooftop antenna which would mean you're still stuck in one spot. It may work, but it may not. You'd have to actually try it to find out, or find some friends who already have their licenses to try it for you.

John
GMRS WPXJ-598
Peoria, AZ

 

[Hans13]

Does anyone know of a good, inexpensive MURS radio that can be used as the ht1000 can't, I am looking for good range and having it be a handheld unit.

Good and inexpensive? That's subjective.

BTECH MURS-V1
http://baofengtech.com/murs-v1

 

[Rainbow_Dash_7x]

Thanks everyone! I think I will just get usual murs radios, Also I will consider the BTECH MURS V1 radio as it seems as a good one to start with.