New 'Replacement' for FRS and Bubblepack GMRS?

[SkipSanders]

You might want to keep an eye out for these units, when they show up on sale.

TriSquare 900 MHz spread spectrum HT's

Currently claimed to be coming out in April, with prices for a pair of TSX 100's at $99, TSX 200's at $119, and TSX 300's at $139. (suggested retail, subject to change, blah blah)

.945 watts, frequency hopping over 50 channels from 906.275 - 923.750


"Hey, Joe, call me on channel 9,821,231,004 later!"

Someone on another forum instantly suggested Hams could use channel 14652 as a calling channel. :lol:

If they work well, they could be a very good replacement in 'busy' places like Theme Parks for FRS/GMRS, with a claimed ability to support over 100k users 'in range' with minimal interference. Me, I'd automatically drop that to 50,000 users.

 

[Grog]

I talk enough on 900, don't need another

 

[N_Jay]

You might want to keep an eye out for these units, when they show up on sale.

TriSquare 900 MHz spread spectrum HT's

Currently claimed to be coming out in April, with prices for a pair of TSX 100's at $99, TSX 200's at $119, and TSX 300's at $139. (suggested retail, subject to change, blah blah)

.945 watts, frequency hopping over 50 channels from 906.275 - 923.750


"Hey, Joe, call me on channel 9,821,231,004 later!"

Someone on another forum instantly suggested Hams could use channel 14652 as a calling channel. :lol:

If they work well, they could be a very good replacement in 'busy' places like Theme Parks for FRS/GMRS, with a claimed ability to support over 100k users 'in range' with minimal interference. Me, I'd automatically drop that to 50,000 users.

Looks like Motorola did not protect their "Moto-talk/iDEN Direct-Talk" design well enough.

 

[Don_Burke]

If they work well, they could be a very good replacement in 'busy' places like Theme Parks for FRS/GMRS, with a claimed ability to support over 100k users 'in range' with minimal interference. Me, I'd automatically drop that to 50,000 users.

Maybe by "in range," they mean as in "Sierra Nevadas."

 

[Gilligan]

Looks like Motorola did not protect their "Moto-talk/iDEN Direct-Talk" design well enough.

I was just going to comment that it sounds just like the DirectTalk freature on my Nextel.

 

[edweirdFL]

If there are anything like the Moto DTR radios that use 900 and digital SSFH, then they should outperform FRS radios.

That price point should work well. I think the Moto DTR610 or 650 are still $350 or more a piece.

 

[mancow]

These look really neat to me. I wonder if I could check them out in person at the company HQ in KC, MO?

The price is great too.

 

[K8PBX]

As info, the TriSquare 900MHz eXRS Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) 2-way radios are now available. Their VP of sales sent me an email today with the following information:

The TriSquare eXRS radios are now available at the following URL: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=pcmcat123900050003&type=category Thanks again for your interest and please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions. We invite and welcome any comments you may have on the operation/features as you use them.

 

[PBR]

900Mhz...4.5 volts...I dont imagine the ERP will be very high.

 

[RadioWARE]

Just ordered! But they are on backorder, these will great for the kids!

TriSquare eXRS 900MHz FHSS 2-Way Radios (Pair) - Charcoal Metallic/Black

 

[KD8DVR]

They've got about a watt ERP. I'm putting a set thru their paces now. Definitely first-gen product. A few bugs.

I've got the more expensive set.... full alpha tagging. You can set a talkgrop, associated with a "channel" and a private channel, both of which are constantly monitored.


Bugs:
No handshaking.... radios can lose synch with each other. Text messages sent with no verification of receipt. Private calls cannot be sent more than once without first going to a regular channel.... although I still need to determine if perhaps there is a time delay function built in.... These are fairly advanced radios for the consumer market, and require a lot of study to really review honestly.



I haven't got to range tests yet. What I've used them for so far seems to favor a decent range and very good audio quality. The models I have seem to be tailored more to business applications. Overkill for the average family. The less expensive units are far more suitable for family use.

 

[mancow]

It might be neat to route the RF to the back end of a 900 Mhz hi power Maxtrac or spectra.

 

[a29zuk]

One watt at 900MHZ......Don't think the range wiil be that great. Generally the higher the frequency the more wattage is needed for optimal performance...but we'll see.

 

[N_Jay]

Yes, but you have all forgot about the "gain" of FEC.

If it is anything like Moto-Talk, it will go as far if not further then FRS.

Also remember that 450 MHz to 900 MHz is only one octave.

 

[rescuecomm]

1 watt at 900mhz freq hopper should be okay for about a mile. Should be able to use them just about anywhere in the world (on cruises?). JWilkers, keep us informed on your opinions. These radios are about $130 for a pair of the better grade units. I thought about a set just for kicks due the high number of algoritims (channels) for semi-secure comms about the ponderosa.

Bob

 

[a29zuk]

Just skeptical about 900MHZ. The Motorolas(935-938MHZ TRS 50W repeater) at the plant I presently work at will not work in the basement. The 460MHZ Motorolas at the old plant worked great where ever you took them. But then again I don't know the wattage of the old plant's repeater as the building is gone.

 

[N_Jay]

I am sure a few people here who have used Moto-Talk (Nextel Direct-Talk) can fill us in on how well it works.

 

[a29zuk]

I can't use my Nextel in the plant I work at either. Had to borrow someone elses Verizon to make a call. Can't use them in the upper peninsula of Michigan, either. I'll be switching services soon.

 

[rescuecomm]

Two reasons I switched from Nextel.
1. No service in the western part of our call area
2. Voice quality was not as good as cell carriers.
Members of our squad used Nextels for off-dispatch channel ops. They would have been better if I could have worked a deal for the squad to pay for group call time. Once we got the VHF squad repeater on line, I went with Verizon (thieves, but which cell companies aren't?)

There was a thread somewhere about a guy that used a set of the Motorola 900 freq hop units on a cruise ship and IIRC, he said operations throughout the ship were fine. I think that it is interesting that 800mhz trunk systems are supposed to get into building better than VHF, but your 900 won't penetrate floors.

Bob

 

[mancow]

It works surprisingly well. We often get a one mile (reliable) radius coverage car to car in a suburban environment. We get a bit less in rural areas.
I woud describe it as 1 1/2 to 2 times what you can expect with FRS.

It exceeded my expectations. I would think that the higher power of the XRS units would push that out even more.

I am sure a few people here who have used Moto-Talk (Nextel Direct-Talk) can fill us in on how well it works.