Question about MURS
- Thread starter duchee
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kd8jhc
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Not every VHF high band radio is right for MURS...
2 watts max (even on a base/mobile),
Limited maximum antenna height,
11.25 kHz bandwidth on .82, .88, and .94
20 kHz allowed on .57 and .60 only
Simplex operation only - no repeaters
Radio must be Part 95 certified.
Short answer: no, not every high band radio is suitable for MURS.
FCC MURS Information
FCC: Wireless Services: Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS): MURS Home
What are the requirements of your radio system -- what types of units need to communicate, and how far are they from each other? What type of patrol group is it?
2 watts max (even on a base/mobile),
Limited maximum antenna height,
11.25 kHz bandwidth on .82, .88, and .94
20 kHz allowed on .57 and .60 only
Simplex operation only - no repeaters
Radio must be Part 95 certified.
Short answer: no, not every high band radio is suitable for MURS.
FCC MURS Information
FCC: Wireless Services: Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS): MURS Home
What are the requirements of your radio system -- what types of units need to communicate, and how far are they from each other? What type of patrol group is it?
kd8jhc
Member
Some MURS radios
Looking around on eBay, I found a few interesting things. This looks like a legitimate MURS radio.
Dakota Alert M538-HT MURS Hand Held Radio Transceiver - eBay (item 280430424598 end time Jun-25-10 23:57:38 PDT)
These, and others from Asian sellers, I would stay away from:
SFE VHF 136-174 5W CTCSS DPL MURS Handheld Radio - eBay (item 350363028491 end time Jun-11-10 21:06:32 PDT)
TGK 5W VHF 136-174 CTCSS MURS Two Way Handheld Radio - eBay (item 350361408819 end time Jun-07-10 18:56:52 PDT)
Neither of these are likely FCC certified. That's case closed for me.
Have you tried using FRS type radios?
Looking around on eBay, I found a few interesting things. This looks like a legitimate MURS radio.
Dakota Alert M538-HT MURS Hand Held Radio Transceiver - eBay (item 280430424598 end time Jun-25-10 23:57:38 PDT)
These, and others from Asian sellers, I would stay away from:
SFE VHF 136-174 5W CTCSS DPL MURS Handheld Radio - eBay (item 350363028491 end time Jun-11-10 21:06:32 PDT)
TGK 5W VHF 136-174 CTCSS MURS Two Way Handheld Radio - eBay (item 350361408819 end time Jun-07-10 18:56:52 PDT)
Neither of these are likely FCC certified. That's case closed for me.
Have you tried using FRS type radios?
we are a citizen patrol group with the police department. bunch of volunteers. have not tryed frs yet. basicly here is the map of the area. we just need radio communication back and fourth from each other nothing special. i heard murs was more powerful but idk. CB is to big and heavy for us. anyother questions or suggestions? PD wont let us on there system which sucks.
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kd8jhc
Member
MURS allows external antennas and more power than FRS. Beyond that, the biggest difference is frequency band. I would suggest trying some low-cost FRS radios - this would be the cheapest way to start. Try a pair and see how far you can stretch them. I've had good luck with mine around my neighborhood, but it's a fairly flat, lightly wooded suburban neighborhood.
Keep in mind that with both MURS or FRS, you won't have any exclusive use of the frequencies, so you might have to deal with interference here and there. If you go FRS make sure you set all radios with to same "privacy code." This won't stop others from hearing you, but will make your radio only hear others set with the same code.
Too bad your PD won't help you out. Chances are in your city there might be a frequency/repeater that is licensed to an agency (e.g., parks dept.) but not in use... Since you're a volunteer org. maybe you could negotiate access to a shared commercial repeater in the area. That would be the best because even though your patrol area might be a small area, wouldn't it be nice to know that in the course of your duties you'd have reliable comms even if you strayed outside your zone?
Keep in mind that with both MURS or FRS, you won't have any exclusive use of the frequencies, so you might have to deal with interference here and there. If you go FRS make sure you set all radios with to same "privacy code." This won't stop others from hearing you, but will make your radio only hear others set with the same code.
Too bad your PD won't help you out. Chances are in your city there might be a frequency/repeater that is licensed to an agency (e.g., parks dept.) but not in use... Since you're a volunteer org. maybe you could negotiate access to a shared commercial repeater in the area. That would be the best because even though your patrol area might be a small area, wouldn't it be nice to know that in the course of your duties you'd have reliable comms even if you strayed outside your zone?
auxscan
Member
how many miles does your volly org cover? What about the towns police department how much ground do they cover? Are their communication repeater operated or on a simplex operation?
well if you look at the map and see the white area that is what we cover. mostly in the middle area tho not so much by the lake. our police department doesnt use repeaters i dont think at least there not noticeable we have many towers. very good range. 15-20 miles out of town maybe even more. Conventional were switching to 800 in two years.
auxscan
Member
The area ur covering is a little over 3 miles according to google, im not sure if murs will cover the ground because of the two watt limit. But youd be suprised i got 2 mile coverage in nyc and im surronded by buildings, factories and warehouses. Its also good cause you can buy a vhf radio with the same split as ur towns police department cause according to the RR database your towns police and fire department operate on 154/155 mhz and murs is on 151/154 mhz. So if two of u guys patrol one can have his radio on the police departments frequency ( ofcourse programmed to RX only) and the other on the murs frequency alerting other members about activtes going on.
As far as radio goes since ur budget seems to be low i would first go with a motorola saber 1 vhf 148-162 mhz. Be sure to check around first see if dealers in your city can program these old radios. They usually go for about $60 a piece. Pretty affordable if u ask me. If u can not go for the motorola saber or have a hard time find one then i suggest the puxing px-777. These are chinese made radios but are certifed by the fcc for use in america. The puxing is smaller and carries more channels and has a display but lacks in audio and power. They usually go for about $75 shipped and the best part is that u can program it yourself via keypad or by computer unlike the saber which is no long supported by motorola. And can be a b1tch to find a dealer to program it for you.
If it doesnt work out then u guys should all indiviual gmrs licenses and set up a repeater but u gotta invest alot of money into that...
As far as radio goes since ur budget seems to be low i would first go with a motorola saber 1 vhf 148-162 mhz. Be sure to check around first see if dealers in your city can program these old radios. They usually go for about $60 a piece. Pretty affordable if u ask me. If u can not go for the motorola saber or have a hard time find one then i suggest the puxing px-777. These are chinese made radios but are certifed by the fcc for use in america. The puxing is smaller and carries more channels and has a display but lacks in audio and power. They usually go for about $75 shipped and the best part is that u can program it yourself via keypad or by computer unlike the saber which is no long supported by motorola. And can be a b1tch to find a dealer to program it for you.
If it doesnt work out then u guys should all indiviual gmrs licenses and set up a repeater but u gotta invest alot of money into that...
auxscan
Member
wow that's pretty expensive. $35 for 4 frequencies? I know a individual dealer here who programs per a zone. Since the radio is 12 channels per zone each zone will be $40 to program. Try snooping around cause it looks like that guy is trying to rip u off.
Anyway yes the puxing px-777 covers the whole vhf band 136-174 Mhz. The ham band is 144-148 mhz on vhf so yes it covers the whole band. But dont say i didnt remind you that some lack audio and power and u get what u pay for.
Anyway yes the puxing px-777 covers the whole vhf band 136-174 Mhz. The ham band is 144-148 mhz on vhf so yes it covers the whole band. But dont say i didnt remind you that some lack audio and power and u get what u pay for.
auxscan
Member
no problem bro
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