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To anyone looking to acquire commercial radio programming software:
Please do not make requests for copies of radio programming software which is sold (or was sold) by the manufacturer for any monetary value. All requests will be deleted and a forum infraction issued. Making a request such as this is attempting to engage in software piracy and this forum cannot be involved or associated with this activity. The same goes for any private transaction via Private Message. Even if you attempt to engage in this activity in PM's we will still enforce the forum rules. Your PM's are not private and the administration has the right to read them if there's a hint to criminal activity.
If you are having trouble legally obtaining software please state so. We do not want any hurt feelings when your vague post is mistaken for a free request. It is YOUR responsibility to properly word your request.
To obtain Motorola software see the Sticky in the Motorola forum.
The various other vendors often permit their dealers to sell the software online (i.e., Kenwood). Please use Google or some other search engine to find a dealer that sells the software. Typically each series or individual radio requires its own software package. Often the Kenwood software is less than $100 so don't be a cheapskate; just purchase it.
For M/A Com/Harris/GE, etc: there are two software packages that program all current and past radios. One package is for conventional programming and the other for trunked programming. The trunked package is in upwards of $2,500. The conventional package is more reasonable though is still several hundred dollars. The benefit is you do not need multiple versions for each radio (unlike Motorola).
This is a large and very visible forum. We cannot jeopardize the ability to provide the RadioReference services by allowing this activity to occur. Please respect this.
Radio
- Thread starter ktedder
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KD8DVR
Member
Most of the commercial grade part 95a certified stuff is all good for use with your GMRS license.
Sent from my LG-D631 using Tapatalk
Sent from my LG-D631 using Tapatalk
Avoid the bubble-pack, mass-market portables and most of the budget-priced chinese radios! You'll do much better with appropriate commercial equipment.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Portable or mobile?
The comments above are right on. Anything you buy at a consumer store is going to be a poor choice for long range. The inefficient/non-removeable antennas mandated by the FCC for -any- radio that does FRS channels as well as GMRS is going to cripple your range.
You need to be looking at commercial radios that have the required FCC Part 95 certifications.
There you can run 50 watts from a mobile, and you'll find 4-5 watt portables. Best part is you can actually use efficient antennas, even gain antennas that will increase the Effective Radiated Power (ERP) or your system.
Icom and Kenwood are a few that you can find relatively cheap on the used market. Just make sure you consider the entire cost, including programming software and programming cables. If you are going with a mobile or a base, you'll need good quality coaxial cable and antennas, as well as power.
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