911iNET Portable Radio

[KY3452]

I’ve recently discovered a PoC radio called 911iNET operating on the 4G LTE network and I’ve spent some time trying to figure out how they operate and will the work in a simplex “radio to radio” mode or do you need a subscription to use them? Are they dual band or single band or just strictly operating on 4G network? Do you need a license to operate them or? If anyone has information about them I greatly appreciate!

 

[mmckenna]

National Communications Center / Mission Critical PTT | 911iNET | United States

National Push To Talk Network serving public safety agencies and private companies throghout the United States. 911iNET also provides a national Emergency Communications Center (ECC).

www.911inet.com

Holy **** that's some serious whacker level stuff right there.

As for the radios, they are LTE, as in they run over commercial cellular networks using a data only plan/SIM using Voice over IP. They only work when in range of a cell tower that belongs to one of the carriers supported by the SIM card. They have no simplex capability. They are not amateur radio, GMRS, FRS, MURS or anything else. Just a cellular data modem in a box with a software that adds the Push To Talk over Cellular feature. It requires a subscription to use. Often the seller provides a data only SIM card that may support one or more carriers. It won't make telephone calls. No license required as it's just a cellular device.

There's a ton of companies that make these, mostly Chinese brands.

Icom sells their own system that is pretty well built, better than the Cheap Chinese Radio crap.
Motorola and L3Harris have better systems that integrate with two way radio systems, however it requires their high end public safety grade radios.

Buyer beware.

 

[lamarrsy]

… but then there is the free Zello PTT app that you can install on a Chinese low cost PoC (or Network Radio like they are also called).

I have a home gateway setup with free Zello for Windows, that is connected to a vhf radio tuned to our local ham FM analog repeater. It runs 24/7/365 flawlessly.

It allows us, ham owners of Network Radios, to use the available 4G LTE cellular network to link-back to our friends operating with their radios on the local repeater from anywhere we are.
I use a 1Gig/month data SIM for 10$ CDN, and if I ever go over this limit, the account is shared with my cell phone data plan.

Some of us have “mobile” format-size Network Radios, some others like me have “portable” format (I have a Uniwa F40 —120$— since many years, it traveled with me many thousand km thru the years!)
I did used it with family members while traveling in two cars. They used the free Zello on their phones, so it avoided dialing a phone number each time we wanted to chat about this or that while traveling.

I also run 3 radio “feeds” (listen-only) that feeds 3 separate Zello channels for my radio scanner hobby.
The advantages of using a setup like that are :
- the RF signal (at my receiving station) is always top notch (external antenna) so on my PoC, the reception is of course crystal clear.
- the feeds are recorded on my portable Network Radio, meaning I can go back any time to listen to what I may have missed.
- if two or more feeds are active at the same time, the feeds are played *sequentially* on the PoC (meaning you never loose a transmission because the radio was scanning and stopped on a busy channel)
- the battery consumption is ridiculously less than on a traditional radio (today was a snowstorm day, with all three channels pretty busy, I listened all day, and my PoC battery is still 85% good!).
- the audio on the PoC is wayyy much louder than any cellphone used freehand (in the order of 1watt of audio for portable and like 3 or 4 watts on mobile PoCs).

‘Hope this helps a bit more understanding “PoC” radios !

 

[cavmedic]

I have two of them from when I was a Constable. Due to courts ruling Constables in PA are independent contractors, most Counties would not allow you on their radio systems, regardless if you were serving warrants from their County or any other lawful work. So this service was one option to have access to some sort dispatch to track where you were, times in /out , need for emergency assistance without fumbling for a cellphone etc.


Back to the radios…. They are locked out with their own custom firmware, and really can not be used for anything else. If you are just looking for personal use, keep looking around, better options in the POC category.

 

[WB5UOM]

Serious Whacker stuff, and serious whackers.
quite comical, if it was mot so sad that some have bought in to it

 

[KY3452]

I figured they didn’t have a simplex mode. I use Zello here and there and I’ve had a few of the cheap phone/Zello radios but never heard of this particular brand before. Thank you much for your advice!!

 

[KY3452]

… but then there is the free Zello PTT app that you can install on a Chinese low cost PoC (or Network Radio like they are also called).

I have a home gateway setup with free Zello for Windows, that is connected to a vhf radio tuned to our local ham FM analog repeater. It runs 24/7/365 flawlessly.

It allows us, ham owners of Network Radios, to use the available 4G LTE cellular network to link-back to our friends operating with their radios on the local repeater from anywhere we are.
I use a 1Gig/month data SIM for 10$ CDN, and if I ever go over this limit, the account is shared with my cell phone data plan.

Some of us have “mobile” format-size Network Radios, some others like me have “portable” format (I have a Uniwa F40 —120$— since many years, it traveled with me many thousand km thru the years!)
I did used it with family members while traveling in two cars. They used the free Zello on their phones, so it avoided dialing a phone number each time we wanted to chat about this or that while traveling.

I also run 3 radio “feeds” (listen-only) that feeds 3 separate Zello channels for my radio scanner hobby.
The advantages of using a setup like that are :
- the RF signal (at my receiving station) is always top notch (external antenna) so on my PoC, the reception is of course crystal clear.
- the feeds are recorded on my portable Network Radio, meaning I can go back any time to listen to what I may have missed.
- if two or more feeds are active at the same time, the feeds are played *sequentially* on the PoC (meaning you never loose a transmission because the radio was scanning and stopped on a busy channel)
- the battery consumption is ridiculously less than on a traditional radio (today was a snowstorm day, with all three channels pretty busy, I listened all day, and my PoC battery is still 85% good!).
- the audio on the PoC is wayyy much louder than any cellphone used freehand (in the order of 1watt of audio for portable and like 3 or 4 watts on mobile PoCs).

‘Hope this helps a bit more understanding “PoC” radios !

Very very helpful thank you!!

 

[KY3452]

I have two of them from when I was a Constable. Due to courts ruling Constables in PA are independent contractors, most Counties would not allow you on their radio systems, regardless if you were serving warrants from their County or any other lawful work. So this service was one option to have access to some sort dispatch to track where you were, times in /out , need for emergency assistance without fumbling for a cellphone etc.


Back to the radios…. They are locked out with their own custom firmware, and really can not be used for anything else. If you are just looking for personal use, keep looking around, better options in the POC category.

I’ve found a lot more POC options now that I’ve done more digging around. I messaged the guy back asking for more information and he couldn’t give much more than what he’s told me so I’ve moved on avoiding possible scam or if the device was possibly stolen I don’t know. Better safe than sorry

 

[KevinC]

I just ordered my "Special Police Officer" ID card from them. I wonder if I can get free meals at Chick-Fil-A with it???

 

[mmckenna]

I just ordered my "Special Police Officer" ID card from them. I wonder if I can get free meals at Chick-Fil-A with it???

Only if it has your ham call on it and only before 4:30pm (void where prohibited).

I had a user that was looking at PTToC services a few weeks ago. Icom would be my choice if I was going that route. Reputable company, actual tech support. Full solution available including satellite, mobile LTE, WiFi, etc.

 

[D31245]

Do 911 Dispatchers need to be certified in the US? I thought they did?

Careers | 911iNET

www.911inet.com

 

[cavmedic]

I’ve found a lot more POC options now that I’ve done more digging around. I messaged the guy back asking for more information and he couldn’t give much more than what he’s told me so I’ve moved on avoiding possible scam or if the device was possibly stolen I don’t know. Better safe than sorry

Yeah, I’ve already looked into it. I’ve recently seen one listed on market place and he wanted almost 200 bucks for it. I couldn’t helpmbut laugh to myself.

 

[cavmedic]

Do 911 Dispatchers need to be certified in the US? I thought they did?

Careers | 911iNET

www.911inet.com

They aren’t true 911 dispatchers …. But 911 dispatchers are typically APCO certified

 

[cavmedic]

Serious Whacker stuff, and serious whackers.
quite comical, if it was mot so sad that some have bought in to it

When you are out in the ghettos serving warrants, and **** hits the fan, I’ll take that subscription over trying to screw with a cell phone.

 

[WB5UOM]

ok, you can do that

 

[mmckenna]

Do 911 Dispatchers need to be certified in the US? I thought they did?

Careers | 911iNET

www.911inet.com

If they are true 911 PSAP dispatchers, the state usually has training requirements. There's usually very in depth background checks.

Their job description doesn't match any 911 dispatcher position I've ever seen. And the "$11/hour" is down right insulting. 911 dispatchers are well underpaid for their work, but $11 is well below what most fast food workers make. That should tell you the level of service you are getting from these guys.

The liability of that whole thing is scary. Really sounds like some whacker/security types got together and decided to spin up their own dispatch center so they can feel important.

 

[mmckenna]

Yeah, I’ve already looked into it. I’ve recently seen one listed on market place and he wanted almost 200 bucks for it. I couldn’t helpmbut laugh to myself.

You can get a brand new Icom LTE radio for $199.00.

Home | Icom LTE

www.icomlte.com

 

[Citywide173]

There is a lot of intentional obfuscation when it comes to PoC, PTToC, Network Radio or whatever term the marketer is using. Each seller of service is trying to put their own spin on their product without actually admitting that it is all dependent on a cell phone or wifi signal to operate. I provide a feed of a Zello channel that is a combination of public safety, media and buffs that provides announcements and updates for public safety events. It's whackerish, yes, but nowhere near as whackerish as these people. More importantly, it's "free" in that Zello allows you to set up a channel without having a subscription-cell/wifi/wired internet access availability still has to exist though. A search on Amazon or eBay for "network radio" provides many options from sub-$100 basic units to units with full android functionality for several hundred dollars. The RFinder B1+ is probably the epitome of units right now for radio enthusiasts.

To be honest, I'm surprised Lindsay hasn't launched a network radio option of some type, as I'm sure it would fit somewhere in the business model.

 

[Motoballa]

The liability of that whole thing is scary. Really sounds like some whacker/security types got together and decided to spin up their own dispatch center so they can feel important.

Talk about liability lmao there is no way this is even close to true

Also, they have a headquarters in South Korea and Africa?!? Does this mean I can buy a 911 radio from them and get help anywhere in the world? Wow. Maybe if their PTToC server is down their customers can text 911 for help and they'll "send backup"

Going into Google street view for their Alabama "headquarters" I can see some type of radio active symbol on the front door.. Also, back in February of 2019 they had a whole black and white "mobile command" RV parked outside like a fire truck just soaking in the curious eyes as people drive past.

Yeah, OP please stay away. I'd trust my neighbor who's drunk on the porch at 3am with a loaded shotgun more rather than "calling in" or "texting 911" to reach these folks.

 

[cavmedic]

You can get a brand new Icom LTE radio for $199.00.

Home | Icom LTE

www.icomlte.com

No, I don't need or want one, just mentioning one from the same service recently spotted on Market place and how much they wanted for it.