Analog radio with 1 to 1 calling

[Meestor_X]

Hello;

Forgive me if I'm in the wrong forum, but I'm interested in finding an inexpensive analog portable radio that features the ability to do 1 to 1 calling. I'm not interested in Digital due to the latency.
I'd like something that has similar range as a 4-watt UHF Motorola CP200, has 16 channels and is reasonably priced but still decent quality. Does such a thing exist?

There are just so many radios out there I'm hoping someone can help me navigate to a product that fits my requirements.

 

[DisasterGuy]

From what you describe, a GMRS radio would be appropriate.


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[Meestor_X]

Thank you for your reply.

So with GMRS, can I have (for example) let's say 16 people, each part of one group. Each group on it's own channel so conversations within each group don't interfere with other groups. e.g.
Group A 4 people
Group B 4 people
Group C 4 people
Group D 4 people

I'm in group A and normally want to hear and speak to everyone in Group A, but at this moment, I want to speak to only 1 person in group A. How do I do a 1 to 1 call to that person? i.e. their radio unsquelches but the other 2 people in Group A's radios stay quiet.

Bonus points if there's a radio that also has the ability to listen to all groups (scan?).

 

[DisasterGuy]

Okay, so what you are looking for is a bit beyond the scope of what I thought you were asking. There are ways to do what you describe (and many people with chime in with suggestions) that honestly are likely to be a bit over-complex for what you really need.

In order to provide an appropriate answer you are going to have to provide a bit more background information on exactly what you are trying to do. What are these radios supporting, a business, club, group of friends? How large of an area do you need to cover and is it indoors, outdoors or a combination of the two? If indoors what type of building (ie: type of construction)? What is your budget?

 

[Kirk]

Sounds like he's looking for selective calling. Look for radios with two-tone sequential (send and receive) or other signaling protocols. I know the Puxing radios have selcall.

 

[Meestor_X]

I have for many, many years been using Motorola UHF 4-watt CP200s, programmed to 16 channels. They work well, are solid, good range, simple and reliable.
So think in terms of that being the baseline and what I want to improve upon. I think they're about $250 a piece when a package is purchased, so something around that price would be what I mean by "inexpensive". I looked at the DTRs, but they are digital, so not what I want.
They're for event communication inside buildings mostly. Thank you for your help and let me know if you need any other info.

 

[DisasterGuy]

I have for many, many years been using Motorola UHF 4-watt CP200s, programmed to 16 channels. They work well, are solid, good range, simple and reliable.
So think in terms of that being the baseline and what I want to improve upon. I think they're about $250 a piece when a package is purchased, so something around that price would be what I mean by "inexpensive". I looked at the DTRs, but they are digital, so not what I want.
They're for event communication inside buildings mostly. Thank you for your help and let me know if you need any other info.

What frequencies are you using? Are you specifically licensed for them and if so with what emissions designation? When you make a "1 to 1" call does it need to be private or do you just need to be able to alert a specific radio that you are calling them and have everyone else have the ability to stay muted unless called? Does everyone need the ability to do this or just a couple of users? This will be critical to determine what your options are.

 

[Meestor_X]

Sounds like he's looking for selective calling. Look for radios with two-tone sequential (send and receive) or other signaling protocols. I know the Puxing radios have selcall.

Thank you for that. If anyone has a suggestion of a model as well as the brand, I'd appreciate the help as there are just so many to choose from!
Someone with more experience than me could probably narrow the range down to a few models.

 

[Kirk]

The Puxing PX-UV973 was recently type accepted (Part 90) for use on commercial frequencies (UHF & VHF). It has MSK signaling, which I believe will do what you want to do. I don't have one so I can't speak to how good it is, but it's on my wish list.

That said, it's quite a bit more complex (more buttons) than a CP200.

If the users don't need to call each other, CP200's can be configured for 2-tone decode, so you could keep most of the radios and the boss/supervisor/whatever could get something newer that does encode.

 

[Kirk]

Oh, it's also likely less durable than a Motorola (even the cheap CP200 series).

 

[Meestor_X]

What frequencies are you using? Are you specifically licensed for them and if so with what emissions designation?

My inexperience with the licensing aspect keeps me from answering this one. I use rental radios but would like to purchase my own. The whole licensing question could be addressed in a separate post as it may be off-topic for the discussion of specific models of radio?

When you make a "1 to 1" call does it need to be private or do you just need to be able to alert a specific radio that you are calling them and have everyone else have the ability to stay muted unless called?

I'm not sure how this function normally works, but I'm looking to see if there's an analog radio that allows me to speak directly to a specific person in my group (or another group) and it doesn't unsquelch anyone else. I'd like to do this without announcing to the group, "Bill - go to channel 5" for a 1 to 1 conversation.

Does everyone need the ability to do this or just a couple of users?

Preferably, everyone.

 

[Kirk]

I'd recommend going to a professional shop (or maybe the company you rent from) and explain your situation. They should be able to assist with licensing (it's a bit complicated) and recommend appropriate radios.

Buying your own and self-programming is a pretty serious undertaking (there are many opportunities to screw it up).

 

[krokus]

You didn't say whether you want any sort of privacy.

Honestly, the more you describe what you are looking for, the more you "need" digital.

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[DisasterGuy]

I'd recommend going to a professional shop (or maybe the company you rent from) and explain your situation. They should be able to assist with licensing (it's a bit complicated) and recommend appropriate radios.

Buying your own and self-programming is a pretty serious undertaking (there are many opportunities to screw it up).

I echo this response. This is not a DIY kind of venture and it does sound like a case for digital.

 

[Meestor_X]

You didn't say whether you want any sort of privacy.

Not sure I understand what you mean. Don't care about encryption or anything like that, just looking for something one step better that allows us to not need to call "Go to channel 5" all the time to have a 1 on 1 conversation.
I want that 1 to 1 feature that digital radios have, but in an analog radio. I take it that's not possible?

 

[Meestor_X]

I'd recommend going to a professional shop (or maybe the company you rent from) and explain your situation. They should be able to assist with licensing (it's a bit complicated) and recommend appropriate radios.

The idea is to get away from the renters, get some non-biased advice from the community.

Buying your own and self-programming is a pretty serious undertaking (there are many opportunities to screw it up).

They still have not made easier to use software and/or radios?

 

[Kirk]

The software hasn't really gotten easier (that I've seen, although I haven't really done serious LMR in a long time).

If the area you're covering is small, the license-free Motorola 900MHz digital stuff is reported to be darned good. Excellent range and clarity, and there are selective call options. I'm not sure why your'e discounting digital.

Licensing is a pain, and it's expensive. I've found it's the most expensive part of the project if you're talking handhelds only.

 

[Kirk]

Give these a look: DTR 620™ Digital On-Site Portable Radio - Motorola Solutions Latin America

 

[Meestor_X]

Yeah, not looking for digital, as I said. Thanks, though.

 

[DisasterGuy]

The issue is more about licensing than anything else. You will likely spend well over $500 to get a license. You will then spend several hundred dollars on programming software. All of this before the cost of radios.

Running your own radio shop to do your own alignment and programming and related service makes sense when you have several hundred radios. Not so much with what you are looking to do. There are many things you "could" do but the advise you are getting here is sound and appropriate. The only way I would go it alone here would be using something like the digital license free 900MHz radios mentioned above.


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