Digital Modes on MURS

[w4han]

I am wondering how common it is to use digital modes on MURS, such as DMR or P25... I have seen a few people use digital voice but not many.

 

[mmckenna]

Well, not legal: Federal Register :: Request Access

But, yeah, MURS used to be Part 90 and there are grandfathered Part 90 users that may be using it. Plus it becomes a dumping ground for other businesses. Not to mention those hobbyists that use it for whatever they want.

Locally, I've only heard analog FM on it.

 

[BabaYaga60]

I am wondering how common it is to use digital modes on MURS, such as DMR or P25... I have seen a few people use digital voice but not many.

As McKenna said, MURS is a dumping ground of rf, so pretty much a free for all, but No digital modes are Not allowed.

 

[K2RNI]

Yeah it's basically VHF CB. I pick up truckers chatting on it going down the freeway all the time and one time heard a couple of them using P25. Though DMR tends the be the most prevalent (and cheapest) digital I hear.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Does anybody here just scan the 5 channels.
I did put them in the scanner and locally traffic is almost nill.

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

 

[mmckenna]

Does anybody here just scan the 5 channels.
I did put them in the scanner and locally traffic is almost nill.

Remember that MURS is 2 watts and most users are using a hand held radio with a compromise antenna. Range is going to be short.

I've scanned it a few times when I was traveling. Closer to large towns, I'd hear a few users. Often lumber yards, small businesses. I was near some large off roading areas and heard a few users.

But most places, it's dead. It's kind of a forgotten radio service. Consumers don't understand and see "22 channels" for FRS, or "Up to 60 mile range" on GMRS, and gravitate towards that. A 5 channel 2 watt radio that isn't small with a cute antenna tends to turn people off.

I've put a few users on it with legal Part 95 MURS radios, and it worked well for short range. Had a tower crew using it for a while.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

I thought MURS had 5 watts.
I scanned in Las Vegas and had a ton of intermod.
Of course lots of different radio traffic there.

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

 

[mmckenna]

I thought MURS had 5 watts.

§ 95.2767 MURS transmitting power limit.​

Each MURS transmitter type must be designed such that the transmitter power output does not exceed 2 Watts under normal operating conditions.​

​

Grandfathered part 90 users will have different rules set forth under their license.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Thank you.
My bad.

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

 

[EAFrizzle]

There's an automatic door/gate operating system that uses the wideband MURS channels. I found one about ¾ of a mile down the road from me. Just occasional data bursts. I'm far enough from Dallas that they're silent other than me and some cousins occasionally.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

Thanks EA.
Daughters in Palestine TX
For the heck of it I will take a listen.

DW
WDX6HWO
Swl operator

 

[EAFrizzle]

There's a fair bit of VHF enhancement after dark until mid-morning with the heat dome the past few weeks. In Kaufman County, Palestine NOAA on 162.450 isn't a normal station for me to catch. With this weather, It's usually S5-7 and clear til around noon, unless Llano knocks it out. The heat dome should be moving by this weekend, so these conditions won't last long.

Enjoy your listening. Lots of railroad traffic around there that I catch in the mornings.

 

[K2RNI]

I thought MURS had 5 watts.
I scanned in Las Vegas and had a ton of intermod.
Of course lots of different radio traffic there.

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

in the age of cheap chinese radio yes most do. Rarely anyone uses actual type approved radios anymore and rarely anyone makes them except that one motorola model so everyone is running 4 watt HTs and 30 watt mobiles at 25khz on every cchannel on MURS and FRS these days. Kinda nice honestly.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

I did not want to pull off topic, I will listen for digital traffic, but can't decipher it.
I am old and analog.
Ha Ha
Tnx

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

 

[mmckenna]

There's an automatic door/gate operating system that uses the wideband MURS channels.

Dakota Alert. These things have been on MURS for years, much to the annoyance of some MURS users.

in the age of cheap chinese radio yes most do. Rarely anyone uses actual type approved radios anymore and rarely anyone makes them except that one motorola model so everyone is running 4 watt HTs and 30 watt mobiles at 25khz on every cchannel on MURS and FRS these days. Kinda nice honestly.

There's a number of good type accepted MURS radios on the market. Problem is, they are built well, durable, reliable, so the hobbyists ignore them and go with the CCR's. It's a shame that price is their primary focus.

 

[oldradioguy2010]

$$$.
That's the answer

DW
WDX6HWO
swl operator

 

[kny2xb]

Dakota Alert. These things have been on MURS for years, much to the annoyance of some MURS users.

I used the Dakota Alert h-t at work for awhile, I wasn't impressed with it, it came with 1500 mA NiMH AA batteries, I bumped those up to 2200 mA from Harbor Freight
If you breathed on the call button, it transmitted an obnoxious sound, that's why management finally broke down & got me a new h-t

There's a number of good type accepted MURS radios on the market. Problem is, they are built well, durable, reliable, so the hobbyists ignore them and go with the CCR's. It's a shame that price is their primary focus.

It's too bad that the Icom IC-V10MR isn't less expensive, I've had nothing but good luck with Icom h-t's [I'm not knocking Kenwood or Motorola]

 

[mmckenna]

It's too bad that the Icom IC-V10MR isn't less expensive, I've had nothing but good luck with Icom h-t's [I'm not knocking Kenwood or Motorola]

I've owned quite a few of Icom's over the years, and used a lot of them at work for basic simplex radios on UHF. I've still got a few kicking around. Good basic radios.

The nice thing is that the Icom's and Ritron's will outlast the CCR's by a long shot. Usually spending a bit more for the better tool is more cost effective than replacing one that craps out more often.

 

[K9KLC]

I've owned quite a few of Icom's over the years, and used a lot of them at work for basic simplex radios on UHF. I've still got a few kicking around. Good basic radios.

The nice thing is that the Icom's and Ritron's will outlast the CCR's by a long shot. Usually spending a bit more for the better tool is more cost effective than replacing one that craps out more often.

I still have about 6 UHF Ritron's in service and they are honestly still doing fine. A recycling company is using them when a group of them are in the same town, Set those up in probably '96 or '97 for therm. Frankly I'm amazed.

 

[kny2xb]

I've owned quite a few of Icom's over the years, and used a lot of them at work for basic simplex radios on UHF. I've still got a few kicking around. Good basic radios.

The nice thing is that the Icom's and Ritron's will outlast the CCR's by a long shot. Usually spending a bit more for the better tool is more cost effective than replacing one that craps out more often.

As my signature states, I have a few Icom h-t's
I've been using the IC-F50 for awhile at work, it's held up in FL summers better than I have
I expect to keep using it until it quits or I do
I spent more money on the battery and charger than I did for the F50 itself, but it's proved it's value and worth
I started with Baofeng, then Alinco, finally Icom, I don't regret spending the additional $$
The Alincos have excellent transmit and receive, but are not as durable to drops and occasional roughness as the Icoms [the AX40 probably would, but I did something careless and stupid, and bricked it]