Digital Modes on MURS

[mmckenna]

As my signature states, I have a few Icom h-t's

You understand what I'm saying.

I wish more people would pay attention and learn that a $20 radio isn't the perfect solution to every communications issue. I know most hobbyists are running on a budget, but with a bit of stretch, there are MUCH better radios available. I got stuck using a CCR last week. First time I've touched one in a few years. The waves of disappointment came back, and reminded me why I use the right tools at work.

 

[kny2xb]

You understand what I'm saying.

I wish more people would pay attention and learn that a $20 radio isn't the perfect solution to every communications issue. I know most hobbyists are running on a budget, but with a bit of stretch, there are MUCH better radios available. I got stuck using a CCR last week. First time I've touched one in a few years. The waves of disappointment came back, and reminded me why I use the right tools at work.

Yes I do
I sometimes turn on my UV5R, listen to the crackle, hear the lady say "channel mode", and I turn it back off
If I had to use a CCR, I'd rather use my TYT UV88
My advice: unless you HAVE to have a radio right away, wait patiently, save up your money, and search for bargains
I know a guy that bought a used F2000S on eBay for just under $50.00
I programmed it for him and aimed him at BlueMax49ers for his own cable and software

 

[kny2xb]

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.

Years ago, items were built with quality and made to last, as opposed to todays meh quality and considered disposable

My GE clock radio was purchased in 1984, it has a keypad, two of the numbers don't work, but the unit itself still works as of today 8/4/26

One of these days I may buy component cleaner and see if I can remedy the two buttons

Buried somewhere is my 1977 vintage TI-30 calculator, same deal, I bought it for chemistry and physics in high school, the last time I fired it up, all the red LED's still worked

 

[CaptDan]

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

Actually I happen to like that the Dakota Alert operates on MURS. I can take an old CCR like a GT-3 out with me in the fields and I can monitor the alert/alarm system. When an alert is received by us out in various parts of the field, someone can respond on the air they they will check the alarm for the main driveway or whatever specific area the alert was broadcast for.

May not be 100% legal or legal at all, but honestly in over 10 years the only MURS radio traffic I ever heard in this area was in town when WalMart still used MURS.

The GT-3 is a CCR that costs under $30.00. When one is damaged beyond repair it's not a big deal or expensive loss. 99% of the time they are just used for monitoring the Alarm system on MURS and occasional GMRS communications around the farm.

To stay on topic, there are some other CCR like the radioddity GD-77 that is capable of DMR on GMRS & MURS. Again not legal at all, but capable.

 

[Giddyuptd]

Actually I happen to like that the Dakota Alert operates on MURS. I can take an old CCR like a GT-3 out with me in the fields and I can monitor the alert/alarm system. When an alert is received by us out in various parts of the field, someone can respond on the air they they will check the alarm for the main driveway or whatever specific area the alert was broadcast for.

May not be 100% legal or legal at all, but honestly in over 10 years the only MURS radio traffic I ever heard in this area was in town when WalMart still used MURS.

The GT-3 is a CCR that costs under $30.00. When one is damaged beyond repair it's not a big deal or expensive loss. 99% of the time they are just used for monitoring the Alarm system on MURS and occasional GMRS communications around the farm.

To stay on topic, there are some other CCR like the radioddity GD-77 that is capable of DMR on GMRS & MURS. Again not legal at all, but capable.

Other than some wal mart stragglers using murs in my area, who knows why they all use curve and dlr dtr now the only other traffic is people buying the supposed 12 watt apx knock offs including some businesses on murs in my area. Ive even noticed a couple of sit in dinners using them for seating guests on murs, some using a random frequency they decided to just use.

 

[bharvey2]

In my area (SF Bay Area) Costco and Walmart both used MURS radios for a time although they seem to have moved off to different frequencies. Every once in a while I'll monitor the MURS channels and I do hear what appears to be digital transmission on either the Blue Dot channel or Green Dot channels. (Can't remember which) The transmission time is fairly short so I don't think it's voice traffic of any sort.

 

[nd5y]

In my area (SF Bay Area) Costco and Walmart both used MURS radios for a time although they seem to have moved off to different frequencies. Every once in a while I'll monitor the MURS channels and I do hear what appears to be digital transmission on either the Blue Dot channel or Green Dot channels. (Can't remember which) The transmission time is fairly short so I don't think it's voice traffic of any sort.

Digital voice isn't allowed but data is. There are products like text messaging, GPS trackers, dog collars, tank level alarms that use MURS.

 

[bharvey2]

Digital voice isn't allowed but data is. There are products like text messaging, GPS trackers, dog collars, tank level alarms that use MURS.

I know it isn't allowed but the OP mentioned DMR and P25 so I wanted to be clear what I was or was not hearing. Unfortunately though, some believe the "voice isn't allowed" thing applies to them. A different topic indeed.