FRS on a Smartphone

[baltimorecs]

Several of the Chinese manufacturers have hybrid smartphone/VHF/UHF radios, such as the Puxing PX-D03. No idea on the quality and obviously aren't meant for the US market (no certification I am sure.) But at least the technology is out there.

Aliexpress.com : Buy Puxing PX D03 P A 968 GSM cell phone radio Dualband UHF/VHF for Wholesales/Retail D03 from Reliable a-968 suppliers on AIRFREE Electronics | Alibaba Group

IP67 rugged Waterproof phone originals Radio Walkie Talkie PTT UHF VHF cell phones CDMA GSM dual 2 SIM Russian language keyboard-in Mobile Phones from Phones & Telecommunications on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

Outfone BD351 UHF+GMS walkie talkie phone, interphone transceiver cell phone for Wholesales/Retail mobile phone IP57 waterproof-in Other Accessories from Phones & Telecommunications on Aliexpress.com | Alibaba Group

 

[JASII]

FRS On A Smartphone

Actually, a couple of those might be just dandy on a cruise ship. As licensed amateur radio operators and permission from the country whose flag we would be sailing under, I suppose The Bahamas or Panama are two common ones, these would be great for staying in touch while at sea. Then, when in a foreign port, insert a local GSM SIM card and we would be all set!

http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/9884

 

[pcole]

Zello

Download "Zello" and it gives you push to talk on any smart phone
droid or iphone. Goes anywhere the network does.
Works like a champ.......

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Download "Zello" and it gives you push to talk on any smart phone

droid or iphone. Goes anywhere the network does.

Works like a champ.......

Keyword "the network". Depending on where you are going is why Zello isn't an option.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KC8ESL]

Have you ever tried to send or receive a text message let alone make a call while at a music festival of 150,000 people? That's A LOT of cell phones for 1 or 2 maybe 3 towers to handle.

These products actually have merit if they'd ever get off the ground.

However, for the people using MURS radios (almost no one...) voice traffic would come to a standstill because of all the packets of into whizzing by. Can these be confined to only one channel or are they user selectable?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

Have you ever tried to send or receive a text message let alone make a call while at a music festival of 150,000 people? That's A LOT of cell phones for 1 or 2 maybe 3 towers to handle.

These products actually have merit if they'd ever get off the ground.

However, for the people using MURS radios (almost no one...) voice traffic would come to a standstill because of all the packets of into whizzing by. Can these be confined to only one channel or are they user selectable?

When I started at Texas Tech in 2010, they had just seen a large increase in enrollment. I remember the first few months where the cellular network would always crash during a "passing period" because AT&T didn't expect the subscribers in one section of land to increase that dramatically in a matter of months (enrollment increased 7,000 students over the previous spring).

 

[JASII]

FRS On A Smartphone

I received this e-mail today:

"Dear Explorer,

Since our first demonstration at TechCrunch Disrupt we’ve made significant progress. Beartooth's evolution over the past year has transformed our product from the prototype displayed on the Battlefield Stage to an elegant device built for any pocket, bag or pack. We've appreciated your comments and feedback throughout development which positively influenced the product. With 2016 approaching, we want to update you on our launch status.

Our goal was to make Beartooth available for pre-order by the end of 2015. A launch in 2015 meant compromising on valuable features. To stay true to our product vision, Beartooth pre-order will start February 2016! As our early follower, you will be first notified and will receive first opportunity to purchase your Beartooth.

Thank you for your continued support. We can't wait to get Beartooth in your hands.

Season's Greetings from Bozeman!

The Beartooth Team"

Also, for those still interested, the GoTenna is currently being sold.

 

[KE8TX]

The Motorola i365 uses both Sprint/Nextel and the 915MHz ISM band for group talk voice, but does not do texting or GPS over ISM
Motorola i365 full specs

 

[gewecke]

The Motorola i365 uses both Sprint/Nextel and the 915MHz ISM band for group talk voice, but does not do texting or GPS over ISM
Motorola i365 full specs

What does that have to do with Gmrs/ Frs ? This isn't about ISM frequencies. 73, n9zas

 

[JASII]

GoToKy

Has anybody here been following the GoToKy? It appears to be similar to the Beartooth and GoTenna in that it is a transceiver that connects via Bluetooth to an Android smartphone or Apple iPhone. However, unlike the Beartooth or GoTenna, this looks like it will be on PMR in the EU and FRS in the US.


Gotoky - smart Walkie Talkie

 

[KE8TX]

GoToKy

Has anybody here been following the GoToKy? It appears to be similar to the Beartooth and GoTenna in that it is a transceiver that connects via Bluetooth to an Android smartphone or Apple iPhone. However, unlike the Beartooth or GoTenna, this looks like it will be on PMR in the EU and FRS in the US.
Gotoky - smart Walkie Talkie

The tech specs just list "below 1 GHz" and 1 Watt, so I suspect this will be the 915MHz ISM in the states, as FRS is only 1/2 Watt allowed.

 

[nd5y]

Gotoky - smart Walkie Talkie

Look carefully at the pictures. It shows US FRS frequencies.


Maybe the transmitter is 1 W and the antenna is -3 dBd. That would make .5 W ERP and comply with 95.639 (d).
Maybe it can work on other frequencies below 1 GHz at 1 W ERP in other markets but the power is turned down and frequencies locked to comply with US rules.

 

[JASII]

FRS On A Smartphone

I suspect that they may h ave looked at various options for this, thus apparently conflicting information. Since they are EU based, it would make sense that they would look at UHF PMR. In fact, being UHF, they might be able to make one model and have the ability to switch from PMR for EU and FRS for US.

If they originally looked at ISM, and I suspect that they did, the 1 watt on 902-928 makes perfect sense.

As a side note, it will be interesting to see if these sorts of products are successful. I read recently that "The smartphone is ubiquitous, addictive and transformative." I agree. With that in mind, many people will have their smatphone with them even if they are out of coverage. So, having a device to couple with their smartphone seems reasonable, at least in some cases. Pair is via Bluetooth and you can use your smartphone to control it.

I sort of like the GoTenna approach using MURS 151-154 MHz at 2 watts. If they could make a newer model that did voice AND texting I would like it even better. And, of course, the "ham" in me would like the ability to have an external antenna jack to add better antennas, but that adds cost to the product, too.

 

[KE8TX]

Look carefully at the pictures. It shows US FRS frequencies.
Maybe the transmitter is 1 W and the antenna is -3 dBd. That would make .5 W ERP and comply with 95.639 (d).

I see the details in the picture FRS 14 467.7125 Subcode? 121
FCC (95.193b) (2) FRS units may transmit digital data containing location, or requesting location from other FRS units or a brief text message. Digital data transmissions must be initiated by a manual action or command of a user, except an FRS unit receiving an request may automatically respond with its location. Digital data transmissions shall not exceed one second, and shall be limited to no more than one digital transmission within a thirty-second period.