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GoTenna

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jaspence

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gotenna

The range chart is as big a joke as the packaging for FRS radios. These are most likely 100mw devices, and any of the estimates are based on an ideal condition calculation, not real world use.
 

KC8ESL

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The website indicated a 2 watt radio. If you have a good base antenna at each location, I could see an effective range of 8- 10 miles, give or take.

Don't forget, FM data causes ranges to shorten drastically, not because you can't hear a signal, but because the modem that is trying to decypher the 1's and 0's may not be able to correctly receive the entire packet of information. If one bit is missing, the data transmission is trash.

Edit: What I want to know is how they're able to use encryption protocols...
 

jaspence

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A 2 watt radio with a HT antenna to another similar radio is not going to have anywhere near that range, I use a 5 watt Mototrbo and 5 watt Motorola P25, and on 2 meters they don't come close to that unless I am talking through a repeater that has a gain antenna at a high altitude.
 

KC8ESL

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Jaspence do you realize that distance Guage is interactive?

It is still inflated if you ask me.
 

KF5YDR

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If one bit is missing, the data transmission is trash.
Not quite. Error correction algorithms mean some of the data can get lost and the original datagram can still be reconstructed at the receiving end. Pretty much all modern radio data transmission systems incorporate some form of error correction.
 

GroundLoop

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I think many are basing the pessimistic range estimates on VOICE communication.

The GoTenna is an asynchronous texting-only data stick. The data rate could be incredibly low without reducing the user experience much at all. The Mesh aspect is something that could easily extend the range in real-world usage with more than two devices in proximity.

I have no idea how they work, or how overly optimistic the range is, but it seems likely that we could expect >voice range for 2W of power on MURS.

Think JT65 instead of P25.
 

gewecke

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This device appears to use MURS frequencies to allow digital communication between cellphones where there is no connection. goTenna | No service, no problem. And it would allow the phones to be a communications system.

No it does not have anything to do with MURS which operates on vhf and nowhere near wi-fi frequencies. It uses the internal wi-fi radio in most cell phones for short range texting.

73,
n9zas
 

Mike_G_D

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It does say 151MHz to 154MHz so I am assuming it is MURS. Data is allowed on MURS and the device appears to use Bluetooth or WiFi to pair itself with a Smartphone and then relay text data from the smartphone over the simplex VHF 2 watt radio to another similar device, etc. Simple and, I think, clever - MURS NEEDS to get used!

The only real problem I have with the device as presented on the web ad is that they show it in a backpack with passports, etc. Now, MURS is only legal in the US and its territories as far as I know so...

Otherwise, I like the idea and think it is a clever usage of the VHF MURS frequencies and linking them to smartphone data capabilities!

-Mike
 

Dantian

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No it does not have anything to do with MURS which operates on vhf and nowhere near wi-fi frequencies. It uses the internal wi-fi radio in most cell phones for short range texting

What is the basis for your claim? I met the GoTenna guys and saw their product just a couple weeks ago. It is MURS according to their founder. The product is going through the device testing and authorization process.
 

776

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When the text is relayed over the MURS where does it go to? Does it go into a cell service or the internet? Or is just from one GoTenna to another GoTenna?

776
 

mmckenna

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When the text is relayed over the MURS where does it go to? Does it go into a cell service or the internet? Or is just from one GoTenna to another GoTenna?

776

Yep, just goes from one GoTenna to another. Does not access the cell network or internet. Probably not long before someone links one via bluetooth to a PC.
 
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