NEW multi-band two-way radio

[nexus]

I was reading one of my law enforcement magazines and there is a full page add for a new software-defined portable radio. Some of you might be interested in checking out. Its designed to operate VHF/UHF/700/800 mhz in conventional, trunked, p25, des, etc. all in one portable radio solution.

Thales is the company, the website for that product is here: http://www.thalesliberty.com

Looks pretty cool.

 

[Comint]

I was reading one of my law enforcement magazines and there is a full page add for a new software-defined portable radio. Some of you might be interested in checking out. Its designed to operate VHF/UHF/700/800 mhz in conventional, trunked, p25, des, etc. all in one portable radio solution.

Thales is the company, the website for that product is here: http://www.thalesliberty.com

Looks pretty cool.

Old news. It was mentioned on these forums months ago.

--
Comint

 

[N_Jay]

Was shown over a year and 1/2 ago

 

[SCPD]

was Shown Over A Year And 1/2 Ago

Wb! N-jay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[sjcscanner]

looks expensive...it even has a color screen?

 

[N_Jay]

looks expensive...it even has a color screen?

Define "expensive"?

 

[petey_racer]

define "expensive"?

$1500 ??

 

[N_Jay]

$1500 ??

Try 4X to 5X expensive

 

[petey_racer]

I as just stating what I thought would be expensive for a radio like that.

I just found this:

"As is often the case, a potential stumbling block to public safety's adoption of new technologies such as software-defined and cognitive radios is money, or more accurately the lack of it. While the Liberty radio has received plaudits from many in the industry, its projected price tag of $4000 to $6000 per unit may be difficult for some agencies to fund."

HOLY CRAP!

 

[w0fg]

That's the standard price range for a top-of-the-line radio, multi-band or not, from any of the major manufacturers.

 

[petey_racer]

That's the standard price range for a top-of-the-line radio, multi-band or not, from any of the major manufacturers.

Come on. For an HT??? $5k???

I know I am not in the loop for this stuff but that seems outrageous.

 

[N_Jay]

Come on. For an HT??? $5k???

I know I am not in the loop for this stuff but that seems outrageous.

Standard full feature public safety grade portables run $2k to $4k.

We are talking about a first in the industry model, $4k to $6k is not unreasonable.

There were millions of dollars of research that need to be recovered on only a few 10 thousands of units.

 

[prcguy]

The Thales multiband PRC-148 (MBITR) covers 30-512MHz continuous, was introduced in 2000, has sold over 100,000 units and still cost around $7k.
prcguy

 

[N_Jay]

The Thales multiband PRC-148 (MBITR) covers 30-512MHz continuous, was introduced in 2000, has sold over 100,000 units and still cost around $7k.
prcguy

Yes, and that is a military specification radio.

 

[DickH]

... a new software-defined portable radio.

Why do people have to talk in such fancy terms? How about plain English?
Does anyone here know what "software defined" means? REALLY means?

 

[Grog]

Does anyone here know what "software defined" means?

A Software-Defined Radio (SDR) system is a radio communication system where components that have typically been implemented in hardware (i.e. mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors. etc.) are instead implemented using software on a personal computer or other embedded computing devices.

 

[N_Jay]

Why do people have to talk in such fancy terms? How about plain English?
Does anyone here know what "software defined" means? REALLY means?

http://www.google.com/search?q=software+defined+radio

 

[petey_racer]

Software Defined Radio is not all that hard to understand, even for those of us not in the field. It's the astronomical prices these things fetch. Yeah, yeah, I know, R&D bla, bla, bla. I understand all that. It is still an ungodly amount of money that OUR taxes are paying.

I know we are talking about the government, but....
Is it really worth it? Do we REALLY need $7k HT's? Are they THAT much better/safer?????????
Who the hell is using such a radio?

I personally think the reason they are charging so much is because they can.
Just like incredibly OVERPRICED motorola stuff. Fortunately people are starting to realize some other options are just as good, or better.

 

[N_Jay]

Software Defined Radio is not all that hard to understand, even for those of us not in the field. It's the astronomical prices these things fetch. Yeah, yeah, I know, R&D bla, bla, bla. I understand all that. It is still an ungodly amount of money that OUR taxes are paying.

I know we are talking about the government, but....
Is it really worth it? Do we REALLY need $7k HT's? Are they THAT much better/safer?????????
Who the hell is using such a radio?

I personally think the reason they are charging so much is because they can.
Just like incredibly OVERPRICED motorola stuff. Fortunately people are starting to realize some other options are just as good, or better.

Well, if it so overpriced, the it should be easy for a manufacturer to come in and sell a comparable product for a lot less, and steal the market.

How has that worked out so far?

 

[prcguy]

The little PRC-148 MBITR hand held replaces a large SINCGARS 30-88MHz manpack (unknown price, probably $15k), a PRC-113 VHF/UHF forward air control manpack (about $25k) and at times an LST-5 UHF satcom radio ($15-25k depending on options), so this $7k radio makes a lot of sense to me. It can also also replace the late model Harris PRC-117F multiband manpack, which is around $25k. How much do separate VHF lo-band, VHF high band and UHF P25 hand helds cost? The MBITR will replace all those in a public service role.
prcguy

Software Defined Radio is not all that hard to understand, even for those of us not in the field. It's the astronomical prices these things fetch. Yeah, yeah, I know, R&D bla, bla, bla. I understand all that. It is still an ungodly amount of money that OUR taxes are paying.

I know we are talking about the government, but....
Is it really worth it? Do we REALLY need $7k HT's? Are they THAT much better/safer?????????
Who the hell is using such a radio?

I personally think the reason they are charging so much is because they can.
Just like incredibly OVERPRICED motorola stuff. Fortunately people are starting to realize some other options are just as good, or better.