Thank you for the detailed and quick feedback. Sincerely appreciate and also agree on you suggestion that this job is best left to experts. We'll try a local Radio but they tend to be expensive.
Correct. Doing the job right won't be cheap or necessarily easy. It's important, though, that it be done correctly and legally.
Online they offer to program the channels prior to buying a radio
Any reputable radio shop will program the radio for you if you buy from them.
- the cables are ready in the ambulance so we figured it's a matter of simply connecting the cables and done.
It would be, -if- it was still legal to use that particular radio. Reusing the old cables is probably not going to be possible, so best to take that off the table right now. If you are looking for a dual control head radio (one for the driver, one in the back), take a look at the Kenwood radios. Kenwood, as well as a few other companies, make suitable radios.
It's important to mention that he is going to operate a BLS/transport ambulance, no Emergency/911, and these are the NJ DOH requirements for this service - I think they're very basic:
It's important to point out that the FCC laws trump the NJ state laws. Because the DOH requirements don't go into technical details that are covered by the FCC, it doesn't mean they can be ignored. It doesn't matter if he's running ALS, BLS or just driving people around in wheel chairs, the FCC rules still apply to what you are doing. IF you start transmitting on the frequencies you listed with a wide band radio, everyone is going to know. Your audio will sound crappy, maybe even unintelligible. You'll be known as "that guy" with the crappy radio. Whoever runs these radio systems will quickly be able to tell that you are running a radio that doesn't meet the specs. Since you'll likely be operating under someone else's license, they'll probably shut you down since you are putting their license at risk.
8:40-6.13 Two-way communications
(a) Each BLS ambulance shall be equipped with communications equipment, including at least one mobile radio, with the following minimum features:
1. Two-way, VHF high-band with Effective Radiated Power (ERP) as approved by the FCC;
2. Selection, transmission and receipt on each of the required JEMS radio frequencies from the driver's compartment;
3. Transmission and receipt of each of the required JEMS radio frequencies from the patient compartment. While only one radio is required, there shall be a microphone and speaker in both the driver and the patient compartments; and
4. A functional, dual-tone, multi-frequency encoder in either the driver's or the patient compartment.
(c) All radios shall be capable of transmitting and receiving on the following JEMS frequencies with automatic Continuous Tone Coded Sub-audible Squelch (CTCSS) disable in carrier squelch mode:
1. 155.340 MHz (JEMS 2 frequency/BLS ambulance-to-Emergency Department);
2. 155.280 MHz (JEMS 3 frequency/Statewide EMS coordination); and
3. 153.785 MHz (JEMS 4 or SPEN 4 frequency/Statewide public safety coordination for police, fire and EMS).
None of these requirements are difficult. Any basic VHF radio will do this. You can either have two radios, one for the driver and one for the rear, or a single radio with dual head configuration.
Btw now we're looking at (TYT TH-9000D 60W 2 Meter VHF) or the (75 Watt Yaesu FT-2900R). I think these 2 comply with the above requirements.
No. The Yaesu brand is amateur radio equipment designed for hobbyist use on the amateur radio bands. The radio does not have the proper FCC type certifications for what you are trying to do. Out of the box it will not transmit on the frequencies you need. While there are those who will sell hacked versions of them, they do not meet the narrow banding requirements.
The TYT -might- meet the requirements, but it's a very low end radio that won't stand up to daily use in a public safety environment.
ALS or BLS, you still need the right radio. Trying to cut corners on this equipment isn't the way to do it. Trying to purchase amateur radio gear to save a few bucks is legally problematic. Buying the cheapest Chinese made radio you can will lead to disappointments, or even failure.
ALS or BLS, you need the proper radio for the job. We get it, money is tight and your buddy wants to do this on the cheap. Surfing e-bay looking for a radio isn't going to work out well with your apparent level of experience. You really need more help than you are going to get off a hobbyist website.
A good suggestion was made above:
Motorola CDM750 or Motorola CDM1250 VHF will do exactly what you need. They are available used and will meet all the current requirements with the FCC and the State of New Jersey DOH. They'll need to be programmed by someone with the correct software and cable, but this isn't expensive.
I've been purchasing used CDM750's for around $100. Get two of them, one for the driver, one for the attendant, and you'll be good to go.
You need to stay away from the amateur radio gear, it is not appropriate or legal for what you are trying to do. You should also avoid the low end Chinese stuff. They have a poor track record, and shouldn't be relied upon for the type of service you want to offer. It isn't hard to get the right stuff, and it will save you a lot of money and headaches if you do it right the first time. Using non-compliant radios isn't OK. You likely will get busted by someone, the FCC, the state, or whoever's license you plan on using. The fines are in the thousands of dollars.
Really, listen to the advice that we've given you. It's important.