Re: Color Dot system??

[JimBobTerp]

Hi everyone
I know someone can give me feedback on this if they know. Since I’m confused on it and how to explain it to a friend of mine. What I need help on explaining is the color code system and the letter code system on certain frequencies? But what is
Itinerant Business also? I know and I think I saw somewhere that maybe a frequency or two is known as that Itinerant Business?

These are all the DOT frequencies that I have found and listed:
Blue Dot 154.5700
Red Dot 151.6250
Green Dot 154.6000
Purple Dot 151.9550
Brown Dot 464.5000
Yellow Dot 464.5500
White Dot 462.5750
Black Dot 462.6250
Orange Dot 462.6750
J Dot 467.7625
K Dot 457.8125
Silver Star 467.8500
Red Star 467.9000
Gold Star 467.8750
Blue Star 467.9250

Please somebody explain it to me so I can explain it to somebody and I can understand it myself and they understand it in a way that makes easy sense or if not hopefully there’s like a YouTube video that explains it in an easy format. Thanks so much

 

[mmckenna]

Please somebody explain it to me so I can explain it to somebody and I can understand it myself and they understand it in a way that makes easy sense or if not hopefully there’s like a YouTube video that explains it in an easy format. Thanks so much

The "color dot" thing was a way to sell preprogrammed radios to users without the need for programming or any real radio knowledge. It made it easy for a small business/retail/etc. to purchase radios and know they were getting the right frequency.
Petty much that simple. Wasn't uncommon for places like Home Depot to sell low tier Motorola radios back in the late 1990's to contractors.

Itinerant just means it's a radio that is used at various places with no fixed location. Itinerant licenses let you license the frequency for a large area, as in statewide, or nationwide, and you could legally take it anywhere you were working and use it. Of course that came with the understanding that it wasn't "your channel", it was shared with lots of others and there was no guarantee that you wouldn't have interference issues. What that did is removed the requirement for a frequency coordinator to try and find a frequency that could be used anywhere without causing issues. Itinerant channels don't require frequency coordination, but lack of coordination means that you have no protection from other legally licensed users.

 

[mmckenna]

I'll add:
Itinerant frequencies still require licensing. They are not "free" channels, "license free" or anything else. The FCC just removed the requirement to have frequency coordination done before licensing.

If you look at the list of frequencies you will see some that are familiar:
Some became MURS, Multi-Use Radio Service. The FCC realized that with places like Home Depot selling the radios, that most people purchasing the radios just took them out of the box and started using them without bothering with the licensing. Like FCC does, they let the manufacturers screw things up, and the FCC just throws it's collective hands up and walks away. Like CB, Marine VHF, and a few others.
Using the MURS frequencies on these color dot radios still comes with some requirements. The older color dot radios don't necessarily meet the MURS requirements, but there was some "grandfather" clause in the FCC rules, as well as some companies that still hold FCC licenses on those frequencies.

You'll also see some frequencies that were shared with GMRS. "Back in the day", businesses could legally license GMRS channels for business use. If you search the FCC database, you'll still find some companies that hold GMRS licenses. GMRS rules still apply, and using these color dot frequencies still requires a GMRS license.

And you'll see some others that eventually became FRS. Since these radios often used bandwidths or power levels that exceed FRS rules, they are either not legal to use, or would fall under the GMRS rules for the interstitial channels.

 

[sonm10]

The "color dot" thing was a way to sell preprogrammed radios to users without the need for programming or any real radio knowledge. It made it easy for a small business/retail/etc. to purchase radios and know they were getting the right frequency.
Petty much that simple. Wasn't uncommon for places like Home Depot to sell low tier Motorola radios back in the late 1990's to contractors.

Itinerant just means it's a radio that is used at various places with no fixed location. Itinerant licenses let you license the frequency for a large area, as in statewide, or nationwide, and you could legally take it anywhere you were working and use it. Of course that came with the understanding that it wasn't "your channel", it was shared with lots of others and there was no guarantee that you wouldn't have interference issues. What that did is removed the requirement for a frequency coordinator to try and find a frequency that could be used anywhere without causing issues. Itinerant channels don't require frequency coordination, but lack of coordination means that you have no protection from other legally licensed users.

Are there power limits involved since there is no coordination?

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Are there power limits involved since there is no coordination?

Yes, read the FCC rules...

 

[ecps92]

Two other references for you

Common Itinerant and Business - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Dot and Star Frequencies

Business radios are programmed to specific frequencies assigned to licensed users. Consumer FRS/GMRS radios are pre-programmed to the exact frequencies assigned for those services. In addition to the GMRS frequencies...

www.buytwowayradios.com

Hi everyone
I know someone can give me feedback on this if they know. Since I’m confused on it and how to explain it to a friend of mine. What I need help on explaining is the color code system and the letter code system on certain frequencies? But what is
Itinerant Business also? I know and I think I saw somewhere that maybe a frequency or two is known as that Itinerant Business?

These are all the DOT frequencies that I have found and listed:
Blue Dot 154.5700
Red Dot 151.6250
Green Dot 154.6000
Purple Dot 151.9550
Brown Dot 464.5000
Yellow Dot 464.5500
White Dot 462.5750
Black Dot 462.6250
Orange Dot 462.6750
J Dot 467.7625
K Dot 457.8125
Silver Star 467.8500
Red Star 467.9000
Gold Star 467.8750
Blue Star 467.9250

Please somebody explain it to me so I can explain it to somebody and I can understand it myself and they understand it in a way that makes easy sense or if not hopefully there’s like a YouTube video that explains it in an easy format. Thanks so much

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Are there power limits involved since there is no coordination?

I should have been more specific:

CFR 47 Part 95, If it is license by rule, FRS, MURS there are severe restrictions on power limits, 2 watts, 500 milliwatts ERP. If it is licensed GMRS, the restriction is a generous 50 watts transmitter power output. ERP is unrestricted (so, bring on your 15 dB yagi).

CFR 47 Part 90 describes licensed itinerant frequencies. The equipment must be Part 90 certified and typically power levels for mobile radios can be as high as 110 watts. Handheld equipment will be typically up to 6 watts. Certain Itinerant frequencies may have power limitations. Encryption is permitted. You need a business purpose for eligibility. A small business can easily qualify.

I am currently applying for some Itinerant VHF, LO, VHF and UHF frequencies. 100 watts at VHF Low Band can have great possibilities. You can buy a surplus Low Band radio (synthesized) , very cheaply.

There are three itinerants in VHF Low band:

27.4900 MHz​

35.0400 MHz​

43.0400 MHz​

 

[n3obl]

I am currently applying for some Itinerant VHF, LO, VHF and UHF frequencies. 100 watts at VHF Low Band can have great possibilities. You can buy a surplus Low Band radio (synthesized) , very cheaply.

There are three itinerants in VHF Low band:

27.4900 MHz​

35.0400 MHz​

43.0400 MHz​

If you go with low band you can apply for any business low band and no coordination is required. I have a few for my local area plus the itinerants.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

If you go with low band you can apply for any business low band and no coordination is required. I have a few for my local area plus the itinerants.

Good point, maybe I should get a "local" frequency.