Smartphone with VHF capability

[KG5HHS]

Hello Everyone,
I am looking for a smartphone (AT&T or Verizon) with VHF capability as my agency uses VHF only. I've been looking and have mostly found smartphones that also have UHF capabilities but nothing with with just VHF. I've seen the RFinder series but I'm not willing to pay that much. I wouldn't mind a dual band VHF/UHF but definitely needs to be VHF, it also doesn't need to be DMR/Digital either. The only digital mode we utilize is P25 and I'm sure that wont be cost effective. If anyone is aware of such a device, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jonwienke]

VHF isn't going to work worth crap in a smartphone form factor. It's going to need a decent-sized external antenna. UHF is marginal.

 

[n1das]

Hello Everyone,
I am looking for a smartphone (AT&T or Verizon) with VHF capability as my agency uses VHF only. I've been looking and have mostly found smartphones that also have UHF capabilities but nothing with with just VHF. I've seen the RFinder series but I'm not willing to pay that much. I wouldn't mind a dual band VHF/UHF but definitely needs to be VHF, it also doesn't need to be DMR/Digital either. The only digital mode we utilize is P25 and I'm sure that wont be cost effective. If anyone is aware of such a device, your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

The Motorola APX NEXT comes to mind:

APX NEXT All-Band P25 Smart Radio - Motorola Solutions

APX NEXT from Motorola Solutions brings performance advancements to every aspect of the police radio experience, to keep responders safe and effective.

www.motorolasolutions.com

 

[buddrousa]

For the LOW LOW LOW price of $10,000.00 plus upgrades

 

[cmjonesinc]

For the LOW LOW LOW price of $10,000.00 plus upgrades

And if the RFinder is out of the budget....... The Moto Next Does fit all of the other requirements beside price though.

 

[eaf1956]

For the LOW LOW LOW price of $10,000.00 plus upgrades

I'll take 10.....NOT

 

[KG5HHS]

If money was no object, The APX NEXT would be bought! I never really gave any thought to the quality of vhf in that form factor but I suppose with an external antenna it would be improved some.

 

[mmckenna]

A few years ago there was a company playing around with a P25 radio "sled" that slid on the back of some of the Sonim LTE/FirstNet devices. Haven't heard anything about it in a long time.

 

[romanr]

You say you don't need P25; the VHF version of the MotoTRBO ION is rumored to be available soon.
The current model is UHF+cellular.
It is a lot less expensive than the APX NeXT.
MOTOTRBO Ion Smart Radio - Motorola Solutions

 

[wwhitby]

What about a service such as Tango Tango? I know its not a true VHF radio & cell phone combo, but it would give you the ability to use VHF radios over a cell phone.

 

[overtheair]

I think I saw some like that over at alibaba

 

[RaleighGuy]

What about a service such as Tango Tango? I know its not a true VHF radio & cell phone combo, but it would give you the ability to use VHF radios over a cell phone.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=912963232822094

 

[N4KVE]

You say you don't need P25; the VHF version of the MotoTRBO ION is rumored to be available soon.
The current model is UHF+cellular.
It is a lot less expensive than the APX NeXT.
MOTOTRBO Ion Smart Radio - Motorola Solutions

While it may look like it, this device is NOT a cell phone. It’s a radio, & tablet, but can make phone calls if connected through wi-fi.

 

[kc8jwt]

While it may look like it, this device is NOT a cell phone. It’s a radio, & tablet, but can make phone calls if connected through wi-fi.

Look at the cutsheet on it at https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...o-ion-radio/MOTOTRBO_Ion_DS_NA_0121_FINAL.pdf

Under Connectivity on the second page it says it is compatable with Verizon, AT&T, and Bell Mobility. It's also compatible with Motorola's new NITRO system which is a private LTE system. It's dual sim card capable with an eSIM and a physical Nano SIM. The radio though is not VHF, it's UHF.

 

[littona]

Cross-band repeater, perhaps? Not sure of your coverage needs, but if the area you're needing to cover isn't large, then that might help with the VHF/UHF divide.

 

[crazyboy]

Look at the cutsheet on it at https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...o-ion-radio/MOTOTRBO_Ion_DS_NA_0121_FINAL.pdf

Under Connectivity on the second page it says it is compatable with Verizon, AT&T, and Bell Mobility. It's also compatible with Motorola's new NITRO system which is a private LTE system. It's dual sim card capable with an eSIM and a physical Nano SIM. The radio though is not VHF, it's UHF.

Correct, but there is no phone app on the device.

 

[N4KVE]

Look at the cutsheet on it at https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...o-ion-radio/MOTOTRBO_Ion_DS_NA_0121_FINAL.pdf

Under Connectivity on the second page it says it is compatable with Verizon, AT&T, and Bell Mobility. It's also compatible with Motorola's new NITRO system which is a private LTE system. It's dual sim card capable with an eSIM and a physical Nano SIM. The radio though is not VHF, it's UHF.

Spoke to a friend who was using this new device. He worked for a Moto for years. He assured me this device will not directly connect to the cell phone towers. Through wi-fi is another story.

 

[kc8jwt]

Correct, but there is no phone app on the device.

Look at the screen on page 3 of this https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...OTOTRBO_Ion_solutions_brochure_0121_final.pdf

It's greyed out with an alert, but the phone app is visible towards the bottom of the screen.

 

[N4KVE]

I don’t see the words cell phone in the feature list from their site.
FEATURES:
• DEDICATED PTT DEVICE
• SEAMLESS VOICE HANDOVER
• FULL NETWORK INTEROPERABILITY WITH WAVE
• DMR (MOTOTRBO)
• LONG TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)
• Wi-Fi
• CBRS (NITRO)
• BLUETOOTH

 

[jeepsandradios]

Look at the screen on page 3 of this https://www.motorolasolutions.com/c...OTOTRBO_Ion_solutions_brochure_0121_final.pdf

It's greyed out with an alert, but the phone app is visible towards the bottom of the screen.

Unless you have a radio in your hand I would not get worked up over a picture. Many posts have confirmed no cell feature in the unit at this time