MStep
Member
I see the industry going this route as well, although I do not care for it being "pay for play" or "software as a service" as a couple of corporations have started to call it. Yaesu is doing this for amateur radios (probably others as well) and Motorola is pushing this on higher end radios. Scanners often follow. I still recall AOR scanners that needed modules added for specific functions.
AOR is a recent member of the "pay-to-add-on club", not so much with "modules" but with unlocking certain functions. Their GSSI enhancements have not been met with instant success.
Uniden has been doing it for years. You got some digital functions, but if you want stuff like DMR, Pro-Voice and NXDN, you have to pay to unlock the functions. The good side it that they are already built into your radio, so a payment to Uniden and a few key presses and your in. Since they don't give you the whole enchilada, you get to pick (and pay for) your "sides" you want with your main course. And you don't have to send your radio in for programming. You do it right at home.
Other companies have incorporated the licensing fees into the price of the radio, and give you the whole works. But the cost of the radio becomes a bit higher since all the goodies are already in the basket and accessible.
Both methods have advantages and disadvantages.
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