As posted above, does anybody here think we will see a FRS/GMRS/MURS radio service any time soon? Yes, I am well ware of the Motorola DTR radios and newer versions. I also know that they are not quite as mainstream as FRS/GMRS/MURS. Would it be worthwhile to have a few frequencies on VHF, similar to MURS, where you have a maximum 2 watts on transmit and would use DMR? You could have preset Time Slots, Color Codes, and Talkgroups, or the end user could change those. My gut tells me that it would be way too complicated for many.
Similarly, what if a few UHF frequencies near the FRS/GMRS range did this? Same deal, select your frequency, time slots, color code, and talkgroup, and away you go.
I wouldn't even mind seeing some other choices in the 900 MHz band. Not that I don't like my DTR550s, because I do. They are getting a bit dates, though. Maybe a newer, smaller version, like the DLR series, add Blue tooth connectivity and the means to do SMS testing and they might have a bit more appeal.
I am even well aware of the Garmin RINOs, but they really need some serious competition. They are way over-priced and get poor ratings, often times. The trend seems to be to have a device that will connect to you smartphone. If Garmin made something like that, at a reasonable price, there might be a market.
Similarly, what if a few UHF frequencies near the FRS/GMRS range did this? Same deal, select your frequency, time slots, color code, and talkgroup, and away you go.
I wouldn't even mind seeing some other choices in the 900 MHz band. Not that I don't like my DTR550s, because I do. They are getting a bit dates, though. Maybe a newer, smaller version, like the DLR series, add Blue tooth connectivity and the means to do SMS testing and they might have a bit more appeal.
I am even well aware of the Garmin RINOs, but they really need some serious competition. They are way over-priced and get poor ratings, often times. The trend seems to be to have a device that will connect to you smartphone. If Garmin made something like that, at a reasonable price, there might be a market.