Posted: 10/13/2009 3:24:02 PM EDT
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A couple of friends and I are in a boat race in 2 weeks and have compiled some crew-to-shore comms equipment. It consists of a push to talk button and headsets with a boom mic in our helmets, all to connect to a Motorola CP200 radio. These are 5w VHF. Questions: 1. There is an option for us to get 4w UHF radios instead (same model). Which is better for ~2.5 miles, mostly line of sight, on a river with canyon walls. There is one bend where the second radio will be out of sight for the last 1/2 mile or so. Any chance either radio will work when not LOS? 2. Is there a specific name for the two post connection on the side for the headphones/mic? They seem to be kinda standard, but if there is a name for it, might be easier to identify which other radios will work with this setup. 3. Would these work well in a SHTF scenario? 4. Anyone have one or two of these for sale currently for a good price? Seems they are fairly cheap on Ebay, but you never know what you're gonna get...and I have to have something by next Wednesday or go ahead with the rental. Thanks! |
| my voly FD has them and they are POS's for that kind of work. as long as you arent to rough on them they should do just fine. problem is, do you have a HAM license? if not do you own any feq's that you can use? if not your kinda screwed. some will mention M.U.R.S. but the legality comes into issue because the FCC says that those feq's can only be programmed to approved radios but there is really no "list" of approved radios. FCC says they can only be programmed to radios that can only have 2w MAX. that does not mean that you can take a 5w radio and program the channels to be 2w. its kind of a gray area. you can find M.U.R.S. radios for sale on ebay though. they rin around the $80 mark each. |
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The radio can be programmed for either 2w or 5w, and available freqs are: VHF: 136–162, 146–174MHz. Here's a link to the specs: http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/Business+Product+and+Services/Two-Way+Radios+and+Pagers+-+Business/Portable+Radios/On-Site+Small+Business/CP200_US-EN |
| i know what they can be programmed for. the FCC rules STATE that if the radio CAN be programmed for MORE THAN 2w's it cant be used on M.U.R.S. i didnt write the rules but thats what they say. the CP200 can transmit at 5w which means it CAN NOT be used on M.U.R.S. the chances of getting caught are slim but are you willing to pay the fines that go along with it? |
| the only FEQ in VHF that you dont need a license to use. you cant just cant buy a radio, program it, and run it. ham VHF is 144.100 to 148.00 above that is commercial feq's. all of them require a license to use. then there is the FRS/GMRS which is UHF. the FRS feq's do not require a license but the radio can not provide more than .5w and can not have a removable antenna. GMRS requires a license and has its own set of rules. |
| According to the specs, they can be programmed in the 136-162MHz range, so they can come under the 144MHz range. No where on any of the websites I have seen them offered on, has a HAM license been brought up. These radios are pushed hard towards security, where I KNOW the operators are not HAM's. Don't know the scoop, other than obviously the FCC isn't all over these guys or Motorola wouldn't be selling them any more to these industries. |
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because the "security guys" own there own FEQ's so they can use those radios on them. also, motorola doesnt care who buys there radios. its not there responsibility to check if someone has a license or rights to a radio FEQ. same with the FCC, they dont care who buys radios. just because you buy a radio doesnt mean your going to program it to transmit, you could be buying it to use as a scanner. the only time the FCC cares is if you DO transmit with it and you dont have a license. AGAIN, look on ebay, there are many radios that are legal to own that meet the requirements for M.U.R.S.
HERE is the radio you want that is 100% legal for you to use on M.U.R.S. |
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Quoted:
So if I rent this same radio from Bearcom for instance, they will program it for 2w transmit power and below 144MHz? If I do the same with radios I buy, then it's compliant? there not going to program it below 144.00. the M.U.R.S. feq's are in the 15X.xx range. if your talking about the radio i posted the link to then yes. that is a M.U.R.S. radio that is 100% compliant actually, the radio i linked to is already GTG. just buy it, charge it, and use it. |
| Does the radio you suggested have the two-pin earphone/PTT connector on the side? I need that for sure. I was asking about the CP200's though. I am set to rent a pair from Bearcom next week. I was looking for my own since they are relatively cheap and I will need them again in the future. I'd rather not rent forever, but I want a good radio for the job. |
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If you go to UHF freqs and use the itinerant freqs like 464.500 MHz with no base stations, you won't have to pay for coordination IIRC and can file direct to FCC maybe. I can't fully remember the rule, but if you have a business license, you are eligible for VHF and UHF radio licenses.
RS |