Nextel Vs VHF Simplex System.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:31 pm

Well Here is the Scoop.I have finnaly after years of using my Freinds landscaping Business channel Have got my Own Freq (Still Pending At FCC) Freq is 159.855

I use the channel so me and my Freinds Can talk To each other around town and them Some. I am Building a Base out of a Maratrac Tone Remote and MDC1200 Operation. Antenna is RFS cablewave Super Station master 7/8 hard line. /up about 35 feet on the top of the house.

As for mobiles Mostly Maratracs, one Maxtrac And a CDM 1550 In My Car (so i can do radio checks, And Do pages)

when i filled out the aplication for Nationwide Use. So we can use PTT Any were we are and go car to car When on the high way with out having to mess with the Buttons To much.

Then I have a nextel As well As a few of my Crew, And we are adding them so when we are inside or not in area of the base radio .

Nice thing about the radio's we can go var to car and we can all hear what going on.

Also When we are out of state we still have PTT unlike Nextel.

Any thaughts

EC-7 · Post by **EC-7** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 7:53 pm

Why don't you apply for a interant frequincy or use license free MURS (Multi Use Radio Service)
154.600, 151.955, 154.570 and a few others that I can't remember. You will want to use PL or DPL on those freq's.

PCSAR 4x4 652 · Post by **PCSAR 4x4 652** » Mon Mar 04, 2002 8:55 pm

Nextel is NOT "how Business gets done".
We have Nextels overpriced under performanced service in Seattle, WA. Very common to get booted off the cell site while on a cell call, lose signal all togther, or sound like you are under water talking in bubbles.
For less than what Nextel charges for thier service I get 600/4000 minutes a month, voice mail, caller ID, call forwarding, FREE LONG DISTANCE and signal where I get no NEXTEL signal,etc (39.99/month).
HMMM, Hey, NEXTEL! get up to speed or at least up to Cellular performance.
signed, Disgruntled Nextel customer.

Please don't use the FRS radio system for Business. FRS = FAMILY radio service.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 1:10 am

Please note ALL MURS frequencies are restricted to TWO Watts ERP.(ERP=effective radiated power) Also there is a restriction on antennas NO gain antennas.
151.625 is a full power frequency you can use any where in the US add it to your license.

Jim202 · Post by **Jim202** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 6:25 am

Just thought I would add a couple of comments about Nextel. They have closed the corp. office here in New Orleans.

Kind of wondering just how many others around the country this is happening to. They seem to be in a money crunch. Haven't heard what all the employees were told.

Jim

n9ysu · Post by **n9ysu** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:11 am

They're probably closing because they spent so much money buying out all the 800mhz trunking systems in the country...

So far we've resisted the Nextel bandwagon, and have found another provider for our radio service, which at $14/month/radio is a lot cheaper and in most cases more reliable..

Post by **alex** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:23 am

We use nextel at the company that I work at - I have an i85... It's not a bad phone. Coverage when I goto boston, and when I'm wandering around Rochester, NY is pretty good. We also use them at the ambulance for the officers, and everyone seems rather impressed with it.

In my oppinion, nothing beats a repeater or conventional system. I am not impressed by the audio that you get from Direct Connect at all. Sounds like a washed out connection, but good enough to hear what the person is saying.

I will say this though - the $10 a month unlimited web - you can't beat it. I have a cable to go from the phone to my laptop, and when I need to I plug it in, and using their packet network, hop on the net anywhere, without getting docked minutes. I can even do it while I'm on the phone. If there is anything that has me sold on the phone, it's that. It works somewhat ok mobile, but I haven't played enough with it. It was a good enough connection that I could stay on AOLIM, get e-mail, and browse the web at a reasonable speed in Boston. My guess is they prob. have beefed up their switches to handle data. My sales rep also says that they are planning on having close to 50-60k/sec data rates from it, and if that were to happen, I'd be very impressed.

If you can afford the $10 a month rigth now, sign up. When they offer the higher speeds, you'll get it without getting docked for the amount of data that's being rx/tx'ed from the phone. This is because when they offer it to you, the terms stay the same. Pretty decent net connection for $10. (and even better when your company pays for it

)

-Alex

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: alex on 2002-03-05 10:26 ]</font>

fireradio · Post by **fireradio** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 5:09 pm

This is something I've just been wondering about for a while -- can an individual apply for an interant license? Or does it have to be a business? Let's say I've got some people I wantto talk to in a 5 mile radius about random things -- some business uses and some not business uses. Also it would not be a fixed location -- Portable / low power mobile use only. Could one apply and use an interant license for this? I know there is MURS, etc. but I was wondering if someone could just explain how the interant system works!

Thanks,

FireRadio

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: fireradio on 2002-03-05 20:10 ]</font>

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 7:27 pm

Well I use Nextels as a toys and also As a back up for when My Verizon Phone battery goes dead or i am in a Verizon Bad spot.(u have to love the Voice quality of CDMA). i just like the Direct connects it is a fun Toy for the most Part. .

As for a my Linces. I dotn Realy have a Lgeit Business the Freq is in my name As long as you have a good reason for the Linces on your App they will give u one.

If you are a Fire Fighter say that u have a Fire parts Business or a Notification network or some thing like that.

As of now my base is still not up need to finish Building it ( i am Lazy )

Jonathan KC8RYW · Post by **Jonathan KC8RYW** » Tue Mar 05, 2002 8:06 pm

Whatever you do with your radios, please do everyone a favor and give your callsign during transmitions. Part 90 users are supposed to ID every 15 minutes, I think. Someone on this board should know for sure.

Not only will you follow an FCC rule, you'll help people who use scanners (like me) figure out who you are much quicker.

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 6:58 am

Why would one even consider Nextel? The ONLY thing they are good for is at a large jobsite where subcontracters are coming and going. You can give them the numbers and have instant communication with them since they all have it. Other than that, they suck. They have LOUSY audio, break up, no reception, they disconnect if sitting next to a cell site or across town from it, every time you try to call somebody with one you get the dreaded "please wait while the Nextel subscriber is located" message.
I just ran over my PCS with a fire engine- it should have been a Nextel.

KitN1MCC · Post by **KitN1MCC** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 11:56 am

I am putting a auto ider on the base

PCSAR 4x4 652 · Post by **PCSAR 4x4 652** » Wed Mar 06, 2002 7:07 pm

Well, Now that you have run over your PCS phone, It works as good as a Nextel. LOL. funny but true. Nextel P.O.S.