DTR Series vs. Nextel i325 vs. MURS vs. FRS for urban use?

poser · Post by **poser** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 9:31 pm

Need to set up a system for a few non radio nerd friends
I'm stuck with license free paths, so it's either the DTR series (only con is its a bit pricey), the Nextel i325/355 on off network mode with the long antenna, MURS using radios @ 2W with stock rubber duck antennas or Icom 4088 FRS radios/Motorola Talkabout 250s

This is to be used in an urban area to keep local contact where cell phones refuse to hit or where a radio is faster and more convenient (inside malls, subway stations, walking between stores, etc

Thanks

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 5:42 am

What will be the most important features for you?

If it is price, then clearly FRS is going to be the cheapest.

If it is range or more privacy, then I think DTR may have an edge in a very urban environment.

If you still want the unit to have the ability to dial wireless 911, then a Nextel i325 can do that.

If you want a radio that is also capable to tuning other services, for example listening to NOAA weather radio on 162.400 to 162.550, then focus on MURS. I think external antennas are stilled permitted on MURS. They are not allowed on FRS.

If you go with FRS or MURS, make sure that it is capable of PL/CTCSS. That is a non-issue on i325 and DTR, of course, but I think it is essential on FRS or MURS.

poser · Post by **poser** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 7:50 pm

Hows the range in the 900MHz side compare to VHF?

Post by **escomm** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:12 pm

900mhz is transmitting at 1 watt

vhf is transmitting at 2 watts

generally speaking the higher the frequency the lower the propagation assuming equal transmit power and antenna gain

urban areas are not included when generally speaking and the only real way to compare is real world field studies

videonerd · Post by **videonerd** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 9:31 pm

iDEN... shudder.

(as an owner of a personal i580 phone and my work uses the 7520 blackberry extensively.)

Post by **alex** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 11:34 pm

I've been pretty impressed with the DTR series radios. I would suggest a pair of those. They have rather good range (keeping in mind they are "Simplex"). You also will get a "bonk" from the channel if the other radio isn't signed on - a clear indicator that you are out of range of the person(s) you may be trying to reach.

If your trying to talk from one end of Brooklyn to another - you need something a bit more beefy. If your trying to just keep tabs on a couple of people while wandering around a flea market, city, subway, etc they are probably perfect.

There is little difference (IMHO) between using a Nextel on Direct Talk or using the DTR's. Almost the same interface and vocoder. I do like the fact that you can use a real antenna if you so choose. That's one definite advantage over the nextel direct talk.

-Alex

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:22 am

Alex, can you average about a 1 mile range in an urban environment with the DTR radios? I made a post about a year ago after doing some range testing and comparison between Nextel Direct Talk and a 3 watt Motorola XTS5000 on digital simplex. The Direct Talk was reliable for about .9 mile and the XTS5000 for about 1 mile. I am guessing that the DTRs would be solid for about 1 mile and then hit or miss after that in an urban jungle?

Post by **wavetar** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:37 am

Jim1348 wrote:Alex, can you average about a 1 mile range in an urban environment with the DTR radios? I made a post about a year ago after doing some range testing and comparison between Nextel Direct Talk and a 3 watt Motorola XTS5000 on digital simplex. The Direct Talk was reliable for about .9 mile and the XTS5000 for about 1 mile. I am guessing that the DTRs would be solid for about 1 mile and then hit or miss after that in an urban jungle?

Probably in that general range. The DTRs are phenomenal for indoor coverage...almost seems to make no difference compared to being outdoors. Be aware that there are "gen 1" and "gen 2" units out there. Gen 2 have the screw-on antenna connectors and get 20% greater coverage with the 3-inch stubby antenna than Gen 1 units, and 40% more with the 6-inch whip.

RKG · Post by **RKG** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 10:52 am

I could be wrong, but I believe that DTR radios are limited to 100 mW in power.

tvsjr · Post by **tvsjr** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 11:08 am

RKG wrote:I could be wrong, but I believe that DTR radios are limited to 100 mW in power.

1 watt, actually.

poser · Post by **poser** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 2:16 pm

Isn't the direct talk Nextels only 600mWs? How much loss am I at compared to using DTRs? My main complaint with VHF is once I go inside, signal like a rock

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 6:48 pm

poser wrote:Isn't the direct talk Nextels only 600mWs? How much loss am I at compared to using DTRs? My main complaint with VHF is once I go inside, signal like a rock

Yes, my understanding is that Direct Talk is only 600 milliwatts.

I did not realize that there are two generations of these.

What distance are you trying to cover? Maybe if we know that we can help you with your decision.

poser · Post by **poser** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:18 pm

Trying to cover the area of a small shopping mall or about 5-6 city blocks
Up to a mile, if possible

Jim1348 · Post by **Jim1348** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:23 pm

I think in that case that either the Nextel i325 on Direct Talk or the DTR650 will work. I think at this point it is going to be you will get what you pay for. The Nextel Direct Talk will be the cheaper solution, but the Motorola DTR650 will be more expensive and will give you a full 1 watt of power.