New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
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syslinkcompaq
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New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
We're converting to narrow band.. We Presently have ( and are licensed for ) motorola remote VHF (159.9750) A5 spectra 100 watt units with des-xl... We need 50 - 100 watt remote mount digital mode narrow band VHF units with approx 50-100 channels and des-xl encryption... We need the ability to alter the programing due to constant changes in local fire/rescue monitor channels and reception... We're not sure if they manufacture dual band units but if so a vhf receive vhf transmit / UHF receive transceiver is preferable... Looking to install 2 units asap, then replacing the remaining Spectras later... The units would have to be able to communicate with our remaining Spectra des-xl units in analog encrypted mode also... Any constructive info would be appreciated. The local dealer is several miles away, and they only sell motorola radios... Thanks...
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Tom in D.C.
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Re: New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
Have you discussed this with you local Motorola dealer? I believe that your only current option is the Motorola APX series of mobile radios. Here is the URL for their 7500 radio:
http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/ ... 7500_US-EN
Motorola has not customarily made the FPP feature available on mobile units, though it is an option on portables.
http://www.motorola.com/Business/US-EN/ ... 7500_US-EN
Motorola has not customarily made the FPP feature available on mobile units, though it is an option on portables.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
Re: New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
If you really want a dual band 100 watt radio that does P25 with encyption...figure on spending over $5,000+ per radio.
100/110 watt radios also command more of a premium price when being ordered.
Channels will not be an issue with modern units.
What I would do is consider your overall system design as well. In many cases, 100+ watt radios are not really needed these days. Sometimes a fresh look at the system design or an addition of one tower or receive site will surfice. A simple cheap(er) infrastructure change may be more cost effective in ordering many high power radios. A change in mobile antenna's or antenna location on the vehicle can have a drastic effect on RF performance.
If you are requiring 100 watts, how are those 4-5 watt portable radios doing?
For an APX7500 Mobile radio covering UHF/VHF, 100 watts, with an O5 head - this is contract pricing for my state:
APEX Mobile Radio & Option
$2217 M30KTS9PW1AN VHF HIGH POWER DUAL BAND APX7500
$ 320 GA00344 ADD: UHF R1 HP SECONDARY BAND
$ 480 GA00579 ADD: ENABLE DUAL BAND OPERATION
$ 412 G806 ENH: IMBE ASTRO DIGITAL CAI OPERATION
$ 640 G48 ENH: CONVENTIONAL OPERATION
$ 345 G442 ADD: APX7500 O5 CONTROL HEAD
$ 000 G444 ADD: CONTROL HEAD SOFTWARE
$ 57 W22 ADD: PALM MICROPHONE
$ 480 G625 ADD: DES/DES-XL/DES-OFB ENCRYPTION
$4951 before installation labor, antenna cable, antenna, and any other specific items or options that may be required.
Now, you could go for a XTL2500 for a single band radio and a CDM type of radio for UHF.
If you are a person in a position with decision making/purchasing power, I would really rethink what you think is important, what is important and what you actually need in day to day use.
As for freq agile radios, don't count on getting one. If FD's are changing freq's all the time...I'm sure they are not doing it legally. You can update the mobile radios on an as needed basis. We operate a fleet of over 2500 vehicles and we only update when major changes occur...and setup the radio guys at specific places and times for vehicle to come to them. With a standard codeplug you can just write the radio with a laptop in a matter of a couple of minutes per vehicle (depending on where you mount the radios).
A little more background on the use and requirements will help.
100/110 watt radios also command more of a premium price when being ordered.
Channels will not be an issue with modern units.
What I would do is consider your overall system design as well. In many cases, 100+ watt radios are not really needed these days. Sometimes a fresh look at the system design or an addition of one tower or receive site will surfice. A simple cheap(er) infrastructure change may be more cost effective in ordering many high power radios. A change in mobile antenna's or antenna location on the vehicle can have a drastic effect on RF performance.
If you are requiring 100 watts, how are those 4-5 watt portable radios doing?
For an APX7500 Mobile radio covering UHF/VHF, 100 watts, with an O5 head - this is contract pricing for my state:
APEX Mobile Radio & Option
$2217 M30KTS9PW1AN VHF HIGH POWER DUAL BAND APX7500
$ 320 GA00344 ADD: UHF R1 HP SECONDARY BAND
$ 480 GA00579 ADD: ENABLE DUAL BAND OPERATION
$ 412 G806 ENH: IMBE ASTRO DIGITAL CAI OPERATION
$ 640 G48 ENH: CONVENTIONAL OPERATION
$ 345 G442 ADD: APX7500 O5 CONTROL HEAD
$ 000 G444 ADD: CONTROL HEAD SOFTWARE
$ 57 W22 ADD: PALM MICROPHONE
$ 480 G625 ADD: DES/DES-XL/DES-OFB ENCRYPTION
$4951 before installation labor, antenna cable, antenna, and any other specific items or options that may be required.
Now, you could go for a XTL2500 for a single band radio and a CDM type of radio for UHF.
If you are a person in a position with decision making/purchasing power, I would really rethink what you think is important, what is important and what you actually need in day to day use.
As for freq agile radios, don't count on getting one. If FD's are changing freq's all the time...I'm sure they are not doing it legally. You can update the mobile radios on an as needed basis. We operate a fleet of over 2500 vehicles and we only update when major changes occur...and setup the radio guys at specific places and times for vehicle to come to them. With a standard codeplug you can just write the radio with a laptop in a matter of a couple of minutes per vehicle (depending on where you mount the radios).
A little more background on the use and requirements will help.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Re: New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
Almost forgot...
That is Motorola's option. If you need DES-XL, your stuck with Motorola as DES-XL is a Motorola format. If you can step down to DES for the analog radios, then you open up other vendors as DES is a standard format (as is DES-OFB in the digital mode).
Another option that comes into mind would be the Harris (ex-MA/COM, nee-GE) line of radios. The current line of the M7100? radios are dual radio capible. This will allow two radio decks to be controlled by one head. Your still looking at similar $$$ as your still buying two radios.
http://www.pspc.harris.com/Mobile/unitymobile.asp
http://www.pspc.harris.com/Mobile/M7100.asp
Kenwood I believe as a soultion as well (dual radio). The TK-x90 series for analog, not sure for digital operation.
That is Motorola's option. If you need DES-XL, your stuck with Motorola as DES-XL is a Motorola format. If you can step down to DES for the analog radios, then you open up other vendors as DES is a standard format (as is DES-OFB in the digital mode).
Another option that comes into mind would be the Harris (ex-MA/COM, nee-GE) line of radios. The current line of the M7100? radios are dual radio capible. This will allow two radio decks to be controlled by one head. Your still looking at similar $$$ as your still buying two radios.
http://www.pspc.harris.com/Mobile/unitymobile.asp
http://www.pspc.harris.com/Mobile/M7100.asp
Kenwood I believe as a soultion as well (dual radio). The TK-x90 series for analog, not sure for digital operation.
Lowband radio. The original and non-complicated wide area interoperable communications system
Re: New Narrow band -- dual band remote radio
syslinkcompaq wrote:We're converting to narrow band.. We Presently have ( and are licensed for ) motorola remote VHF (159.9750) A5 spectra 100 watt units with des-xl... We need 50 - 100 watt remote mount digital mode narrow band VHF units with approx 50-100 channels and des-xl encryption... We need the ability to alter the programing due to constant changes in local fire/rescue monitor channels and reception... We're not sure if they manufacture dual band units but if so a vhf receive vhf transmit / UHF receive transceiver is preferable... Looking to install 2 units asap, then replacing the remaining Spectras later... The units would have to be able to communicate with our remaining Spectra des-xl units in analog encrypted mode also... Any constructive info would be appreciated. The local dealer is several miles away, and they only sell motorola radios... Thanks...
One very important issue with all these dual band radios you need to ask about, "Is can they receive both bands at the same time"? Most of the toys on the market will say they are dual or even tri band radios. Yes they can scan the different bands. However, you only get one channel at a time. There is, in most cases, no way to receive a signal at the same time from the different bands. If your at an incident that has activity on both bands, there is a good chance your going to miss the traffic on one band or the other. To me it is a no brainer if you have a need to operate 2 bands. Go with 2 radios. Get a cheap second radio for the band you normally don't operate on full time. Pay the bucks for a good primary radio. This way you can at least monitor the traffic as needed.
Ask the questions wisely before you commit to purchasing a radio the probably won't do what you expect it to.
Jim