Murs Radio

[ar15junkie]

Hi guys,

Does anyone have experience with murs band two way radios? I'm trying to get comms over 1 mile of developed land with plenty of houses and trees and such. Will a murs hand held work for this job?

Can anyone recommend a base station radio and antenna setup for the same job? I'll need an antenna that goes mostly unnoticed on the roof next to the one for my tv.

I understand murs is vhf, capped at 2 watts on 5 channels. Is there anything else I need to know?

Thanks

 

[indyjoe]

I don't know much, but I believe MURS is a better option than FRS in congested areas, just because of less use. The 5 watt cap is actual power, not radiated power. This allows you to use a good base antenna to extend range, although that won't help mobile to mobile range, just mobile to base. I've been out of the radio game for quite a while.

Looking at HAM bands near the same frequencies will probably be your best bet for getting antenna ideas. I believe MURS are at 151 Mhz. You would probably be fine with a standard HAM 2-meter (144-148 MHz) antenna.

 

[ar15junkie]

I already have some FRS radios but I'm not even going to try them. The best range I could get with them was about a mile in the open with a clos.

 

[indyjoe]

I already have some FRS radios but I'm not even going to try them. The best range I could get with them was about a mile in the open with a clos.

Generally the lower the frequency, the better the signal deals with "clutter". FRS is around 460 MHz also a 5W. I don't know how much you would gain with 1/3 the frequency.

 

[Justus]

FRS is one half watt (1/2) and not capable of using an antenna on the roof (FCC regs)

MURS or GMRS would both easily cover 1 mile with a rooftop antenna.

You'll spend about the same on radios and antennas for either service.
GMRS can use up to 50 watts and
requires a $80/ 5yr license but allows the entire family to use
the equipment.

IMO, GMRS is the better option:
1) antennas are smaller
2) there are usually repeaters available
3) the option is there for more power.
The bubblepack Midlands and Cobras aren't repeater-capable but
ICOM and others manufacture commercial quality GMRS equipment.

As far as equipment:

Google: Dakota Alert
They specialize in MURS equipment.

You can use a good grade of handheld radio as a GMRS Base station.
The ICOM F-21 series have detachable antennas that allow the use
of a rooftop antenna, they are 5 watt and can operate from AAs, NiCAD
packs or a 12V power source.

 

[Lars]

you could always invest in a few hours of self study, and a $14 ham license.....

50w Mobile 2m rigs aren't expensive. With an antenna at 20' (Read rooftop mounted) you can talk simplex for about 10-20 miles in any direction to someone standing on the ground.

 

[Justus]

you could always invest in a few hours of self study, and a $14 ham license.....

50w Mobile 2m rigs aren't expensive. With an antenna at 20' (Read rooftop mounted) you can talk simplex for about 10-20 miles in any direction to someone standing on the ground.

Agreed....

the guy he wants to talk to would have to get his license too.

 

[ar15junkie]

I don't wanna mess with licensing so for me at least gmrs is out. I looked at the dakota alert deal but I got confused by the driveway alarm they're packaged with. Not sure how it ties in but apparently the base station stands on its own?

 

[Justus]

Here's a link:

MURSRadio - Â*MURS Equipment

Looks like the base stations are on backorder.
I didn't see them on the Dakota Alert website

Why don't you want a GMRS license?
There's no test, you mail in a check and they
give you a callsign.

Just curious

 

[ar15junkie]

Why don't you want a GMRS license?
There's no test, you mail in a check and they
give you a callsign.

Just curious

1. its a hassle.
2. I shouldn't have to ask for permission to use our airwaves.
3. I'm not very social so I would only use this for shtf, I don't know when/if thats going to happen so I can't get a good idea of what I'll end up spending for a license every 5 years.
4. A license always includes regulations of some sort, while murs has them too I won't pay for that privilege.
5. Anonymity

If for some reason I can't get the range I need from murs I may look at ham or gmrs.

 

[Justus]

OK.....
I've got a lot of time wrapped up in ham, cb, MURS and GMRS.
If I can help let me know.

 

[Jogitu]

 

[ar15junkie]

Would a kenwood tk-2200 be a good choice for murs? Specs below from the kenwood site.

•2 & 8 channel models in VHF
•2 channel model in UHF
•Includes everything you need in the box… Radio, battery, power supply, belt clip, antenna & owners manual
•Includes a strong 2 Watts of transmission power
•Enhanced Kenwood Audio
•Fully programmable function keys
•Super Lock function to prevent accidental channel changes and PF key operation
•Scan feature allows you to search or detect specific channels in use
•Designed to pass industrial drop tests, international IP54/55 water & dust intrusion tests, and 11 categories of the *U.S. *Department of Defense MIL-STD 810 C, D, E, & F environmental standards tests
•Small & light weight (approximately 9.9 oz. (w/ battery) and less than 5 inches in height)•Includes NiMH 1,500 mAh rechargeable battery, fast (3 hour) charger, charging cup power supply and antenna•Wireless Cloning
•14 hours of normal (5-5-90) talk time with one battery charge•Full line of accessories available•Two-year warranty

 

[Justus]

I had to find a manual...

Yes, the 2 channel model has 2 of the MURS frequencies
The 8 channel model has the 5 MURS freqs plus other
licensed frequencies on it.
The other frequencies are licensed so you'd have to be careful
about those in non-emergency situations.
(Businesses lease those frequencies and tend to get upset
when someone is using them without authorization)

Another radio you should consider is the Radio Shack 19-1210.
There's one on ebay right now, they're a 5 channel mobile radio and
all 5 of them are the MURS freqs.
They're discontinued but I've seen them for sale often on ebay
for under 100 dollars.

No matter which radio and frequency you use, be sure to
listen for a couple days to be sure that the frequency is not
in use by local gov't or business.
Some of the MURS freqs are still in use by their original users
and they were grandfathered-in when MURS was adopted.
These users have the "right of way" on their frequencies.
i.e. A local Fire Dept is still using on of the MURS freqs in my area.
You definitely do not want to "talk over" or interfere with a fire department dispatch!

 

[ar15junkie]

What is the scrambler function actually do on these kenwood radios? The manual says the conversation will be private? Its just a function that you can enable. I would think if it were secure it would require a shared key between the radios?

Is it reasonable to expect a standard antenna connector between these radios?

 

[Justus]

Here's the link to the manual.
Page 39 gives the scramble function details.

http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/Manuals/USA_LMR\TK-2200 3200_B62-1791-00.pdf




Yes, it is a standard connector type but not necessarily easy to find.
Looks like it may be SMA.
You would probably need to have a flexible RF adaptor made that will adapt the
antenna port on the radio to a more common type to allow the
use of an external roof top antenna.
This is nothing more than a short piece of very flexible coax between your radio
and the antenna's coax.
It will keep the antenna jack on the radio from becoming loosened by the strain.

 

[Royal-1]

OK.....
I've got a lot of time wrapped up in ham, cb, MURS and GMRS.
If I can help let me know.

Justus, Do CB's require a license anymore? I was thinking that they deregulated them some time back. I was into them about 30 years ago. I have my short range (2 mile) comm taken care of with the new "30" <Cough> mile Midlands. But might be looking at SSB CB's to get some greater distance out to 8 miles in clutter. I figured they might be the "Easy" way out.

 

[Justus]

Nope, a license is not needed anymore.

 

[m39fan]

We've had good luck with MURS in hilly, wooded areas so it should be a snap for you. Word of advice, don't get the cheap plastic clamshell packed radios. Get on eBay and buy a good set of Motorola radios. There IS a difference!

HTH,
Mike

 

[ar15junkie]

We've had good luck with MURS in hilly, wooded areas so it should be a snap for you. Word of advice, don't get the cheap plastic clamshell packed radios. Get on eBay and buy a good set of Motorola radios. There IS a difference!

HTH,
Mike

I actually got a used set of kenwoods. I should have them later this week. The land here is mostly flat but there is houses and trees everywhere. Expect my full report once I have the bugs worked out of them.

I checked at cabellas and couldn't find a single set of murs radios. They must have 40 different radio set but they all seem to be frs and gmrs. Its no wonder murs never took off. All the better for me.

I got my radios now so I'm looking for some advice on antennas. I'm using the 2 154. frequencies listed in the murs band. 154.570 MHz and 154.600 MHz. I don't know enough about antennas, would a vhf marine band antenna work for murs? The lower end of the marine band frequency is 156.xx, or should I attempt to build a copper pipe jpole? I ordered a better set of rubber duckies but they're 3 weeks out.

Thanks