MURS Radios

Discussion in 'CB Radio Forum' started by Phantom409, Sep 2, 2014.

  1. Phantom409

    Phantom409 Bobtail Member

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    W900AOwner Thanks this.
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  3. W900AOwner

    W900AOwner Heavy Load Member

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    I went to the link and checked it out. Never heard of MURS before until this post.
    Only concern is the small wattage allowed (2 watts max.,) and the short distance of reception, but then again CB isn't much better nowadays anyway unless there's mod.'s performed.

    Probably a nice, quiet platform for now until it gets popular like CB and then gets overcrowded.

    Interesting...I'm going to look at it more. Thanks!
     
  4. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Don't know that this would be a good application for MURS. I think they would be better used in a facility. With only a 2 watt capability, (to be legal that is,) they won't even have the range of a barefoot CB. And without having a lot of other drivers using them, what good would they be?
     
  5. Phantom409

    Phantom409 Bobtail Member

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    That's what I'm trying to find out...lol
    If anyone is using them,
    I read an article online in ref to the MURS (can't remember the site/link) but it was really interesting. But in a nutshell it said something about the mobile units with an antenna gain system it could go up to 6 watts.... Stock CB's are 4 but everyone knows..... knows better.
     
  6. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Oh say it ain't so! You mean we have truckers who are scofflaws? :biggrin_2559:
     
  7. chalupa

    chalupa Road Train Member

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    Pay the fee and get the license for GMRS. It's 5 watts BF and up at the top of UHF. Unit can be easily adjusted. Be just like LADD ( low band ) in Canada and way better than CB.

    jmo
     
  8. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Nobody really uses MURS, so it would be pointless.
    Maybe if you and a friend get a pair of radios..otherwise...

    If you could get a decent pair of HH Professional Radios (Motorola/Kenwood) program them properly.
    And with an External Antenna you could do well with MURS.
    IF you really want to get the FCC Fired Up...a 25 Watt Mobile Radio should do really good.


    Anyway of course what makes CBs work well..Is everybody has (or HAD lol) one. So..
    If you have a MURS Radio and nobody ever to talk to..won't do you much good.


    Also another thread from a while ago
    http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-forum/254069-murs-band-fm-mobile-radios.html
     
  9. Phantom409

    Phantom409 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 21, 2011
    Manchester, Tn
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    Still thinking about getting one of these..... If I can find a true mobile unit (not hand held) seems to be a lot of interest. Motorola says they cannot fill the orders they currently have and it will be April next year before they are caught up. A quick search on ebay gives a lot of VHF systems as MURS but they have more than the 5 frequencies listed for MURS. I guess the others are VHF/ commercial use/ license required stuff?
    AUTHORIZED MURS FREQUENCIES
    151.820 MHz * 151.880 MHz * 151.940 MHz * 154.570 MHz * 154.600 MHz
     
  10. Phantom409

    Phantom409 Bobtail Member

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    Manchester, Tn
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    [h=2]http://www.firestik.com/Tech_Docs/murs.htm
    MULTI-USE RADIO SERVICE[/h]Compliments of Firestik[SUP][SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE][/SUP] Antenna Company Technical Support Team
    [​IMG]
    Copyright [SUP][SIZE=-1]©[/SIZE][/SUP] 2003 Firestik[SUP][SIZE=-1]®[/SIZE][/SUP] Antenna Company
    [TABLE="width: 700, align: center"]
    [TR]
    [TD]WHAT IS MURS?
    In the fall of 2000 the FCC created a new license free VHF Citizen Band Radio Service. This new service is commonly referred to as the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS). Initially, MURS radios can have 5 channels in the 151.820 to 154.600 MHz frequency range with 2 watts of transmitter power. Unlike the Family Radio Service (FRS) with its limited 1/2 watt output and fixed antennas, MURS applications may use external antennas and can be supplied in mobile, handheld and base configurations. This new service has the potential to become very popular, especially within the mobile sector, because of its ability to use external antennas and the fact that the VHF band is typically much clearer than the current HF frequencies utilized by common CB radios. For those unaware of frequency allocations, the MURS frequencies skirt those that are currently used by the professional (licensed) business band radio services.
    AUTHORIZED MURS FREQUENCIES
    151.820 MHz * 151.880 MHz * 151.940 MHz * 154.570 MHz * 154.600 MHz
    YOUR DEMAND WILL PUSH THE MARKET
    Since MURS is a new service, there will be some initial product voids as knowledge of this service expands and demand prompts radio manufacturers to fill those voids. Today, your best bet to obtain a new MURS radio will come in the form of a handheld model. With the MURS frequencies being so close to the business band spectrum, manufacturers will be able to easily modify existing radio lines to fulfill the MURS requirements. There are handheld models available today.
    ANTENNA RESTRICTION DROPPED
    The original MURS ruled limited limited effective radiated power (ERP) to 2-watts. In effect, if you had a 2-watt transmitter you were only allowed by the rules to use a zero gain antenna. If a 6db gain antenna was going to be used, the transmitter power would need to be decreased from 2-watts to 1/2-watt in order to maintain the 2-watt ERP restriction. Somebody finally realized that it would be impossible, at best, to regulate that rule and the rules were changed to allow for a 2-watt output at the transmitter and NO antenna restriction. So now ... you can use a good gain antenna without breaking any rules.
    FIRESTIK ANTENNAS IMPROVE ERP
    Both of the short Firestik MURS Antennas (MURS16-B and MURS-16S-B) produce 3db of gain and increase the effective radiated power (ERP) of the transmitter by a factor of 2.1 (from 2-watts of transmitter power to 4.1-watts ERP). Our 5/8 wave MURS45 and the MURS-Base antennas produce 6db of gain and increase the effective radiated power (ERP) of the transmitter by a factor of 4 (from 2-watts of transmitter power to 8-watts ERP
    TODAY, TOMORROW, THE FUTURE
    At the present time there has been little promotion with regards to MURS, but once the benefits become known to the general public we expect its popularity to spread rapidly throughout the public communications community. We want to take a lead in making this new service more available to the public. To that end, we have designed a series of high performance antennas to work with the MURS frequencies. By doing this we will increase the public awareness of this new service and as demand increases, availability of products will increase as well. You will be a part of the MURS growth if you have an interest in communication performance that offers you benefits that up until now were limited to those who wanted to jump through the hoops to get an FCC license. MURS will start with your interest and grow with your demands.

    [SIZE=+2]FIRESTIK MURS ANTENNAS
    [/SIZE]Model MURS45: This antenna is a full-fledged, 5/8's wave top performer. With the 6dBi gain offered by this antenna, your 2-watt MURS radio can produce an equivalent of 7.8 watts ERP at the antenna with SWR at 1.5:1 (7.1 watts ERP at 2.0:1 SWR). The MURS45 utilizes common 3/8"-24 threads on the base, which allows it to utilize the numerous mounts, and accessories that are available for standard CB radio applications. The MURS45 is 45 inches (114cm) tall and is wound on 3/8" fiberglass. Available in black or white.
    Model MURS16: This is a little antenna with a big attitude. The MURS16 is a 3dBi tunable tip 1/4 wave antenna that stands 16-inches (41cm) tall. These antennas are hand-wound on 5/16" fiberglass with 3/8"-24 threads to allow the user to have full access to numerous mounts and accessories. On our design test station we tuned the antenna to 153.2 MHz (center of MURS band) and performed a sub 2.0:1 SWR bandwidth scan and recorded an amazing frequency span that went from 143.43 MHz to 168.11 MHz.. And that was without ever moving the tuning screw from its desired resonant position.
    Model MURS16S: The MURS16S is similar to the MURS16 with the exception of a medium duty stainless steel spring that is calculated in to the over all design of the antenna. This would be of particular interest to owners of high profile vehicles or those who find that their antenna is consistently exposed to brush or low hanging tree limbs.
    Model MURS-BASE: The MURS Base antenna uses our 6dBi, 5/8-wave antenna for its radiating element. A central hub piece supports the supplied 21" radials (4 pieces). A mast-mounting bracket with hardware is included, as is the antenna stud with connections for standard PL-259 terminated coax cable.
    [HR][/HR]As of November 8, 2006 there are still very few manufactures of MURS radios. The main available unit is the 5-channel, 2-watt handheld MURS25 by Midland/Maxon. Here are two sites that show listing for the handheld radio.
    www.aplussupply.com (Michigan)
    www.1stopcbshop (Florida)
    [/TD]
    [/TR]
    [/TABLE]
     
  11. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    If you get an 'older' commercial VHF Radio, they can be programmed for MURS Frequencies easily.
    Not sure about the whole Type Acceptance thing.
    And would need to run it on Low Power to be Legal, although I would guess Low Power on a Mobile will still be more than 2 watts (5? I guess) and therefore illegal on those grounds.
    A quick check on TK780/880 shows 5 watt on Low Power.
    http://s26.postimg.org/d05f0p20p/780_880.jpg
    http://www.kenwood.eu/WebFiles/File/eu/download/flyer/comm/TK-780-880.pdf
    I am familiar with the Kenwoods I have a TK-280. (VHF HH).


    http://www.fcc.gov/encyclopedia/multi-use-radio-service-murs-0
    http://wb7tjd.org/wiki/FRS,_GMRS_and_MURS_(Radio_Services_under_FCC_Part_95_Rules
    http://falconinfo.blogspot.com/2011/02/murs-radio-alternative.html


    A decent Kenwood/Icom/Mot VHF Radio can easily be programmed for MURS.
    Though technically not legal.
    I doubt they're really going to come after you unless you start interfering with people/or businesses.
    For the most part there aren't a lot of users to be interfering with anyway.
    Walmart uses MURS Radios still in most places.



    There are lots of decent used VHF HHs and Mobiles on eBay.
    Since a lot of the Police/Fire are moving away from that band.
    To go to newer digital and or trunking systems.
     
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