Countrywide Radio System

Pataman

Lads, I think I already know the answer to the question, however, is there a countrywide radio system. Apart from tetra as its quite expensive.

In the UK they have andromeda radio( http://www.andromedadigital.com/ ) which works off the mobile phone system, but do we have equivalent here?

Thanks

humaxf1

Andromeda sounds very much like Tetra, just on a different frequency band. Operating on 2G and 3G networks means 800-900 MHz versus Tetra (in Ireland) which operates between 380-400 MHz.

Motorola, Kenwood, Icom and Yaesu have their own proprietary digital platforms which can operate over large areas (city) with the aid of "over the air" or Internet linked repeaters... but as far I can see, Tetra Ireland have the market sewn up for a country-wide digital radio network.

So far Emergency/Law Enforcement, Defence Forces, Prison Service, ESB (and many more to follow) are signed up to Tetra Ireland. I doubt another operator will not come on the scene for a very long time compared to the 3 (or 4?) backbone mobile phone operators we have at present.

GekkePrutser

There also used to be a "Push To Talk over Cellular" standard, it was offered in some countries by certain mobile providers. Some phones even had a dedicated button for it on the side. It would work like a normal 2-way radio, pushing the button and everyone tuned in to the 'virtual channel' would go on speaker automatically. You did have to wait with talking for a beep confirming that the 'channel' was free though, which sometimes could take a second or so. It would use the data service on the phone (unlike the American service on CDMA which worked more like a call).

In Holland it was used by one of the carriers to replace one of the existing mobile radio networks but the takeup was so low that they discontinued it (even though the investment was low, using the existing mobile networks!)

However in theory it works with internet based providers too as long as you have full internet access from your provider. I played with it for a while as I wanted to have a 'talk group' with some of my friends and there was a free service offering it, but as we all moved to smartphones we lost compatibility (it was mostly Nokia Series 60 phones that supported this).

So perhaps this may still be an option, a data package is fairly cheap these days and 1GB goes a long way for just voice. Not sure if anyone still offers this though..

CB19Kevo

Zello App,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Radio-tone-Smart-Phone-Mic-Speaker-on-Zello-Azetti-Samsung-LG-Sony-Android-/301552615950?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4635efc20e

Pataman

Thats interesting, however we are looking for something a bit more robust. These will be used on motorbikes so will get a bit of abuse

humaxf1

Blood Bikes?

Pataman

humaxf1 wrote: »

Blood Bikes?

Yes, depending on cost, practicality etc

humaxf1

This could be worth investigating;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S0AB-G_-OE

http://www.broadnet.systems/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9NjsfDXezdYFCsBP-vgSaQ/videos

Pataman

Fair play, thats exactly what I was talking about. Now to do some homework.

Thanks

humaxf1

Let me know how you get on please...

No problem, glad to help

watty

There are only two options:
1) Tetra
2) Mobile Phone with a push to talk application.

The reason is high costs (up to 1000 Million Euro) for an infrastructure to cover all of Ireland. Rural places may have very patchy Mobile coverage, such that CBs (with big whips, forget rubber duck with a CB) between bikes work better! CB is possible with headsets.

Do note the high latency of mobile phone. Esp. 3G as it gets congested. Try a call to phone in the same room.
4G isn't quite so bad, but still poor as there is NO voice mode at all on 4G, it has to use a VOIP app, which adds latency. 2G and 3G use native codecs and a native on air voice mode. 2G has the lowest inherent latency to mast, but any ISDN /ATM legacy backhaul and old switching can add a lot of latency.

I wonder what the latency (delay) is on the Broadnet handsets?

The 3G latency can be x5 if the masts are congested.


Anything else needs licensed handsets and a licensed local repeater. Analogue FM works better than Icom's proprietary digital system for Amateurs (Licensed by Kenword) for range, which needs a special repeater anyway.

GekkePrutser

watty wrote: »

Anything else needs licensed handsets and a licensed local repeater. Analogue FM works better than Icom's proprietary digital system for Amateurs (Licensed by Kenword) for range, which needs a special repeater anyway.

Maybe DMR is also an option, it seems to be emerging as a standard for business radio. Nevertheless the range is also less than FM of course. And repeaters are also expensive.

I don't think you can even get a commercial licence for D-STAR anyway.

Those broadnet radios are nice by the way! Good find