Looking for a hand held that can modified

[k4ah]

Quote[/b] (KD8AXZ @ Feb. 16 2005,10:00)]I am looking for a hand held that can be modified to xmit in the 144 - 170 range. If you are aware of a mod. please send me the information or a reference.

jescholz@yahoo.com
What exactly do you want to do with this handheld? Transmitting outside the ham bands without a type approved radio is against the rules.

[KD8AXZ]

I want to avoid carrying 2 radios. I would like to talk HAM on my fire (154 +/-) radio, or vise versa.

[k4ah]

Quote[/b] (KD8AXZ @ Feb. 22 2005,05:57)]I want to avoid carrying 2 radios. I would like to talk HAM on my fire (154 +/-) #radio, or vise versa.
Check with the company that programs your fire department radios. If you show them your license they may program some ham freqs in it for you. Just about any commercial radio can be used this way. Just don't expect the same performance as a dedicated radio would give you.

[ai4ep]

EXTRA class operators are supposed to help set the standards to the other classes of operators and to other extra s . Operating a rig illegally does NOT set a good example to others....if it is ok for YOU to do one thing illegally, what is the difference in what another amateur radio operator wanting to do something else that is illegal ?

What is the line in the sand to cross / not cross ?

[k4ah]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Feb. 24 2005,09:57)]EXTRA class operators are supposed to help set the standards to the other classes of operators and to other extra s . #Operating a rig illegally does NOT set a good example to others....if it is ok for YOU to do one thing illegally, what is the difference in what another amateur radio operator wanting to do something else that is illegal ? #

What is the line in the sand to cross / not cross ?
What is illegal about what he plans. Noticed I asked first before I gave advice. Programming a commercial radio to use on the ham bands while still using it for his fire department use is not illegal. This does not change it's type acceptance. If he took a ham radio and did the opposite then it is illegal. That is why I suggested he check with his fire department radio supplier to have this done.

Get your facts straight before you jump in with both barrels blazing!

[ai4ep]

ok then YOU handle it !

[k4ah]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ Feb. 26 2005,14:18)]ok then YOU handle it !
Sorry I came across like a d**k. I am waiting for an answer back from the FCC about this. It seems it is a matter of perception on whether it is legal or illegal. Thanks for your input.

[k4ah]

Here is Riley's response to the question of using a commercial radio this way.

I am out of town and I am not sure that my answer got thru. But I don't see an enforcement problem in this case. While it is true that modifying an Amateur Radio for use on Fire frequencies violates the certification required for radios used on public safety channels, I don't see any harm in an individual modifying his commercial certified unit just to operate on Amateur frequencies when it is not being used for Fire Dept communications. In such a case no changes have been made to the operation of the radio on public safety.

[KC0KBH]

Here is what you do-
get a Motorola or Standard keypad programmable HT with type acceptance from like 134 to 174 or something, then just program it up, easily.

[WA9SVD]

It shouldn't have taken an "OK" from Riley to answer this one. The original post was whether he could use a "fire" service radio on Ham frequencies, OR "vice versa."

The simple answer is that yes, it's perfectly legal to use the "FIRE" service radio on Amateur frequencies, IF it can be programmed to do so WITHOUT MODIFICATION. The "vice versa" part is ILLEGAL; i.e., using a (modified) Amateur Service Radio on the Fire Service frequencies.

The only caveat is whether or not a Fire Service Radio will cover the Amateur bands, and what limitations are present. Some that come to mind are limited frequency channels that can be programmed, whether or not a proper "split" can be acheived, and whether CTCSS (PL) tones are available in the Fire Service radio. Not all such radios have all these features. But to use an Amateur Radio Service on the "Fire" frequencies is just plain illegal, regardless of one's rationalization or excuse.

[KB3MFB]

The Motorola HT750 (16 channel) or HT1250 (128 channel) can be programmed for ham and public safety use. The frequency split is 136-174 MHz.