Motorola SL7550e

FRS / GMRS Radios
1

Hello all-

My wife, friends and family travel internationally often and frequently take cruises. We have been using the Costco special Motorola talk about radios for a while but we’ve decided to step up to a professional radio for increased range, voice quality, text messaging and vibrate alert feature. I’m getting ready to order 4 Motorola SL7550e 2 way radios for this purpose. Does anyone have any experience with this model or past 7000 series? I realize these are technically not legal for use in Europe so I’d like some opinions on that matter as well. My apologies if this has been covered elsewhere on the forum. I’ve been scouring the web trying to find which European frequencies are the potential culprits. When I register with the FCC do they assign the 5 frequencies randomly or is there a way to choose?

Lots of questions I know. I appreciate any insight anyone can provide!

2

I am not sure if a $1000 business radio and applying for a business licence would be your best solution. You are going to encounter several issues right away. First is the cost of the radios plus the cost of the business licence. These digital business radios are not GMRS and cannot legally be programmed for GMRS or MURS frequencies.

It is only legal to use your assigned business frequency within your assigned location. If you use them outside your home area, it is not just illegal but you are running the risk of interfering with public service, emergency broadcasts or critical shipboard communications. This is not just illegal; you could be doing someone else harm. For this reason, even if the ship allows them on board (which is not likely), you will not be legally allowed to take your radios off the ship.

Also, one cannot refute the laws of physics. All VHF and UHF two-way radios operate on basic line-of-sight, and you might find that you just spent $5000+ on four radios and a business licence, and they don’t give you much more range than what you have now. You will have much more durable and reliable radios, and much better audio, but the range will just not be that much greater.

Many ships have restrictions on the radios that can be used by passengers. Any radios that can possibly interfere with any shipboard or shore communications will not be allowed. This is why they will usually restrict passenger two-way radios to handheld licenced Ham, FRS, GMRS or 900MHz spread spectrum radios.

Why don’t you look at licence-free business class radios. This will give you the quality you seek at a fraction of the price. (900MHz radios are specifically designed for maximum range in urban environments, with better ability to punch through glass and steel structure.) They cannot possibly interfere with anyone else (unless they happen to be on the exact same frequency-hopping algorithm, which is unlikely when there are thousands of combinations) and cannot be monitored by anyone else unless they have the same radio and tuned to the same channel and ID number.

3

Mr. Hawk-

Thank you so much for your detailed and thoroughly helpful response. More than the cost I’m concerned with interfering with ship and/or land communications. Do you mind answering a few more questions? I’m in the U.S. by the way in case that makes any difference.

-Realistically is interference an issue with a business radio being that it will have 5 programmed frequencies?

-Wouldn’t a 3 watt UHF radio (SL7000e) have significantly more range than a 1 watt VHF (Talk About)?

-Would a 1 watt 900mhz radio have better range than the Talk About series radios?

-Are you familiar with any 900mhz radios with text messaging capabilities? I’m currently looking at the Motorola DTR650.

Thank you again for your time. I’m obviously a complete rookie at this. We’re just looking for a higher quality and more professional solution to the typical kid style Walkie talkies.

4

The problem with business radios is that the frequency spectrum is limited, and this is why licences are granted to businesses only within their geographical area. A business licence only guarantees no other licences within that area, but as soon as you leave the area, you could be interfering with other licence holders. Because of the very limited frequency spectrum that depends on the short range of VHF and UHF radios to allow thousands of users to use the same frequency because they are hundreds of miles apart, as soon as you travel, you encroach on other’s areas.

The frequency you are issued in your location in the U.S. just may be the same as an emergency or public service frequency in another country, or even the internal shipboard frequencies on board the ship. This is why most cruise lines will not allow business radios on board.

A lesser form of business licence uses what are called itinerant business frequencies. These are five frequencies that are shared, much like GMRS, except designed for business use (and you still need a licence.) But that applies only in the U.S., so as soon as you get near land, you could again be interfering with someone else.

As far as range, wattage has little to do with range. More watts equal more range but range with VHF or UHF is MUCH more dependant on antenna design and antenna height. This is why a 1-watt 900MHz spread spectrum radio will have far better range than any consumer GMRS radio at any legal wattage.

However, I completely understand your need for higher quality radios for better communication. It is not just improved range, but also clarity of the transmission that can be important. I just don’t think business radios will be a good choice. But I personally think you have three very good options to explore:

#1 - High-end GMRS radios will give you better range and most important, better clarity. However, you will still have the problem of crowded frequencies. (Most cruise ships rent and/or sell bubble-pack GMRS radios for passengers, so there will be a LOT of users on many of the channels.)

In the U.S., every person who uses your GMRS radio will need their own (or a family) licence, but once you hit international waters, this does not apply. Plus, many other countries such as up here in Canada do not require licences, so some will argue no one will be wasting time tracking down unlicenced GMRS users. (They will be MUCH more concerned about tracking down unlicenced users on business frequencies who are interfering with local businesses or public services.)

Keep in mind that GMRS frequencies are only in North America, so if you leave the ship with GMRS radios, you could be interfering with others and subject to the laws of that country.

#2 - The Motorola DTR series is a great solution. It can be used anywhere and will interfere with no one. If you ever get another user on board with the same channel number AND the same ID number (which is HIGHLY unlikely), just switch to another ID. There are hundreds of combinations.

The DTR does text messaging, but unless you have a Motorola keyboard, you are confined to the built-in messages. But trust me on this - no one ever uses the text message capability. This is why Motorola discontinued the optional keyboard. I have a fleet of DTR radios and have NEVER used a single text message.

#3 - Drop the idea of text messaging (that no one will ever use anyway) and look at the Motorola DLR1060. It has 90% of the sound clarity of the DTR and 95% of the range, at half the size and weight. I would highly recommend this as a solution for anyone looking for better quality and less interference than the consumer GMRS radios.

Our forum hosts at buytwowayradios sent me a test sample of the DTR1060 when it first came out because I am a heavy and enthusiastic owner of the DTR radios, and I LOVE them. (One of these days they might want their sample back, so SHHHH, don’t tell them I still have it - and I will not be parting with it soon!)

Personally, I think the DLR1020 or DLR1060 is the ideal radio for you. They don’t text, but trust me; you won’t use text messaging anyway. (It is nothing like sending a text by phone. It is slow and kludgy and by the time you type it out, you could have walked up the three decks anyway.) The 900MHz will give you MUCH better range than a UHF GMRS radio on board the ship, and it is small and discrete for use off the ship. You cannot possibly interfere with other users, and if you ever hear anyone else on your channel, you can reprogram in seconds. Don’t bother with a computer and programming cable; just follow the voice prompts and change all your radios to the same ID number. (You have 200,000 combinations to choose from!)

If you have any other questions, the good folks at buytwowayradios are very knowledgeable about radios. They even did a radio blog about radios on board cruise ships (prior to the introduction of the DLR radio, so keep that in mind.) They are experts at the advantages and disadvantages of all three of the solutions above, so feel free to do some research. You are the only one who can decide what you need and how much you are willing to spend.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

5

It sounds like 900mhz is the way to go. It’s the easiest and safest for sure. Good advice about the text messaging feature. I tried out the SL7550e at a local dealer and the text messaging was so nice! That’s why I was heading down that path. That unit is incredible. It’s like a cellphone without the towers. I’m leaning towards the DTR650 for the private caller function. I’d like to be able to call one person directly rather than light up all 4 (or 6) radios every time. The only drawback I’ve read about the 650 is the transmission beep. People say it’s super annoying. Any thoughts on that?

6

The latest firmware version of the DTR radios now allow the user to lower the volume of the confirmation beep.

PLus, the newest version of the DTR550 now comes with the longer half-wave antenna and the same high capacity battery and faster charger of the DTR650. This means the 550 is about the best value, unless you need the management functions of the 650 or the 410. The longer antenna gives you another block or so in range, and is a good upgrade for older 550 radios. Plus, you can always switch to the shorter 1/4 wave antenna for more discrete use.

Unlike the DLR radios, I would suggest you get the programming cable. The software is free. (There is also a web-based version of it that works with both the DLR and DTR radios, although I still stick with the older DTR Windows software for most of my programming.) You will also need a serial-to-USB adapter. But the software makes programming multiple radios easier, especially if you want to call up individual radios by name. (“Jan” and “Steve”, instead of “18815142” and “12425118.”)

Some other nice things about the DTRs are that they are slightly more weatherproof than the DLR, and you can directly call up any individual radio in your call list and have a private conversation. (Because they are digital, other users can use the channel at the same time too.)

7

Incidentally, the DLR radios can also do private calls, although not quite so simple as the DTRs. Here is how it works. Let’s say Steve wants to call Jan and talk privately.

Without any special programming needed, Steve calls on the group channel. Everyone hears him. While he is talking or within 4 seconds of him finishing, Jan pushes the top “Private Reply” button on her DLR. This reads the private ID number of Steve’s radio and queues her to talk to Steve when he is done talking. Once he is done, she has 7 seconds to push the PTT button. The radio announces by voice “private call” and the top LED lights orange on both her radio and Steve’s radio. While they are talking one-on-one, others can use the same channel.

With radios programmed by the CPS, each radio can have its own name attached instead of a number. (“Jan,” “Steve,” “Bobby,” “Billy,” etc.) Once each radio is programmed into all the other radio call lists, Steve can call directly to Jan without needed to broadcast a group call. Steve pushes the top Private Reply button. It says, “Private Bobby,” “Private Billy,” etc. until it announces “Private Jan.” He then pushes the PTT to initiate a direct private call to Jan’s radio.

Using the CPS software and a programming cable gives one the ability to name radios, channels and have the voice announce by name. It is very cool … although I am speculating that it would get tired very quickly for your fellow passengers beside you listening to that synthesized announcement voice all day.

8

For some reason the 650’s are the best deal at $220 each. $30 for the stubby antenna. This is probably the best course of action although I’m in love with 7550e. I’m a Mac user exclusively. Will I be able to program the units from a Mac? Can you change frequencies on the fly with the DTR models?

9

To answer your questions, there is no Mac version for either the DTR or DLR. The DLR is web-based, so there may be someday, but not currently.

You can do everything you need on the DTR from the keyboard except add proper names instead of the radio ID number. From the keyboard, you will have four radios with names like “1234656” instead of “Steve” and “Jan.” Programming is not intuitive, and will take a while to do each one.

Or you can simply unpack them, turn them on and use them. I have never heard anyone on the default channel 1, group ID 1. If this is a concern, you get 20 default channels, with no programming at all.

As for the DTR650 being a better deal, that price you quoted is quite a bit lower than the normal street price for this radio. I am always suspicious of prices way lower than everyone else. I always suspect they may be used, factory refurbs or missing accessories that they are going to try to ding you for after you buy the radio.

You might find lower prices on eBay but you need to be careful of used stuff, Chinese ripoffs and scammers. Plus, I am not sure I would ever go on the active website forum of a legitimate retail dealer such as buytwowayradios, get some GREAT information (that, by the way, probably saved you about $3500) … and then buy them on eBay just to save $30 each.

But that’s just me.

10

I totally agree. I didn’t even realize this was the forum of a dealer. Duh! All I saw was two way radio forum. I will most definitely check out the retail site. Incidentally the units I saw for $220 each are on Amazon. Thank you for answering this plethora of questions.

11

On the maritime front, here in the uk we have very strict rules on marine radio. The hams cannot operate on a maritime vessel without the permission of the captain or master, and getting that permission is not guaranteed. Within territorial limits you have the countries restrictions and outside that you have the shipping company or owners own rules. Many of my cruise ship friends tell me they cannot use radios they might own, or buy. I’d guess Passengers would be subject to the same rules.