Interesting comms solution...

#2
Hi,

So it looks like you can mount onto UAV to even extend the effective range.
Launch UAV and have comms routed down to Team members....this would be great in rugged terrain where everything is not line of sight.
The texting ability is also really attractive.
I think I am going to order a couple today!! THANKS.

Sincerely,
Theis
 
#3
No worries. I just talked to my twin brother; turns out he has worked with them for the Army's AFC. The only caveat he passed was that they are not duplex, but that they were indeed a very innovative concept that the Army was helping mature. I could see these being handy for team competitions as well as running matches over rough terrain (ala Sniper's Hide Team Challenge). Maybe @Lowlight could open a dialogue with them to support the match up in Washington this year(?). It'd be interesting to get them dirty and test them in real world applications....
 
#7
Pretty pricey for a VHF / UHF radio with data.

There are other less integrated/elegant ways to achieve the same thing for a fraction of the cost. You are also limited by the ruggedness of your mobile phone...the weak link. That goes down, you got nothing
 
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#9
so this looks like it operates in the HAM uhf/ vhf bands?.....with a max output of 5W with a 0db gain antenna......im wondering if the $500 tag is worth it

i mean, why not just get a dedicated Yeasu or Kenwood Ham radio for $150......or go full Baofeng for $20.

tracking you can do with Ham APRS systems.

text i suppose is a plus......maybe.....

more importantly, is a Ham license required for use?
 
#10
mcameron said:
i mean, why not just get a dedicated Yeasu or Kenwood Ham radio for $150......or go full Baofeng for $20.
Click to expand...

Exactly...the only thing it has going for it is small size and weight and integration with a handset so learning how to use it is easier. It operates on a proprietary Mesh network so it is may not be able to talk to conventional Ham radios unless they are compatible with this networking protocol.

Oh well...I have some shooting to do so off for now
 
#11
Talked to them about military meshes last year. They are not voice capable, (with their app) only text, small data packets and GPS updates. Think of it as a transforming your phone into a handheld BFT. I bought a pair of civilian ones for hunting. A mesh would work well for big matches outside wifi range, though limited by only 6 hops on civvy models.
 
#12
Looks like it operates in the PLMR range under the Part 90 license, but it definitely has some HAM overlap. If it ate into the HAM bands and did encryption you'd have people all in a tizzy (since encryption on the HAM bands is strictly prohibited).

www.fcc.gov

Industrial / Business

About Rule Part 47 C.F.R, Part 90
www.fcc.gov www.fcc.gov


It seems like a cool idea, but non-removable batteries - come on. Who the hell thought that was a good idea. It's usually done for aesthetics or waterproofing - which both can be remedied in design.

Other than that, the ATAK framework has been out for a little bit. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_Tactical_Assault_Kit
 
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#13
As I understand it, the latest is voice capable, but not duplex. Not sure if the website is up to date, or if my brother is working with the newer prototype models(?). While I was a radio operator in the past, that was many moons ago, so you guys are probably (Likely) much more up to speed on this sort of thing. Hell, I was still humping a PRC-77 and KY-57 back then, the highest speed, lowest drag thing we had was a LST-4 (SATCOM) and PSC-3 antenna...and we thought we were the shit back then.

Curious as to what else you guys are thinking wrt this type of setup, and other options. Comms have certainly come a long ways...
 
#14
MarinePMI said:
As I understand it, the latest is voice capable, but not duplex. Not sure if the website is up to date, or if my brother is working with the newer prototype models(?). While I was a radio operator in the past, that was many moons ago, so you guys are probably (Likely) much more up to speed on this sort of thing. Hell, I was still humping a PRC-77 and KY-57 back then, the highest speed, lowest drag thing we had was a LST-4 (SATCOM) and PSC-3 antenna...and we thought we were the shit back then.

Curious as to what else you guys are thinking wrt this type of setup, and other options. Comms have certainly come a long ways...
Click to expand...


Right there with you brother, carried that prick77 more miles than I care to remember.
 
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#18
MarinePMI said:
As I understand it, the latest is voice capable, but not duplex. Not sure if the website is up to date, or if my brother is working with the newer prototype models(?). While I was a radio operator in the past, that was many moons ago, so you guys are probably (Likely) much more up to speed on this sort of thing. Hell, I was still humping a PRC-77 and KY-57 back then, the highest speed, lowest drag thing we had was a LST-4 (SATCOM) and PSC-3 antenna...and we thought we were the shit back then.

Curious as to what else you guys are thinking wrt this type of setup, and other options. Comms have certainly come a long ways...
Click to expand...

PRC-77/KY-57....that is dating even me. Didn't those use vacuum tubes...LOL? Earliest stuff I ever worked on was SINCGARS.

I am in the Comms business and you are right...comms continue to evolve which is awesome. The technology available today to you and me is something not envisioned 25 years ago. The way I look at any comm system is what is the weakest link? Anything that uses conventional consumer handsets have a finite life in the field. Don't get me wrong. The military and the intel/SF communities are super interested in using conventional mobile phone technology and building rapidly deployable tactical communication systems for field use. They are cheap, disposable, have phenomenal data/imagery capabilities and are super secure.

In this case, I understand the use of MESH but it creates more problems than it solves. There is a reason why MESH networks never have seen the light of day in consumer wireless systems. Proprietary protocols are of very limited usefulness unless you are running very specialized applications. The overhead with routing is a killer.

Just my 2 cents
 
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