MURS Radio - FAQs - Dakota Alert Products
What frequencies do the Dakota Alert products transmit on?
The Dakota Alert products use five license-free VHF frequencies in the Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS):
- 151.820 MHz
- 151.880 MHz
- 151.940 MHz
- 154.570 MHz
- 154.600 MHz
What is the output power of the transceivers?
All MURS transceivers are limited to 2 watts output.
How far can I communicate?
Communications range is dependent upon many factors including, but not limited to, local terrain. Obstructions, such as hills and buildings, between radios can impede radio signals
The flatter the terrain the further your signal will travel. Also, the higher your antenna over local obstructions the better your signal will travel. If you are transmitting from a hilltop your range will increase. Similarly, if you use an external antenna mounted up high your range will be extended.
MURS uses VHF frequencies and these tend to work better outdoors than UHF frequencies (like GMRS/FRS uses) as VHF radio waves will bend slightly over hills. Typical range for MURS is up to 3 to 4 miles over flat terrain using the included stock antennas. In a suburban area you will typically attain 1 to 2 miles with minimal blockage from buildings.
The above estimates tend to be a bit on the conservative side. Your local conditions may allow for greater or lesser communications range. A good rule of thumb is that if you can visually see the area you wish to communicate with (minus any trees) then you can generally communicate over that distance.
Why do the hand held radios I see at department stores state that I can get up to 20 to 30 miles range with a GMRS radio?
Simply put it is a hugely exaggerated marketing claim. Unless you are operating at the top of very tall mountains you will never see that level of communications range. In fact, if you are standing on flat ground it is nearly impossible to achieve hand held to hand held radio communications over that distance due to the curvature of the earth.
What is the difference between the M538-BS MURS Base and the M538-HT MURS Hand Held transceiver?
Both radios are identical in function but in a slightly different form. They can be set to any one of the five MURS frequencies and any one of 38 possible CTCSS tones (also called PL tones or "sub-channels" in the manual). As long as both radios are set to the same frequency/CTCSS combination they will communicate with each other.
Radios can have front panel keys that easily change all settings. They are compatible with all other MURS radios that transmit narrow band.
How do the sensors (MAT and MAPS) work?
The MURS Alert Transmitter (MAT) uses an infrared motion detector inside to detect warm moving objects passing by it. This unit will detect both pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The MURS Alert Probe Sensor (MAPS) uses a magnetic probe that can be buried or placed near a driveway or roadway to detect large moving metallic objects passing by it. This unit will detect motor vehicles and bicycles if the sensitivity it turned up.
Once a sensor is triggered it will broadcast a voice alert over the air on any MURS frequency/CTCSS tone combination that you set up. This alert can be received on one or more radios that are set to the same frequency/CTCSS combination.