Are 900mhz ISM radios dependable for e-com

[ULTRA2]

I just want to get comments on these radios if they're dependable during emergency use

[marcspaz]

ISM radios are not designed for voice, nor emergency operations. They are normally used for OT device control and monitoring. Usually the power is low, the ranges isn't very far per watt, and in general are typically programmed for some specific industry business. 

 

What are you trying to accomplish? 

[jwilkers]

I just want to get comments on these radios if they're dependable during emergency use

ISM radios are limited by power and antenna type. You'll have about 3/4 of a mile coverage.

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[nokones]

ISM radios, such as the Motorola DLR200 DLR600 and DTR700 radios, for communicating with other radios you will need to know the Group Profile ID Number and have your radio programmed accordingly.  For Direct Connect, you would need to know the 11-digit Private ID numbers of the radios you want to communicate directly with and have that info programmed in your radio.

The radios do come with a factory default program and will communicate with other factory default programmed radios, but good luck and finding anyone with a factory default program when the SHTF that is nearby within no more than a mile.  These radios cost almost $500.

[PACNWComms]

Let the mission dictate the technology.....ISM band radios can be used in emergencies. Motorola series ISM radios are often used in build up areas, cities with lots of concrete and steel. Motorola even marketed these within many cities for emergency response teams (my employer is one that was pitched the DTR410/550/650 series radios) for use in emergency response efforts. 

I am in an area where UHF has over-saturated the radio spectrum, and 700/800/900 (920-928 MHz) MHz radios were touted as the next best thing. That being said, as mentioned above, the Motorola DTR series (and newer ISM versions that came out later) are limited in their power output. Range is then limited to 1-1.5 miles at best. 

The radios are expensive, and not rated as intrinsically safe for use in hazardous areas. When the original DTR series came out, I worked in the Oil & Gas Industry, for a company that had a fleet of steel ships (to clean up oil spills). The DTR series radios worked great aboard the vessels, as their signal could weave around the steel structure and you could communicate around the vessel, clearly. We tried the eXRS (eXtreme Radio Service) TriSquare radios before (they were trash), and settled on the Motorola DTR410 and DTR550's. I also put some school campus crews on the DTR series radios, assuring them that they were relatively secure (they had people listening to older UHF CP200 radios for children getting hurt on the playground.....people were listening in, and their license expired).

ISM band does not require a license, the Motorola radios are built well (and cost a lot due to their build quality), and many vessels and teams use them here in the Pacific Northwest. However, many are in their default configuration.....no custom TalkGroups, or security settings. I keep one at my work desk to monitor traffic of vessels on a local river. Barges and tugs often can be heard, thinking their transmissions are "secure"....but they have default programming, I just have to turn it to the right "channel".

For short range and clear radio comms on ships, buildings, and small campuses, they will work well. But, they are not very popular with the proliferation of VHF MURS and UHF FRS/GMRS radios.

For emergencies, use whatever you can, or already have.

[PACNWComms]

Correction to above, 902-928 MHz. 

I like and still use some DTR410's, and even with the shorter fixed antennas, a mile range is still doable in the city. Comes in handy for my own use, and for monitoring the local vessels that still use them. Some have also purchased the newer DTR700 series radios, and left them defaulted on programming as they did with their DTR500/650's.