Motorola MR355R blister pack radios

[mire]

Quick question... I have a pair of Motorola blister pack MR-355R radios which were manufactured under the old rules that only allowed .5 watts on FRS frequencies.... is there a way to update these to where they can transmit the now allowed 2 watts on those frequencies?

[berkinet]

In addition to the issues noted above, I would expect the battery configuration was chosen to reflect the allowed power. If power was raised (if it even could be) to the degree it would make a practical difference, battery life would be likely to suffer dramatically.

[WRAK968]

I don't believe so, and even if they were there is a rule about altering internal components.

[mire]

I was wondering if they could be reflashed via computer somehow. Didn’t really have high hopes for this, but I figured it was worth a try… I don’t use them at all, but if ever I do, I’d prefer they be at the extent of their full legal capability.

[WRAK968]

Not that I know of, Most motorola radios use propitiatory software and hardware for programing. The cost alone (if you could find the software/hardware for it) would negate any upgrades in power you would be able to do. I would think you would have more luck selling them on E-bay and purchasing a whole new set of radios. Would be much cheaper IMO.

[marcspaz]

I know it's not great to hear due to the cost... but if you want more power, it's going to involve spending more money for replacement radios. 

 

Per the letter of the law, altering radios (even making it so it has a removable antenna) makes it illegal to even just posses while being capable of transmitting on the low power FRS channels.  Also, if I were a gambling man, I would bet the circuitry is not capable of more power without swapping parts.

[mire]

Not that I know of, Most motorola radios use propitiatory software and hardware for programing. The cost alone (if you could find the software/hardware for it) would negate any upgrades in power you would be able to do. I would think you would have more luck selling them on E-bay and purchasing a whole new set of radios. Would be much cheaper IMO.

 

Probably so. Like I said, I don't really use them, but I keep them as a backup. If I get rid of them, I don't really see a need to replace them... at least, not with the same type. Maybe something a bit higher end. If I were going to get it done, I'd go to the Motorola store and see if they could do it. I just was trying to get some feedback on it before I made the trek there (can't explain it, I like to show up in person rather than make phone calls) and have it done if it could be done and if they didn't charge an arm, a leg, and my firstborn in order to do it.

 

 

I know it's not great to hear due to the cost... but if you want more power, it's going to involve spending more money for replacement radios. 

 

Per the letter of the law, altering radios (even making it so it has a removable antenna) makes it illegal to even just posses while being capable of transmitting on the low power FRS channels.  Also, if I were a gambling man, I would bet the circuitry is not capable of more power without swapping parts.

 

Well, again, I have no intention of making any internal or external physical alterations to the radio. They're five watt radios, and what limits them to the .5 watts on the FRS channels is simply programming in a computer chip. So the question was whether there was an updated software which they could be reflashed with. I'm only looking to see if what I aim to do - entirely on the up and up and IAW current guidelines - is doable. They upped the allotted power of FRS to two watts, which I would do if it were feasible to do so (and in an entirely legal manner, mind you), but it's not something I'm desperate to do. I just figured there was no harm in inquiring about it.

 

But, to set the record straight for anyone else who is reading this, I absolutely am not looking to make any illegal or unauthorized modifications to the radio, I am only seeking answers as to whether Motorola has released updating programming for these particular radios, or even if they're set up to where they can facilitate reflashing, which, I don't know if they even can... I know they're Motorola and all, but they're still cheap blister pack radios someone bought at... I don't know where. I got them from a mom who confiscated them from her kids after she freaked out when she heard someone else talking to them over the air. If I had to take a guess at where, my money would be Dick's Sporting Goods on White Oak Road in Garner, North Carolina, because I know she shopped there frequently and they sold these exact ones, but that's not cast in stone.

 

In addition to the issues noted above, I would expect the battery configuration was chosen to reflect the allowed power. If power was raised (if it even could be) to the degree it would make a practical difference, battery life would be likely to suffer dramatically.

 

Yeah, but these radios with the same battery packs run five watts on the non-FRS frequencies, so I'd think they should be able to manage two on the FRS channels.

[WRDU674]

I recently bought 2 Motorola MS350R radios.  They have two PTT buttons   High and Low power

[mire]

Actually, an update. So I found the manual online. Turns out the output is only 1.5w on what was previously the GMRS simplex frequencies, and a more in depth reading on the subject shows that the original FRS frequencies are still restricted to .5w in narrow band both under FRS ant GMRS. So this was a futile venture from the get go.

 

If I’m reading this correctly, them being repeater capable means they’re still classed as GMRS equipment. Does anyone know if they still transmit on narrow band on the frequencies which weren’t the original FRS frequencies?

 

I recently bought 2 Motorola MS350R radios.  They have two PTT buttons   High and Low power

If you flip through the channels (or put it into scan mode), you’ll notice a small, radio-shaped icon towards the upper left of the display. On the original FRS frequencies, it appears hollow. This indicates it’ll only transmit at .5 watts on those frequencies, regardless of which PTT button you push.

[WRCV366]

I would hold onto them, they are the few handheld radios that are capable of doing repeater use. Motorola doesn't make any new handhelds that have repeater channels and Midland only offers repeater channels on their mobile radios. Mine can access repeaters all over the Sacramento area when outside.