Motorola DTR700 Digital 900MHz 50 channel 1 Watt 2-Way Radio

The DTR700 is a digital radio that needs no FCC license, because it works in the 900 MHz ISM band rather than on licensed business frequencies. For a site that wants digital audio and private calling without a licensing process, that combination is unusual and it is the reason to look at this radio.

It uses Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum. Motorola's spec sheet states that FHSS gives more reliable and more private communication, and the practical effect is that a conversation is not sitting on one fixed frequency for anyone with a scanner to find. Only radios on the same group ID and channel hear the traffic.

The call features are what separate it from an analog radio. A programmable button reaches Call All and Page All directly rather than through the channel list, private calls alert one named user instead of putting everything on the open channel, and the radio sends preset text messages such as a call-you-back note, with custom messages available for a site's own needs.

Motorola specifies 50 channels at 50 kHz spacing, 1 watt of RF output, 8-level FSK modulation on 900 MHz FHSS, and frequency stability of plus or minus 1 PPM from -30 C to +60 C. Published range coverage is 350,000 square feet or 30 floors. The radio weighs 7.87 oz (223 g), runs a 3.7 V battery for a typical 16.5 hours on a 5/5/90 profile at maximum transmit power, and is rated IP54 to IEC 60529 and tested to Military Standard 810 C, D, E, F and G for shock, vibration, water, dust and temperature extremes.