While not a commercial radio or a HAM, this is interesting.

Beartooth Radio

Fixed link: http://www.beartooth.com/#about

Looks like an FRS radio with iphone feel.

It's an SDR transceiver built into a case for an iPhone or Android phone. They have a picture of it using FRS.

FRS radios must be type-accepted for FRS and there are strict restrictions on the antenna, output power, and other parameters. I don't think that the FCC would grant type-acceptance for an FRS radio that could transmit outside the FRS/GMRS service.

I suspect the FCC would not grant an SDR transceiver a type-acceptance for use by non-amateurs, making it legally usable only within the amateur radio service. I imagine the manufacturer could have one radio onboard for FRS/GMRS use and another for amateur radio use. The iPhone has several radios in it (Bluetooth, cellular, GPS, WiFi) so it could be done with a case.

I would strongly urge US radio users to not purchase any radio product without knowing what FCC type acceptance it has.

The goTenna (no affiliation) is a Bluetooth device that can send text messages and location data over a typical (manufacturer claimed) 1-6 mile radius using the MURS service. This product is not, as far as I know, yet available in the wild but it seems a lot more likely to be approved by the FCC than an SDR for FRS.

IMO FRS/GMRS type features should be built into every phone (they used to have them in select nextel phones) for sporting use, such as limited range communication outside of cell coverage, as well as ad-hoc mesh networking / routing capability for smartphones to mitigate communications loss and permit continuity of emergency services during prolonged disasters, maybe with a settings option to opt-in or out as desired.

Then again, I always thought phones should have the FM function turned on including weather channels, but I'm just silly

As chaos mentioned, the pain of type classifying probably prohibits the cost and effort, plus lack of overall interest.

Nextel phones have never had FRS/GMRS radios built into them, nor did they ever work without cellular connectivity. The "push to talk" feature is called Direct Connect and works with some Sprint phones now. Direct Connect has always required cellular connectivity, despite the name.

I like the idea of mesh connectivity between phones and it looks like Beartooth and goTenna are making moves in that direction. I also like the idea of broadcast radio receivers built-in to smartphones. Right now there are some bluetooth devices that purport to do that, but I've never tried one.

Actually Nextel phones did have an off network capability. I had one in every employee's hand.

Oh, and we did Nextel infrastructure work, as well as other carriers.

I am not going to dive into the technology, but it WAS there. You had to disconnect from the network, and your local users had to be programmed in.

Direct Connect does indeed require cellular connectivity, but Direct Talk (similar name, but different feature) did not, and allowed for off-network short ranged communications.

You're right it wasn't FRS/GMRS though (I remembered incorrectly, it uses the 900 mhz band). They were good for a couple miles IIRC terrain dependent of course.

Watched the Beartooth Techcrunch video as was not particularly impressed. Especially with the solution to a problem that already exists. Did no one tell the presenter? The $600 Smartphone and the propriety Beartooth adapter (Price Currently Unknown), we could be talking about a $1000 solution with limited performance that can be solved for a $75 Wouxun KG-UVD1P..or even cheaper! But then again we all love our smartphones..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNWpLzSd940


Edit. BTW if I need improved newtork coverage for any Smartphone (fishing trips where there is no official coverage) I will ussually take the following items..

http://www.amazon.co.uk/ZTE-MF60-Mobile-...p;keywords=mifi

http://www.dx.com/p/1710-2170mhz-12dbi-d...ma-female-37398

With my dual SIM smartphone and one other in the Mifi adapter, this allows me to potentially even to switch easily between 3 different network providers.

I was wrong; I was unaware of Direct Talk despite the years I carried a Nextel phone. I have to wonder if I was in one of the areas where it was disabled by the carrier.

Looks like similar idea to the satcase thing.

Runbo make rugged phones with walkie talkie and radio built in for much less. Think the X1 is less than $150

Beartooth has just revealed their final specs recently. Looks good, so I'm in, as I will need it for the 3 weeks family cruise vacation in December, hope it will be available by then, as their deadline stated as the "Late 2016". Just ordered a pair for $149 (8 days of promotion left). You can use my referral link to get an additional $10 discount for a pair (the specs are on that page as well, just scroll down): http://ssqt.co/KlBx The more people get it the better your chances on a mesh network availability when on a remote trail.

Wirelessly links phone with other Beartooth users within range.

Tech Specs

iOS and Android Compatible
LOS Range: 5 Miles for Voice, 10 Miles for Text
NLOS Range: 2 Miles for Voice, 4 Miles for Text
900 MHz Digital Transceiver (US Spec: 902MHz - 928MHz)
1W Transmit Power (30dBm)
Up to -148dBm Receiver Sensitivity, 178dB Link Budget
Mesh Networking for Extended Range
FSK and LoRa Modulation with Frequency Hopping
AES 256-Bit Encryption
Bluetooth 2.0 Connection to Smartphone
4 Day Battery Life (5/5/90 Duty Cycle)
3000mAh Battery (1.75x iPhone 6S Battery Capacity)
USB Type-C Port With Fast Bi-Directional Charging (2.1A)
2.44" x 4.0" x 0.49" and 4.5oz

Referral program

Beartooth is better with friends! Share the unique URL you received after you purchased Beartooth with anyone you like. Those who use your link will receive $10 off their Beartooth purchase and, after we confirm their purchase through your link, you receive a refund of $10. Refer as many friends as you like and receive a refund for every friend who buys Beartooth, up to the value of your original purchase!