Will the two way radio analogue network be shut down in NZ?

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blgnz

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#315552 25-Jul-2024 06:51

Hi folks, I am tossing up whether to upgrade my analogue radios to digital. I'm happy with analogue and would like to continue using for as long as possible but don't want to be caught out if they suddenly decide to shut the analogue network off. Bear in mind, I'm not a technically minded person so simple layman's terms work best for me :)

Thanks in advance, blgnz

Lias

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#3264168 25-Jul-2024 08:48

My own usage has only been limited to short range "walkie talkies" and I'm far from an expert but I wouldn't imagine so, because as far as I understand it it's basically just a bunch of spectrum put aside for this use by the government.

I'm a geek, a gamer, a dad, a Quic user, and an IT Professional. I have a full rack home lab, size 15 feet, an epic beard and Asperger's. I'm a bit of a Cypherpunk, who believes information wants to be free and the Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it. If you use my Quic signup you can also use the code R570394EKGIZ8 for free setup. Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

RunningMan

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#3264172 25-Jul-2024 08:56

@MuzaNZ might know.

MuzaNZ

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#3264173 25-Jul-2024 09:10

Depends on what you're using, but assuming your using something like a Tait or Motorola radio.

If you're paying for a service with the likes of Kordia, Vital, etc. They'll let you know when they're planning on shutting down their old MPT1327 networks, and get you switched over to digital

If you're paying RSM for a frequency license, you can keep using your gear for as along as you keep paying for the license to use that frequency.

If you're not paying anything at all, you're probably using a PRS channel, this is open for anyone to use, but is limited to only analog, and a fairly low power output

SomeoneSomewhere

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#3264291 25-Jul-2024 15:51

In case you're not aware, two-way radios don't generally need any repeaters or networks: one radio transmits, and the other radio directly receives the signal. You don't need to be in range of a cellsite or any other tower. This is why there is a range limit between the two radios.

There are some fixed repeaters and networks for these types of radios, but they are generally something you need to explicitly configure into the radio and might be paying licensing for.