Bowman - Marconi - Selex Radio H4855 PRC-343 PRR

[landymad]

Ok so got this the other day, didn't work

Thankfully after opening it up it was simply a loose connecting

So my question.

Can this be used without a ham licence?
I'm under the impression you don't need a licence but I may be wrong.

[Tinweasel]

No no no and no, if that's a military spec one it will use frequencys not available to any civi regardless of power output, same with the clansman 349.

At the moment we can only use PMR and CB frequencys without a licence and under a set power, ham radios are only aloud to be used on specific frequencys by licenced users and some military radios can work on these frequencys but outside these bands expect a day in court and loss of your radios and never ever turn your 344 on as the powers that be won't be amused by that at all

[landymad]

Thanks for the info Shaun, my reason for asking was the details below:

Frequency

Instead of operating in one of the standard military frequency bands this radio operates (2.4 - 2.483) in the 2.4 Ghz Industrial Scientific & Medical (ISM) bands where no license is needed for secondary users. This particular band has a Wi-Fi specification, IEEE 802.11, that's commonly used for linking laptops and PDAs to a network. The 802.11 protocol is used by this radio. I think that means that no license is required to use this radio in the U.S. If you know one way or the other please let me know.

From:
http://www.prc68.com/I/Bowman.shtml

[Tinweasel]

Two things to remember

1) there is a civi version of this radio which works on different bands to the military one

2) what's legal in the US and what's legal in the UK are not the same, even our CB and PMR bands are different.

I cant see the government being very happy if you start transmitting on military frequencys

[landymad]

So what frequence is this on if not 2.4?

Everything I read about this radio does lead to to believe its on the same frequence.

The most successful of the current radios is the Selenia Communications (Chelmsford, UK) H4855 Personal Role Radio. Over 100,000 sets have been sold to customers including the UK, USMC and USAF. There are 24 countries in total using the sets, with national differences limited to differences in connectors for headsets or the color of the radios.

The PRR has no encryption. Despite this, effective security has been achieved via several other approaches giving a layered solution that also points to methods that may be adopted by others in the near future. Firstly, the information sent in voice only is transient, according to Alan Heritage, Business Manager at Selenia Communications, offering little or no tactical benefit to an eavesdropping enemy. Secondly, the range is limited — 500 m in clear space but only 150 m in urban terrain or multi-story buildings — making it difficult to detect from a distance. This low range is coupled with low output, resulting in each PRR needing just two primary cell AA batteries for 24 hours of operation. Thirdly, the solution uses spread spectrum technology, which enables the transmission of wideband, noise-like signals which are widely used in the civil sector. These signals are hard to detect, intercept or demodulate and are harder to jam than their narrowband counterparts. These factors result in an effectively secure radio at reduced cost, so much so that the British Army acquired 45,000 items in 2001 in a contract worth approximately $36.5 M.

Sorry for the long quote.

Anyone else know anything on these or does anyone else have one?

[a01470258]

I have one but haven't enquired with any 'hams' or authorities.
As Shaun says not to be used if they are on any restricted area as they person concerned could then loose all their radios and possibly other members radios along with the vehicles they are mounted in!


Wasnt under the impression it was on military frequencies as such due to being insecured, just more or less the walkie talkie type of two way radio, such as icom type band?
Several airsoft skirmishers I know have used them for a while now, informed me theirs we outside of restrictions due to low range and power?

[landymad]

So are these a restricted item?

If you can buy them (I'm in Talks to import some from the supplier ) and they don't run on a military channel/ frequency, then where's the problem or am I missing something?

[Tinweasel]

I have been talking to a ham radio licence holder and he is under the same impresion I am that the frequency range used by these is owned by the military, it was also mentioned that the govemont sold some of the bandwith in that area to give more room for other things but why would they sell off frequencys being used?

I would want to do lots of reserch before importing any myself as it may be legal to own one but its the same as say a car, anyone can own one but if you use it without meeting the needed criteria and you may well find yourself in trouble.

[landymad]

Not bothered about using them, just want to know the facts. And like i said until someone can say what frequency there are on if not 2.4 then i think its hard to know for sure. If its 2.4 then happy days.

[Ravenhook]

Hi guys, just read this post with interest.I have several green redio's including the Bowman/Marconi prc343.
Regarding the frequency range of this nice compact unit I found the following helpful....




Marconi H4855 / PRC-343

is a Personal Role Radio (PRR).

It is the first new generation radio meant especially for the use of the individual soldier.
In Great Britain it is part of the Bowman- program and is called
Bowman PRR Radio PRC 343.
The US Marine Corps uses the expression
Integrated Intra Squad Radio (IISR).

Since about 2002 it is introduced in great numbers and will be the future standard in all major armies.

Spread band Wireless- Lan- techniques provide a quick and easy communication and replace shouted orders or orders by hand signals. In addition the signal is hard to detect and to intercept. Signals can cover a distance of 500 m in rural areas. The high frequency means a good communication even in urban areas or in forest areas.


A special feature is the
[ < click ]
Wireless PTT- button,
with a unique identity. The PTT button will operate only its special radio. It sends its signals on 433 MHz in a range of about two meters. It can be attached to any equipment. So operating the PTT is possible without changing the grip to the equipment.

256 channels can be used, in 16 banks of 16 channels each. The banks can be changed by a switch under the detachable PTT assembly of the radio.

Leading personnel can attach a PTT unit with two PTT buttons. A squad radio has a link to this PTT unit. So the commander can operate a second command via one headset, using e.g. a U-229 or Racal type interface from H4855 to a tactical radio. The two-PTT-unit can be got with wire links to tactical radios of many manufacturers.

There are many variants of the lightweight headset. It fits under almost all military or ballistic helmets. Its construction allows the usage of an additional ear defender. An electret microphone is used.

The PRR can transmit voice and data (38.4 Kbps) simultaneously. Data from external sensors or sensors on the body (e.g. for gas alarm) can be transmitted as tone or as digital voice.

A rebroadcasting unit consists of two linked PRR in a saddle bag. They can be dropped to a suitable place to extend the range. The PRR comes in different colors for different usages; there also is a watertight bag. All the accessories can not be described here- there are too many.

The radio needs two AA cells.

Frequency range:
2.400 ... 2.483 GHz



Technical data:

Channels:
256
Output:
50 mW
Mode:
DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
Transmitting of:
Voice and data (38.4 Kbps) simultaneously
Range:
up to 500 m in rural areas
Powered by:
2 AA cells (3 V)
Operating time with 2 AA cells:
24 hrs ( TX : RX : Standby 1 : 7 : 16 )

http://www.greenradio.de/e_h4855.htm

However, as I live very near to Salisbury Plain and Tidworth I do refrain from using it along with my other Clansman radios..licensed though I am...paintballers like them it seems along with the other "survivalist" zombie killig fun groups, but use them near a "hot spot" and you are likely to get your collar felt.