It has the advantage of a level of security, because of the lack of it's popularity.
That would be too easy, if it worked. It doesn't support the 878.I would say Chirp software if you haven't already tried it.
The addition of the digital board on the Alinco DR-735 provides reasonably secure voice communications as there were only a small number of digital boards built by Alinco. Communications in the digital mode are unable to be received by radios without the digital board installed.Ham radio transceivers can provide more "secure" communications on higher frequency bands and utilizing alternative modes of modulation, although again, without encryption, no transmission is really secure regardless of mode of modulation or frequency. Of course, Ham radio requires licensing but the process is much easier than it was in the past.
I'd estimate there are close to 2000 repeaters using this ham band.The 1.25m band, found only on some tri-band HT's, could also be considered a "secret" radio band for short range simplex FM communications.
A quick check shows over 60 repeaters on this band on the air in Texas a few minutes ago. It's a large state, only 3 or 4 are near me.But actually finding one on the air, is a real challenge .
A repeater book only lists repeaters, look online for a list of repeaters actively on air, close to you. Wish I had found this resource before purchasing a repeater book.I've looked at the repeater guides, but actual on air machines are hard to find some times.
Not one I can hit with an HT... For that matter, I haven't been able to hit one at 50w.... Closest 1.25m repeater to me is 64 miles.I'd estimate there are close to 2000 repeaters using this ham band.
A repeater book only lists repeaters, look online for a list of repeaters actively on air, close to you. Wish I had found this resource before purchasing a repeater book.
www.repeaterbook.com
Cell phones also have the same problem.Not one I can hit with an HT... For that matter, I haven't been able to hit one at 50w.... Closest 1.25m repeater to me is 64 miles.