Guys,
I appreciate all your feedback on this. All I can say, is the company I work for asked me last summer to participate in tests with the NXDN Digital. We only used mobile radios only, a couple that were stationery, and a couple that were used in vehicles that were driven around within about 10 miles, using 5/8 wave magnetic mount antennas and putting out about 30 or so watts of power. These were with the latest Kenwood Mobiles that most R.R.s are buying now. Everything was very "basey" sounding, all of us doing the talking sounded like robots to each other. Everything was loud and clear until you hit a dead spot, and then, nothing. Also, when one person stepped on another, you heard nothing, "nada". When you got into a dead spot aways out, all you heard was every third word, if that. The Manager in charge, after an hour and a half of this, just shook his head and told everybody involved that the test was done and to go home. He then just shook his head and said, "I hope they never go to this stuff and if they do, I'm retiring, I don't want to deal with it!" As far as UP Dispatcher STA, I have much respect for him and his opinions, as he is a 2 Meter Ham and a big railfan. When is comes to radios, I personally have never known him to be wrong yet. Norman Kirk would be very proud of all of you!