[FedCom] Civil Air Patrol Expanded Nextel Use?

[Ken]

Anyone know if it's true (or just a rumor!!!)  that CAP is also going to be 
using  more Nextel (Sprint)  units in the future?    It's unclear on 
implementation whether CAP will expand the number of strategically located 
corporated own units and perhaps offer discounts to its' members to buy 
these combination cellphones/walkie talkies, that will be setup on a network 
similiar to what other government agencies utilize.  It's also rumored that 
CAP will  (or may have already) conducted airborne tests of the IDEN off 
network "direct talk" function to further determine the 
feasibility/effectiveness of using these communications devices for 
air/ground & air/air communications.  Also the ground range use.  As most of 
you know currently consumer radio scanners cannot decode this modulation 
scheme.

Further information on nextel walkie talkie services can be found at:
http://nextelonline.nextel.com/en/services/walkietalkie/overview.shtml

As many of you also know the Sprint side of the business is now offering the 
walkie talkie service BUT it's unclear if these's sprint/nextel combo units 
will offer " off network" comms.

BTW has anyone tried the "off network 'direct talk'" option?  Nextel claims 
direct talk range of up to 6 miles...

Ken