Dan/W4NTI wrote in message
ink.net...

[snip]
I wonder how this FRS service with toy radio's is going to talk past the
end
of their block? Oh with that useless ham stuff? On Vhf/Uhf.....uh....Oh
I
get it, FRS and V/UHF ham radio will be the emergency channel and then
carrier pigeon will take care of the long haul stuff.

One thing about it....Ya just cain't fix stupid.

Dan/W4NTI

It's already being done... CERT http://training.fema.gov/EMIWeb/CERT/
communities are using FRS to organize their efforts in reponse to disaster
preparedness or simply community watch and its working quite well. The idea
that a ham is needed to supply communications is somewhat outdated---hams
have out-geeked themselves. If a CERT member has a radio that doesn't work
just throw it away and get another. What really matters is organization and
team skills and communities have plenty of indviduals professionally trained
in all manner of skills besides a token ham or two. Some CERT teams are
guarded about disclosing their capabilities and SOP...

Besides, who's to say that repeaters won't become available to extend the
range of FRS radios---if there is a need anything is possible. What about
GMRS? Take a look at what the Aussies have done with their UHF CB
allocations http://www.alphalink.com.au/~parkerp/cb.htm

The issue with the future of FRS-type communications should be carefully
considered. I think that amateur long-haul coms are becoming less important
compared to short range communications networks---especially within
communties. Considering the ease of getting FRS communications the amateur
service has little to offer---unless amateurs can re-invent themselves.

Maybe... just maybe... stupid can be fixed.