|
GMRS Radio Recommendation
I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone
recommend? Are there any test reviews available. Thanks, Dale |
Spend some time here. http://www.popularwireless.com./ Especially in
the forums. Dick On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. Thanks, Dale |
Spend some time here. http://www.popularwireless.com./ Especially in
the forums. Dick On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. Thanks, Dale |
Dick,
Thank you for the help. Dale "Dick" wrote in message ... Spend some time here. http://www.popularwireless.com./ Especially in the forums. Dick On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. Thanks, Dale |
Dick,
Thank you for the help. Dale "Dick" wrote in message ... Spend some time here. http://www.popularwireless.com./ Especially in the forums. Dick On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. Thanks, Dale |
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster"
wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster"
wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
"Gary S." Idontwantspam@net wrote in message ... On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | |
"Gary S." Idontwantspam@net wrote in message ... On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: "Gary S." Idontwantspam@net wrote in message .. . On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. I agree with the comments regarding power and range. If you want any kind of decent performance, don't get one of the bubble pack radios like you see at Wal-Mart. Get a real radio, and make sure it has a removable antenna. If you buy a combo FRS/GMRS it won't have one as it's not legal on FRS. It's good to be able to use a mag-mount, etc for increased range. I have two (real), 5-watt GMRS radios, and two 25-watt mobiles. With a decent antenna you can cover a pretty good area. If you want to use (or put up) a repeater, be sure the radio can transmit and receive on the GMRS repeater frequencies. Dick - W6CCD WPUF301 |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: "Gary S." Idontwantspam@net wrote in message .. . On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 17:17:42 -0800, "MBlaster" wrote: I am looking into the GMRS radios for my family. What units would anyone recommend? Are there any test reviews available. As an FYI, when they say "UP TO 5 miles", here in the real world, think "UP TO TWO miles if everything goes right". Also, stick with brands you have heard of, less like to create headaches. Pricing on identical items can vary greatly, so shop around. And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. I agree with the comments regarding power and range. If you want any kind of decent performance, don't get one of the bubble pack radios like you see at Wal-Mart. Get a real radio, and make sure it has a removable antenna. If you buy a combo FRS/GMRS it won't have one as it's not legal on FRS. It's good to be able to use a mag-mount, etc for increased range. I have two (real), 5-watt GMRS radios, and two 25-watt mobiles. With a decent antenna you can cover a pretty good area. If you want to use (or put up) a repeater, be sure the radio can transmit and receive on the GMRS repeater frequencies. Dick - W6CCD WPUF301 |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | At least one license will cover all members of a household, which helps the OP. Not all that useful for a group of individuals who live alone, unless each one gets a license. Hypothetically, I would guess that some of these radios are used without licenses. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: And don't forget... the GMRS license itself costs as much as two or three of the radios ($75).... : | At least one license will cover all members of a household, which helps the OP. Not all that useful for a group of individuals who live alone, unless each one gets a license. Hypothetically, I would guess that some of these radios are used without licenses. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick
wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick
wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom OK. Here's the fine print. 95.1 The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). (a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations. -- and -- 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Licensee's spouse; (3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren; (4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents; (5) Licensee's brothers, sisters; (6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and (7) Licensee's in-laws. Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It says nothing about them being in the same household. It would probably be stretching it some if everyone wasn't in the same town, or within a few miles of each other, but the regulations do not specifically address this. They only address being on the same "system." Dick - W6CCD |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:
On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom OK. Here's the fine print. 95.1 The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). (a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations. -- and -- 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Licensee's spouse; (3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren; (4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents; (5) Licensee's brothers, sisters; (6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and (7) Licensee's in-laws. Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It says nothing about them being in the same household. It would probably be stretching it some if everyone wasn't in the same town, or within a few miles of each other, but the regulations do not specifically address this. They only address being on the same "system." Dick - W6CCD |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick
wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. OK. Here's the fine print. 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Etc Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It Thanks for looking that up. A bit more generous than I thought. Still doesn't work for a non-profit organization situation, where the connections are not through blood and marriage. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick
wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. OK. Here's the fine print. 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Etc Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It Thanks for looking that up. A bit more generous than I thought. Still doesn't work for a non-profit organization situation, where the connections are not through blood and marriage. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick
wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom OK. Here's the fine print. 95.1 The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). (a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations. -- and -- 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Licensee's spouse; (3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren; (4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents; (5) Licensee's brothers, sisters; (6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and (7) Licensee's in-laws. Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It says nothing about them being in the same household. It would probably be stretching it some if everyone wasn't in the same town, or within a few miles of each other, but the regulations do not specifically address this. They only address being on the same "system." Dick - W6CCD Please, no jokes about places where an entire county could operate under a single license. |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick
wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom OK. Here's the fine print. 95.1 The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). (a) The GMRS is a land mobile radio service available to persons for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members. Each licensee manages a system consisting of one or more stations. -- and -- 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Licensee's spouse; (3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren; (4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents; (5) Licensee's brothers, sisters; (6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and (7) Licensee's in-laws. Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It says nothing about them being in the same household. It would probably be stretching it some if everyone wasn't in the same town, or within a few miles of each other, but the regulations do not specifically address this. They only address being on the same "system." Dick - W6CCD Please, no jokes about places where an entire county could operate under a single license. |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. OK. Here's the fine print. 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Etc Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It Thanks for looking that up. A bit more generous than I thought. I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. Still doesn't work for a non-profit organization situation, where the connections are not through blood and marriage. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:
On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 08:05:17 -0700, Dick wrote: On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 13:46:15 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 21:36:59 -0700, Dick wrote: Yes, but the one GMRS license covers literally everyone in your family. Aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, you name it, they are covered. Gets pretty cheap if 10 people get radios. Better double check the fine print. I though it was for a single household, not for the entire extended family. OK. Here's the fine print. 95.179 Individuals who may be station operators. (a) An individual GMRS system licensee may permit immediate family members to be station operators in his or her GMRS system. Immediate family members are the: (1) Licensee; (2) Etc Note that the regulations only identify immediate family members. It Thanks for looking that up. A bit more generous than I thought. I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. Still doesn't work for a non-profit organization situation, where the connections are not through blood and marriage. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
wrote in message ... On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. It's in the manual when you open it up.. but yes, they should be mentioning licensing on the outer packaging. They do tell you not to use it on GMRS channels without a license (these radios use FRS power levels on FRS frequencies). |
wrote in message ... On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. It's in the manual when you open it up.. but yes, they should be mentioning licensing on the outer packaging. They do tell you not to use it on GMRS channels without a license (these radios use FRS power levels on FRS frequencies). |
On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 21:41:13 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: wrote in message .. . On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. It's in the manual when you open it up.. but yes, they should be mentioning licensing on the outer packaging. They do tell you not to use it on GMRS channels without a license (these radios use FRS power levels on FRS frequencies). Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. If they mentioned this, it would no doubt hurt sales. And they can always fall back on "it is the purchaser's responsiblility to be licensed". Considering where most of these are sold, depending on the salesperson to know this is not a good bet. Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
On Tue, 30 Dec 2003 21:41:13 +0900, "Brenda Ann"
wrote: wrote in message .. . On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 17:57:27 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: I happened to be in Costco today and looked at a Motorola set which referred to a large number of FRS + GMRS frequencies being available. Based on an earlier posting, I spent a few minutes reading everything visible on both sides of the packaging. As suggested in that posting, the word "license" appeared nowhere in the text. They sure don't seem to feel any need to help the buyer stay legal. It's in the manual when you open it up.. but yes, they should be mentioning licensing on the outer packaging. They do tell you not to use it on GMRS channels without a license (these radios use FRS power levels on FRS frequencies). Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. If they mentioned this, it would no doubt hurt sales. And they can always fall back on "it is the purchaser's responsiblility to be licensed". Considering where most of these are sold, depending on the salesperson to know this is not a good bet. Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) ------------------------------------------------ at the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
I would venture to say most all purchased at Wal-Mart, K-mart, etc.
are used without licenses. Pay $75.00 to use two $15.00 radios?! Joe consumer just isn't going to do it especially with the chance of being discovered next to zero. Randy AB9GO Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote in message . .. On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann" wrote: Hypothetically, I would guess that some of these radios are used without licenses. |
I would venture to say most all purchased at Wal-Mart, K-mart, etc.
are used without licenses. Pay $75.00 to use two $15.00 radios?! Joe consumer just isn't going to do it especially with the chance of being discovered next to zero. Randy AB9GO Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote in message . .. On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 11:50:42 +0900, "Brenda Ann" wrote: Hypothetically, I would guess that some of these radios are used without licenses. |
Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be
sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be
sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
Hmmm,
My family finds these "useless" FRS radios quite handy. Additionally, we can use them to the full 2 mile range at times while snow boarding. I think FRS and GMRS service has done a fabulous job of filling a communication needs nitch. While I enjoyed the information you brought to the subject, I detect unpleasantness in your attitude. What's up? ---.. ..--- ...._._ Blank wrote: Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
Hmmm,
My family finds these "useless" FRS radios quite handy. Additionally, we can use them to the full 2 mile range at times while snow boarding. I think FRS and GMRS service has done a fabulous job of filling a communication needs nitch. While I enjoyed the information you brought to the subject, I detect unpleasantness in your attitude. What's up? ---.. ..--- ...._._ Blank wrote: Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
I will agree completely that both FRS and GMRS serve a useful and specific
purpose. I suppose any unpleasantness I showed is with regard to the manner in which radio manufacturers are mass marketing the combined FRS/GMRS radios with range claims that vary from tenuous to ridiculous except under the most ideal of conditions. Further, the radios are manufactured with either a very tiny fine print note about the license requirement, or no notice at all, on the exterior of the package. Using commercial grade 2-way hand held radios, you will achieve much greater performance (range, audio quality, etc.) than with any of the mass marketed bubble pack radios. That, as well as mobile radios and repeaters, is what GMRS is about. So, why should you, or anyone else, buy a 22 channel radio (or pair of radios) that only have 7 frequencies you can use without a license? Why not buy a set of 14 channel FRS only radios instead - that gives you twice as many channels that you can legally use without a license? FRS and GMRS share seven frequencies (the first 7, or lower 7 FRS channels). When those channels are incorporated into a combined FRS/GMRS radio, they become GMRS, not FRS, channels, thus they require a GMRS license to use. That only leaves you the upper 7 FRS channels as legally usable in a combined FRS/GMRS radio, unless you obtain a license. Now the license cost is really not all that much when you consider it does cover everyone in your family (not just your household), and is good for 5 years. So if you have a family of 4, that comes out to about $3.75 per year per person. Even if you are the only person benefiting from the license, it is only $15 a year - less than most people spend on just about anything else. What I would really like to see is a set of GOOD GMRS radios placed on the consumer market, and a method by which users will go to the effort to get a license. Then they can benefit from significantly better radio communications. Other viable options include MURS and of course, amateur radio (which is what this newsgroup is supposed to be about anyway). Please, explore all options to solving a communications need. But don't rely upon the manufacturers of mass marketed "bubble pack" radios to provide that solution. Carl "CC" wrote in message ... Hmmm, My family finds these "useless" FRS radios quite handy. Additionally, we can use them to the full 2 mile range at times while snow boarding. I think FRS and GMRS service has done a fabulous job of filling a communication needs nitch. While I enjoyed the information you brought to the subject, I detect unpleasantness in your attitude. What's up? ---.. ..--- ..._._ Blank wrote: Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
I will agree completely that both FRS and GMRS serve a useful and specific
purpose. I suppose any unpleasantness I showed is with regard to the manner in which radio manufacturers are mass marketing the combined FRS/GMRS radios with range claims that vary from tenuous to ridiculous except under the most ideal of conditions. Further, the radios are manufactured with either a very tiny fine print note about the license requirement, or no notice at all, on the exterior of the package. Using commercial grade 2-way hand held radios, you will achieve much greater performance (range, audio quality, etc.) than with any of the mass marketed bubble pack radios. That, as well as mobile radios and repeaters, is what GMRS is about. So, why should you, or anyone else, buy a 22 channel radio (or pair of radios) that only have 7 frequencies you can use without a license? Why not buy a set of 14 channel FRS only radios instead - that gives you twice as many channels that you can legally use without a license? FRS and GMRS share seven frequencies (the first 7, or lower 7 FRS channels). When those channels are incorporated into a combined FRS/GMRS radio, they become GMRS, not FRS, channels, thus they require a GMRS license to use. That only leaves you the upper 7 FRS channels as legally usable in a combined FRS/GMRS radio, unless you obtain a license. Now the license cost is really not all that much when you consider it does cover everyone in your family (not just your household), and is good for 5 years. So if you have a family of 4, that comes out to about $3.75 per year per person. Even if you are the only person benefiting from the license, it is only $15 a year - less than most people spend on just about anything else. What I would really like to see is a set of GOOD GMRS radios placed on the consumer market, and a method by which users will go to the effort to get a license. Then they can benefit from significantly better radio communications. Other viable options include MURS and of course, amateur radio (which is what this newsgroup is supposed to be about anyway). Please, explore all options to solving a communications need. But don't rely upon the manufacturers of mass marketed "bubble pack" radios to provide that solution. Carl "CC" wrote in message ... Hmmm, My family finds these "useless" FRS radios quite handy. Additionally, we can use them to the full 2 mile range at times while snow boarding. I think FRS and GMRS service has done a fabulous job of filling a communication needs nitch. While I enjoyed the information you brought to the subject, I detect unpleasantness in your attitude. What's up? ---.. ..--- ..._._ Blank wrote: Yes, I've seen those as well. As a licensed ham operator, I tend to be sensitive to being properly licensed to transmit. .... Of course, a GMRS license only tests your ability to write a check and mail it to the correct address. There is no intent to test the users ability or knowledge, and that is not the reason for requiring a license for GMRS (or business, public service, special emergency, etc.). As a licensed service, GMRS allows use of higher power radios (up to 50 watt transmitter output), as well as gain antennas, repeaters, etc. Requiring a license (and identifying when transmitting) allows identifying and tracking down a station which causes interference, necessary when you start using higher power, gain antenna, etc. The license also provides any restrictions or conditions on the use of the radio. For example, two of the GMRS pairs are not allowed to be used within approximately 75 miles of Canada - and that is clearly stated on the license when you get it (and in the regulations if you bother to read them). And NO GMRS frequencies are legal outside of the U.S. - you can't take a GMRS radio to Canada or any other country and legally use it, even though Canada does recognize FRS. Tests done on most of the bubble pack GMRS/FRS radios show they do not produce any higher effective radiated power on the GMRS frequencies than on the FRS - what they are giving you is a useless 22 channel radio instead of a useless 14 channel radio. The other issue directly related to the lack of performance is the antenna requirement for FRS (integrated non-removable no gain), which isn't a whole lot better than a dummy load. Carl Ham, GMRS, & Commercial |
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