Wow, thanks everyone!

I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be
whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a
trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we
need to talk to them.

Thank you, Dick, for the link to Popular Wireless' GMRS forum! I've
been to his site in my search, but had missed the GMRS Forums entirely.
Signing up now!

-Mark

wrote:
I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be
whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a
trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we
need to talk to them.

Nope, they are not compatible, so I guess that idea is out.

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 15:42:52 GMT, "Travis Jordan"
wrote:

wrote:
I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be
whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a
trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we
need to talk to them.

Nope, they are not compatible, so I guess that idea is out.

Quite true.

While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is
how many other people already have them.

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. wrote:
While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is
how many other people already have them.

Yep, I've even thought about exending the TX/RX coverage on one of my
synthesized UHF HT's to cover FRS/GMRS bands. Might come in handy one
day.

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 17:47:15 GMT, "Travis Jordan"
wrote:

Gary S. wrote:
While there are disadvantages to the FRS/GMRS radios, one big plus is
how many other people already have them.

Yep, I've even thought about exending the TX/RX coverage on one of my
synthesized UHF HT's to cover FRS/GMRS bands. Might come in handy one
day.

A completely legal alternative is with a ham HT, with extended RX and
a scanning function, is to include the FRS/GMRS frequencies (with any
CTCSS code on receive being used) and have a separate GMRS rig with
you, but turned off.

The FRS/GMRS band is far enough from the 440 band that an antenna
optimized for one may have a bit of SWR on the other.

For some public service events, we have considered a two level
network, with hams doing the more than a mile comms, and non-hams with
FRS doing the close range, relaying through the hams as needed.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:30:06 GMT, Gary S. wrote:

For some public service events, we have considered a two level
network, with hams doing the more than a mile comms, and non-hams with
FRS doing the close range, relaying through the hams as needed.

That is exactly the scheme that we use in Washington County
(Suburban Portland, OR) with the ARES/RACES and the CERT teams.
(ARES and RACES are co-contiguous here, not separate groups.)

ARES = Ameater Radio Emergency Service - area-wide and long-haul
inter- and intra-agency communications only. Control remains with
amateur group leadership acting within Memoranda of Understanding.

CERT = Civilian Emergency Response Team - first aid, traffic and
access control, light rescue, and victim assistance responsibilities
supported by on-scene communications. CERT teams are sponsored
directly and controlled by local emergency management officials. A
number of CERT members have gone on to study and qualify for amateur
radio licenses.

RACES = Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - communications under
control of emergency management officials used to supplement or
replace their communications facilities, used after declaration of
civil emergency by competent authorities.

--
73 de K2ASP - Phil Kane

From a Clearing in the Silicon Forest
Beaverton (Washington County) Oregon

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:30:06 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:

A completely legal alternative is with a ham HT, with extended RX and
a scanning function, is to include the FRS/GMRS frequencies (with any
CTCSS code on receive being used) and have a separate GMRS rig with
you, but turned off.


Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)

Not sure what you are suggesting here. Why leave the GMRS radio off?
It is certainly legal to use a ham HT to listen to anything but cel
conversations, but very illegal for use to transmit on GMRS
frequencies.

Dick

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 14:03:29 -0700, Dick LeadWinger wrote:

On Sat, 11 Jun 2005 18:30:06 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:

A completely legal alternative is with a ham HT, with extended RX and
a scanning function, is to include the FRS/GMRS frequencies (with any
CTCSS code on receive being used) and have a separate GMRS rig with
you, but turned off.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)

Not sure what you are suggesting here. Why leave the GMRS radio off?

No other reasons than saving batteries, and only listening to one rig.

It is certainly legal to use a ham HT to listen to anything but cel
conversations, but very illegal for use to transmit on GMRS
frequencies.

The poster I was replying to mentioned modding the ham radio to TX on
FRS/GMRS, as well as RX. If extralegal suggestions are made, those
getting them should be fully aware of that fact.

Happy trails,
Gary (net.yogi.bear)
--
At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence

Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA
Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom

On 11 Jun 2005 07:55:10 -0700, "
wrote:

Wow, thanks everyone!

I just took a look at the MURS radio, and my only concern would be
whether it's compatible with FRS/GMRS units. My family is taking a
trip to the beach in August, and 2 cars have FRS/GMRS radios... and we
need to talk to them.

Thank you, Dick, for the link to Popular Wireless' GMRS forum! I've
been to his site in my search, but had missed the GMRS Forums entirely.
Signing up now!

-Mark

While I would much prefer GMRS over FRS because of the power
capability, if you only want coverage between cars while traveling
together, FRS works just fine for that purpose. Of course ham radio
is even better, but then you have another set of hurdles.

Dick