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 Sun, 12 Jun 2005 02:20:39 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:

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.

OK. I understand if you are wanting to scan other frequencies as well
as FRS/GMRS. Then turn on the GMRS if you need to transmit. That
would make sense.

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)

I saw someone post possibly modifying his UHF HT to cover FRS/GMRS. I
couldn't tell if he was talking about a ham HT or something else.
Many people aren't aware that it is legal to use a GMRS radio (for
transmit) on ham frequencies, but it is not legal to use a ham radio
on GMRS/FRS frequencies. GMRS/FRS has technical requirements that
most ham radio equipment does not meet. They also have to be
certified. Just wanted to clarify that.

Dick

On 2005-06-12, Dick wrote:

Many people aren't aware that it is legal to use a GMRS radio (for
transmit) on ham frequencies, but it is not legal to use a ham radio
on GMRS/FRS frequencies.

But if you modded the radio to cover 70cm, wouldn't you then be unable
to use it for the licenced FRS bands?

--
Ben Jackson

http://www.ben.com/

On Sun, 12 Jun 2005 02:12:30 -0500, Ben Jackson wrote:

On 2005-06-12, Dick wrote:

Many people aren't aware that it is legal to use a GMRS radio (for
transmit) on ham frequencies, but it is not legal to use a ham radio
on GMRS/FRS frequencies.

But if you modded the radio to cover 70cm, wouldn't you then be unable
to use it for the licenced FRS bands?

That would be my understanding.

The certification of the equipment would lapse if it is modified
physically, and it could no longer be used on any service other than
amateur bands.

Programming amateur frequencies into a commercial radio would be fine,
if properly licensed for all of the frequencies.

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

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

You can't use any modified equipment on GMRS. The equipment you use
MUST be GMRS type accepted. And... don't forget you need a license.