|
GMRS radios?
Hi, everyone-
I don't know if this is the right group for my question, but I can't find any other groups to ask. I've been trying to do research online to find the best pair of GMRS radios for vacation/travel use. I'm building the $80 FCC license fee into my figures, and have about $160-170 to spend, so the pair of radios should cost no more than $80-90. I've seen 2 Motorola models that look good... the T5950, and the T7400R. The 5950 has been out for quite a while, and several users have given it good reviews. The T7400R has virtually NO reviews, though it seems to have been out for several months. So why would I be interested in the 7400? It's 2 Watts, and claims a greater range (7 miles) than the 5950. But I've only been able to find three reviews for it. One says it's the best thing since sliced bread, and two others (which were written last year) just say it's not available yet. Does anybody have any experience with these radios, or feel that another model is the best out there in the $80-90 range (per pair)? It's been very frustrating trying to find any information or reviews on these things. Usually I enjoy doing web research on tech products before buying, but this search has been very tedious. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Mark |
The best source for information on GMRS is
http://www.popularwireless.com./ Click on Personal Wireless Bulletin Board in the upper right corner. Dick On 10 Jun 2005 23:52:51 -0700, " wrote: Hi, everyone- I don't know if this is the right group for my question, but I can't find any other groups to ask. I've been trying to do research online to find the best pair of GMRS radios for vacation/travel use. I'm building the $80 FCC license fee into my figures, and have about $160-170 to spend, so the pair of radios should cost no more than $80-90. I've seen 2 Motorola models that look good... the T5950, and the T7400R. The 5950 has been out for quite a while, and several users have given it good reviews. The T7400R has virtually NO reviews, though it seems to have been out for several months. So why would I be interested in the 7400? It's 2 Watts, and claims a greater range (7 miles) than the 5950. But I've only been able to find three reviews for it. One says it's the best thing since sliced bread, and two others (which were written last year) just say it's not available yet. Does anybody have any experience with these radios, or feel that another model is the best out there in the $80-90 range (per pair)? It's been very frustrating trying to find any information or reviews on these things. Usually I enjoy doing web research on tech products before buying, but this search has been very tedious. Thanks for any help you can provide! -Mark |
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 |
|
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 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 |
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 |
On Sun, 12 Jun 2005 12:08:03 GMT, Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote:
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) Right. Normally, modification is not necessary. You just program in the new frequencies. A point of clarification. The FRS is not a licensed service. It does, however, require certified equipment. Dick |
On Sun, 12 Jun 2005 05:51:48 -0700, Dick LeadWinger wrote:
Right. Normally, modification is not necessary. You just program in the new frequencies. A point of clarification. The FRS is not a licensed service. It does, however, require certified equipment. Regulated service would be more accurate. 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. |
|
Are your absolutely positively sure about that.
I am not trying to be cantankerous here, but I don't think there is specific type acceptance of GMRS or MURS band radios. In fact you can buy a RS radio and have it programmed for FRS, or GMRS is you have the Ticket and they will jack up the power, the rig can also be programmed for business radio. I have a GMRS rig made by Motorola right in front of me, I am licensed and use it on a licensed GMRS repeater.... it has no FCC type acceptance on it at all. I could be wrong, but I don't find it in the regs anywhere -- Patrick Patrick H. Mason MS, OHST, REMT-I W4PHM, WPWK542 A delusion shared by many is a culture; shared by some is a cult; shared by 2 is love; but a delusion held by one is psychosis. wrote in message oups.com... 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. |
On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:28:15 GMT, "Patrick"
wrote: Are your absolutely positively sure about that. I am not trying to be cantankerous here, but I don't think there is specific type acceptance of GMRS or MURS band radios. In fact you can buy a RS radio and have it programmed for FRS, or GMRS is you have the Ticket and they will jack up the power, the rig can also be programmed for business radio. I have a GMRS rig made by Motorola right in front of me, I am licensed and use it on a licensed GMRS repeater.... it has no FCC type acceptance on it at all. I could be wrong, but I don't find it in the regs anywhere If it was designed and tested by the manufacturer, for that band, and you are licensed, it is fine. Reprogramming or opening up MARS/CAP is not the same as modifying the radio from its original certificated design. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) -- At the 51st percentile of ursine intelligence Gary D. Schwartz, Needham, MA, USA Please reply to: garyDOTschwartzATpoboxDOTcom |
wrote:
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. For emergency communications it doesn't matter. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-...=403&TYPE=TEXT Sec. 97.403 Safety of life and protection of property. No provision of these rules prevents the use by an amateur station of any means of radiocommunication at its disposal to provide essential communication needs in connection with the immediate safety of human life and immediate protection of property when normal communication systems are not available. |
"Gary S." wrote:
As for the GMRS license, the manufacturers of the radios do inform buyers that they need an FCC license, but I have never seen printing that small before. ;-) Gary I guess that you never worked on any '60s Japanese 12 to 20 transistor, transistor radios where the entire schematic was the size of a postage stamp. You needed a microscope to read them, if they weren't damaged. they didn't want you to see that only seven or eight transistors were needed, and the rest had all the leads soldered together to raise the parts count. -- Former professional electron wrangler. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida |
In article ,
Gary S. Idontwantspam@net wrote: On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:28:15 GMT, "Patrick" wrote: Are your absolutely positively sure about that. I am not trying to be cantankerous here, but I don't think there is specific type acceptance of GMRS or MURS band radios. In fact you can buy a RS radio and have it programmed for FRS, or GMRS is you have the Ticket and they will jack up the power, the rig can also be programmed for business radio. I have a GMRS rig made by Motorola right in front of me, I am licensed and use it on a licensed GMRS repeater.... it has no FCC type acceptance on it at all. I could be wrong, but I don't find it in the regs anywhere If it was designed and tested by the manufacturer, for that band, and you are licensed, it is fine. Reprogramming or opening up MARS/CAP is not the same as modifying the radio from its original certificated design. Happy trails, Gary (net.yogi.bear) well not to be a spoilsport Gary, but you are wrong in your assertation above. Any modification of the operating perameters that requires opening up the case of a Type Accepted Radio, would void the Type Acceptance of that unit. How do I know this, you may wonder? Well, up untill the Clinton/gore bloodLetting of the FCC, I was a Field Agent and enforced these specific Federal Regulations. Bruce in alaska who once did this for a living...... -- add a 2 before @ |
All GMRS and FRS equipment must be certified by the FCC. It used to
be called "Type-Acceptance", but the current term is "Certified." Here is a quote from the GMRS regs. 95.603 Certification required. (a) Each GMRS transmitter (a transmitter that operates or is intended to operate at a station authorized in the GMRS) must be type accepted. You can buy a certified radio from RS and have it programmed for GMRS. You can also bet next week's paycheck on the fact that the Motorola radio sitting in front of you was type accepted before it was sold.. Motorola couldn't have sold it otherwise, and it wouldn't have been available to you. If you look up that Motorola model on the FCC website, you will be able to find the certification documents. You also need the FCC ID number which should be on the serial number tag. Dick - W6CCD On Sun, 19 Jun 2005 16:28:15 GMT, "Patrick" wrote: Are your absolutely positively sure about that. I am not trying to be cantankerous here, but I don't think there is specific type acceptance of GMRS or MURS band radios. In fact you can buy a RS radio and have it programmed for FRS, or GMRS is you have the Ticket and they will jack up the power, the rig can also be programmed for business radio. I have a GMRS rig made by Motorola right in front of me, I am licensed and use it on a licensed GMRS repeater.... it has no FCC type acceptance on it at all. I could be wrong, but I don't find it in the regs anywhere |
On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:19:39 -0700, Dick wrote:
You can buy a certified radio from RS and have it programmed for GMRS. You can also bet next week's paycheck on the fact that the Motorola radio sitting in front of you was type accepted before it was sold.. Motorola couldn't have sold it otherwise, and it wouldn't have been available to you. If you look up that Motorola model on the FCC website, you will be able to find the certification documents. You also need the FCC ID number which should be on the serial number tag. Not all FCC type-accepted/certified UHF commercial-band radios are certified for GMRS - I owned one, a King-Bendix portable - and upon inquiring why, it turned out that the manufacturer applied for Part 90 (private land-mobile radio services) certification but overlooked applying for the Part 95 certification because they weren't thinking. -- Phil Kane - K2ASP -- Beaverton, Oregon PNW Milepost 754 -- Tillamook District |
On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 11:15:11 -0700 (PDT), "Phil Kane"
wrote: On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:19:39 -0700, Dick wrote: You can buy a certified radio from RS and have it programmed for GMRS. You can also bet next week's paycheck on the fact that the Motorola radio sitting in front of you was type accepted before it was sold.. Motorola couldn't have sold it otherwise, and it wouldn't have been available to you. If you look up that Motorola model on the FCC website, you will be able to find the certification documents. You also need the FCC ID number which should be on the serial number tag. Not all FCC type-accepted/certified UHF commercial-band radios are certified for GMRS - I owned one, a King-Bendix portable - and upon inquiring why, it turned out that the manufacturer applied for Part 90 (private land-mobile radio services) certification but overlooked applying for the Part 95 certification because they weren't thinking. Very true. My point was that Motorola wouldn't sell a commercial or GMRS radio that had not been certified. It's certainly possible it wasn't certified to the desired band, but the OP stated that his Motorola radio wasn't certified (to anything was the way I read it.) |
Yes Some Mot Business band radios are certified for GMRS but beware
of the bandwidth and power restrictions for that band vs. different model options. Forget about using the business band radios for FRS as they aren't compatible. Many GMRS/FRS radios are mode ambidextrous in order to be compatible. "Dick" LeadWinger wrote in message ... On Wed, 29 Jun 2005 11:15:11 -0700 (PDT), "Phil Kane" wrote: On Tue, 28 Jun 2005 18:19:39 -0700, Dick wrote: You can buy a certified radio from RS and have it programmed for GMRS. You can also bet next week's paycheck on the fact that the Motorola radio sitting in front of you was type accepted before it was sold.. Motorola couldn't have sold it otherwise, and it wouldn't have been available to you. If you look up that Motorola model on the FCC website, you will be able to find the certification documents. You also need the FCC ID number which should be on the serial number tag. Not all FCC type-accepted/certified UHF commercial-band radios are certified for GMRS - I owned one, a King-Bendix portable - and upon inquiring why, it turned out that the manufacturer applied for Part 90 (private land-mobile radio services) certification but overlooked applying for the Part 95 certification because they weren't thinking. Very true. My point was that Motorola wouldn't sell a commercial or GMRS radio that had not been certified. It's certainly possible it wasn't certified to the desired band, but the OP stated that his Motorola radio wasn't certified (to anything was the way I read it.) |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:13 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
RadioBanter.com