Radio Types

[+Andy & Chez]

I have been reading on the Geocaching website about FRS & PMR radios, some cachers take these radios while out caching so to contact other cachers in the area, is there a particular one of these two types for use in the UK, or do both formats work.

 

If so what is the better type to use

 

any help appreciated

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[+third-degree-witch]

I use bt freeways on Uk spec freq's and American Uniden pmr's on Us freq's..If the uk band gets cluttered with wittering kids i swap over to the Unidens and Us band and...................bliss

[+adambro]

..and, that would be illegal.

[+Andy&BeckyRiley]

..and, that would be illegal.

 

Spot the radio ham

 

He's right though. You'd be much better getting some PMRs with CTCSS. It gives you a further 38 odd 'virtual channels' per actual channel so you'll stand a much better chance of avoiding the wittering kids.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CTCSS

 

Andy

[+Paul G0TLG]

Yep, PMR is the way to go (says another radio ham )

 

Unless you're in a rush and HAVE to have them for this weekend, keep an eye on ebay: These come up all the time, and sometimes I put in an insultingly low bid just to see what happens, and often I win - I'm getting a reasonable collection (don't ask!). Don't necessarily worry about getting a matched pair - as long as they're UK spec PMR, they'll work together.

[+Birders]

Hi Paul. We have PMR; great fun and we use them to communicate indoors to save hollering!! For real outside work, PMR can never get anywhere near 2m.

 

Bren G4DYO

[+Andy & Chez]

So if i get myself a PMR radio of ebay will this allow me to pick up any cachers that are using the FRS system as well?, i assume from the comments that the FRS is the one thats supposed to be used in the UK

 

thanks for the replies as well

 

Cheers

 

Andy

[+Bear and Ragged]

So if i get myself a PMR radio of ebay will this allow me to pick up any cachers that are using the FRS system as well?

 

Only if you know what channel they are on, or are prepared to scan the channels -assuming they talking when you scan.

 

However if a group of you go out, and agree to use a set channel, you hear all (if in range!).

[+Andy & Chez]

Yeah it dose state this on the geocaching site

 

The community has decided on channel 2 as the primary for both FRS and PMR, and 12 as the alternate FRS (Family Radio Service) channel and 8 for the alternate PMR radio.

 

I just cant work out is what advantage i have by getting a PMR over an FRS radio ?

[+adambro]

PMR (or PMR446 to give it its full title) is legal in the UK, FRS is not.

 

FRS and PMRs will not work together. They work on different frequencies. If you use FRS in the UK then you could potentially interfere with the emergency services. Not a good idea.

[+Andy & Chez]

Many thanks for clearing that up adam