Guest DisQuoi Posted February 20, 2002 Posted February 20, 2002 Rino [This message has been edited by DisQuoi (edited 20 February 2002).] Quote
Guest Wesley Horton Posted February 20, 2002 Posted February 20, 2002 A few notes regarding the Ham/FRS/GRMS/CB question: 1. A good review of FRS radios can be found at: http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/review.html Another good source of info on FRS/GMRS can be found at: http://www.gmrsweb.com/ I guess it comes down to trade offs. Consider the following Ham technician class radio licence cost $10.00 GMRS license $75.00 See: http://wireless.fcc.gov/prs/genmbl.html You don't have to study for or pass a test for a GMRS licence. You do have to pass a 35 question test for a ham/technician class licence. Both licences are good for a period of 10 years. The Ham license has no cost for renewal, but the GMRS licens has a fee. GMRS/FRS, while nice, does not have large areas of coverage, or a widespread repeater network that you can tap into, nor is it always likely that someone is monitering the frequencies at all hours and all areas of the USA. Ham radio has an extensive repeater network and there is a very good chance you can get in touch with someone in an emergency. While there have been a few anticdotal tales of FRS being used for rescues, ask yourself one question, do you want to bet your life on the chance of being heard with a 500 mw FRS radio? (Provided you are really way out in BFE.) I have to admit, one of the reasons that motivated me to get a amature radio license was the safety issue, especially in national forests and other out of the way places, where even cell phones may not reach out. Regards, Wesley Horton KD5RAL Quote
Guest gmaxis Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 I've used Cobras, Audiovoxes, Motorollas. They are all good and should work well other brands. Last night I bought a Radio Shack Mobile FRS which has a range of 3 miles (the magnetic rooftop antenna improves reception). Finally a battery-less FRS radio which I can use for mobile-to-mobile and mobile-to-land communications. Originally $70 but now sell for $29.99. I thought it was a steal! Quote
Guest gmagers Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 Well, my 2 cents. We have 8 FRS radios. All Motorola after trying a set of the Cobra ones I could tell a remarkable difference. The Motorolas are much clearer. We have the 250 and 6220 models. Use them for Cacheing and hunting (not for herding the animals) and skiing. Large family - 6 kids. Helps wife and I to feel comfortable with kids out of sight. Love the radios - and the kids. Get great battery use unless the little ones talk on them too much. We also use them for the 2 car thing going down the road. I have gotten some remarkable distance from them but have not measured such. Probably 4-6 miles line of sight. I reccomend them to all cuz they are easy, cheap and work. ------------------ "Because I said SO" Quote
Guest Cacher Jane8276 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 Why does the name Tony Hancock keep going round my head? Some of us still remember thoose? [This message has been edited by Cacher Jane8276 (edited 21 February 2002).] Quote
Guest Cacher Jane8276 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 Why does the name Tony Hancock keep going round my head? Some of us still remember thoose? [This message has been edited by Cacher Jane8276 (edited 21 February 2002).] Quote
Guest Steak N Eggs Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 I like being able to hit the local repeater from a distance of 30 mi (line of sight) when I am out in the field with a 5 watt handheld. Nothing like have a ham licnse. The time and the money (its only as expensive as you make it) I think have been well spent. Of course I became a ham for other reasons. ------------------ "MY gps said it's RIGHT HERE!" http://www.geogadgets.com Quote
Guest BassoonPilot Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 We've got the Cobra "MicroTalk" model # FRS225. We think they're terrific for geocaching, and my daughter carrys one with her when she's snowboarding, so mom can stay in the lodge, warm and dry. Quote
Guest Walkin Stick Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 I'm considering getting a couple of GMRS radios and have a licensing question... If I get two radios that are used by myself and my family... Do I need one license for each radio? One license for each potential user? Or one license that will cover both radios? Quote
Guest madphatboy2 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Walkin Stick:I'm considering getting a couple of GMRS radios and have a licensing question... If I get two radios that are used by myself and my family... Do I need one license for each radio? One license for each potential user? Or one license that will cover both radios? This thread has info on what you want. ------------------ MPB2 I wander from here to there looking for. . .my mind? And then I find it in the cache. Quote
Guest madphatboy2 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Walkin Stick:I'm considering getting a couple of GMRS radios and have a licensing question... If I get two radios that are used by myself and my family... Do I need one license for each radio? One license for each potential user? Or one license that will cover both radios? This thread has info on what you want. ------------------ MPB2 I wander from here to there looking for. . .my mind? And then I find it in the cache. Quote
Guest madphatboy2 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 ------------------ MPB2 I wander from here to there looking for. . .my mind? And then I find it in the cache. Quote
Guest madphatboy2 Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 ------------------ MPB2 I wander from here to there looking for. . .my mind? And then I find it in the cache. Quote
Guest Walkin Stick Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 Thanks for the link. That seems to indicate I won't need one for each family member. Unless I missed it, I'm still not sure if, with 2 radios, I would need one or two licenses? Quote
Guest Jumpmaster Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 I use a Motorola Saber programmed for ham frequencies, but that's another story altogether. It's pretty funny...with the public safety speaker mic and surveillance earphone, I look like someone with a three-letter agency out in the woods. hehe JM-99 Note: Yes, I'm really a ham and have been one since 1991. I don't put my callsign here because there's just too darn much information someone can get from a callsign online these days. Quote
Guest Jumpmaster Posted February 21, 2002 Posted February 21, 2002 I use a Motorola Saber programmed for ham frequencies, but that's another story altogether. It's pretty funny...with the public safety speaker mic and surveillance earphone, I look like someone with a three-letter agency out in the woods. hehe JM-99 Note: Yes, I'm really a ham and have been one since 1991. I don't put my callsign here because there's just too darn much information someone can get from a callsign online these days. Quote
Guest YaesuMan Posted February 22, 2002 Posted February 22, 2002 quote:Originally posted by Walkin Stick:I'm considering getting a couple of GMRS radios and have a licensing question... If I get two radios that are used by myself and my family... Do I need one license for each radio? One license for each potential user? Or one license that will cover both radios? to answer your question, a GMRS licence counts for you and all your family members. ------------------ I do radio. Anything that is radio. Yes, GPS is radio. GO HAM RADIO! Quote
Guest docwalker Posted February 22, 2002 Posted February 22, 2002 I have placed 3 Garmin Rhino FRS/GPS units on order. I will let you know how they work when I get them. Quote
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