Are the FRS only 1-14 channels dead in your area?

[ecps92]

97.111a1 would not apply to the 462 freq whether business band or GMRS as that pertains to ham. Not sure of the specific section in the other parts of part 90.

Correct for Amateur and there is likely a Part 90 for those users

 

[Rq17954z]

In the spring summer they are used by the tree trimming companies to start and start traffic. That's about the only thing I have heard where I am but they have such a limited range would be hard to really know how much they get used.

 

[OkieBoyKJ5JFG]

I usually hear them in construction areas and it's not unusual to hear kids around town.

 

[Coffeemug]

Here in Warminster Twp. Bucks County, FRS usage is low, but there is traffic on a few channels. Most of the time Small Businesses, such Big Blue Swim School and others which I forget the Names. Of course, you have some neighborhood children playing around with radios not really understanding what they can and can't do over the radio.

 

[Giddyuptd]

Near small businesses where I am you'll hear it being used same for apple bees and Chili's using it. Though more I'm noticing kids using the baofengs and then apx knock offs on 10watts on frs playing cops or random chatter. Seems to be more common with all three TikTok shop baofengs and apx knock off sales. It's easily known. What they use since they use the Roger beeps on the baofengs and the make shift half arse mdc post or pre sounds on the apx knock offs. Believe they are called hamgeek apx if I remember.

 

[G7RUX]

With the advent of cellphones, many people seem to have abandoned 1/2 duplex radios in favor cell phones which they carry everywhere anyway. Recently I've taken to monitoring entire groups of frequencies carved out for private and/or citizen use. CB, FRS, HAM all seem to be down, even business communications seem to have taken a hit. Now the FRS only frequencies (not GMRS) seems to be quite dead in my area and I was wondering, what's it's like in your area?

Do you think the average consumer has simply determined it's not worth carrying a limited range, non-private separate radio around with them when a cell phone they are already paying for will do the job better?

To be honest there are several things going on here.

Firstly, at UHF the range is necessarily limited, especially where topographic features and ground cover can impinge on the path so there may well be activity that you just cannot receive at your location.

Secondly, just because you can't hear it doesn't mean is isn't there...wrong channel, squelch level and the difference between detectable/receivable/useable all come into play.

Thirdly, and this affects me with my use of VHF and UHF services at home, the channels may be in use but just not when you are listening.

All that said, mobile phones and messaging systems do certainly seem to have affected how, where and when people might use a radio system like FRS.

Of course there's nothing much to stop you making use of it yourself and increasing the occupancy in your area...

 

[rf_patriot200]

Started hearing a Newly opened CBD Dispensary in my area this morning on Frs ch.7... " Scott with an online order for pre-rolled, gummies, etc"

 

[Omega-TI]

I think I'll be scanning the frequencies the day of Christmas and the day after, there could be some given out as toys.

 

[mmckenna]

I think I'll be scanning the frequencies the day of Christmas and the day after, there could be some given out as toys.

Back in the late 1990's/early 2000's, that was a popular gift and a common complaint on GMRS/FRS oriented websites. Usually the annoyance lasted a few days until the batteries died, and then usually not heard from again.

 

[Omega-TI]

Back in the late 1990's/early 2000's, that was a popular gift and a common complaint on GMRS/FRS oriented websites. Usually the annoyance lasted a few days until the batteries died, and then usually not heard from again.

Yeah, but now most of them come with rechargeable batteries.

 

[rf_patriot200]

The Invasion of the Family Rugrats Service has commenced !! Chatter on 6 or 7 channels so far.

 

[Omega-TI]

There was a guy calling "CQ" on FRS Channel #1 over here. Weird!

 

[merlin]

Not totally, but not often I hear a couple kids talking or mama checing up on the brat.

 

[N4GEX]

Each year at this time expect to hear a burst of fresh activity on FRS as the kids who received them as Christmas presents begin to abuse them. It normally lasts a few weeks after which they get bored, and the radios invariably end up in a junk drawer never to be heard again.

 

[KC3ECJ]

462.225 is one of the chinese default frequencies that several radio models come with (or did in the past).

CCR Default Frequencies - The RadioReference Wiki

wiki.radioreference.com

Lately I have been hearing non-amateurs on 144.725 which is in the 2m ham band.

The FCC won't do anything unless somebody files a complaint and documents harmful interference.

Licensed use of SSTV would probably get them off quickly.

 

[bharvey2]

There was a guy calling "CQ" on FRS Channel #1 over here. Weird!

That one made me laugh out loud.

 

[ecps92]

Licensed use of SSTV would probably get them off quickly.

I doubt SSTV would be even close to a properly licensed application in that portion of the UHF Part 90 bands.

 

[kmartin]

I used to hear activity on Christmas day, usually it was kids playing on them , perhaps a new toy ?
I occasionally hear them activity on these frequencies In R.V resorts, and hiking areas

 

[Ubbe]

It normally lasts a few weeks after which they get bored, and the radios invariably end up in a junk drawer never to be heard again.

That's the opposite to where I live. A couple of kids gets radios and then all their friends want one. There's an increasing number of radios in use all year around. They usually have them set in open mode and not use subtones so they can talk to each other if they are on the same channel, usually channel 1 are the chat channel.

Sometimes an unknown kid from outside the neighborhood comes in on a channel and then kids ask what his or her name is and what age they are and they become new friends. They also play some hide&seek spygames where they use radios in teams that sneak up on other teams. They keep contact with their homes when they are out walking the dog and of course get calls when their mom have dinner ready. There's often calls between houses when it's time to come over and play and when its time to come back. It's usually younger kids so they don't have mobile phones.

/Ubbe

 

[KF0NYL]

Quite a few farmers use FRS radios around me. I mostly hear them at planting and harvest seasons. I also hear more traffic during firearm deer season in my area. The farmers like to use channels 15 -17 and you never know what channels the hunters will be on. I do occasionally hear a few kids now and then.