Commercial businesses using FRS/GMRS? Chick-fil-A, I'm looking at you.

[napjerk]

Hi, I'm new here. Just getting that out of the way.

I'm pretty sure the Chick-fil-a restaurant 2 miles away from my house is using HTs on GMRS to relay orders etc. Isn't this improper commercial use of the band?

They seem to send one worker out to wrangle the drive-thru lines using an iPad and what looks like a cheap/Baofeng HT. They use the HT to relay large/unusual orders ("I need 6 regular sandwiches and 3 vanilla shakes", etc), and when they key up, it sounds like they're standing right behind my chair. They're probably not even using them in reduced power mode (they only need to TX like 40 feet to the kitchen) as they really blow my hair back when they transmit.

They seem to be using them simplex on 462.6375

It's not a horrible inconvenience but what would you do?

Mike
WRFW327

 

[KK6ZTE]

Family Radio Service (FRS)

The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, very short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to...

www.fcc.gov

FRS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required to operate an FRS radio provided you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use if you are not a representative of a foreign government.

Very simple google search for FRS business use. It's the featured result.

There's nothing wrong with business use of FRS as long as they're using part 95 FRS radios.

 

[wtp]

i listen to everyone.
it is short lived, until this virus stuff goes away.
lock out that channel or listen for any funny stuff.
i left a fast food line one night when they said between themselves, "we need the bug guy here fast".
information is always useful. i did go back at a later date, it was no big deal.

 

[RaleighGuy]

Since they are legally authorized to use the frequency, as @KK6ZTE pointed out, why would you want to do anything to interfere or otherwise affect them? If you can prove they are not using a properly certified radio (your OP says "looks like") or wrong power setting then you can file a complaint with the FCC, but good luck. And, you never said where you are when "they really blow my hair back when they transmit". Are you a mile away at home or sitting in the parking lot listening?

 

[napjerk]

Since they are legally authorized to use the frequency, as @KK6ZTE pointed out, why would you want to do anything to interfere or otherwise affect them? If you can prove they are not using a properly certified radio (your OP says "looks like") or wrong power setting then you can file a complaint with the FCC, but good luck. And, you never said where you are when "they really blow my hair back when they transmit". Are you a mile away at home or sitting in the parking lot listening?

I didn't want to do anything to interfere or affect them, I was asking if it was common/accepted and if there was anything I should do.
I don't care to "report" anyone.

I may not have said it clearly but I am 2 miles away when they key up.

Hey, sorry I said anything at all. carry on.

 

[SigIntel8600]

Hi, I'm new here. Just getting that out of the way.

I'm pretty sure the Chick-fil-a restaurant 2 miles away from my house is using HTs on GMRS to relay orders etc. Isn't this improper commercial use of the band?

They seem to send one worker out to wrangle the drive-thru lines using an iPad and what looks like a cheap/Baofeng HT. They use the HT to relay large/unusual orders ("I need 6 regular sandwiches and 3 vanilla shakes", etc), and when they key up, it sounds like they're standing right behind my chair. They're probably not even using them in reduced power mode (they only need to TX like 40 feet to the kitchen) as they really blow my hair back when they transmit.

They seem to be using them simplex on 462.6375

It's not a horrible inconvenience but what would you do?

Mike
WRFW327

Some businesses have grandfathered licenses for GMRS, but most likely they are just misguided bubble packers. What are you using on receive that "blows your hair back"?

 

[SigIntel8600]

i listen to everyone.
it is short lived, until this virus stuff goes away.
lock out that channel or listen for any funny stuff.
i left a fast food line one night when they said between themselves, "we need the bug guy here fast".
information is always useful. i did go back at a later date, it was no big deal.

Chance favors the prepared, SIGINT goes a long way with staying prepared. I also listen to whatever I can.

 

[KK6ZTE]

Some businesses have grandfathered licenses for GMRS, but most likely they are just misguided bubble packers. What are you using on receive that "blows your hair back"?

They are operating on an FRS frequency which they are legal to use, how are they misguided?

 

[iMONITOR]

Hi, I'm new here. Just getting that out of the way.

It's not a horrible inconvenience but what would you do?

Mike
WRFW327

Welcome to Radio Reference Mike!

Are you hearing them on your walkie-talkie or a scanner? Change the channel or block/avoid it. Or order a chicken sandwich!

 

[napjerk]

Eh, it's no biggie, I usually lock that channel out when scanning anyway.

As for my receiver, I pick it up here at my home, suburban terrain, ~2sm from transmitter, I hear it thru my Radio Shack Pro-2052 / Tram 1411 on a 20ft mast. I also hear it loud and clear on my cheap chinese HT and my SDR etc.

I've driven through there before and noticed they were using what looked like baofeng (dunno, uv5, uv8) HTs which aren't Part 95 certified, IIRC.
That's the only reason I brought it up. I couldn't care less about them using it... I also pick up the Discount Tire nearby but at like half the apparent transmit power.

 

[Skypilot007]

I don't care if they use a spark generator and CW, just get the order right! You know the old saying about the drive-thru.

 

[n1das]

Hi, I'm new here. Just getting that out of the way.

I'm pretty sure the Chick-fil-a restaurant 2 miles away from my house is using HTs on GMRS to relay orders etc. Isn't this improper commercial use of the band?

They seem to send one worker out to wrangle the drive-thru lines using an iPad and what looks like a cheap/Baofeng HT. They use the HT to relay large/unusual orders ("I need 6 regular sandwiches and 3 vanilla shakes", etc), and when they key up, it sounds like they're standing right behind my chair. They're probably not even using them in reduced power mode (they only need to TX like 40 feet to the kitchen) as they really blow my hair back when they transmit.

They seem to be using them simplex on 462.6375

It's not a horrible inconvenience but what would you do?

Mike
WRFW327

Business use of FRS is legal as others have pointed out. They are legal on FRS provided they are using the right equipment (FRS radios).

Leave them alone and let 'em be.

 

[romanr]

…{stuff deleted}... I also pick up the Discount Tire nearby but at like half the apparent transmit power.

Using FM, the transmit power doesn't really affect the perceived "loudness". The strength of the received signal affects the background noise more than the volume of the received audio.

With FM, it is the transmit deviation that affects the received audio volume, Ignoring background noise level, the tire store that you monitor could be transmitting at 50 watts and the fast food place may be transmitting at 1 watt. If the deviation was the same, your volume would be the same.

 

[jtwalker]

You know the old saying about the drive-thru.

Leo Getz: They F you at the drive-thru...

 

[n1das]

Business use of FRS is legal and provided they are using FRS equipment. I am all for them using radio communications if it helps them get the order right and operate more efficiently. Just get the d@mn order right!

I'm curious what the employees might be saying if they think nobody can hear them because they are using a "privacy code" LOL.

 

[WX4JCW]

the Lords Chicken, every chick fil a i have ever been to has the drive-thru line wrapped around the building twice, and they still get the food out fast, Napjerk dont take offense at peoples comments, it is the internet

 

[bill4long]

Fast Food Radio

 

[cubn]

Chic Fil A near me uses Retevis RT22 FRS radios. Gave me something to listen to while waiting in the drive up line.

 

[MTS2000des]

The CFA's near me all use some Midland FRS/GMRS radios and are on FRS 14. At least someone is doing some good with this radio spectrum.
The radios and there system of people placement to get folks thru the drive-thru works very well. and FWIW they've never hosed up my orders.

 

[tweiss3]

Funny enough, I went on a trip 2 hours away on Saturday, and we arrived at dinner time, so we grabbed CFA. I was tuned to the local repeater, and started hearing some of the CFA order running. They were using Midland HTs, but it sounded like complete crap. I thought maybe it was because it was FMN, so I switched to narrow band and it didn't improve. Probably because I was 7 feet away from them and the antenna was high on the roof.

Anyways, It was the first time I ever noticed.