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Deceptive FRS/GMRS Range Claims article

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blastco2

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Thank you for posting the link. And I agree with everything stated in the article. The end of the article is somewhat humorous and think refers to big M....
 

KF5YDR

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What, the other thread was locked so we have to continue these shenanigans in a new one? Give it a rest already.
 

ron36

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deception..lol

Like any product you buy theres a deception..you get what you pay for my Motorlas combo will do 2 miles radius.. not too bad. i got lots of tress and buildings near me... you by a 99 cent tin can you might 12 inches...with digital nylon. or 50 bucks for set motorola.... Kaf 6115 73s
 

N1SQB

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Research, Research, Research!

It's very simple! Caveat emptor-let the buyer beware! People have to get used to doing research on items BEFORE they buy them! I USED to be an impulse shopper. However, I have managed to save myself a ton of money and a lot of headaches by simply researching the item I'm looking to buy! I have a pair of these bubble pack radios. Mine came from Radio Shack, back when they made them with a low grade voice inversion on some channels. I use them for camping, working around the yard, and staying in contact with the family at the malls and stores.The radios allowed me to stay in contact within a reasonable range, without pulling out the big guns! ( MOTO HT1550XLS ).So, my point is yes, the manufacturers are being deceptive, but the consumer should do their part by researching before they buy!

Manny
 
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MTS2000des

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What, the other thread was locked so we have to continue these shenanigans in a new one? Give it a rest already.

I posted this thread because it is relevant to the forum, and others might find it useful, remember not everyone who comes on here is a ham or radio "expert".

If you don't like it, feel free to exercise your right not to read it. No one is forcing you to do so.
 

MTS2000des

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It's very simple! Caveat emptor-let the buyer beware! People have to get used to doing research on items BEFORE they buy them!

And the manufacturers should stop being sleazy and be honest. When RadioShack first began marketing FRS radios in 1998, they certainly did not make these ridiculous range claims. (see page 67)

1998 Radio Shack Catalog

So what changed since then? The laws of physics? I don't think so.

.So, my point is yes, the manufacturers are being deceptive, but the consumer should do their part by researching before they buy!

and that is where those of us that KNOW can do our part to assist those who do not. One of the reasons I started this thread and pointed to that well written article.

Buyers do need to do their research. Hopefully, folks like us will continue to step up and call the manufacturers on their puffery out and put an end to the shenanigans of claiming a 500mw radio can realistically perform for more than 1/2 a mile in most conditions.
 

blastco2

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What, the other thread was locked so we have to continue these shenanigans in a new one? Give it a rest already.
Wow, this is a forum, where, by definition, the users discuss stuff. Why would you call for a thread to be shut down? Because the subject has been mentioned once before? I'm just guessing now.... You are a ham, hams use radios to communicate with each other, do you tell your fellow hams to knock off any conversation about a subject that was talk about last year or the year before? Have you ever visited with someone just for the sake of the visit?

Back on subject..
The more threads/information links a consumer can find with a Google search the more likely said consumer will believe us vs believing the manufacturers outlandish claims. And the Claims are pure ridiculousness!

I hope I haven't ruffled any feathers....not my intention to.
 

robertmac

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Manufacturers are there to make big profits. Advertisers are paid by manufacturers. Sellers today are there to make a profit. None have any conscience when it comes to selling consumers what they think they are getting.
 

DPD1

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Manufacturers are there to make big profits. Advertisers are paid by manufacturers. Sellers today are there to make a profit. None have any conscience when it comes to selling consumers what they think they are getting.

Well... I wouldn't throw a blanket quite that big over it. In business, you can be honest. But to a certain extent, you can shoot yourself in the foot. I've been in situations numerous times, were I told people that just having little simplex radios from Best Buy, wasn't going to do what they want. I told them what WOULD do what they want, and they decided that was too much money. So they chose to believe the advertising. The results were predictable. So honesty is great, but it won't help you much when you're broke.
 

jonwienke

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Wow, this is a forum, where, by definition, the users discuss stuff. Why would you call for a thread to be shut down? Because the subject has been mentioned once before? I'm just guessing now.... You are a ham, hams use radios to communicate with each other, do you tell your fellow hams to knock off any conversation about a subject that was talk about last year or the year before?

There's only so much beatdown you can apply to the dead horse before further application of whackem to horseburger becomes pointless. Insulting someone because you suspect they have a ham license doesn't add much to the discussion.
 

blastco2

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The gentleman that I quoted uses a ham call sign as his handle. One could make a reasonable judgment that he is a ham. And, where's the insult???
 

SCPD

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It's a nice loophole for the manufactures. In theory line of sight on mountain tops sure, down on the ground no way. Unless the FTC can make their claims of range in normal real world usage, soon we will see 100 mile range radios!. I think I will launch my own FRS satellite then have coast to coast coverage :)
 

Project25_MASTR

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The finial statement about the commercial gear. What many people fail to realize, commercial systems are a completely different story. Many systems have been running for over 40 years with occasional updates to keep in compliance as the rules changed. When a company makes the initial licensing/purchase for a two way system, they are literally purchasing a service (much like cell systems). The radio shop then discusses with them the needs and capabilities to decide 1) what band to make the application for, 2) is the customer going to need a repeater, 3) how tall of a tower (lease space or construct tower). Many shops will run programs (SPLAT!, Radio Mobile) to model the coverage of a system. It is literally a service (the shop will also try and sell new radios every 5-8 years to the customer).

The general consumer of FRS equipment doesn't necessarily understand a radio system. They see the number stating that the radios can transmit up to a set distance as they will transmit like that.

Many people understood once upon a time that CB's could transmit 100 miles or further. Or they could be useful for about a mile. Almost product should be researched, but how often to you research (if you have one) the specs on your cell phone? We're more like kids in a candy store, that one is pretty, has a big screen, looks cool and buy it.
 

KJ6ZNS

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Well W5PKY, I did my research, and found that the camouflage radios ARE the absolute best ones out there, AND they keep the zombies away, haven't seen one zombie since I bought them. The pretty, big screen, cool looking ones are junk, even though they have the same model number as my camouflage radio. Now where did I put that thing, that's the problem with camouflage, it blends in with the background so you can't see it. (snicker)
 
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