GMRS, MURS and DTR Digital at Disney World

[MrBill1]

I hate to be the one to say this but why wouldnt you just use a cell phone? I mean its more convenient and works a hell of a lot better.

You must have a great cell phone plan or money to burn.

 

[N4DES]

I know that MURS and GMRS which is better at Disney World has been discussed here. I myself started on of the threads. My question is given the choice of using MURS or GMRS at Disney World which is better? I know that there is a lot to take into consideration, buildings, electromagnetic interference etc. Thanks,

I have experimented with a number of configurations there and there really is no perfect answer. There really isn't anyone on MURS that I have found when I have been there and to date has been my band of choice there. I did try GMRS once and there are way too many that ignore the GMRS licensing requirements and the FRS/GMRS spectrum is pretty full there, but like some have stated UHF is a bit more efficient in the rule of building penetration.

As to some of the comments on bringing radios onto the property, there are no restictions by Disney and the radios are seen each time the backpacks go through Disney security screeneing and there has never been an issue. I have also found the same to be true at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

Cell phones are a pain in the a$$ and AT&T doesn't have that great of a footprint on Disney property and the radios work hands down better than our cellphones in Disney.

That is my 2 cents worth..
Mark

 

[62Truck]

I have experimented with a number of configurations there and there really is no perfect answer. There really isn't anyone on MURS that I have found when I have been there and to date has been my band of choice there. I did try GMRS once and there are way too many that ignore the GMRS licensing requirements and the FRS/GMRS spectrum is pretty full there, but like some have stated UHF is a bit more efficient in the rule of building penetration.

As to some of the comments on bringing radios onto the property, there are no restictions by Disney and the radios are seen each time the backpacks go through Disney security screeneing and there has never been an issue. I have also found the same to be true at Busch Gardens in Tampa.

Cell phones are a pain in the a$$ and AT&T doesn't have that great of a footprint on Disney property and the radios work hands down better than our cellphones in Disney.

That is my 2 cents worth..
Mark

AT&T "more bars in more places" Yea right

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

Oh, you are an ATT customer, my apologies, lol. Yes, in that case I would go GMRS. My midland GXT-600's have about a 1.5 mile range in an urban environment, and they are about as good as bubble pack radios get in terms of actual output. My ICOM portables are good for about 2 miles in the same scenario.

BTW, my Verizon works pretty much everywhere and my top ten most called numbers have unlimited minutes, along with 1600 minutes to use otherwise so that is no concern.

 

[N4DES]

AT&T "more bars in more places" Yea right

Their outdoor coverage isn't too bad, but stepfoot into an attraction and it all goes to hell very quickly. Radios rock!

 

[n5ims]

AT&T "more bars in more places" Yea right

That is true, just ask the folks that use AT&T. "I've got no signal on my I-Phone Marge, I'm heading over to the bar." "OK Homer, I'll walk around the park to get a good signal and return for you after making the call."

 

[62Truck]

Well when I go down in May I plan on bringing my HT1000 and my HT1250 and just using the ham repeaters...Gotta love having Ham's in the family LOL.

 

[EC-7]

Im not sure about Disney, but when I go to Cedar Point in Ohio, the UHF FRS & GMRS waves are really crowded with people using blister pack radios, not caring about GMRS rules. I put my radio on scan and it was non stop traffic, plus lots of interference between channels and TONS of kids hitting the "call" button. Id personally try MURS as there are less users, if any and less nearby freq interference.

 

[NgoraSweatr]

i was just at DisneyWorld in February and brought both my ham radio with speaker mic and my Pro-106 visible and in use. No one ever said a word, Disney "cast members" and security told me they appreciated the fact that so many hams come to WDW and use their radios AND I worked a few stations on the "Disney" repeater.

It's W4WDW (get it?) at 147.300. When I used it, it had no PL.

Also, most employees use that new private iDEN system that Moto set up there, EXCEPT for parade ops. They were using Radius UHF handhelds. The frequency is in the DB, I think. I lost it since I came home and reflashed the 106.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Yeah, don't use the radio while on a ride or in an attraction, but the same goes for cellphones...ya know, common sense?

 

[Ensnared]

One would have to consume large quantities of psychotropics to tolerate this mecca for brats. A good radio is a must in this boring domain. "It's A Small World" should replace water torture.

 

[62Truck]

i was just at DisneyWorld in February and brought both my ham radio with speaker mic and my Pro-106 visible and in use. No one ever said a word, Disney "cast members" and security told me they appreciated the fact that so many hams come to WDW and use their radios AND I worked a few stations on the "Disney" repeater.

It's W4WDW (get it?) at 147.300. When I used it, it had no PL.

Also, most employees use that new private iDEN system that Moto set up there, EXCEPT for parade ops. They were using Radius UHF handhelds. The frequency is in the DB, I think. I lost it since I came home and reflashed the 106.

Hope this helps.

P.S. Yeah, don't use the radio while on a ride or in an attraction, but the same goes for cellphones...ya know, common sense?

They also have a UHF Freq that works really well in the parks..But I would recommend MURS though if you don't have a HAM or GMRS license. I'm complicating on bringing my two 900 meg radios down with me to see how they preform on simplex

 

[N4KVE]

They also have a UHF Freq that works really well in the parks..But I would recommend MURS though if you don't have a HAM or GMRS license. I'm complicating on bringing my two 900 meg radios down with me to see how they preform on simplex

In my experience I go to the pool at our condo about a 1/2 mile away, & try different radio bands to talk to my GF on simplex. UHF works great between Jedi's or Astro Sabers, in analog, or Imbe. However when I use 900, its OK, maybe 80% as good as UHF. But if I use the M factory stubby, 900 is pretty bad at 1/2 mile. Let us know how 900 works @ WDW. GARY N4KVE

 

[62Truck]

In my experience I go to the pool at our condo about a 1/2 mile away, & try different radio bands to talk to my GF on simplex. UHF works great between Jedi's or Astro Sabers, in analog, or Imbe. However when I use 900, its OK, maybe 80% as good as UHF. But if I use the M factory stubby, 900 is pretty bad at 1/2 mile. Let us know how 900 works @ WDW. GARY N4KVE

Will do!! The two Jedi 900 radios I have have the whip antenna so we'll see how that works.

 

[2wayfreq]

I would recommend a Commerial grade HT UHF GMRS or FRS. That way you can use DPL. The cheap bubble pack radios are not capable of using DPL codes so you'll at worst just see your RX light blink. So I would use an HT-1000, Kenwood 3180 etc. and use a DPL Tone. Plus, you have 4 watts to reach across the park with.

 

[62Truck]

I would recommend a Commerial grade HT UHF GMRS or FRS. That way you can use DPL. The cheap bubble pack radios are not capable of using DPL codes so you'll at worst just see your RX light blink. So I would use an HT-1000, Kenwood 3180 etc. and use a DPL Tone. Plus, you have 4 watts to reach across the park with.

There are some that are capable of DPL codes I have two midlands that are the FRS/GMRS combo with weather alert and vibracall and they do both CTCSS and DCS

 

[redneckcellphone]

you will have longer battery life and better coverage in simplex with the gmrs only radio. i have used both my midland frs/gmrs and my gmrs radio together and the midland needed a charge first.

 

[elc32955]

Disney World GMRS

You know, it's really sad that Disney didn't have the forethought to leave a GMRS repeater operational for park guests at Magic Kingdom when they vacated the GMRS channels in the early 1990's. In the early days, Disney used to use five of the eight GMRS repeater pairs for park operations, maintenance, etc... They had KAA-series callsigns and some very good repeater sites, for instance the top of Space Mountain. If you look at the spires at the top of the structure in old pictures you'll notice some DB-420 antennas on the top.

Also, the range on the old Disney repeaters used to be something to be reckoned with. In the mid 80's when Disney's operations were in full swing they would frequently blanket Central Florida at night with their signals on multiple GMRS pairs. More then once I had to work with their then radio comm. manager, Roger Nickel to have them redirect antennas to minimize their signal to the east, here on the Space Coast we at one time had a very active GMRS presence and there were repeaters up not only privately but also to support the three local REACT teams as well. A friend that had a local repeater up on 462.575 finally got so tired of the incessent monorail traffic that he finally ended up changing frequencies. You can only take so much of "Monorail Red, Monorail Concourse, you're clear to Pylon 47, report at holdpoint and advise when clear for MAPO Bypass"... and then the corresponding readback from the train driver.... and then the next train and the next train... ye gods, the memories there!

For those that are interested here's the old Disney World GMRS configuration and callsigns...

462.550 KAA8207 Operations/Paging
462.575 KAA8207 Monorails/Ops Ch. 2
462.625 KAA8101 Land Transportation, Parking, Magic Kingdom, Ft. Wilderness
Maint. Ch. 1
462.650 KAA8101 Magic Kingdom Maint, Operations/Paging
462.675 KAA8209 Theme Park Maint., Maint Ch. 2

As far as I know there is absolutely nothing left of any of the old systems today, it's all been completely gutted years & years ago.

Eric

KAE0182

 

[62Truck]

Its a shame they took down and gutted the GMRS repeater, I am not a GMRS operator. Has any one every thought about bringing their own little portable repeater down to use?

 

[Cowthief]

Hello.

First off, Disney did not decide to get off GMRS, the FCC changed the rules.
Since they legally could no longer operate a GMRS transmitter they could not leave the repeater up.
And, they could care less what kind of radio you talk on, as long as you cause no problems.
Be it a full sized talkie or a camcorder, yes they will confiscate it if you try to take it on a ride, and for very good reason.
The rides can take that object and turn it into a missile, injuring someone, or worse.
Same with antennas, who takes a mobile antenna and mounts it on a stick and takes that to a Disney theme park but a dufus?
No, leave the stupid stuff in your car, or better yet, at home.
You have thousands of people in a very small place with a lot of children.

 

[ecps92]

Without insider info, I read this as Disney disbanded the GMRS, because the FCC made No changes that would have affected OLDER [Grand-Fathered Licenses] There are still plenty of Business and Governmental agencies using GMRS with Ancient Call-Signs which are Grand-Fathered.

Just my $0.02 :wink:

Hello.

First off, Disney did not decide to get off GMRS, the FCC changed the rules.
Since they legally could no longer operate a GMRS transmitter they could not leave the repeater up.
And, they could care less what kind of radio you talk on, as long as you cause no problems.
Be it a full sized talkie or a camcorder, yes they will confiscate it if you try to take it on a ride, and for very good reason.
The rides can take that object and turn it into a missile, injuring someone, or worse.
Same with antennas, who takes a mobile antenna and mounts it on a stick and takes that to a Disney theme park but a dufus?
No, leave the stupid stuff in your car, or better yet, at home.
You have thousands of people in a very small place with a lot of children.