Latest Joke: Motorola 25 mile FRS/GMRS

[N_Jay]

OK, that makes sense.

Thanks!

Is this 5 Watts of the old CB days?
Yes that was input power to the final stage, which was later replaced with 4 RF output power.

Portable devices (where you are close to the antenna) do have additional requirements like SAR, but that are not directly expressed in watts.

 

[zz0468]

Having a license does not discipline the user, or prevent him from causing problems. Nor does not having a license prevent the FCC from enforcing their rules. So the bottom line is that the lack of a license is not the problem, and having a license is not the cure, it is the people using the radios.

I will agree with you that it's the people that can be the problem, not the license, or lack of that is the problem. However, having a license gives the FCC a great deal more latitude in how to deal with you than if you don't. *Presumably*, if you take the time and trouble to obtain a license, you care enough to abide by the rules or will respond to a letter of enforcement if you don't.

And for the social misfits out there who DON'T care enough, it doesn't make a damned bit of difference one way or the other what the FCC does or says. Or anybodey else, for that matter.

 

[UPMan]

Is this 5 Watts of the old CB days?
Portable devices (where you are close to the antenna) do have additional requirements like SAR, but that are not directly expressed in watts.

True, SAR is actually rated as Watts per Kilogram. However, in practice the top-end limit has amounted to about 2W ERP (give or take) for body-worn FRS/GMRS radios.

To find the ERP (as well as the SAR) numbers for any radio, go to the FCC ID # Search tool and look up the unit's data (then select "Detail" then look for the RF Exposure report).

 

[N4JNW]

Those Garmin Rino's that have the GPS thing built in can also send your position or whatever to another user, so THEy can see where YOU are on thier map.

I think that's pretty cool...

 

[cubn]

Paul, is Uniden the only GMRS radio offering voice scrambling?

Thanks.

I know that the old Cobra MicroTalk radios and some of the Kenwood radios used to have voice inversion scrambling. I don't think either of those two are still being produced but you might find some in the used market.

A new alternative to scrambled FRS radios is TriSquare 900 MHz spread spectrum HT's mentioned in this thread. I don't know if these are available yet or not but I'm intrigued as to how well they perform.

 

[bwhite]

Well, the latest Dick's Sporting Goods ad has arrived, the 25 mile Motorola T9500's now have a buddy, some camo Midland's advertised at 26 miles. All appear to be bubble-pack types.

 

[unitcharlie]

Those Garmin Rino's that have the GPS thing built in can also send your position or whatever to another user, so THEy can see where YOU are on thier map.

I think that's pretty cool...

Sounds like that should be required equipment for those trekking in the Gorge!

 

[bpckty1]

The best claim I've heard was about an old AN-PRC-6. Its users claimed that it could transmit from one country, transit another, and be received in another.

It's true. USAF NATO sites. The comms were from Northern Italy across the Austrian Panhandle to Southern Germany.

Now, can GMRS/FRS top that?

 

[illini52]

A PRC-6 would barely be able to transmit down a hill. 500mw WFM won't get very far.

 

[bpckty1]

Mountain top to mountain top, line of sight, crisp, clear alpine weather is a plus.

 

[bwhite]

Mountain top to mountain top, line of sight, crisp, clear alpine weather is a plus.

I've tried line-of-site on many models. To my surprise some cheapy 500mw motorolas did the job 3 miles los. NOTHING else EVER did, even when I could actually see the person 2-3 miles away from a balcony on the beach. (GMRS @ several watts).

 

[iMONITOR]

I've tried line-of-site on many models. To my surprise some cheapy 500mw motorolas did the job 3 miles los. NOTHING else EVER did, even when I could actually see the person 2-3 miles away from a balcony on the beach. (GMRS @ several watts).

That may be do to better quality/sensitivity of the receive circuits in the Motorolas.

 

[bwhite]

That may be do to better quality/sensitivity of the receive circuits in the Motorolas.

Just amazing that the lower FRS power/sensitivity would out-do the much higher power of the GMRS's. I really figured that someone standing on the 4th floor oceanfront balcony would be able to communicate with me for 3+ miles.

 

[kc8qch]

I know that the old Cobra MicroTalk radios and some of the Kenwood radios used to have voice inversion scrambling. I don't think either of those two are still being produced but you might find some in the used market.

A new alternative to scrambled FRS radios is TriSquare 900 MHz spread spectrum HT's mentioned in this thread. I don't know if these are available yet or not but I'm intrigued as to how well they perform.

Those are pretty cool with the capabilites they have. One of our members brought one to our last meeting (ARES/RACES) and was showing them to us. They are pretty neat, but I don;t know about range and stuff....little too pricy though just top play with.....

 

[mikeydcg2003]

Try using them in a farming state like iowa. you are lucky to get 1/2 mile sometimes due to very tall grain bins which reflect the signals horribly

 

[cellblock776]

Try using them in a farming state like iowa. you are lucky to get 1/2 mile sometimes due to very tall grain bins which reflect the signals horribly

That's when you put up GMRS repeaters on the tops of those bins and get real range with real 50 watt GMRS radios. Leave those bubble pack radios in Toy R Us where they belong.

 

[KD8DVR]

I've reviewed both the Motorola and Midland units. Both have a usable range of about 1.25 miles under "average" conditions. About a half mile car to car or house to outside. Definitely way under these outrageous claims. I tested under GMRS power outputs... after all, I have *my* GMRS license.

The links to review forums are here:

http://www.twowayradioforum.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=10

 

[KD8DVR]

A new alternative to scrambled FRS radios is TriSquare 900 MHz spread spectrum HT's mentioned in this thread. I don't know if these are available yet or not but I'm intrigued as to how well they perform.

They are out now. I'm testing some. A VERY viable alternative to FRS. Digital. Tons of channels which are actually Spread Spectrum algorithms. I've been reviewing a set. There are a few bugs as with any new technology; but they are certainly good performers so far.

 

[mikeydcg2003]

That's when you put up GMRS repeaters on the tops of those bins and get real range with real 50 watt GMRS radios. Leave those bubble pack radios in Toy R Us where they belong.

I wish i could. The cell phone companies have already beat me to it.. hehe

 

[bwhite]

I wish i could. The cell phone companies have already beat me to it.. hehe

What kind of range are you finding? What do they cost? How's battery life?