RobbieNelson
06-04-2004, 03:50 PM
Since we all live relatively close, I thought it would be a good idea to communicate via 2-way radios. You can get them at Wal-Mart, CC, Sams, etc.. I suggest ones with NiMH batteries and a charger base. I'm fairly happy with my Cobra set from Sams(bout 50 bones). My only complaint is that the belt clips suck.
95% of those radios have FRS(family radio service) and 50% have GMRS(general mobile radio service). GMRS does require a FCC license to operate on the GMRS channels. The license is good for your immediate family, lasts 5 years and costs 75 bucks. I'm not encouraging anyone to break the law, but I think 75 bucks is way too steep. I'd get one for 30 bucks. Plus, not many people in this area are using GMRS on a regular basis(mine has a scanner feature built in, so I know). I have heard businesses using both services. That is a direct violation of FCC rules. Both services are meant to be used by the general public, not businesses.
Most radios have "sub-codes" which are basically squelch codes. If you have a sub-code turned on, you will only hear other transmissions from the same channel and sub-code. However, if you have the sub-code turned off(or set to 0) you can hear all transmission on that channel, but others using sub-codes won't hear you.
So, our channels and codes will be as follows:
GMRS:
Channel 462.6625MHz . . . My Cobras channel 5
Sub-code 79.9Hz . . . My Cobras sub-code 5
FRS:
Channel 467.6125MHz . . . My Cobras channel 10
Sub-code 79.9Hz . . . My Cobras sub-code 5
I listed the frequencys because some manufactures place different frequencys on different channels. You may need to look in your users manual to find the correct channel. However the sub-codes are fairly standard.
95% of those radios have FRS(family radio service) and 50% have GMRS(general mobile radio service). GMRS does require a FCC license to operate on the GMRS channels. The license is good for your immediate family, lasts 5 years and costs 75 bucks. I'm not encouraging anyone to break the law, but I think 75 bucks is way too steep. I'd get one for 30 bucks. Plus, not many people in this area are using GMRS on a regular basis(mine has a scanner feature built in, so I know). I have heard businesses using both services. That is a direct violation of FCC rules. Both services are meant to be used by the general public, not businesses.
Most radios have "sub-codes" which are basically squelch codes. If you have a sub-code turned on, you will only hear other transmissions from the same channel and sub-code. However, if you have the sub-code turned off(or set to 0) you can hear all transmission on that channel, but others using sub-codes won't hear you.
So, our channels and codes will be as follows:
GMRS:
Channel 462.6625MHz . . . My Cobras channel 5
Sub-code 79.9Hz . . . My Cobras sub-code 5
FRS:
Channel 467.6125MHz . . . My Cobras channel 10
Sub-code 79.9Hz . . . My Cobras sub-code 5
I listed the frequencys because some manufactures place different frequencys on different channels. You may need to look in your users manual to find the correct channel. However the sub-codes are fairly standard.