Post by Arc on Dec 6, 2004 9:16:09 GMT -5
For those of you that don't know:
FRS is the Family Radio Service, which is a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) system, limited to half a watt of power, or 2 mile range, ideally. In my experience, the effective range is about 1000 meters, maximum, for clear communications. FRS is mostly limited to line-of-sight although UHF does penetrate buildings better than VHF. You cannot attach an external antenna to a FRS radio. No license is required to operate with this service. FRS radios can take advantage of CTCSS (privacy codes).
GMRS ( General Mobile Radio Service ) is a UHF service which requires a license from the FCC to operate. The license costs $75 for 5 years, and covers all of the members of the household. The transmission power of a GMRS radio is usually 1 to 5 watts, and you can have an external antenna. The actual range of depends on your radio. The same penetration characteristics that apply to FRS apply to GMRS. GMRS is also CTCSS compatible. GMRS is becoming very popular because many manufacturers are downplaying the need for a license on their packaging. Many FRS radios can also use GMRS, but you are committing a crime if you transmit on those frequencies without a license.
MURS (Multiple User Radio Service) is my personal favorite. It operates in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band, and has a maximum transmission power of 2 watts. MURS is a license free service. VHF frequencies travel very effectively in hilly country, making this an outstanding choice for airsoft. While UHF travels better through buildings, MURS radios can transmit at four times the power of FRS. MURS is compatible with CTCSS. Being a relatively new service, the radios are more expensive and harder to find than the more popular FRS.
CB, or Civilian Band is a very popular 27Mhz HF? service. CB is so popular that you'd be hard pressed to find a private channel.
I'd like to know what you're using, to include brand, model numbers, what service you use, and why.
I've got a Motorola T6250 for the FRS band that is about to be replaced, due to the proprietary nature of Motorola's headset connecter. I love the voice inversion scrambling feature and the size, but i can't use my headsets with it.
For MURS, i'm using a Radio Shack BTX-127. The only complaints that i have are the quality of the build, and the fact that the radio cannot be powered by alkaline batteries. The included rechargeable pack seems to be powerful enough, and extras shouldn't be very hard to find.
FRS is the Family Radio Service, which is a UHF (Ultra High Frequency) system, limited to half a watt of power, or 2 mile range, ideally. In my experience, the effective range is about 1000 meters, maximum, for clear communications. FRS is mostly limited to line-of-sight although UHF does penetrate buildings better than VHF. You cannot attach an external antenna to a FRS radio. No license is required to operate with this service. FRS radios can take advantage of CTCSS (privacy codes).
GMRS ( General Mobile Radio Service ) is a UHF service which requires a license from the FCC to operate. The license costs $75 for 5 years, and covers all of the members of the household. The transmission power of a GMRS radio is usually 1 to 5 watts, and you can have an external antenna. The actual range of depends on your radio. The same penetration characteristics that apply to FRS apply to GMRS. GMRS is also CTCSS compatible. GMRS is becoming very popular because many manufacturers are downplaying the need for a license on their packaging. Many FRS radios can also use GMRS, but you are committing a crime if you transmit on those frequencies without a license.
MURS (Multiple User Radio Service) is my personal favorite. It operates in the VHF (Very High Frequency) band, and has a maximum transmission power of 2 watts. MURS is a license free service. VHF frequencies travel very effectively in hilly country, making this an outstanding choice for airsoft. While UHF travels better through buildings, MURS radios can transmit at four times the power of FRS. MURS is compatible with CTCSS. Being a relatively new service, the radios are more expensive and harder to find than the more popular FRS.
CB, or Civilian Band is a very popular 27Mhz HF? service. CB is so popular that you'd be hard pressed to find a private channel.
I'd like to know what you're using, to include brand, model numbers, what service you use, and why.
I've got a Motorola T6250 for the FRS band that is about to be replaced, due to the proprietary nature of Motorola's headset connecter. I love the voice inversion scrambling feature and the size, but i can't use my headsets with it.
For MURS, i'm using a Radio Shack BTX-127. The only complaints that i have are the quality of the build, and the fact that the radio cannot be powered by alkaline batteries. The included rechargeable pack seems to be powerful enough, and extras shouldn't be very hard to find.