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Post by eagledriver on Jul 25, 2014 21:18:51 GMT -5
With OP Blacksheep at Grayling coming up I wanted to see if many MIA players were equipped with programmable radios. I have been XO or commander at several Blacksheep, Lion Claws, Berget, Mind Game, and other events. Over the years I have applied my experience with radios to MILSIM and believe that it makes a big difference when you are using a programmable radio on channels separate from the FRS/GMRS/MURS channels.
Starting with a few Lion Claws and Blacksheep events, I began to try to convince squad leaders and platoon leaders to invest in a capable radio. I prefer dual band (UHF and VHF) because each is better in different environments. These days if you are on my team, you will be using VHF and UHF frequencies from the commercial band. This way we have our own separate and private channels and there is no interference from someone playing with a bubble pack radio. I can run higher watt mobile radios and even have two repeaters, one VHF and one UHF.
Typically command will run on the UHF repeater, which means you need a radio capable of programming an offset (one frequency for transmit and one for receive.) I also usually program a tone (CTCSS) to open the repeater, so somebody who might know the frequency doesn't spam the repeater.
Then each Platoon gets it's own frequency, and each squad also has it's own frequency. I have all of them programmed into two radios connected to a dual PTT. I can listen and transmit on two radios simultaneously. Combine that with a phone and I'm maxed out on comms.
I believe in function over form and so I use two Wouxun KG-UV6D dual band radios. I could get by with a Baofeng UV-5, but they do not have a channel selector knob, and I am constantly switching back and forth. Next for me would be a Puxing PX-888K of UV-973, and these are good, but the lack FCC certification. The Wouxun is certified for commercial use, so in case someone decides to check on my radio it is legal. I also have a six slot charger and high capacity batteries (the Baofengs have high capacity batteries too) as I tend to use the radios a lot especially during long games.
The bottom line is that with an FRS radio, I would be limited to FRS/GMRS channels. With a programmable radios, I can go beyond that and enhance your MILSIM experience.
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Post by Tank on Jul 25, 2014 21:38:20 GMT -5
I, along with a decent number of others on MiA that have attended LC games, have purchased iCOM F4011 radios. I believe, though I've never tried, they are capable of being programmed to a separate Tx and Rx frequency. We generally program them per event, but lately it's been nice attending RAGE games back to back and not having to change programming.
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Post by Ogre on Jul 25, 2014 21:45:13 GMT -5
Many of the Major teams on MiA run ICOM or UV-5R radios, I do not however, I'm attending this game on a budget that I don't have room to fit in the purchase of a new radio. I'm currently updating my safety equipment and making sure all my guns are working to my standards.
I only work 20 hours a week at $9 an hour, a radio purchase will be a must for future national level events.
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Zzan
New Member
Posts: 116
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Post by Zzan on Jul 25, 2014 21:52:48 GMT -5
I have a Baofeng UV5r. It has all of the necessary features and cost less than $50.
You can program transmit and receive frequencies independently. With the CHIRP software and a usb serial cable it can be programmed from a computer doing all channels at once, or you can manually enter everything through the keyboard.
Zzan
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Post by eagledriver on Jul 26, 2014 22:39:55 GMT -5
Tank that Icom is definitely repeater capable.
I also understand about not having much for a budget. One thing to note is the Baofengs only cost $40. But if you could afford a $40 Baofeng radio, you could actually buy TWO programmable Baofeng 888S radios. Not trying to say anything about anyone's financial situation--just showing there are other options out there. Granted the 888S are 2 watt and not 4 watt radios like the Baofeng UV-5, but it would work well at local fields and probably the majority of MILSIM games. I actually have four of them that I use for loaner radios. I bought them for my daughter and her friends to use around the house and property!
Granted this is just a general discussion about radios anyway - I just feel that radios in general add a dimension to any game if used properly!
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Post by TheEnd on Jul 28, 2014 1:02:09 GMT -5
I just recently picked up an iCOM F4011. For those of you struggling with the cost of the programming software and cable, www.gmrsoutlet.com sells a generic cable for $13, and will sell the software for $20 without any physical media (basically a download). I received the cable and a driver disk and downloaded the software to my laptop. Everything worked fine on the first try and was much cheaper than the factory option. I haven't actually used the iCOM in a game yet but it has a proven track record. The rest of my team mates run the UV-5R and seem happy with it. Being able to program it in the field seems like a nice option to have.
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Post by Zorak on Jul 29, 2014 13:56:54 GMT -5
Getting on to the commercial bands without a license is technically illegal and I'd prefer it if people didn't discuss it here. We should focus on using repeater-capable GMRS frequencies, unless someone has a field that's sufficiently well-established that they can get actual business licenses.
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Post by Squirrel on Jul 29, 2014 17:06:23 GMT -5
+1 to Zorak. Also, setting up a GMRS repeater involves every party involved to be properly licensed through the FCC. This means you pay the 70 per year for a FCC license for GMRS, have FCC certified radios, and follow proper call sign procedure.
For all the people saying the FCC never checks / doesn't care about GMRS / FRS anymore, a group of people in the Toledo area had a repeater shut down and fines issued, and two people using ridiculous power levels on MURS were reported to the FCC in the Taylor area not too long ago.
I would be careful because I know for a fact there is a FCC Official Observer in South East Michigan that has been reporting radio pirates and rule breakers.
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Post by Zorak on Jul 30, 2014 8:44:50 GMT -5
Wow, I always thought that the warnings I gave were just for appearance's sake and the chance of enforcement was zero. Knowing that it's out there changes my perspective a bit. Remember that airsoft will never be a media-friendly sport, folks. There are people out there who want to ban airsoft for all sorts of dumb reasons. Don't let them use the FCC for leverage.
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Post by Ogre on Jul 30, 2014 10:22:14 GMT -5
I actually saw a media friendly report the other day so that isn't exactly true.
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Post by Pagan on Jul 30, 2014 10:26:22 GMT -5
I actually saw a media friendly report the other say so that isn't exactly true Compared to the amount of negative press the sport receives, I think it's very safe to say so.
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Post by Ogre on Jul 30, 2014 10:30:24 GMT -5
Outside of random Kids getting shot brandishing springers in public. We really don't get much press at all. I think anyone who isn't a media sheep understands that isn't typical Airsoft.
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Post by Puma1 on Jul 30, 2014 10:34:34 GMT -5
I've heard more bad than good from the media. I have, however heard very little bad as far as Michigan airsoft goes, which is great.
In a lot of places, airsoft is frowned upon aimply because people are scared by the unknown. My parents didn't want to let me get into the sport until I showed them the safety rules here, the gun I'd be using and that I knew how to use a real or airsoft rille properly. The media gives us a bad rap because of two or three people a year who do dumb shit. As a community, I think we have to show that that's not how it really is.
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Post by Pagan on Jul 30, 2014 10:42:43 GMT -5
Outside of random Kids getting shot brandishing springers in public. We really don't get much press at all. I think anyone who isn't a media sheep understands that isn't typical Airsoft. You're kidding right? All of the efforts to regulate airsoft in California and even here in Michigan recently? www.fbi.gov/springfield/press-releases/2014/michigan-man-sentenced-to-prison-for-the-valentines-day-robbery-of-bradford-national-bank-in-highlandwww.hollandsentinel.com/article/20140514/News/140519531I'm not sure what happy little universe you live in, but airsoft is far from being positively viewed in the media. People who don't play airsoft have no idea what the sport is about, hell a lot of the people who do know what it is, thinks it's kids playing in their back yard. Every time someone does something STUPID or Illegal and airsoft is tied to it, it makes it worse for all of us. Zorak is correct. Don't give them any more ammunition to use against us. There are enough idiots out there doing it already.
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Post by Ogre on Jul 30, 2014 10:52:38 GMT -5
Yeah but you don't hear to much about that on your local TV-5 or fox news, given I don't watch too much news. I occasionally catch a kid being arrested for holding up the a liquor store with a spring pistol but that's about it.
Puma is right about how we need to show the public what we actually are all about. That's why I run a Booth for my towns fabulous Fridays events every year. Which has gotten the OCAA and MiA in the newspaper and local media where I am at, honestly we need more people doing this kind of stuff all around Michigan. I'm hoping to pioneer something here, the more we socialize with the public, the more positive media we will get. Airsofters try to keep there spots out of the public eye as much as possible but I think we need to do the opposite, just do it in an informative and educational way.
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