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Post by El Phantasamo on Mar 26, 2009 17:18:40 GMT -5
Zorak, it was explained to me by the dealer I purchased the radio from that if you put it on low power you could use the ICOM on the FRS only channels is this not correct? I would think not. If i remember correctly, the lowest power setting on the IC-F21GM is 1 watt. The FCC limit for channels 8-14 are 500mW. |
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Post by bigc on Mar 26, 2009 18:34:17 GMT -5
That could be, I thought for some reason it was .5w/3w/5w.
I will have to look into this.
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Post by Zorak on Mar 26, 2009 19:25:04 GMT -5
El has it right. The IC-F21GM is 1w, 2w, 4w. That's documented on page 13 of the manual. Furthermore, the actual FRS rules are about effective radiated power, so that big ol' IC-F21GM antenna probably means that you'd have to cut the power further back than that. Also, let's apply some common sense. Icom isn't a stupid company. If the IC-F21GM could legally use FRS-only channels on low power, they'd make it a 22-channel radio and make the software drop the power on those seven channels. In fact, not only is 1w too high a power level, and the antenna too large, but there's a seperate certification required to make a radio legal on the FRS band. Short version: Your dealer was putting you on. The IC-F21GM comes with 15 channels on the dial, and those 15 channels are the only ones you can legally use - assuming you have the license, of course. Edit: Tex, did you try something like this? If you're tuning into FRS-only channels and trying to pick up FRS transmissions with a radio never built for that purpose, your squelch problems are much less surprising. |
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Post by bigc on Mar 26, 2009 19:30:16 GMT -5
Hmmmm, interesting. I bought my lic. when I bought the radio so I have that covered but I guess I am confused as to why they would sell a programmable radio that is illegal to program?
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Post by MattyB (Immortal) on Mar 26, 2009 21:54:20 GMT -5
Tex, that Icom you sold me? It doesn't want to receive on channel 2 (10 on the radio's dial), guess I should test out the rest of them, but I know 1, 3, and 4 (9, 11, and 12 respectively on the Icom) worked when I was screwing around with it before. Maybe the settings are messed up just on that channel?
Edit: Ok, so every channel but 2 gives me a roger beep from a motorola talakabout, granted I'm sitting here with icom in one hand and motorola in the other, but I get no response on 2 at all.
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Post by Zorak on Mar 26, 2009 22:25:47 GMT -5
The IC-F21GM isn't sold as a programmable radio. I was really surprised to hear that it could be programmed at all.
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Post by bigc on Mar 26, 2009 22:29:58 GMT -5
Strange, my owners manual gave the specific instructions on how to program the radio for different FRS radios?
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Post by Zorak on Mar 26, 2009 22:39:13 GMT -5
In this thread, global mods drift topics to death!
Which instructions are you referring to? Looking at the PDF manual I linked above, the only references to programming are for setting CTCSS tones, and the only references to FRS are about shared FRS/GMRS channels.
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Post by bigc on Mar 27, 2009 15:43:29 GMT -5
Hmmm, when I get back home to Grand Rapids I will check it out.
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Post by Tex on Mar 27, 2009 18:37:57 GMT -5
Different one Matty, I've had a few, and none of them really worked well with the cheapo radios, but were great with other nice quality radios.
The thing is Zorak, 99% of airsofters have the low quality radios. Why would I want one with which I could not communicate with them? I can transmit to them of course but not hear, which just makes for a hard time. I have an Icom collecting dust, but always use the Midlands that I have because there's just no sense in using a radio on which I can not be reached.
You have to understand whilst you are one of the "elite" electronics users, you're pretty much alone up there with a select few. For a recreation airsofter, a cheaper 2way radio is the proper way to go. I don't think there's any arguing that point.
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Lid
New Member
Posts: 363
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Post by Lid on Mar 27, 2009 19:45:13 GMT -5
Why would I want one with which I could not communicate with them? I can transmit to them of course but not hear, which just makes for a hard time. I have an Icom collecting dust, but always use the Midlands that I have because there's just no sense in using a radio on which I can not be reached. I had the same problem. Luckily I have an Icom tech guy less than a mile from me. He reprogrammed mine for 35 bucks. I can transmit and receive without a problem. |
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