[aprssig] FRS radios and PTT

[Randy Love]

Technically, using any of them on any of the non-FRS channels requires a
GMRS license per user, even at the 1 w level, unless there's been some
drastic change to the GMRS/FRS rules I don't know about.

Yes, using them on FRS channels can be helpful between say the command post
and a registration area a few hundred feet away.

Randy
WF5X

On Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 11:53 AM, Bob Bruninga <bruninga at usna.edu> wrote:

> Just did a circuit to be able to key a VOX radio either with audio or
> keyline without having DC connectivity.  Just a single transistor twin-T
> oscillator set to 4.5 KHz.  Either VOICE can key the radio, or I can
> manually key it over a long wire without having to turn the VOX on/and/off
> (from front panel buttons).
>
> The 4.5 KHz cannot be heard, yet it keys the radio and can be mixed with
> any
> other audio as needed.
>
> Idea is an FRS STOCK radio 200' away on top of my building with a 3
> conductor audio line plugged into the external speaker/audio jack.  Radio
> is
> inside a short PVC pipe for the weather, but now I can key it from
> downstairs..  Where I can monitor the local student activity with a speaker
> (and Mic audio source).
>
> I just bought 10 packs (20 radios with chargers) for $299 including free
> shipping.  Think about it.  That is the cost of 1 ham radio HT, yet now I
> can supply 20 radio club students with radios and not all of them even need
> a ham license to contribute. It's a small price to pay to get 20 people on
> the air.
>
> [No, APRS is not legal on them, nor is connecting two of them back-to-back
> to make a repeater...]
>
> These FRS radios have 22 UHF channels, have VOX and have all 38 PL/CTCSS
> and
> also all 83 DCS codes too.  Plus NiCd batteries and chargers for only $15
> per radio.  Oh, they not only scan the channels but also have TONE and DCS
> scan!  They operate at 1 watt on most channels (.5W on the 7 FRS only
> channels).  Each ham radio response organization should consider investing
> in dozens of these radios to have on hand for ANY local event. It
> multiplies
> our capabilities by letting more bodies participate.
>
> I have tested them compared to my Kenwood TH-D7 and they have the SAME
> excellent sensitivity on the FRS/GMRS frequencies as the D7 has on the ham
> bands.
>
> Bob, Wb4APR
>
>
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