Two-Way Radio Channel Change Request
Coordinator :: Alabama Motoring Society & South East
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,170
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From: Burning-Ham Alabama
If I hear just one more comment regarding the requirement for FCC licenses to use walkie talkies from Wal-Mart I am going to rebroadcast Howard Stern on mine! 
This thread is a perfect pre-Dragon wrap up for how much of a cluster this years planning has been. Changing channels last second, a brilliant idea to keep the confusion down man!
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,715
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From: Irwin, PA
Originally Posted by YuccaPatrol
If I hear just one more comment regarding the requirement for FCC licenses to use walkie talkies from Wal-Mart I am going to rebroadcast Howard Stern on mine!
Steve
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6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,715
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From: Irwin, PA
Originally Posted by mikesMINI
A lot of the newer hybrid radios will transmit on higher power on channels 1-7 but not on 8 up. I have a Motorola set that will use .5 watt or 2 watts on 7-21.
Originally Posted by Ryephile
This thread is a perfect pre-Dragon wrap up for how much of a cluster this years planning has been.
How about we have the event first, THEN see what people thought of it, planning included.
Or are you eternally pessimistic?
Coordinator :: Pitt Stop MINI
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,919
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From: Steelers Country
Originally Posted by mikesMINI
A lot of the newer hybrid radios will transmit on higher power on channels 1-7 but not on 8 up. I have a Motorola set that will use .5 watt or 2 watts on 7-21.
4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 437
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From: Greenville, SC
For the hams that want range - connect to the repeater on Mt Mitchell. You can get almost the whole east coast from there.
me - another vote to keep the existing channel scheme. We use the FRSs all the time on ATV rides and if you get more range, then you are always talking to other groups and that can be annoying. I have a plug-up type FRS with an external antena, and it gets out better than most hand-helds, but it can also be counter-productive. ie. pick others chatter
For the ones that think they need the extra power in emergencies - if you are by yourself and use the radio, then yes you may need the extra range. The thing is, don't be by yourself. That is your best insurance. This place is remote to say the least, so use the "buddy system" and everything should be just fine. ie. if something happens, the other person can go and get help.
me - another vote to keep the existing channel scheme. We use the FRSs all the time on ATV rides and if you get more range, then you are always talking to other groups and that can be annoying. I have a plug-up type FRS with an external antena, and it gets out better than most hand-helds, but it can also be counter-productive. ie. pick others chatter
For the ones that think they need the extra power in emergencies - if you are by yourself and use the radio, then yes you may need the extra range. The thing is, don't be by yourself. That is your best insurance. This place is remote to say the least, so use the "buddy system" and everything should be just fine. ie. if something happens, the other person can go and get help.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,406
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From: Northeast Ohio
Originally Posted by Ryephile
This thread is a perfect pre-Dragon wrap up for how much of a cluster this years planning has been. Changing channels last second, a brilliant idea to keep the confusion down man!
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,459
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From: Milwaukee, WI
Originally Posted by Darth_Cooper
Ahhh...the joys of actually having an FCC license is that I am immune to those pesky fines. *snert*
FMS is just fine for me
3rd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 229
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From: Mid South, USA
Originally Posted by Edge
All of you who haven't been to MOTD before...
Don't worry about it. The 0.5 mile range is perfect. When you are out of your car, you'll probably be chatting in person with your friends (both old and new), so you won't be using the radio much anyway. When you're IN your car, you'll only be able to communicate with (and HEAR) a short distance... which is all you'll need. Warnings about slow traffic, wide vehicles (trucks!), oil patches, accidents
and police radar traps 
will all come through - when you really need them, which is within 0.5 mile range anyway (more like 0.25 mile range with all the bends!).
Don't even sweat the "600 people all talking at once" issue. The only places that will even come close to happening are the main accomodations (Fontana, Tapoco) and perhaps right around the Dam... and again, you'll be out of your car, talking in person at those places anyway.
If you want to use a "secret" channel with your friends when at the accommodations or dam, go ahead... but I strongly recommend you continue to use 7/21 when you are out driving, because the warnings from fellow Motorists up ahead of you are definitely worth receiving!
As for the 0.5W vs. higher watt concerns... one of the downsides to running at a higher wattage is that your handheld's batteries drain MUCH faster at the higher setting. Mine can run at either 0.5W or 2W... and I seem to be able to use either on channel 7. I have noticed a HUGE difference in battery consumption if I overuse the 2W transmit button, so I almost always only use the 0.5W anyway. YMMV.
Don't worry about it. The 0.5 mile range is perfect. When you are out of your car, you'll probably be chatting in person with your friends (both old and new), so you won't be using the radio much anyway. When you're IN your car, you'll only be able to communicate with (and HEAR) a short distance... which is all you'll need. Warnings about slow traffic, wide vehicles (trucks!), oil patches, accidents
and police radar traps will all come through - when you really need them, which is within 0.5 mile range anyway (more like 0.25 mile range with all the bends!).Don't even sweat the "600 people all talking at once" issue. The only places that will even come close to happening are the main accomodations (Fontana, Tapoco) and perhaps right around the Dam... and again, you'll be out of your car, talking in person at those places anyway.
If you want to use a "secret" channel with your friends when at the accommodations or dam, go ahead... but I strongly recommend you continue to use 7/21 when you are out driving, because the warnings from fellow Motorists up ahead of you are definitely worth receiving!
As for the 0.5W vs. higher watt concerns... one of the downsides to running at a higher wattage is that your handheld's batteries drain MUCH faster at the higher setting. Mine can run at either 0.5W or 2W... and I seem to be able to use either on channel 7. I have noticed a HUGE difference in battery consumption if I overuse the 2W transmit button, so I almost always only use the 0.5W anyway. YMMV.
Why can't we agree to disagree!!
I agree with Edge. Stay on 7/21 and you can hear if anyone is in trouble, if there is traffic ahead..etc. You get the idea
Why mess with something that ain't broke??
We have used this channel since the beginning and it has not failed
JIMHO
Sam
Mt Mitchell repeater
Originally Posted by thatatvguy
For the hams that want range - connect to the repeater on Mt Mitchell. You can get almost the whole east coast from there.
The Mt Mitchell repeater is on 145.190 out (in=144.59, i.e. -600 kHz) with no PL tone. Call = WA4BVW. Supposedly, its the highest repeater east of the Mississippi (beating out Mt Graylock and MINIs on top) at 6600 ft. According to one source about Mt Mitchell:Antennas On Mount Mitchell NC, Affording Open Outreach to Portions of At Least 7States. The 6600Net Meets Saturday Nights 9PM, Congenial Friendly Knowledgeable Bunch.
N0UK and I also plan to use 146.52 simplex locally.
73 de Tom, K3IO (ex W3IWI)
6th Gear
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,427
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From: Sword Mountain
I think if we were talking about this a month ago, it might be something to consider, but it is too late now and would be too confusing to try to communicate to all the folks coming. Let's stick with 7/21 this year and we can talk about changes next year.
Should we approach Howard Stern now about coming next year and broadcasting on 7/21?
Should we approach Howard Stern now about coming next year and broadcasting on 7/21?
Mr. MOTD
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,741
Likes: 3
From: Spring Hill, Florida
Originally Posted by YuccaPatrol
If I hear just one more comment regarding the requirement for FCC licenses to use walkie talkies from Wal-Mart I am going to rebroadcast Howard Stern on mine!
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