I have been thinking about this request for sometime. I thought I would throw it out there for discussion.

I know that the normal "Official" MINI channel is 7 subcode 21, and this is fine for smaller groups that are closer together however I would like to propose a change.

Channel 7 is a FRS channel and as such is limited by the FCC to an output of .5 (1/2) watt.

Most Radios today are rated at 6, 8, 10, 12, and now 14, 17, and 18 Miles. These mileage ratings are based on GMRS channels, where the FCC limit on output is a maximum 50 watts. Most radios have 3-5 watts when on GMRS channels.

More watts equals more range.

On 22 Channel radios Channels 1-14 are FRS (.5 watts) and channels 15-22 are GMRS (3-5 watts)

The change I am proposing is to move to Channel 21 subcode 21 (for ease of remembering), this way all radios will be operating on the maximum power, and will have the best possible range.

We can either change this accross the board, or change in emergency situations only, where more range may be needed.

I am opening this up for discussion and putting on my flame suit as many are resistant to change.

Steve

 

Change can be a good thing ...

But I hope that suit you have is really good at keeping you safe from flames

 

Heh, me too.

Steve

 

Nope, too late to do it now. Too many people are already on the way.

 

I think thats a great idea!

 

Problem is a lot of the cheaper or older radios out there don't do GMRS, only FRS, so 21 won't work for everyone.

 

I am not totally sure, but I thought use of GMRS radio on the air requires an FCC license, otherwise one is opening themselves for a substatial fine.

Plus another reason not to switch to GMRS is that not all of us have GMRS capable radios.

It is a great idea to be able to have some licensed GMRS operators around in case we do need to make some emergency communications beyond the range of FRS transmissions, which may lead me to bring one of my Amateur Radio (I am licensed) hand-held radios along.

Paul

 

I realize, but word could be spread.

 

Yes, GMRS does require a license. However, I have been know to speed also. The only way to get caught, is IF the FCC were to triangulate on your position, or an amateur like yourself, where moniyoring, and reported the abuse to the FCC. At the Dragon, I am sure it would not be a concern.

Yes, the downfall are the people who do not have GMRS capable radios.

GMRS can be used without a license in emergency situations. But your HAM handheld is not a bad idea.

Steve

 

This I know, which is the one reason I said to switch only in emergencies.

Steve

 

Here's what a quick look on the web found:

95.3 License required.


Before any station transmits on any channel authorized in the GMRS from
any point (a geographical location) within or over the territorial limits
of any area where radio services are regulated by the FCC, the responsible
party must obtain a license (a written authorization from the FCC for a
GMRS system).

 

Thanks

 

And I know....

Some radios have power boost/cut switches. This is only used to cut power and save battery on GMRS frequencies.

Channels 1-7 frequencies are shared with the FRS bandplan, and even though they are actual GRMS frequencies, they are limited to the FRS .5 Watt. Only in a dedicated (not hybrid FRS/GMRS) radio do they operate at full power.

3-5 Watts is TPO-Transmitted Power Output Power into the antenna and not, ERP-Effective Radiated Power, the actual power transmitted from the antenna.

However the difference between .5 and 2 watts ERP can be 1 to 2 miles or more in the same conditions.

Steve

 

My GMRS's (Midland GXT400, which has three power settings) manual states: "You cannot adjust the power setting on the FRS channels (8-14). They are set to Low power per FCC regulations."
So we are stuck with minimal performance unless we upscale.

 

I'm thinking 600+ people running on one channel is going to be a pain anyways.. personally, I'm sticking with people i would like to talk to and we'll have our own "secret" channel, so as to avoid all the traffic.. I usually have two radios on these larger events, one for the general group channel and one for the smaller "chat room" channel with specific people.. that always seems to work for us..

 

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.

 

7/21 baby!

 

Paul,

there will be a few other hams there at least. Tom, K3IO (ex-W3IWI), myself, and another who's call I don't know. Tom and I agreed to just monitor 146.52 simplex for the most part.

Chris

 

I have been, and there are times when more range, even just a little, would be nice.

I really don't care if the channel was switched. Was just a thought, for people who might be concerned with the range.

Steve

 

Absolutely, I agree, I was thinking more along the lines of "bigger is better"

 

7/21 for me.

When a few of us get together for a run. One of us keeps a spare radio on 7/21 while we use another channel to talk between ourselves. This not only keeps us from listening to others while driving but also keeps others from listening to our not so radio friendly chatter.

Speaking of the longer range radios. I'm willing to bet those ranges are estimates based on flat terrain. The terrain around the dragon is very unfriendly to radios.

 

OMG this discussion is SO hot

As an (alleged) professional communicator, who brought some of the first comms back into NO post Katrina,,,this thread is ...... wellll you get it

I raised similar points when it was suggested to establish an FRS broadcast for the IJ showing....

But not to worry - the fine for the last violator I was associated with was less than $10,000

 

Yes, very unfriendly, however more power is better.

 

Well you can't rebroadcast the IJ over FRS, that would be illegal, the whole copyright/broadcast infringement thing.

Who cares about fines. They have to catch me. It's not $10,000, but I wonder what a speeding ticket for going faster than the posted 35mph on the Dragon is.

Steve

 

The other problem with using the higher powered frequencies is cross-talk. On the lower power frequencies you rarely get interference from outside parties because of the limited range and, if you're group is moving, you are quickly out of range of the other people.

I think we'll just stay with 7/21.

Your idea has some merit but what we have been using for 4 years is still working fine for most of us.