--- Scott Wood <wood@myblueheaven.com> wrote:
> I am looking at FRS radios and really have 
> nothing to go on.  I don't know anyone who 
> is currently using these.

There's quite a bit of detail behind the radios, I'll
try to break it down and you can ask questions from
there.

Channels: Now you should get a radio that comes with
14 frequencies or channels. Older devices can come
with two. Think of a two channel CB vs. a 14 channel
CB. Channels are great for everyone not stepping on
each others toes with conversations but in busy
places, it can still happen.

Sub-channels: A subchannel, or privary channel, is a
logical slice of a channel. If I am listening to
channel 4.2 (channel 4, sub-channel 2), I can't hear
anything said on 4.5. It's not a real privacy
technology though because anyone listening to just
channel 4 would be able to hear conversations on both
sub-channels.

In addition, only one voice can speak at a time on a
channel So, if someone is talking on channel 4.5 and
you try talking on 4.2, there may be some stutters and
stops.

Compatibility: There's no problem that I am aware of
that prevents radios from two manufacturers from
talking on the same channel but there is between some
manufacturers with regards to sub-channels. 4.2 on one
device may be 4.6 on some else's. I recommend you get
equipment from the same manufacturer to reduce
potential problems.

Range: 1/2 W doesn't carry far most of the time.
You'll be able to get a mile or two on a clear day in
the desert but from hilltop to hilltop, 10-20 miles it
not unheard of. Expect 1/4 to 1/2 mile in amusement
parks.

Security: Some radios come with a very crude form of
encryption. The FCC currently doesn't allow real
encryption on FRS devices but some manufacturers have
a feature called frequency inversion. Anyone not using
a radio with this feature, from this manufacturer,
with the feature enabled, won't be able to understand
you.

Other stuff-

GMRS: A GMRS/FRS radio has greater range,
optimistically to 5 miles but you *MUST* have a
license to use the device, even if it's only in FRS
mode. The license is needed because it has a 2 W
transmitter. The license is $75, lasts 5 years and
covers your immediate family.

Rhino: The Garmin Rhino is a combination FRS/GMRS and
WAAS capable GPS with a display that shows where other
Rhino devices are at. Not currently available, but
supposed to be available soon, data is available at
the Garmin web site.

We own a pair of Cobra Microtalks that have the
features listed above and some extras like built in
weather radio. Motorola makes the most popular units
but I couldn't stand the talk button being in the
middle of the face.

You may want to look for things like volume control,
beep paging, vibrator, channel locking, etc. We bought
as good as we could get at the time because we wanted
the flexibility to use them anywhere. Rather than
hunting each other down, I can tap a button and
Carolann's will vibrate 1/2 mile away.


Eric

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