[Az-Geocaching] Garmin Rino130

[William Noll]

	GMRS (General Radio Mobile Service) rules allow higher power output
in the same frequency spectrum as FRS (Family Radio Service), and shares
half of the channels (ch. 1-7). GMRS also requires a license by FCC rules,
but then again, so did CB radio in the olden days. Expect that to go away.
	Current rules only allow the Rino to transmit position data on the
FRS channels. So you may be using the higher power GMRS channels for voice,
but only the lower power channels for position data, and of course, distance
will be a factor then.
	Obviously, higher power equals better range. Minimizing trees,
mountains, and other interference between users also increases useable
range. 
	The only other factor is whether it is legal to use an unlicensed
radio during a licensed activity (are you Part 135?). But that's between you
and the 'gubment!
	Bottom line: Buy the highest power GMRS radio possible. The Rino
offers an excellent mix of GPS/FRS/GMRS, but there will be power differences
between voice and data.

Bill
  

>If no one has used these.... I would be curious to know more about GMRS 
>radios and how well they work in different environments and what kind of 
>range they have proven to get.