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An elementary school less than a mile from me uses FRS or GMRS (probaby only FRS but can't tell) for the teachers and administrative staff to communicate. I have heard some students names used and teachers names, but thy don't seem to share any real private info other than that. I have considered contacting the school and just making sue they are aware that they can be heard by others within a few miles of the school. No idea if they realize that they are not "Private" ... but have not contacted them yet because I wonder if they would think I am someone to worry about since I "have been listenting" to them. But yeah I wonder if they even have a clue that their radios can be heard by anyone with a cheap radio in the area.

I carried Noalox on my HVAC service van for decades.

How the heck did I read right past that? Of course, if I read it a couple of days ago, it's entirely possible I forgot it. I'm old. That happens.

At least the nursing home staff has not used any patients names that I have heard.

Whatever electrical system you draw power from to power electrical devices you want to make sure that you are using the same earth grounding point or you very well either pick up other noises or transfer noises to the power system.

fI don' t don't know my 'Jelly's' too well.. But I'll stick with Blackberry..

^ Unleashed.

I've seen this in other industries, more than once. Someone invents the jet engine, but it gets rejected because it doesn't meet the propeller spec; the lightbulb doesn't meet the kerosene lamp spec, blah, blah, blah. I spent a couple decades working with a team moving our structural titanium alloy aerospace components to the medical implant field, which had been using stainless steel. I eventually concluded that FDA approval is the stamp of obsolescence.

Can confirm.. the petroleum based brands taste horrible.. But KY does not have much taste at all and it's much easier to wash out of your hair than the petroleum kinds.

But the box said they have "Privacy Codes"!!

We contacted one of our schools to make them aware that others could hear them on the FRS radios. They had no idea. They were giving out information like names and telephone numbers of parents during bus pickups etc. They stopped using them. You would be surprised how many don't know they're being listened to.

The local nursing home that is about 600 yards away from me has decided to start using FRS radios. And they picked channel 17. I bet they love it when we talk on the local repeater that uses repeater channel 17. We use both TX and RX tones on the repeater. I kept seeing my signal meter move but wasn't hearing anything. At first I thought maybe there was atmospheric ducting and we were picking up another repeater, That does happen on occasion. But then I switched to channel 17 and heard the nursing home staff. I know they are using FRS since their signal isn't very strong even as close as I am. I've been tempted to call on the radio for a clogged toilet in room 13 but have refrained from doing so for now.

I don't have any experience with the TYT TH-9800 or the Wouxun KG0UV980P. I do have a TYT TH-7800 and TH-8600 dual band radios. Both have worked fine for me and they are easily unlocked. The Won KG-1000G Plus and KG-XS20G Plus have also served me well. I am waiting for the KG-XS20H to come back in stock since it will do 1.25m at 20 watts.

KY jelly is water based, not petroleum based.

You sure can.. Let us know when you get her going

That's why.

I did read the article, that's why I responded the way I did. There's no benefit of using anti-seize on an antenna other than making the person putting the antenna together feel good. On the other hand, if it makes you feel good, buy the 16oz. can with the fancy brush.

I can confirm that it works great for 45 seconds at a time.. Never tested it any longer than that.

if you read the article, you would see real world scenarios. KY Jelly is petroleum based and would liquify under heat. It may work as an anti-seize for a short period but would be useless over time.

Too much internet and not enough real world experience. One can put K-Y Jelly on their antenna and get the same results. I reconditioned my 18 element 2-meter beam that was on the tower for 30 years with no anti-seize or K-Y and all was good. I had to replace several broken elements and feedline. Antenna is as good as new and still being used. You gotta use whatever gives you peace of mind, even if it's a sugar pill.

https://perens.com/2024/05/14/radio-antennas-and-anti-seize-compound/

Ham light is fine with me if they don't overdo it (or link in from distant territories). But the FRS kids and highway flagmen get on my nerves.

No need for it. Just put the antenna together and stop overthinking the situation and enjoy 20+ years of trouble free use. Only thing you need to do with that antenna is to wrap some good quality electrical tape around the joint in the center of the radome.

I wish the FCC had an option to keep your information private, especialy in this day and age. Couple years ago i sent them a mail message asking them to consider this. They should treat your information no different than DMV does..

I wonder if we could get a repeater on the Westin...