walkabout

no sure how the search works, i don't have the radio in hand but its a Kenwood TK-3160

how can i find out if a radio is part 95 compliant?

thanks, for the recommendations. Billy i went to Hamexam and took a practice exam and got 25 correct. just shy of passing. i going to order the study guide that William suggested because i really want to gain a better understanding of this. Thanks again. Adam

Thanks Billy. i kind of have my eye on one a Kenwood TH-D72A. I have to do some more research o it to see if it can display UTM grid coordinates as well (not a deal braker though) . it does a lot of stuff that i don't understand yet but the kinds of activities that I'm involved in it seems like the perfect fit. or a radio similar to the Kenwood. i currently carry and hand held GPS with me all the time when I'm out, being able to have a GPS and a radio in the same package would be perfect..

William, can you recommend a good tech study guide.

David, i got the cable and started playing around the the programming and finally got an opportunity to test them out. i set up one of the channels as gmrs talk around/simplex and put one in my car and one it the wife's car. we ended up getting some pretty good separation between on on parallel streets that separated farther away from each as we traveled with lots of obstructions between us..there was only a brief moment that we lost contact. but as i turned onto a street that would intersect the one she was on we again had radio contact. i followed her the rest of the way home keeping my distance we always had a very clear signal. not having any previous experience at all. this has been a great great resource, but i feel like i have so much more to learn. These are going to work perfect for what i was wanting them for, i can hardly wait to try them out in the mountains. Im also studying for my tech license. i can see myself with a dual band gps/aprs radio in the near future. in the mean time these radios will teach me plenty..thanks William

though id start a new topic. it may be helpful to others as well. so here goes 1. in programming the the shared GMRS/FRS (interstitial) should the be set to narrow band? 2. are there certain ranges of C tones for a set frequency? 3. what do ch inhibit and and tx inhibit do what is their function? 4. when you enable scanning what is the difference between the modes? does the radio have to be on any particular channel for scanning to work.? i'll have many more questions im sure..thanks everyone. Adam

so i got them charged up the software installed just waiting for the cable..i have no idea how they are set up but i did test them the sound great going from the front to the back yard on of them makes a steady for for just a second when i power up...i'll post more as i know more.

the sp/mic cover including the screws. though at some point im sure ill end up with a mic/speaker for at least one of them if not both.

anybody have or know of a place a cant get some parts for a icom f21?

David, im waiting for a charger to show up, i can tell you that they do look and feel much more substantial than the BF-888's that i had before. They are much heavier which for a gram counter like myself is always a concern but im sure they'll be fine. As soon as i have them up and running ill let you know. We are planning a road trip to Bozeman Montana in december. The cell coverage for much of that trip is marginal at best, there are going to two cars on the trip so im hoping we can use the radios to stay in touch along the way and god forbid in case of an emergency. Adam

William, Thanks i just got them on friday and i waiting for the charger to show...but i am looking for the programing software and a cable. also s one of them is missing the mic/sp dust cover...any idea where to pick up small repair parts? i cant wait to get this show on the road. Thanks, Adam

I know that those bisterpac radios have there place for sure. Being able to communicate at all in some situations is much better than having nothing at all. i say this because one of types of radio's was instrumental is the rescue of a good friend of mine who took a terrible climbing fall in an area where there was no cell service. Someone on the summit witnessed the fall and started calling for help, luckily there was a search and rescue group in the area doing a exercise. being able to put that call out shaved hours and hours off the time it would have taken them to get on scene. just my two cents. I don't now what model was used but i believe that they where another mountaineers group, seems like all of the Mountaineers use Motorola radios and they have been very durable.

i did pick up a pair of the f-21's i have to get a charger and one belt clip and im now looking for the software and the cable. but no didn't get that feeling from you at all thou i do have to say that i my not go back there until i get my tech license. Once i have them is there someplace i can go to find out how to use repeaters? for the most part the are going to set up in talkaround mode but i do want to have be able to set up at least one or two channels for repeater use for the areas i'll be going to (if one is available) and also the shared frs/gmrs channels. for me thats why having the ability to program the radio myself was kind of important. having purchased my GMRS license becasue i wanted a little more power the flexiblity not avaiable in the blister pak radios i do feel obigated to operate within the guide lines of that license.

very new to radios in general and completely new to GMRS. i did get a license though and purchased a couple of the Boafeng bf-888's and after having been lambasted for thinking of using them because they are not part 95 compliant (on another forum ), i returned them and im now looking for radios again. i have hear lots of good things about the icom f21 but people seem to prefer the f21 over the f21gm version. Can someone give the low down on these radio's. Thanks, Adam