Hello All,
I just recently received my call sign, (WSJE500), and my two new Boafeng G11S radios should hopefully arrive today, or maybe tomorrow. I have zero experience with GMRS. The catalyst for embarking on this endeavour, was a hunting trip that I take annually. Cell phones do not work in that area, and my cheap FRS radios, sound like I'm talking to a deranged popcorn popper. In addition, I find this subject interesting.
I understand that the G11S isn't waterproof, but I very rarely hunt in inclement weather and always carry a good supply of ziplock bags.
I know it is only 3W, but they were only $40.
Anyway, we will see where this takes me. It'll be me and my two adult sons, all on the same side of a ridge. The only available repeater is 15 miles away on the opposite side on an adjacent ridge. We will be down in the hollow. I have very low hopes of ever being able to hit that repeater. I will be ordering two additional radios, four total. These additional two will also be G11S as long as I am happy with the first two. This decision in based on the simplicity of the radios and the lack of experience that anyone in this party had with radios.
One quick question:
If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes? It appears that channels 1-7 are all FRS/GMRS and 5-watt, of which I only have 3 watts available.
WSJE500 in Manchester, Tennessee - Out. :)
