chuckn
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Everything posted by chuckn
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Get off your rule soap box and making conjectures and references about my family and the amount of faith that I may not have in them. No need to be old and contentious about everything. The essence of the thread was allowing 4-5 year old children to use radios. Adults, with technical know how and the means to purchase high powered units, do more harm and break more rules than a little children talking to their friends. This was true in the 1970's when CB was popular with many running way over the watt limits. I hope the OP hasn't been discouraged in allowing his children to enjoy using walkie talkies during this difficult time of separation because you scared them. .
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That's true. My grandchildren will only have the FRS type which appear to be more durable. I remember using a CB back in the '70's. I was one of the few that stated my license. I am reading there are ham operators with repeaters for FRS and ham operators not having GMRS license. There is much discussion about annoucing call signs on other forums. Like I said, I am not opposed to the rules, but I do not expect a 4 year old to remember to annouse his call sign every 15 minutes.
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I am not making light of the rules. The topic is using radios in a neighborhood with children.
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The point of having a radio is to be able to communicate. I'd rather pay a fine than cause a child not to reply out of fear. If you want to focus otherwise or if you think rule keeping is the reason to own a radio, as you say, you're free to think otherwise.
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Depending on the child, one cannot expect a radio with a decent antenna to survive for long. For our upcoming camping activities, even if the materialize at this point, I am planing to get a four pack of durable radios to suppliment my BTECH V1's that I will let the adult moniter and use as a base camp unit. I do think for our use, the GMRS will suffice with some preplanning. It occured to me that if we are on the same channel, one group may be able to act as a repeater and communicate with a group between the base camp and the one farther away. As to what is appropriate, expected, or a FCC rule, the point of having the radio is communication, not complying to a rule. Sure, if you are an adult trying to talk to a stranger 100 miles away, by all means use your expected call sign. When it is my grand children, that is the least of my concern. And, one can be old and wise, but more often, old and contentious appears to rule the day. I wish more had a lick of sense.
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Adults can quickly ruin a good idea. I agree with the OP, having radios in the neighborhood and learning how to use them so they get the best results, is practical and fun. I would not be concerned about radio traffic. GMRS radios don't reach that far without a repeater and trying to use one seems to be more trouble than its worth unless that's your hobby. I would recommend a sturdy radio...LOL!!!! For camping, if that ever happens again, I am considering one of those Midland base stations. This way if a group is out biking and another at the lake, we can converse.
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And I am sure you have much more interesting things to discuss...LOL!!
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Well, I was wrong. The frequencys did generate activity from local EMS and fire department. Pretty cool litte radio.
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I'll experiment more as time permits with various frequencies. Question, I have found several GMRS repeater frequencies in my area. If I type in these frequencies in my V1, will I then be connected to the repeater? Does this mean that if my other radio is also connected to this same repeater we may be able to communicate over a longer distance. In other words, lets say I am 30 miles apart from my son. We would not be able to communicate. However, is we both put in the same repeater frequency and with minimal obstructions, would the repeater frequency possibly allow communication? All I did to connect to the local weather frequency was to type in the frequency which seemed so simple. Is this the same with other applications?
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Thank you. I programed some of the local fire and police frequencies with the V1, but heard no activity.
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Yes, understood and the manual said as much. I was asking in case it was possible not that I would do it. Your point of litigation and saving my ass is well taken. You've been helpful so thank you. The V1 has two modes, one pre programed and the other for programing. I assume I program similarly as I did to access my local weather channel, some combination beginning with 162,4 or 162.5. To access a repeater in this mode I would first program the 1-22 GMRS channel. If I understand, I would then have to program the repeater code.
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Yes, I understand as the manual said as much. These are listen only, but the radio can access.
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Thank you for explaining. The manual says this radio is Part 95A and complies with part 15. The manual says "the channels labeled REPT run through repeaters that are set up for GMRS usage. Use the channels if you have permission from those that run your local repeater or GMRS channels." Does this mean the radio automatically connects to a repeater nearby? The reason I ask and back to the hiking application, there are two repeaters near areas where I hike. Perhaps it will become clear once it occurs later, but how will I know when the radio and repeater connect? I have heard it said that someone could hear the repeater.
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The BTECH V1 arrived yesterday. I was able to program the weather and FM stations. Then how to revert to pre programed GMRS channels. I look forward to trying these radios out soon. I am curious if the pre programed GMRS channels are repeater capable. I like that one can monitor two GMRS channels. If these radios work out, I might invest in additional units. In the programing mode, I assume one could find the frequencies of government channels like the park service or local police channels. Some may be listen only. Does anyone know how to find out what frequencies are used? Are HAM radios GMRS capable?
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I disagree. It is the frustration anyone feels when trying to learn something new. Eventually you find someone who knows how to teach and explain, making the path less cluttered. We'll figure it out. No need for name calling.
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Nothing of serious concern. I was just thinking it would be convenient if it would work. Thank you for your suggestions.
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Yes, a HAM license is the plan for later. The GMRS looked to be a gateway radio. I know a HAM will get out. I hiked with a HAM operator in the '80's who made a connected me to my family at home.
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Good suggestion about finding out which frequencies the park service or forest service uses, No, I didn't think a radio to be able to save me. It might not be even worth the added weight.
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What are the better solutions?
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I can agree somewhat with the OP. Some inital handing holding would be nice. That said, the responders have agreed that there are no ABC steps that are going to work for everyone's location. So, perhaps stating one's reasons for getting into GMRS is important. Mine include: 1. Have a way to call for help while hiking in the national park where cell phones don't work. This will depend on the availability of a repeater. 2. Communicate with several groups of family and friends while camping. This says that I need a repeater capable radio. I need to learn how to connect to the repeaters within range. Are there other factors I need to consider?
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I just got a notification from BTECH that my March order will arrive Monday, April 20. Hopefully, the owners manual will show me how to access repeaters.
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Which antenna, Nagoya NA-771, Nagoya NA-701C, or something else?
chuckn replied to Bkreb's question in Technical Discussion
Thank you for a useful post. I might be reaching out when my order arrives. -
Which antenna, Nagoya NA-771, Nagoya NA-701C, or something else?
chuckn replied to Bkreb's question in Technical Discussion
I figure for $14, the 701c is a good, inexpensive additional piece of equipment and since BTECH sells both and both cost the same, why not give it a try? BTECH recommends the 701C for the V1 they sell. I am responding to the OP. https://baofengtech.com/nagoya-na-701c-commercial-155-455mhz Not going to carry a telescopic antenna. I am not looking to be reassured or gain 30 miles. I would like to have a radio that is marginally better than the Midland non repeater radios that I can use on a trail or camping. If I have bought the wrong radio, It was not an expensive mistake. -
Which antenna, Nagoya NA-771, Nagoya NA-701C, or something else?
chuckn replied to Bkreb's question in Technical Discussion
Hard to carry a 10 foot antenna hiking. BTECH recommends if you are going to add a different antenna that you use the 701c, not that you need a different antenna. I was hoping to gain some information here. Looks like that may not be possible. -
Which antenna, Nagoya NA-771, Nagoya NA-701C, or something else?
chuckn replied to Bkreb's question in Technical Discussion
Do you have direct experience with the V1 with the original or 701c?
