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Over2U

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Posts posted by Over2U

  1. 2 hours ago, WRXP381 said:

    I assumed money may be an issue since he is trying to replace a microphone to a very old 5w radio.  My $100 20w radio does 200miles so you can for sure get the same distance with a much more affordable radio.  My $20 5w hand helds easily do 20miles simplex and repeaters.  For the price of a kg20 you could by a 50w and really reach out.  

    It’s more about convenience than money. This old 5 watt radio still does exactly what I need it to do (short range convoy coordination), powers directly from a cigarette lighter socket, and, to cap it off, because my installation involved use of double sided mounting tape, removal for a replacement radio would be a pain! 
    In summary, I just want to replace the microphone (whose connector cable failed) and keep on ‘as is’.😊

  2. On 12/6/2023 at 6:33 PM, WashingtonMatt said:

    As for channels, CB4(4x4) is usually what I run, however technically you're supposed to run whatever is posted on the logging roads, which was big part of my hesitation to switch to GMRS.

    Any idea if frequencies for logging roads may migrate to GMRS? Who decides and does the posting?

  3. On 11/3/2023 at 8:23 AM, WRZD727 said:

    The write-up is not saying it's a tool for the victim to use in an emergency

    I believe that the write-up for Wyoming, and now Colorado, is, in fact, saying EXACTLY that: ‘Persons in the backcountry SHOULD carry a properly programmed FRS/GMRS Radio for use in an emergency’.  Why else would Homeland Security in the State of Wyoming be advertising their “Be 307 Aware” program with prominently displayed posters if this radio scheme was only for internal use within SAR Teams?

  4. I had one of those Radio Shack FRS radios for many years on my SUV.. At the then maximum of one half watt transmitter power it did very well, due, in large measure I believe, to the location of the antenna external to the metal body of the vehicle. It is that benefit to performance that I would hope to achieve with the BCA radio putting out two watts through a similarly mounted external antenna.

  5. The Back Country Access (BCA) “BC Link 2.0” is a two watt FRS radio with a unique design: the radio body, battery, and antenna are in one piece, connected by cable to a speaker/mic unit which includes channel selection and volume controls. For vehicle use, would overall FRS performance be greatly improved if the antenna unit was mounted outside, for instance on the rain gutter, while the cable to the speaker/mic controls was passed through the door seal for the driver’s use?

    IMG_1598.webp

  6. 3 hours ago, NevadaBlues said:

    Just a note that as a SAR guy like someone else above, we have our own trunked system or use a VHF ~150MHz frequency. I think it's a fine idea to say that we should listen to a given GMRS/FRS though and to popularize that. Often times, even with a Spot/InReach we get within a few hundred yards but a few hundred yards on a mountain side is a HUGE amount of terrain that can take an hour or more to close in on. Being able to get in touch with folks on radio would be extremely helpful.

    I agree that the primary user of a designated FRS/GMRS Emergency frequency would be the person in distress, more than a properly equipped SAR Organization.

  7. 4 hours ago, marcspaz said:

    I don't know if I'm misreading the post or everyone else is, but that reads that the SAR team is using FRS/GMRS to talk amongst themselves while conducting a SAR operation. They aren't telling civilians to carry radios and use them on 3 for emergencies, which wouldn't make sense. The SAR team isn't using the FRS radios until AFTER a mission has started.

     

     

    Below is some additional text that I did not post from the Colorado SAR Groups (CSAR) lengthy announcement:

    “In the event of a backcountry emergency:

    If the subject or party member has an FRS radio, they may describe the nature of the emergency and ask for help from anyone else listening; other recreationists in the area may be able to call 911 or respond to the subject’s aid themselves.

    Once responders are notified and en route, unless the local sheriff’s office or Backcountry SAR team advises otherwise, CSAR recommends all parties switch to Channel 3.0. Responders may try to contact subjects on this channel, although be aware not all Backcountry SAR teams have FRS radios nor do they monitor Channel 3.0.

    Responders to a backcountry emergency may ask folks using Channel 3.0, but not involved with this incident, to kindly move to another channel.

    Please note, Wyoming has the “Be 307 Aware” program, designated after the Wyoming area code. CSAR is going with the simpler Channel 3.0.

    From our experience, some users of FRS radios may not invest the time to understand the intricacies of their radio. On some radios, setting up Channel 3.0 can be done in advance and users can then be taught simply to go to Channel 3.0 during an emergency.

    CONCLUSION

    Having direct communications with rescue subjects can be crucial during emergencies. Although SAR teams do not actively monitor any FRS channel, establishing a common go-to channel when SAR has been activated by other means and are en route can greatly aid rescue operations and ultimately help save lives. CSAR is designating Channel 3.0 as the default FRS option during Backcountry SAR emergencies.”

     

    *** NOTE: There are many manufacturers of FRS/GMRS radios, some with more channe

  8. 2 hours ago, nokones said:

    They should have designated a CTCSS but, since the FRS radios can't split the use of CTCSS or DPL its best just leave it carrier squelch.  My thought was at least the portables should encode 141.3 and leave the decoder carrier squelch.

    I think the Colorado Group improved on Wyoming’s “Be 307 Aware” scheme (Channel 3, PL #7) by leaving CTCSS/DPL OFF. Especially in an emergency situation, simpler is better.

  9. “Colorado Search and Rescue Association FRS Radio Use for Backcountry SAR

    Position Paper : 04/10/23

    EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    If someone becomes lost or injured in the Colorado backcountry and is using family radio services or general mobile radio service radios (both types referred to herein as “FRS” radios), Colorado Search and Rescue Association (CSAR) designates FRS radio Channel 3.0 [462.61250 MHz] as the default during backcountry search and rescue (Backcountry SAR) emergencies. If other methods of communication are not being used, Backcountry SAR responders, if equipped, may default to Channel 3.0 to communicate with those involved. If possible, others are encouraged to monitor Channel 3.0 but not to use it for routine communications, so that in the event someone calls for assistance they can help get word to the local 911 dispatch center or assist directly. Backcountry SAR teams in Colorado do not actively monitor FRS/GMRS channels but most will be able to utilize FRS radios once they have been alerted by a 911 dispatch center and have arrived in the area of the incident.”

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