151.6250 aka RED DOT

[WRQI583]

23 hours ago, Lscott said:

You would be surprised that some do. There are a LOT of "ears" out there with nothing better to do with their time.

I have a buddy who routinely recorded some illegal activity he stumbled upon on VHF for a few months . The recordings he had were sent to the FCC, by their request, as part of their evidence gathering activity. I know for a fact it was being done since I had an opportunity to hear one of his recordings. The people involved thought they found an unused frequency. Turns out the group being recorded had stupidly picked a military VHF frequency that wasn't currently being used in the area. Oops. Oh, yeah, they got busted and prosecuted for various crimes after a while.

Oh wow, I used to know a few people back when I first got my Ham license that would do that. I guess as long as they dont do it aggressively. I used to know a couple of guys who would straight up go mental over someone who was operating 5 watts instead of 2 watts. That, right there, is what gets people so scared of radio that they dont bother with it for fear of going to prison for 20 years and having a $10,000 fine hanging over their head. I am all for the people who turn in those who mess with essential services or military, but those who cry over a few watts or Hertz, and I have known a few, those people need to find another hobby.

[WRQI583]

9 hours ago, WRQC527 said:

I don't do this on VHF/UHF/GMRS because 99% of the time I'm driving or hiking, but it's very common on HF. For me it's more of a curiosity thing to look up a call sign on QRZ dot com just to see where they are

On the rare occasion I turn the radio on, if I hear someone new (new Ham or new to the area) and if I am not busy with something else, I sometimes look callsigns up on QRZ only because some Hams have their page done up really nice with some nice pics or something. 

[WRQI583]

20 hours ago, Lscott said:

One other thing I don't recommend is pilfering, or spoofing or faking, a call sign. 

For example on enough occasions I would talk to somebody for the first time on the air. Then was a bit put back when they knew my name and location that I never mentioned. Seems like people like to sit in front of the computer and look up call signs on the FCC's database while yacking on the radio.

The only reason I do this on Ham is because some Hams have their page done up really nice. When it comes to GMRS or Ham in general (seeing I use simplex mostly) I like to see what sort of range I have, so knowing their location (namely the town or area, not so much their physical address) it helps map out my range on radio. Where I live, it is hilly and mountainous and when it comes to VHF and UHF the terrain affects your signals in such a weird way, its worth mapping out. Studying the affects of RF on the terrain around me is something I have always loved to do. It is one of the reasons why I love the VHF and UHF bands so much. I totally understand where you are coming from though. I have had conversations with people on GMRS before and I may have known their name and location before I even talked to them but I never mention it over the air. I let them say what they want to say. The only way to keep your location out of the FCC database is to get a PO box unfortunately or put your work address on your license? (not sure if that is legal but I have known people who did).  

[Lscott]

57 minutes ago, WRQI583 said:

Oh wow, I used to know a few people back when I first got my Ham license that would do that. I guess as long as they dont do it aggressively. I used to know a couple of guys who would straight up go mental over someone who was operating 5 watts instead of 2 watts. That, right there, is what gets people so scared of radio that they dont bother with it for fear of going to prison for 20 years and having a $10,000 fine hanging over their head. I am all for the people who turn in those who mess with essential services or military, but those who cry over a few watts or Hertz, and I have known a few, those people need to find another hobby.

The group that was recorded were involved with some very illegal activity and were using two way radios to help facilitate it. They had the bad luck of picking the wrong frequency to use too.

[Lscott]

56 minutes ago, WRQI583 said:

On the rare occasion I turn the radio on, if I hear someone new (new Ham or new to the area) and if I am not busy with something else, I sometimes look callsigns up on QRZ only because some Hams have their page done up really nice with some nice pics or something. 

I like spotting call sign license plates. If I can remember the call sign I'll look them up when I get to the office or get home. I'm curious to see if the Ham is recently licensed. It's encouraging when I do see they are.  

[WRQI583]

2 hours ago, Lscott said:

I like spotting call sign license plates. If I can remember the call sign I'll look them up when I get to the office or get home. I'm curious to see if the Ham is recently licensed. It's encouraging when I do see they are.  

I do that also. I think only one or two out of all the ones I've seen were not currently licensed. All the rest of them are up to date, but because Ham's in my area for some reason don't like to identify as a ham operator when it comes to their mobile vehicle, and that includes antennas sometimes, I don't see too many plates in my area. I think there's only four or five hams that actually have personalized plates. I always thought about getting it for my vehicle but I like to keep people wondering when they see my two little antennas.

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, WRQI583 said:

I do that also. I think only one or two out of all the ones I've seen were not currently licensed. All the rest of them are up to date, but because Ham's in my area for some reason don't like to identify as a ham operator when it comes to their mobile vehicle, and that includes antennas sometimes, I don't see too many plates in my area. I think there's only four or five hams that actually have personalized plates. I always thought about getting it for my vehicle but I like to keep people wondering when they see my two little antennas.

I have one on my ride. Makes remembering my plate number easy.

[WRQC527]

32 minutes ago, Lscott said:

I have one on my ride. Makes remembering my plate number easy.

Me too. Also, it encourages me to be a more courteous driver because unfortunately a simple internet search will lead anyone to my humble abode. I really need to get a PO box...

[Lscott]

8 hours ago, WRQC527 said:

Me too. Also, it encourages me to be a more courteous driver because unfortunately a simple internet search will lead anyone to my humble abode. I really need to get a PO box...

I spotted this one on my way home from work today.

 

[WRQC527]

Lol theres a lot if info about him just in that image. We know his name, address, and favorite football team! And he's an amateur extra, but doesn't hold a GMRS license.

[Raybestos]

On 6/22/2023 at 8:36 PM, Adamdaj said:

I guess the FCC knew what they were doing when they assembled the Multi Use Radio Service. The FCC should have added 151.625 as a 6th channel, but I realize they're a lot of commercial businesses that use that frequency. Some users aren't really classified as business, but they are licensed for that frequency.

For example, the North American Rail Car Operator's Association use 151.6250 as their primary channel when they run an excursion on a branch line. There are Hot Air Balloon Pilots that use frequency for ground to air operation, although I don't know that for sure.

I must make a confession; I have programmed a DMR radio and made several tests on 151.6250. I know that violates Rules & Regulation, but I figure as long as I did it low keyed and not use it for casual conversation, what's the problem? Plus that frequency in my general vicinity isn't used. The Q mart uses it, but I'm at lease 4 to 6 miles away that I wouldn't interfere with them.

 

Boy, did you ever get reamed out!  I guess I need to confess my sins and hope they are a little kinder and gentler with me.  "Forgive me Father for I have sinned..."

Back in late 1992, I planned a vacation to Middle Tennessee with my girlfriend at the time.  While there, we were going to do some research that had the potential for us to split up and check out old grave yards.  In that day, nobody I knew had a pocket or belt size cell phone.  I had a hardshell portable/mobile and had to punch in an activation code for any roaming area I might try and use it in.  There was no FRS.  There was no MURS.  GMRS existed but as far as I know, you needed prohibitively expensive Moto or GE radios for that.

The night before we were to leave, I was in Radio Shack and saw a pair of Itinerate Business ht's (1 or 2 Watt) that were packed on the Red Dot channel.  From listening to that channel on my scanners, I already knew it was a mostly unlicensed free-for-all.  Still, it fit my needs at the time, quite well.  CB ht's were too big and bulky.  Their antennas were too long and they did not work satisfactorily inside of buildings.  These small business radios were just what I needed to keep in touch with her for safety and convenience.  They were CSQ only with option to add another itinerate business channel, which I never did.  The xmit and receive audio of those radios was outstanding.  We used them throughout the trip and occasionally on her small rural tract of land, back home.  The only other party besides my girlfriend that I talked with on the trip, was a guy in Gatlinburg.  I was on a mountain about 18 miles from Gatlinburg and asked if anyone was out there.  This guy was on a mobile and we both heard each other with full quieting signals.  Were we taking that trip today, FRS/GMRS would have met our needs perfectly.  Back then, there was no such option, especially on a budget and on short notice.

 

[quarterwave]

151.625 has been the most bastardized and over used frequency for the 35 years I have been actively involved in radio. I've never heard of any enforcement due to the nature of the users and the temporary use of the frequency. 

I wouldn't condone unlicensed use, but it would also be like calling CB a refined and reliable communications medium.