| FAMILY FRS
- GMRS - MURS RADIO REVIEWS MAIN MENU
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| BY JIM BAUDO
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|
 MODELS
FOR EVERY NEED. HOME, OFFICE, SPORT, SCHOOL, CAMPING.
BASE STATION MODELS AVAILABLE! >>
FRS WRIST
RADIO NOW AVAILABLE! |
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Features to Consider when
buying a Two-Way Radio
Channels
 | Two-way radios come with as few as 2 to as many as 14 channels,
with prices higher for those offering more channels. YOU
CAN GET IN ON ALL THE ACTION IF YOU HAVE A SCANNER. HERE ARE THE
FREQUENCIES TO LISTEN TO.
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| CHANNEL 1 462.5625 |
| CHANNEL 2 462.5875 |
| CHANNEL 3 462.6125 |
| CHANNEL 4 462.6375 |
| CHANNEL 5 462.6625 |
| CHANNEL 6 462.6875 |
| CHANNEL 7 462.7125 |
| CHANNEL 8 467.5625 |
| CHANNEL 9 467.5875 |
| CHANNEL 10 467.6125 |
| CHANNEL 11 467.6375 |
| CHANNEL 12 467.6625 |
| CHANNEL 13 467.6875 |
| CHANNEL 14 467.7125 |
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| If you are in a congested area, you'll need the extra channels to
ensure you find one that's open
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| Many models offer codes or sub-channels. This allows you to find
numerous other channels for communicating with your partner or
perhaps even others out in the woods with you.
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| A two-way radio with 14 easy access channels and 38 sub-channels
per channel, really gives you 532 available addresses to use |
Privacy Codes
| Since anyone can pick up your channel, provided their equipment
has the same number of channels as yours, manufacturers have
designed some models with a privacy code or private call feature
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| While others can still tune in on your channel, the private call
feature scrambles your voice so your conversation won't be
understood by outside parties |
Call Features
| Most models come with a channel saver.
The big difference is whether this is manual or automatic.
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| Talk confirmation beep signals the
completion of your conversation so the other party knows when it's
clear to talk
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| Incoming call/alert is usually a ring. You
can, however, purchase a model that vibrates to alert you to a call,
an especially valuable option when hunting.
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| Most models also incorporate a last channel
recall feature, much like the redial button on your phone.
This feature can either be manual or automatic.
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| Memory location helps you store frequently
used channels and sub-channels. Typically, models with this feature
can store 10 channels for easier access.
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| Scanning allows you to quickly see which
channels are being used. Once again, some models require a manual
operation, while others do this automatically.
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| A nice feature on many models is a speaker/mic
jack. While you will need to buy the additional accessories,
this will allow you to have hands-free conversations.
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| Other options include a microphone and speaker that connects to
your lapel, a speaker and microphone
that fits in your ear, and the most advanced speaker and microphone
that's a headset |
Weather Radios
| Many two-way radios include weather reception
channels
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| Generally, these models include 10 channels to obtain the latest
weather information from the NOAA (National Oceanic Atmaspheric
Administration) |
Lock feature
| A lock key ensures that you stay on your
channel even when moving around
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| Auto squelch keeps a radio quiet at all
times except when a signal is received |
Range
| Most two-way radios carry a range of 1 to 2 miles, which really
depends on the terrain and weather conditions
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| You can buy extended-range radios but they exceed the FCC's
(Federal Communications Commission) maximum wattage of 500mW and
employ a GMRS frequency
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| If you need the added distance, though, you'll have to buy a GMRS
(General Mobil Radio Service) license, issued by the FCC, and pay a
fee required for use of the extended-distance radio
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| Manufacturers will list both the range and let you know if a
license is required. That's why most models fall in the 1 to 2 mile
range, without any licensing fee required. |
FRS/UHF MURS IS A NEW
SERVICE
| FRS, which stands for Family Radio Service, is a reclassified band
of radio frequencies set aside by the FCC specifically for family
and recreational use, hence, the limitation on power (watts) and
frequency
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| Two-way radios also use UHF (Ultra High Frequency) to provide
clearer reception
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| A few select models can extend range by using a bigger power
source and another frequency called GMRS. This extra power and
frequency requires a license from the FCC and a fee for use of the
radio. |
| MURS, which stands for Multi User Radio
Service, is a reclassified
band of radio frequencies set aside by the FCC specifically for
loner distance and operates in the VHF band spectrum. |
Size
| You can find a two-way radio that fits inside the palm of your
hand easily or barely extends beyond it
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| Sizes range from 3 ½ to 6 ½ inches tall (excluding the antenna)
to generally 2 to 2 ½ inches wide and 1 to 1 1/3 inches deep
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| Weight typically falls between 5 and 12 ounces
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| In general, the bigger and heavier the radio, the more features
incorporated |
Display Screen
| Most models use a display screen to indicate a number of factors:
receive, transmit, battery life, time and more
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| Newer models are incorporating features such as a clock with
timer, alarm and stopwatch, digital compass, thermometer and
altimeter/barometer
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| Look for a backlit LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display screen
that can be easier to read in various lighting conditions
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| Manufacturers also note if the model's screen uses LED (Light
Emitting Diode) displays or icons, or a combination of both |
| Late 2002 and the new 2003 models on the top end models will have
a combination of radio and GPS all in one unit. |
Usage Life
| Some two-way radio models operate off alkaline batteries only
while others will allow nickel cadmium batteries as well
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| Nickel cadmium batteries are more expensive and, unless the radio
comes with one, requires purchasing an optional charger, but over
the long haul you'll save money
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| Manufacturers will note the battery life, which generally assumes
5 percent transmission, 5 percent reception, and 90 percent standby |
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| .REVIEWS: |
| AUDIOVOX MAIN MENU |
| BELLSOUTH
RADIO'S HAVE BEEN REQUESTED TO SAMPLE AND REVIEW. |
| MEMOREX |
| UNIDEN
THIS IS AND IN DEPTH VERY DETAILED REVIEW. WITH MY CONDENSED USER
MANUAL. I AM UNABLE TO DO SUCH A REVIEW ON ALL MODELS AS TIME DOES
NOT ALLOW. THIS IS A FULL FEATURED RADIO AND SHOWS ALL THE FEATURES THAT
ARE AVAILABLE IN THE TOP OF THE LINE RADIO'S. |
| XACT |
| YAESU |
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FRS ACCESSORIES |
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WORKMAN HANDI TALKIE MICROPHONES |
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BATTERIES AND ACCESSORIES MAIN MENU |
| DETAILED
REVIEW OF SIMPLEX REPEATER CLICK HERE |
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FAMILY RADIO FREQUENCIES |
| CUSTOMER COMMENTS: |
Thank you Jim for the tip on the cutting
the slits. We enjoy the wonderful sausage 2 to 3 times a week now since
your cooking tip has reduced our fat intakes because it is rendered out
in heating them up, we enjoy them oftener. You were right that the JOHNSONVILLE SAUSAGES
do contain less fat than most of the other precooked brands. Thank you
for answering my email. You should share your special Italian sausage
cooking secrets with your web readers also. Our church has held spaghetti
and meatball fund raisers for years and the hardest part was fixing the
meat balls and as you mention the precooked meat balls you have tried
have never made it quit up to how the homemade ones taste. Your
suggestion to use the JOHNSONVILLE PRECOOKED SAUSAGE WITH SWEET ITALIAN STYLE SEASONING AND RED BELL PEPPERS
was a good suggestion. We were finally able to find them and as your
email said, they are the best! Our church committee has agreed to use JOHNSONVILLE
PRECOOKED SAUSAGE that you recommended at our next supper. Thank
you so much. A lot of our church members go to your web site for
your tips and we are now considering using the frs radios for people who
walk to church early in the morning incase they fall or need help. Thank
you and God bless You!
Mary Basset |
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| I
DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUY ANY RADIO'S THAT ARE POWERED BY AAA
BATTERIES. BUY AA MODELS AS THEY HAVE 3 TIMES THE BATTERY LIFE! |
| I
RECOMMEND RECHARGEABLE BATTERY'S . READ MY REVIEWS
HERE. |
| CUSTOMER COMMENTS: |
| Date: |
Thu, 29 Jan 2004 14:18:52 -0800
(PST) |
| From: |
"Ed" <crest25@sbcglobal.net> |
| Subject: |
FRS Wrist radio |
| To: |
JIMBAUDO@YAHOO.COM |
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|
Hello Jim,
I don't normally do FRS but I saw this radio at Wal-Mart and
HAD to get it. Now everyone wants to call me "Big
Dick" - - - as in Dick Tracy.
I own a GMRS and amateur repeaters and am not new to radio
at all. I find the wrist radio to be awkward on my wrist as
I'm unaccustomed to wearing a wrist watch in the first
place. It feels bulky but probably not much different that
an expensive heavy gold watch either.
I actually like the radio. The display is nice and big to
read either the time or the channel number. The antenna is
cute but probably subject to breakage if left in the up
position too long. It's bound to happen. (Remember Murphy?)
I love the scan function and the controls are easy to
operate once you learn which does what.
I only paid $19.95 for this radio. Yes, $19.95 for a FRS/GMRS
wristradio, rechargable battery, and wall charger. I note
the replacement battery and wall charger costs $20 so why
not just buy another spare radio?
Excuse me while I take a call on my new radio.
Okay, I'm back.
So there you have it. I own a $20 radio just like Mr. Tracy
did 50+ years ago only this one actually works. It's a great
toy, a useful tool for backing up an RV for example with a
driver on another one. It is pretty inconspicuous and could
be actually covered over with a suit coat nicely. On a scale
of 1 to 10 I'll give it a 7. I wish it had CTCSS and
repeater capability but then what do you want for a $20 FRS
radio anyway?
Ed Greany, KB6DOL,KAD6554
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MOST ALL PHOTOS WITH HP
CAMERA, BY JIM BAUDO. EMAIL YOUR COMMENTS, OR YOUR REVIEW TO JIMBAUDO@YAHOO.COM
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