MnGCA

KC0GRN · Past MnGCA Board Joined: 22 Feb 2004 Posts: 1424

Wild guess here, but probably can't use a 2 meter to transmit on those. Interesting though, never knew about that system.

TwentySeven · Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2005 4:07 pm Post subject:

Mario and Princess Peach · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:13 am Post subject:

My family and I like to bike. Last weekend, we biked to two caches. One problem of biking in Minneapolis is that the trails often are not wide enough to bike next to each other (so you can talk). Two-way traffic and biking decorum often result in single file biking, which keeps you from talking to your partner for a good deal of the trip.

So, I was thinking of getting two-way radios with VOX (voice activated) headsets. I've been researching different models for the last few days. It seems that the main way they try to distinguish themselves is how far they can transmit. However, transmitting past 2 miles usually requires GMRS and an FCC license.

Midland has a new model coming out this month: The Midland 5W GMRS/FRS VOX Radios GXT500

It has 5 Watts of power, which is the most I've seen in units under $100. Most in this price range have 1 to 3 and a few have 4 watts. The extra power makes me think I'll get better reception at closer ranges, even if I never need the 14 miles range is brags about.

Here's a photo of them. They sell for about $70 for the pair.

Any other models you would recommend or tips I should consider?

And, just since I'm new around here, here's a pic my wife took while we were biking to a cache last weekend:

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Moe the Sleaze · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 7:53 am Post subject:

Buzzygirl · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:00 am Post subject:

Mario and Princess Peach · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 8:15 am Post subject:

A tandom bike... you know, the more I think about it, the better I like that idea. Can you get a good workout on a tandem? I'm always wanting to go about 5 mph faster than my wife can keep up (in order to get a better workout), but I stay slow so we can be together. A tandem might fix that problem too. However, I think we'd still need headsets for the rear person to hear the front person.

Buzzygirl - that's excellent info. Thanks.

Here's a link to the Midland brochure on these radios if anyone is interested.

http://www.homeaudiosuperstore.com/pdf/midland-gxt500-specs.pdf

Moe the Sleaze · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 9:07 am Post subject:

Buzzygirl · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2005 2:03 pm Post subject:

Another option you have with the combined GMRS/FRS radios is to know exactly which channels operate on the FRS frequencies, and be sure to stay on those. The link I posted above should be useful for that purpose.

RINO SHAWN · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 8:55 pm Post subject:

Decided to revive this old thread instead of starting a new one......

I searched for as much info in these threads 1st...so hopefully I don't ask a dumb question Shocked

I just purchased a new set of Motorala talkabouts to replace a very old set of Cobra's. I also use my GPSr (RINO) which has a FRS/GMRS radio built in. We use them while camping on the weekends (nearly every weekend 6 months out of the year)

I don't have my manual handy for the Garmin RINO....but it only uses channels 15-22 for GMRS and would need a license to legally use those channels....1-14 are legal to use.

Part of the rules I read about GMRS licenses (which by the way are currently $80 for 5 years...and good for entire family including Grandparents, immediate family, and even in-laws) was that channels 1-7 are shared GMRS/FRS...........I will eventually get to my question........

The rules state that tramsmit power can be no more than .5 watts for the shared FRS/GMRS channels or else a GMRS license is required (channels 1-7)......my new Talkabouts put out 1 watt on the GMRS channels 1-7, and 15-22....and they put out .5 watts on the designated FRS only channels 8-14

Since I would like to use my Walkabouts on channel 2 for geocaching...but they technically put out too much watts to be legal without license. (1 watt istead of the allowed .5 watts)

MY QUESTION IS:

Wouldn't it be extremeley difficult for someone else to determine that your using a Walkabout on channel 2 illegally? after all the same channel is legal when I use my cheaper FRS radio that puts out less power. and I am only over the limit by .5 watt

I believe in playing by the rules....but $80 for a situation that is just bareley over the line?????? If the radios were more powerful, like 5 watts or something...that would be a different story.

I don't plan on using channels 15-22....ever...but I have better output on channels 1-7 than I do on 8-14

am I reading the rules wrong??

Pear Head · Posted: Thu Jun 01, 2006 9:51 pm Post subject: