Bug out communications options - Page 2

Borch · August 19, 2008, 10:45 AM

Pardon my ignorance, but what is FRS/GMRS and Business Band?

Flyboy_451 · August 19, 2008, 11:49 AM

Borch,

These are various radio services available depending on the intended use. While I am not an expert in what the regulations are for each, this may get you started...

FRS= Family Radio Service-low powered UHF radios for short range communications. I believe they are limited to 5 watts and that use of external antennas is prohibited. They are not intended for business application, and that may well be prohibited by regulation. Requires no license.

GMRS= General mobile radio service-operates also in the UFH spectrum but with higher power limitations. 50 watts max. Use of external antennas is allowed and there are various areas served by repeaters. I am not sure, but I think these can be used in business applications as well as personal. FCC licensing required.

Business band is exactly what is says. This is a service intended for business use. I am not sure what regulations are in place, but i do know that licensing is required.

The FCC website provides all information pertaining to these services. Go check it out if you are interested. Just google one of the services and you can get a lot of good info.

Justin

Borch · August 19, 2008, 12:19 PM

Thanks for the info. The only radio comm stuff I'm familiar with is the digital 800Mhz system we use at work. So a lot of the terminology in this thread was a little new to me.

yourang? · August 19, 2008, 02:52 PM

gmrs use needs a license.....it is 80 bucks for 3 years, i think
but not sure...expensive....yes...but you are illlegal if you use
it without a license (might be 5)....fcc has the info

frs needs no license...less bands, sometimes coupled with gmrs radios

most of the cheapest ones work okay, but you still need the license
to be kosher

of course, most catalogs that sell them dont mention the license
because they want you to buy them

they work okay...basically line of sight....trees, buildings etc tend
to squash the signal

there are places that have repeaters to let you go farther but
they are good for short distances, but not the 20 miles that
the advertisements say

more expensive ones work better than the "bubble packs"

definitely handy for closer local communications....

Eisande · September 1, 2008, 10:13 PM

Anybody have any first hand experience with eXRS?

"TriSquare has revolutionized 2-way radio communication with eXtreme Radio ServiceTM (eXRSTM). eXtreme Radio Service (eXRS) two-way radios use proprietary Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) in the ISM band (900 MHz frequencies)."

Mike

August 19, 2008, 10:45 AM	#26
Borch Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 202	Pardon my ignorance, but what is FRS/GMRS and Business Band?

August 19, 2008, 11:49 AM	#27
Flyboy_451 Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 172	Borch, These are various radio services available depending on the intended use. While I am not an expert in what the regulations are for each, this may get you started... FRS= Family Radio Service-low powered UHF radios for short range communications. I believe they are limited to 5 watts and that use of external antennas is prohibited. They are not intended for business application, and that may well be prohibited by regulation. Requires no license. GMRS= General mobile radio service-operates also in the UFH spectrum but with higher power limitations. 50 watts max. Use of external antennas is allowed and there are various areas served by repeaters. I am not sure, but I think these can be used in business applications as well as personal. FCC licensing required. Business band is exactly what is says. This is a service intended for business use. I am not sure what regulations are in place, but i do know that licensing is required. The FCC website provides all information pertaining to these services. Go check it out if you are interested. Just google one of the services and you can get a lot of good info. Justin

August 19, 2008, 12:19 PM	#28
Borch Senior Member Join Date: July 28, 2008 Location: Minnesota Posts: 202	Thanks for the info. The only radio comm stuff I'm familiar with is the digital 800Mhz system we use at work. So a lot of the terminology in this thread was a little new to me.

August 19, 2008, 02:52 PM	#29
yourang? Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2008 Location: ex upstate ny...now free Posts: 119	gmrs use needs a license.....it is 80 bucks for 3 years, i think but not sure...expensive....yes...but you are illlegal if you use it without a license (might be 5)....fcc has the info frs needs no license...less bands, sometimes coupled with gmrs radios most of the cheapest ones work okay, but you still need the license to be kosher of course, most catalogs that sell them dont mention the license because they want you to buy them they work okay...basically line of sight....trees, buildings etc tend to squash the signal there are places that have repeaters to let you go farther but they are good for short distances, but not the 20 miles that the advertisements say more expensive ones work better than the "bubble packs" definitely handy for closer local communications....

September 1, 2008, 10:13 PM	#30
Eisande Member Join Date: June 15, 2005 Location: Lomita, CA Posts: 24	Anybody have any first hand experience with eXRS? "TriSquare has revolutionized 2-way radio communication with eXtreme Radio ServiceTM (eXRSTM). eXtreme Radio Service (eXRS) two-way radios use proprietary Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) in the ISM band (900 MHz frequencies)." Mike