Comments on: FRS/CB/Ham Radio Comparison Chart? http://www.kb6nu.com/frscbham-radio-comparison-chart/ Having fun with amateur radio Sun, 20 May 2012 15:37:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: K3NG http://www.kb6nu.com/frscbham-radio-comparison-chart/#comment-308314 K3NG Sat, 13 Jun 2009 13:35:02 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=1888#comment-308314 Hi Dan, I'm not sure if you received my emails, but here's what I've come up with: http://anthony.good.googlepages.com/FRS-CB-AmateurRadio-v1.1-K3NG.pdf Feedback welcome (from everyone). Thanks and 73 Hi Dan,

I’m not sure if you received my emails, but here’s what I’ve come up with: http://anthony.good.googlepages.com/FRS-CB-AmateurRadio-v1.1-K3NG.pdf

Feedback welcome (from everyone).

Thanks and 73

]]> By: David Brodbeck N8SRE http://www.kb6nu.com/frscbham-radio-comparison-chart/#comment-308309 David Brodbeck N8SRE Fri, 12 Jun 2009 23:56:00 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=1888#comment-308309 It might be useful to add "build your own equipment" to the chart. This is legal for amateur radio but not for CB, FRS, or cell. "Business use" might be another useful column; it's legal for CB and cell but illegal for amateur radio and FRS. Here's a quick whack at adding FRS info to the chart. Note that the FCC categorizes FRS as a Citizen's Band but the regulations are somewhat different than for the 27 Mhz "CB" band: Equipment costs: $30 Cost/Month: $0 Cost/Year: $0 Cost/5yr: $0 Transmit power (watts): 0.5 Antenna: Fixed Emergency Conditions: Fair* Range: 1-2 miles Bands available: 1 Data: Some** Picture msg: No Repeaters: No Rural usage: Yes * Limited range means emergency communications is unlikely unless contact has been pre-arranged. ** Data hardware certified for use with the device is allowed. So far this is limited to selective calling (e.g., tone squelch) and GPS locator data. There are some "FRS" radios out there that advertise a 10 mile range, but these are actually GRMS radios and require a license to operate. It might be useful to add “build your own equipment” to the chart. This is legal for amateur radio but not for CB, FRS, or cell. “Business use” might be another useful column; it’s legal for CB and cell but illegal for amateur radio and FRS.

Here’s a quick whack at adding FRS info to the chart. Note that the FCC categorizes FRS as a Citizen’s Band but the regulations are somewhat different than for the 27 Mhz “CB” band:

Equipment costs: $30
Cost/Month: $0
Cost/Year: $0
Cost/5yr: $0
Transmit power (watts): 0.5
Antenna: Fixed
Emergency Conditions: Fair*
Range: 1-2 miles
Bands available: 1
Data: Some**
Picture msg: No
Repeaters: No
Rural usage: Yes

* Limited range means emergency communications is unlikely unless contact has been pre-arranged.

** Data hardware certified for use with the device is allowed. So far this is limited to selective calling (e.g., tone squelch) and GPS locator data.

There are some “FRS” radios out there that advertise a 10 mile range, but these are actually GRMS radios and require a license to operate.

]]> By: Ronny http://www.kb6nu.com/frscbham-radio-comparison-chart/#comment-308290 Ronny Wed, 10 Jun 2009 03:06:06 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=1888#comment-308290 In my high school class, I just put the frequencies for each on a series of Powerpoint slides. A chart would be much better, though. I definitely agree that most of the public has no idea about the difference (whether frequencies or usage) between CB/FRS/Cellphones/Broadcast Radio/SiriusXM/GPS and Ham Radio. Ronny, KC5EES Austin, TX P.S. I spent the day doing a Ham Radio demo at the local Boy Scouts Day Camp (actually 4 days). Basic spiel about 20 minutes with 10 more for kids to talk to hams on the local repeater. Just over 100 kids and they all seemed to enjoy it. In my high school class, I just put the frequencies for each on a series of Powerpoint slides. A chart would be much better, though. I definitely agree that most of the public has no idea about the difference (whether frequencies or usage) between CB/FRS/Cellphones/Broadcast Radio/SiriusXM/GPS and Ham Radio.

Ronny, KC5EES
Austin, TX

P.S. I spent the day doing a Ham Radio demo at the local Boy Scouts Day Camp (actually 4 days). Basic spiel about 20 minutes with 10 more for kids to talk to hams on the local repeater. Just over 100 kids and they all seemed to enjoy it.

]]> By: K3NG http://www.kb6nu.com/frscbham-radio-comparison-chart/#comment-308289 K3NG Wed, 10 Jun 2009 00:45:18 +0000 http://kb6nu.com/?p=1888#comment-308289 That is a good idea. I'm going to see if I can throw something together tonight. (Shoot me an email if someone else comes up with something...) That is a good idea. I’m going to see if I can throw something together tonight. (Shoot me an email if someone else comes up with something…)

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