On the ARRL’s PR mailing list, Dave, WB6DHW asked:
I am getting together our handouts for Field Day. Since many of the general public don’t know the difference between ham radio and CB, or FRS, I would like to have as comparison chart. Anyone have such a chart? If not, I am going to create one.
I think this is a great idea. Is there anyone out there that can help?
UPDATE 7/11/09
The members of the PR mailing list have been batting this around and have come up with this chart:
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…)
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.
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.
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