T&T: FRS/GMRS - Was CB RADIOS

[Albin43SDtr]

'Lo  All,

Rich Gano, aboard Calypso, introduced us to Family Radio Service / 
General Mobile Radio Service (FRS/GMRS) handheld radios which are 
somewhat like CBs, but are in a separate class of radios and operate 
in the UHF band.  GMRS radios require a licence, but FRS radios do 
not. Rich loaned us one of his radios when we were travelling 
together on a little cruise to Eglin AFB. They were much better than 
cell phones for frequent chit-chat about all sorts of things. While 
many folks use their marine VHF for this, to me it is inappropriate 
for such discussions.

We have since bought a pair for ourselves and have found them to be 
very useful when wandering about where we can get separated, and when 
driving with friends in another car - so we can coordinate stops, 
etc. Across open water they have a range of about 5 miles (by 
specification), but we have used our Cobra MicroTalk Model PR 950 
DX  radios at somewhat longer ranges. They come with individual 
chargers - a charge lasting for more than a day - for the way we use 
them, anyway. We usually give one to our grandkids when they go off 
'exploring', so that we can keep track of them. It is legal for kids 
to use these radios, per FCC regulations, the owners (us) being 
responsible for their use. We have never had problems finding an open 
channel to work on.

Since these radios are usable on boats, on land, or in vehicles, we 
have found them to be quite useful (when we remember to bring 
them...<sigh>), especially since, having two radios, we can loan one 
to someone else to use, as Rich did, so that we could converse 
boat-to-boat, car-to-car, us-to-grandkids or just between us to avoid 
roaming cell-phone charges when out of our cell phone provider's area.


Take care and be safe.

Wayne
Celestial
Albin 43 Sundeck
Near Panama City, FL