Ok... so here's the 2 minute primer on FRS.
Radio Shack 21-1850 (if you can find one)
Motorola of recent vintage, usually in 2 packs for under $50 at your favorite Radio Shack, BestBuy, etc.
Thank you, and have a nice day. Heh. In any case, read the packaging. If it says 5 mile/7 mile/etc., then the radios are GMRS capable which means you are, at least in theory, bound to acquire a license for your "family" to use those channels for $75/5 years. So... to be legal, without buying the license, every radio is limited to 500 mw on the 14 FRS channels and has (optimistically) 1-2 mile range.
None of these radios have the volume output of your favorite CB rig. You may need an ear piece to hear the radio. Motorola? no problem. Cheap headsets and/or microphones abound.
So what's the big advantage of FRS? CTCSS tones. That means that you'll probably never hear little Janie talking to her Barbies even as you drive by her house and she's on the same channel you're on.
Happy radio-ing!
It looks like the SO and I are in for the fried pie run! Don't know if we will do the dinner thing or not.
FYI...I just got back from Target and they have Motorola T5000 FRS radios (2) with ni-cads and a double-cradle charger on sale for $44.99. They advertise a 5-mile range so I picked a pair up! All I had up to this point was a couple crappy 'portable' CB's. We'll see how they do!
They are just like this ---> click me to see
You'll love 'em but don't expect 5 miles out of them... that's clear line-of-site (think mountain top to mountain top)
Oh and don't get the vox headsets or audionic ear pieces... you WANT push-to-talk. Otherwise we'll all hear you cussing some SUV as you try to avoid it.
RJ
Daily Driver: 2013 Club edition in Pearl White Mica
Lightness? What's that? I drive a PRHT!
i'm a poor college student, anyone got a FRS i can bum?
'99 Triple Black
Ditto that. Anyone got one for me?Originally Posted by redbullforbreakfast
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
Count me out on this one....I'll be in Mexico
Be sure to check the tamper ring on the water bottle caps down there... they like to refill 'em from the faucet...
That sure would bring a different connotation to running home...
RJ
Daily Driver: 2013 Club edition in Pearl White Mica
Lightness? What's that? I drive a PRHT!
Quick update. The wife and I just got back from River Legacy park. She went roller-blading and I went mountain biking. We tested out the radios and are fairly impressed with their range and clarity. We were easily over 1 mile apart (with me in the woods) and they still worked fine.YRadioMV.
Make that me three or whatever number.Ditto that. Anyone got one for me?
Is there a backup plan since they seem to be predicting rain for Sunday?
Blasphemy!!!!!
Speaking of blasphemy, I decided anotherthing and I are going to church on Sunday, instead of leqaving the country. :)
Hope you have a fun and safe trip. If you go Monday due to weather, we may join you.
Cassie and I are in for this one.
Update:
I just drove the "new" part of the route. It's spectacular. Let's pray for sunny weather on Sunday. It was absolutely gorgeous driving by the lakes after the thunderstorms yesterday. The only downside to the "new" part of the route is that there are spots where you'll want to slow down and see the scenery where you'd also like to speed up and pull some g's...
I'm also working on some reserved parking at the Outlet Center in Gainesville (turns out it's now owned by my previous employer), but it looks like we'll have easy in/out access either way.
I have 3 FRS units available for loan. One plugs into the cigarette lighter and has a magnetic base that goes on the trunk. The other two are handheld and have headsets. Sounds like they're going to altiain, redbullforbreakfast and Chaz.
Last count shows:
POS Racing
IMVivid
Chaz
tailchaser and mokey
altiain and Melissa
redbullforbreakfast and friend
sammm and so
brock and cassie
I went to the radio shack outlet in N. Ft. Worth and got a set of Motorola T5720R for $40.00! I also got a couple of hand free booms for $7.00 each!
I am theof cheap!
Brock! Where ya been! Glad your back!
OK, so what are the "final" details:
- Where / When to meet?
- Approximately how many miles will the group be driving?
- What time will the group be back in Dallas?
I might be able to make this wine-n-cheezer, but I don't (won't?) have an FRS.
BTW, I don't get on dfwmiata.com on the weekends, so this is my last chance to get the details...
We're meeting at the Cracker Barrel just north of 380 on I-35 (just north of the 35E/35W merge). We'll assemble in the northwest corner of the parking lot.
Meeting time is 10:00-10:30. Driver's meeting is at 10:20 for a 10:30 departure.
Call me at 214-912-9261 if you're expected but can't make it or are running a little late.
Alternate meeting point is the Gainesville Outlet Mall around 11:45. We'll be parking (hopefully) in the lot next to the north fountain and having lunch.
Total "group" driving distance is 184 miles from the Cracker Barrel to McGeehee's Catfish. We'll be stopping for refills and empties at a Texaco twice during the route. Regular unleaded was $1.879 yesterday.
Depending upon the length of stops for chat and/or sightseeing, we'll probably hit the dinner stop between 4:30 and 5:00. It's around 90 minutes from the restaurant to Plano. Slightly less for Fort Worth or Frisco. I made the entire run last night (largely in torrential downpour, but without real food stops) timed from the Cracker Barrel to Plano and it took 4 hours.
No feelings will be hurt if anyone can only make part of the trip. In fact, all the "official" stops provide easy access to I-35 if you need to make an early departure.
My wife, Susie, and I will try to make it
If we don't show , don't wait on us.
lost
WellI went to the radio shack outlet in N. Ft. Worth and got a set of Motorola T5720R for $40.00! I also got a couple of hand free booms for $7.00 each!
I am the
Brock! Where ya been! Glad your back!
Hey all, something has come up, and Mel and I won't be making it tomorrow. Hope y'all have fun!
Iain
"We don't stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
same here, i won't be able to make it tomorrow, sorry.
'99 Triple Black
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote