Path: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!howland.erols.net!news-out.worldnet.att.net.MISMATCH!wn3feed!worldnet.att.net!135.173.83.71!wnfilter1!worldnet-localpost!bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net.POSTED!not-for-mail Message-ID: <3AF7E776.6B77BE5A@att.net> From: "John L. Wilkerson Jr." X-Mailer: Mozilla 4.77 [en] (Win98; U) X-Accept-Language: en MIME-Version: 1.0 Newsgroups: alt.radio.family Subject: alt.radio.family FAQ Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="------------480787910D95B327048B3E45" Lines: 320 Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 12:28:11 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 12.87.146.85 X-Complaints-To: abuse@worldnet.att.net X-Trace: bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net 989324891 12.87.146.85 (Tue, 08 May 2001 12:28:11 GMT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 08 May 2001 12:28:11 GMT Organization: AT&T Worldnet Xref: senator-bedfellow.mit.edu alt.radio.family:17715 This is a multi-part message in MIME format. --------------480787910D95B327048B3E45 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Yes folks, after a long period of not posting the FAQ, I believe it is time to post it again. With a lot of newcomers to FRS I think I can present to you the latest version of the FAQ. -- John L. Wilkerson Jr. Supporting Family Two Way Radio Communications.. See websites: http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/frspage.html FRS Mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/frs --------------480787910D95B327048B3E45 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; name="altfaq.txt" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline; filename="altfaq.txt" alt.radio.family Frequently Asked Questions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Version 19 8 May, 2001 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ** Section I: Newsgroup Behavior Guidelines ** Purpose of Newsgroup: To discuss uses of two-way radio in applications for the family of the modern age. Acceptable Discussion: Abovementioned purposes, in a legal and mature manner. Product reviews are also welcome. Discouraged Discussion: Any illegal operation of radio equipment, usage of radio equipment for illegal purposes, or aggressive discussion of points not to one's liking. Additionally, advertising, not related to family two-way radio communications is discouraged. This INCLUDES "Spam". Additionally, use of radio services for "hobby" purposes is considered off-topic here. Advertisers should keep their ads brief, and direct. Additionally, posting should be kept to an absolute minimum. This forum was not designed as a "forsale" group. I suggest advertisers create a Web site, properly keyworded to sell their products. Additional posting notice: Please DO NOT Follow up or reply to "spam". Spammers use bulk posting software and will never see your replies/complaints. All this added posting will do is add to the off-topic postings in the group. Followups to off-topic posts and flames: If people followup to persons who post flames, and other inappropriate material, all this does is make the problem worse. I advise all people to ignore the posts, and if possible add the thread, and/or offensive user to a killfile, or other type of news filter. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Section II: General Q&A about alt.radio.family and Family Radio PARENTAL WARNING!!! Two way radio transmissions CAN and ARE monitored by many people. Child predators have been known to monitor radio frequencies. You are advised NOT to reveal any sensitive information over the radio, and to educate your childern to do the same! Q: What is two-way Radio?: A: A device used for communication with the capability to send and receive voice or other types of messages via the airwaves. For purposes of discussion, cellular telephones _are not_ included in this classification. Pagers only communicate one-way, and therefore do not fit this classification. -- Q: This group is for "Family Communications" What ARE "family Communications"? A: Well, I created this group for discussion of family communications. I define family communications as a type of radio traffic conducted by persons of the same household, for whatever purposes they have in mind. -- Q: Why are "hobby communications" discouraged by the charter? A: Well, there are newsgroups that already deal with hobby radio services. Usenet does not need another one. Plus, we do not want this group to take off in a wild direction... when one discusses a radio hobby, pretty soon, illegal modifications and such come into play. -- Q: I have heard people dicussing transmission ranges and such and arranging to be on the same frequency to try to communicate. Isn't this a type of discouraged "hobby communication" A: In a matter of speaking, yes... BUT only in the Family Radio Service have such tests been mentioned. Why? Because FRS is a very new service, and those using and supporting it need to determine how FRS fits into their applications. From these tests, information can be assembled and provided to people interested in range and efficiency of equipment. -- Q: I see a lot of off-topic messages and "spam", some of it vulgar, how can this be solved? A: Usenet is public, where anyone can post. Such things happen. Off-topic discussion takes place from time to time. It is just best to ignore such messages. If your newsreader has "filters" or "killfiles" go ahead and filter out these subjects, or abusive people. Automated antispam programs eliminate much of the "adult-orinted" material. -- Q: From time to time I see people come into the group to cause trouble. How should I handle this? A: First rule... NEVER EVER respond to this person! Ignore the offensive poster, and set your killfile/filter to ignore this user. If everyone on this group would follow this simple rule, we would never have irritating people on the group. Remember... they crave attention. When there is no audience, they go away. -- Q: are there other places to discuss Family Communications? A: yes. The newsgroup us.misc.family.radio exists for the discussion of the Family Radio Service and GMRS specifically. If your service provider does not carry this group, ask them to pick it up. Also, you may subscribe to an FRS mailing list via Yahoo Groups by going to this URL: http://www.yahoogroups.com/subscribe/frs This list is strictly monitored to eliminate spam and offensive users. -- Q: Can I use A Family Radio Service (FRS) Radio outside the U.S. and Canada? A: Absolutely not! The Family Radio Service was created by the U.S. government for the use by its citizens. Radio frequencies and their usage are different in each country. What we can use for our family communications could be used by groups such as police, military, and so forth by other nations. Other nations have services SIMILAR to the US FRS... BUT, NONE of them use the same frequencies as the US service, thus making the US radios unauthorized in other nations. -- Q: Can I use another type of two-way radio outside the U.S.? A: Again, generally no. U.S. and Canada, however have the same CB radio rules, and CB equipment can be used between both nations. -- Q: Where can FRS equipment be purchased? A: See Section IV below. -- Q: Can all FRS radio brands be used with other brands? A: Generally, YES. all FRS radios can be used in their basic modes with all other brands. However, there are certain features and functions that may only be used between units of the same make and model. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Section III: Types of Radio Communications. What Forms of two-way radio are available to the average person? There are several types of two-way radio service available to the average consumer. Each will be discussed in detail. NOTE: all forms discussed below are available in the United States; however, many of these services may not be available outside the U.S. Amateur Radio: This service is perhaps the most restrictive for family communications. This is due to the fact that each person operating a radio must hold a valid Amateur Radio license. This service, however, has many forms and modes of communications available to the license holder. Newsgroups exist for the discussion of this service. This service is primarily hobby-orented. General Mobile Radio Service (USA ONLY): This service also requires licensing, however, only one license is required for an entire household. This service is designed for personal communications of a non-hobby nature. Citizen's Band Radio Service: This service required no licensing whatsoever in the U.S. One must consult with regulations to determine licensing requirements in other nations. This service is perhps the least expensive, and most well known of all the services available to the public. This service, however is plagued by heavy use, as well as lack of discipline. Parents must use caution when utilizing this service around children. This service, however, in many areas can be very beneficial to family communications. Part 15 Devices: (USA Only) This is a catch-all for low-power communications equipment. Most of us are familiar with cordless telephones and baby monitors. These fall into this classification. Two way radio equipment also exists here, however the power limits imposed on such devices severely restrict communications range. Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS): (USA Only): This is a 5 channel service in the VHF-hi Band. Mobile, base and handheld communications are permitted, as well as external antennas. Currently there are no specific MURS radios on the market, and users would have to use commercial-grade VHF equipment. Range could be up to 15 miles. Family Radio Service: This service offers greater range than the part 15 devices, while less than the previous mentioned services. Typically, this service is effective for short range communications, such as parks, amusement parks, hunting and camping trips. Family radio service equipment typically has an effective maximum range of 3/4 to one mile. This is a realistic estimate. Vehicle-to-vehicle use also figures in this estimate. Equipment is now becoming widely available. Many manufacturers are offering equipment with many different features. They are expecting the FRS to become extremely popular. I need to research and get sales figures. The Family Radio Service (FRS) was never designed as a hobby service. Communications should only be conducted between members of the same group. Calling out to other persons is generally ignored, and with the use of special tone squelch codes, may not be heard at all. Such discussion of FRS for hobby purposes in considered off-topic in this group. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Section IV: Where to Buy Where Can I purchase Equipment for Family Communications? Many consumer electronics stores, as well as general merchandise stores sell CB radio Equipment. Family Radio Service (FRS) equipment is also now sold in such stores. If you would wish to mail-order equiopment, my web site at: http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/frsdealers.html Lists several distrubutors and/or manufacturers that will offer you a selection of most, if not all of the equipment currently available for FRS. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Section V: How to select the best radio service and radio to use. With each of the services listed above, and knowing where to buy, you now need to make the final determination of which service to choose and which brand of radio to purchase. Go to http://members.tripod.com/~jwilkers/review.html Read all the data there to select which radio best fits your needs. Bear in mind, not all radios will be compatible with radios of other brands. Certain features will only work with another identical radio. Paging systems, Selective calling systems, transponders and such are generally only compatible between units of the same model. Here are a few other things to consider. 1: Size. Do you want a small radio, or does size not matter. 2: Sturdiness: do you want a radio that will survive being dropped on the ground? Bear in mind a portable radio can go through a lot of abuse. 3: Features: Do you need a 14 channel 38 CTCSS tone, scanning type unit, or just a single channel basic unit? 4: Ease of operation: Is the unit easy to operate, or do you need to go through a long, difficult set of procedures to operate. 5: Power Output: Power output of a radio has little effect on the range you can talk. 100 mW-500mW are the power outputs or FRS radios, depending on the brand. The 300 and 500 mW units are the most popular, and work best for all-purpose use. 6: Price: Generally, all FRS radios are in the $20-$150 price range per unit. Shop from distributor to distributor, and get your best deal. 7: Compatibility. If you buy more than one radio of different brands, make sure some features are comaptible with one another. - Q: Can a radio With CTCSS and a radio with DCS be used together? A: Yes and no... CTCSS and DCS are not compatible with one another. You can, however use these radios together if you turn off DCS and CTCSS. - Q: Can different brands of radios, both with CTCSS be used together with CTCSS turned ON? A: YES... just look for the FREQUENCY of the tones in the owners manuals of all radios to be used. Once you have decided on a tone, select the corresponding numbers as listed in the manual. Each manufacturer has their CTCSS tones numbered diifferently, but they all have most of the same actual tone frequencies. - Q: what IS CTCSS and/or DCS? A: CTCSS stands for Continuous tone Coded Squelch System, and DCS stands for Digital Coded Squelch. Both systems send a subaudible tone over the air. Only radios set to receive this SPECIFIC tone will hear your signal IF they have their CTCSS or DCS activated. This way, users can share a channel and not hear other users. DCS adds a series of digital codes to this, only allowing a message to be received when set to the same code as the other radio. DCS and CTCSS are not compatible with one another. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Section VI Radio Behavior Guidelines Most radio services are "shared services" No one is assigned a specific frequency. People should assume all transmissions are being monitored at all times. Never reveal sensitive personal information on the air; bad people have radios too. "Share" the channels/frequencies. Make sure your channel is clear before transmitting. Do not use vulgar language or other bad talk. These are "family"services and are not appreciated by most people. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I am accepting additional input for this FAQ. Questions may be addressed to familyradio@att.net John L. Wilkerson Jr, creator of alt.radio.family --------------480787910D95B327048B3E45--