Month: November 2024

Those Walkie Talkies on TikTok

If you are a fan of Tic Tok, you may have seen someone in your feed talking the advantages of handheld Walkie Talkies that you can talk to people all over the world. They push the Flash sale in their online store on several model radios, which are good prices, but I think they might be overselling just a bit.

Additionally, they use the recent communication outages in North Carolian’s hurricane as an example of why you should have the radios. On, this they are correct. But follow along for a few. If you are thinking about getting a radio,

Let’s begin with two entry level services.

Family Radio Service (FRS) No License Required

The Family Radio Service (FRS) is a private, two-way, short-distance voice and data communications service for facilitating family and group activities. The most common use for FRS channels is short-distance, two-way voice communications using small hand-held radios that are similar to walkie-talkies. (Source: FCC) Read More Here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/family-radio-service-frs This is like CB radio, Goood Buddy, but more (I guess)!

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) License Raquired, No Test

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a licensed radio service that uses channels around 462 MHz and 467 MHz. The most common use of GMRS channels is for short-distance, two-way voice communications using hand-held radios, mobile radios and repeater systems. Repeater systems allow you to expand the area you can reach. (Source: FCC)  Read More Here: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs Most of the radios you are seeing on TikToc are Tig or Baofeng Radios and require at least a GMRS license ($35 from the FCC) and a Ham License on others. I’ll discuss GMRS more with an overview of groups and area networks setup by those groups

Ham Radio – We’re going to save this for another post. More complicated, several levels of licenses and each is testable.

About Those Race Camping Trips!

It’s been a while since I posted, and I’ll apologize for that right now. My next big camping trip was to the two races in late summer or fall, in Atlanta and Talladega. I totally mis-scheduled Atlanta due to some work conflicts, so I was unable to make that trip, but there was still Talladega. If you remember from last year, I was unable to complete the trip due to a transmission issue with my 2016 GMC Canyon. After fixing that, I figured I’d trade and get a new truck to avoid any future issues. I love the 2024 Nissan Frontier I bought. But then, while driving around town one day, I got a check engine light, as the transmission jumped out of gear. The Lynch Service Department ran a computer check and it called for the transmission to be replaced. Lynch was great, it took several weeks for the transmission to arrive, Nissan was pretty quick to say yes, and all was good. Unfortunately, it all arrived after the Dega race. I may not schedule that again, because I am wondering if I’m snake bit on that one. By the way, the truck is running great. I believe it’s an updated version, because I don’t notice the nine speed transmission shifting, as I did in the original. The transmission was changed out after 12 months and just under 5,000 miles for the record.

I have a new interest now; one I’ve had for just over 60 years. When I was a kid, I had a cousin that was into Ham Radio. From pictures I saw he had a really cool setup. But, for me, it never happened. Now, I am studying for the Amateur Radio Technician license and dabble in GMRS (General Radio Mobile Service). That deserves its own post and will expand what I discuss here.