Short range coms have serious advantages in a grid down situation. You don't want to broadcast your existence to a three state area. You don't know who is listening. And triangulation has been around for a while. Just saying.
Very noob question. So if I buy a brand new FRS radio i.e. BAOFENG 88A etc. It is advertised as open box and talk without programming needed. It is my intend reason to buy these. I will be just using them as pre-progammed. Will I hear neighbours and other families on it if neighbours also have FRS radios too? Will my new FRS radio channels be heard by them?
@@TheTechPrepper Excellent, I'll keep an eye out. Also, loving the old school NES and Redhat distro box. I think I would feel right at home in that office. lol
Have a question can anyone help. Im fairly disabled and cant easily get around the house. When my wife is in the upstairs or in the TV room downstairs it is difficult for me to get to a place where I can hollar if I need help or if someone comes to the door,. I know UHF is line of sight but for less than thirty or forty feet would FRS work thru wood/plasterboard walls??? Thanks.
The FRS radios should work fine inside your house. As an example, my wife and I use them inside the house when I need to test the circuit breaker panel. It's much easier than shouting and/or running back inside the house.
@@TheTechPrepper Thanks much. I thot about a cheap pair of kids CB W/Ts but you havta have the antenna up and turned on all the time.(except for those types of chores you mentioned) Didnt I understand there is a notification of some sort when you get a call? I will be looking at a pair for Christmas. Thanks again. I appreciate.
One of our houses is a three-story Edwardian structure. My whole family uses FRS radios to talk between the floors (including the 4th - basement). It's so much easier than trying to track somebody down and climbing a bunch of stairs. Get a pair of radios and you won't regret it. 😉
@@frederickwise5238lol That was always a challenge with family members. Patiently work with them until it becomes a habit. The smaller the radio the more likely they will have it with them. First challenge is keeping the radio with them. Second challenge is making sure it's turned on and on the correct channel. Third is making sure it is charged. So, smaller radios or more likely to be taken with them but there has to be sufficient battery life so that they actually have them charged. I used to keep a couple of extra radios or batteries for when they forgot to charge their radio.
Channel 8 To 14 is 0.5 watt on any FRS and GMRS due to FCC regulation. These channels are between GMRS repeater input channels and lower power lessens “bleed over” interference of the FRS channels onto the GMRS channels. Good video, thanks.
Hi Dennis! Can you recommend a good FRS radio that’s inexpensive and would actually transmit at 2 watts. I was looking at the Retevis RB18 but wasn’t sure… I was also looking at the Baofeng X3 plus, UV10R, and UV-S9 plus but not sure if those actually produce the power they claim they do. Looking for the most distance with a small form factor, so I’m trying to avoid a large antenna or a heavy weight unit. Any advice was would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
My XYL and I use them around the house and the town. We also have CB’s in our vehicles. I’m thinking of getting a GMRS license. So I can upgrade our vehicles with midland 115’s. I’m also a amateur radio operator. Not think the XYL wants to get her ticket. So I’m thinking Gmrs for her at least we could use local repeaters that way. Thanks for the video. Oh and you can solar charge your x talkers too. Well have fun. 73
Do you recommend FRS for a group of 6-7 neighbors who want to stay in communication during an emergency when we lose power and phone service? GMRS seems like overkill, but I'm not sure. I got a Midland GXT-1000 (standard, no Privacy codes) but it couldn't communicate with my neighbors $24 BaoFeng.
Great question. I’m actually working on a video on this topic. FRS has limited range and power, but if the neighbors in your group are relatively close it may work just fine. My wife and I have good luck using inexpensive FRS radios around the campsites and when we need to communicate on our property. A license is also not required with FRS. Personally, I would go with GMRS as it offers more power and range. A for-pay license is required for GMRS. My plan for our neighborhood is to buy the 5-pack of Baofeng radios on Amazon ($130) and program them on the GMRS channelized frequencies. I hope this helps. Stay tuned for the video in a few weeks. Congratulations on thinking about a communication plan! Be safe.
Those cheaply made bow fang radios are not FRS. They operate on some other band. They’re actually technically illegal in the United States. Regardless of the brand, as long as you have all FRS walkie-talkies on the same channel/privacy code you should be fine. Even the cheaper ones get a pretty decent range.
Just bought a pair of these secondhand from a guy who used to do community work in the dense forests of Mexico, and he said these Midland T61 radios are so good over 5-6km that the local cartel operators were constantly buying them from him as they were the only affordable radios that would work well through the trees to alert the others of police and military activity..lol
They’re certainly a good price. My wife and I only experience that 5K range when I’m on a hill top or peak and she’s at our campsite. We typically get about a mile or less out of these otherwise. They’re great around the property, out in the trail, and we’re in a caravan. It’s funny, you think the cartel would have enough cash to buy better radios. Thanks for sharing!
Typically FRS/GMRS (UHF - shorter wavelength) are better for urban and forested areas, and contrast with a MURS radio (VHF - longer wavelength) that are better for rural and hills.
We have a rv travel group. Anywhere from 4-7 travel trailers goin down the road. Based on your experience. What do you think our range might be. Open freeway traveling. (Just a rough guestimate). I understand these aren't perfect radios.
My wife and I use the FRS radios since she is not a licensed ham when she is chasing me. They work ok as long as we’re not more than a quarter mile or so apart. It’s a workable option if no one licensed. Another option is for each family to pay for a GMRS license. The GMRS radios will give you more range as they have more RF power output. I can’t recall, but last I checked the GMRS license was under $100, covered the family and was good for several years. It’s worth looking into.
as of June last year I payed 35.00 dollars for 10 years and your family household is covered under that license just pick unit numbers for each member of the family
We have a pair of the Midland FRS and they work great.
Short range coms have serious advantages in a grid down situation. You don't want to broadcast your existence to a three state area. You don't know who is listening. And triangulation has been around for a while. Just saying.
Very noob question. So if I buy a brand new FRS radio i.e. BAOFENG 88A etc. It is advertised as open box and talk without programming needed. It is my intend reason to buy these. I will be just using them as pre-progammed. Will I hear neighbours and other families on it if neighbours also have FRS radios too? Will my new FRS radio channels be heard by them?
Rockin' the Weedguide shirt. Love it! :-)
Thanks! Don't tell anyone, but I'm hiding easter eggs in these videos.
@@TheTechPrepper Excellent, I'll keep an eye out. Also, loving the old school NES and Redhat distro box. I think I would feel right at home in that office. lol
@@alexandernick9773 That's because you're a child of the 80's and 90's like myself ;-)
Have a question can anyone help. Im fairly disabled and cant easily get around the house. When my wife is in the upstairs or in the TV room downstairs it is difficult for me to get to a place where I can hollar if I need help or if someone comes to the door,. I know UHF is line of sight but for less than thirty or forty feet would FRS work thru wood/plasterboard walls??? Thanks.
The FRS radios should work fine inside your house. As an example, my wife and I use them inside the house when I need to test the circuit breaker panel. It's much easier than shouting and/or running back inside the house.
@@TheTechPrepper Thanks much. I thot about a cheap pair of kids CB W/Ts but you havta have the antenna up and turned on all the time.(except for those types of chores you mentioned) Didnt I understand there is a notification of some sort when you get a call?
I will be looking at a pair for Christmas. Thanks again. I appreciate.
One of our houses is a three-story Edwardian structure. My whole family uses FRS radios to talk between the floors (including the 4th - basement). It's so much easier than trying to track somebody down and climbing a bunch of stairs. Get a pair of radios and you won't regret it. 😉
@@hansoak3664 Thank you! Now if I can get her to take it with her and turn it on LOL
@@frederickwise5238lol
That was always a challenge with family members. Patiently work with them until it becomes a habit.
The smaller the radio the more likely they will have it with them. First challenge is keeping the radio with them. Second challenge is making sure it's turned on and on the correct channel. Third is making sure it is charged. So, smaller radios or more likely to be taken with them but there has to be sufficient battery life so that they actually have them charged. I used to keep a couple of extra radios or batteries for when they forgot to charge their radio.
Channel 8 To 14 is 0.5 watt on any FRS and GMRS due to FCC regulation. These channels are between GMRS repeater input channels and lower power lessens “bleed over” interference of the FRS channels onto the GMRS channels. Good video, thanks.
Thanks. It’s time for a new video on just GMRS. Do you have a preferred GMRS radio?
Hi Dennis! Can you recommend a good FRS radio that’s inexpensive and would actually transmit at 2 watts. I was looking at the Retevis RB18 but wasn’t sure…
I was also looking at the Baofeng X3 plus, UV10R, and UV-S9 plus but not sure if those actually produce the power they claim they do.
Looking for the most distance with a small form factor, so I’m trying to avoid a large antenna or a heavy weight unit.
Any advice was would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
@@nickb5091 Checkout the new BTECH FRS A1
@@mikelstous Will do. Thank you!
@@TheTechPrepper Wouxun UV9GX
My XYL and I use them around the house and the town. We also have CB’s in our vehicles. I’m thinking of getting a GMRS license. So I can upgrade our vehicles with midland 115’s. I’m also a amateur radio operator. Not think the XYL wants to get her ticket. So I’m thinking Gmrs for her at least we could use local repeaters that way. Thanks for the video. Oh and you can solar charge your x talkers too. Well have fun. 73
GMRS is definitely the way to go for family and friends that don’t want to jump into ham radio. Welcome to the channel! 73, KT1RUN
Do you recommend FRS for a group of 6-7 neighbors who want to stay in communication during an emergency when we lose power and phone service? GMRS seems like overkill, but I'm not sure. I got a Midland GXT-1000 (standard, no Privacy codes) but it couldn't communicate with my neighbors $24 BaoFeng.
Great question. I’m actually working on a video on this topic. FRS has limited range and power, but if the neighbors in your group are relatively close it may work just fine. My wife and I have good luck using inexpensive FRS radios around the campsites and when we need to communicate on our property. A license is also not required with FRS. Personally, I would go with GMRS as it offers more power and range. A for-pay license is required for GMRS. My plan for our neighborhood is to buy the 5-pack of Baofeng radios on Amazon ($130) and program them on the GMRS channelized frequencies. I hope this helps. Stay tuned for the video in a few weeks. Congratulations on thinking about a communication plan! Be safe.
Those cheaply made bow fang radios are not FRS. They operate on some other band. They’re actually technically illegal in the United States. Regardless of the brand, as long as you have all FRS walkie-talkies on the same channel/privacy code you should be fine. Even the cheaper ones get a pretty decent range.
@@Dwall44 no i use this device to interfere with the children who play with walkie talkies
bao fangs are not serafied by the F C C so if you neighbors are over a block away that's fine
I would look a RUGGED RADIO H T I HAVE THem and Amazon has them at 67.00 dollars
and like I said no extra junk just a good qualtie radio.
Just bought a pair of these secondhand from a guy who used to do community work in the dense forests of Mexico, and he said these Midland T61 radios are so good over 5-6km that the local cartel operators were constantly buying them from him as they were the only affordable radios that would work well through the trees to alert the others of police and military activity..lol
They’re certainly a good price. My wife and I only experience that 5K range when I’m on a hill top or peak and she’s at our campsite. We typically get about a mile or less out of these otherwise. They’re great around the property, out in the trail, and we’re in a caravan. It’s funny, you think the cartel would have enough cash to buy better radios. Thanks for sharing!
Typically FRS/GMRS (UHF - shorter wavelength) are better for urban and forested areas, and contrast with a MURS radio (VHF - longer wavelength) that are better for rural and hills.
I think my grandpa used to have a midland like that
no matter what radio you use you don't need any govt license...just use the radio
well tell that to a ham radio operater or me all radios need to be licened acording to the F C C
We have a rv travel group. Anywhere from 4-7 travel trailers goin down the road. Based on your experience. What do you think our range might be. Open freeway traveling. (Just a rough guestimate). I understand these aren't perfect radios.
My wife and I use the FRS radios since she is not a licensed ham when she is chasing me. They work ok as long as we’re not more than a quarter mile or so apart. It’s a workable option if no one licensed. Another option is for each family to pay for a GMRS license. The GMRS radios will give you more range as they have more RF power output. I can’t recall, but last I checked the GMRS license was under $100, covered the family and was good for several years. It’s worth looking into.
your R V will mess up your signel with out a out side antenna so maby a mile
as of June last year I payed 35.00 dollars for 10 years and your family
household is covered under that license just pick unit numbers
for each member of the family
Gmrs
general mobile radio is a licensed radio service that anyone can use
35.00 dollars covers 10 years and the hole household
What is step of FRS?
F R S is 22 channels you can use for short range talking 2 miles or line of site
F R S IS 2 MILES OR LINE OF SITE