Communication

 

Tyhee Area Communications Plan

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FREQUENCY BAND INTRODUCTION

In an emergency, you may need to communicate with others who are using various types of radios, on many different frequencies. Are they using an FRS radio? Or is it MURS or GMRS? Or are they on HAM VHF/UHF? Don’t let a lack of preparation prevent your emergency communication needs. Whatever it is, wherever you are, prepare for it now by acquiring radios and gathering frequencies that are area-specific and come up with a plan! When disaster hits, just dial them up and talk.
In an emergency, you may need to communicate with others on frequencies they are using.
All programmable handy-talkie (HTs) are sold without area-specific programming but rather come with a few default frequencies. To use these radios, as well as similar Ham radios, it is necessary to either program them manually using the keypad, or to use computer software to load the desired frequencies into the radios.

FRS (GOOD)

No license needed.

No prerequisite.

Family Radio Service (FRS) is a low power, short range, radio system. FRS walkie talkies are easily identifiable and can be found at most outdoor or toy sections of big box stores. Typically sold in pairs and sealed with "bubble packaging" they can be found nearly everywhere on the planet now and are some of the most ubiquitous radio communication devices in the world. FRS radios are limited to a half-watt of output power and have permanently attached antennas. The normal range of FRS walkie talkies in a suburban environment is about a mile or less.

Expect this band to be over-saturated (almost unusable) in the event of a cellular/internet outage.

GMRS (BETTER)

Cost: $35 - via FCC.gov 

Pre-Requisite: FRN (FCC Registration Number)

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a local distance radio system in the same UHF band as FRS. GMRS radios can be capable of longer distance range and greater dependability than FRS. GMRS is becoming more popular as "bubble pack" walkie talkies (HT) include both GMRS and FRS channels. The maximum power level of a GMRS is limited to 50 Watts. The most common GMRS mobile, base, or repeater radios use external gain antennas. GMRS walkie talkie handheld transceivers (HT) are limited to a maximum of 5 Watts. Full duplex repeaters can be used with GMRS. Most "bubble pack" GMRS radios are simplex-only, so they do not function through a repeater. They operate only on the repeater output frequency (GMRS Channels 15 through 22).

Transmit capabilities (up to 50W) increases range significantly with the use of a repeater, and/or high-power base station.

HAM (BEST)

Cost: $35 - via FCC.gov + $15 Exam Fee = Total $50 (Technician License)

Pre-Requisite: FRN (FCC Registration Number)

Amateur Radio Service, widely known as Ham Radio, is an internationally allocated radio service for non-commercial radio communications. It has frequency bands in all areas of the spectrum. Most Ham operators  use repeaters in the VHF and UHF bands, but the channels for these repeaters vary according to geographic area. The church maintains a repeater in the area for emergency communications in this band.

In an emergency, any and all amateur frequencies can be utilized without a license. 

Many more frequencies available in this band when comparing FRS and GMRS. Transmit power caps at 1500W. More of everything in this band (frequencies, cost, hardware, knowledge, etc.).

Above information was contributed by Alan Curtis (Thank you)

OTHER RESOURCES:

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - GMRS

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs 

           GMRS LICENSE

https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license-how-do-i-get-it?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2uiwBhCXARIsACMvIU05AvdcarOXNBuPkmT8DIRm-j2Gw2_4Kpq-WqUtgDnURez3XoxBergaAlN4EALw_wcB