Frs Radios the Equipment and the Operation What Is Frs/Gmrs

FRS RADIOS THE EQUIPMENT AND THE OPERATION WHAT IS FRS/GMRS

• FRS = Family Radio Service • Channels 1-22, • Maximum Power = 2 Watts • No License Required • GMRS = General Mobile Radio Service • Channels 1-30, Maximum Power = 50 Watts • License Required (Online Application + $70) 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FCC CHANGES FOR FRS AND GMRS RADIOS midlandusa.com

 FRS radios are now allowed to transmit up to 2W of power and do not require a license to operate: Formally referred to as FRS/GMRS hybrid radios, these radios will now be reclassified as FRS units using expanded FRS capabilities.

 FRS radios will now have 22 channels: It is important to note that each FRS transmitter type must be designed such that the effective radiated power (ERP) on channels 8 – 14 does not exceed 0.5 Watts and the power on channels 1 – 7 and 15 – 22 does not exceed 2.0 Watts. 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FCC CHANGES FOR FRS AND GMRS RADIOS continued

 Any radio above 2W of power is now classified as GMRS radio. Requires a license from the FCC to operate.  GMRS licensing is now good for 10 years and cost $70: This covers you and your immediate family and was previously only valid for 5 years.  GMRS will have 30 total channels: This means 22 FRS/GMRS channels plus 8 repeater channels. MOTOROLA MR35O FRS/GMRS RADIO THE “TALK-ABOUT”

•Up to a 35 mile range (About 1 mile here !!!) •22 channels, each with 121 privacy codes for 2,662 combinations •Mini-USB charging port for easy recharging •Built-in flash light •11 weather channels (7 NOAA) with alert feature •0.5 Watts to 1.5 Watts (FRS) •From about $15 (Used) to $80 for 2 (New) OPTIONS – GMRS & AMATEUR RADIOS

Retevis H-777 Two Way Midland - GXT1000VP4, BAOFENG BF-888S Radio UHF 16CH 2 Way 50 Channel GMRS Two- Two-Way Radios Radio – 2 FOR $40 – Way Radio (Pack of 2) - $22 Available at $12 Each

While these radios have more power and will increase the distance that you can transmit, be sure to know and understand the regulations that apply since certain radios may only be used for certain purposes and a license may be required on some of these radios. FOR NOW; LET’S LOOK AT THE MOTOROLA MR350 HOW IT WORKS – “THE BASICS” The Volume Knob is also the On/Off Knob

To set the channel; • Push the Menu/Lock Button and Release. The Channel Should Blink. • Use the + or – buttons to select the channel desired To set the privacy code; • Push the Menu/Lock Button TWICE and Release. The Privacy Code Should Blink. • Use the + or – Buttons to set the Privacy Code For Weather, press and hold the • Push the “Push to Talk” PTT (High) Button to Set the “+” button and then use the “-” Channel and Privacy Codes. button to select a weather Use the Push-To-Talk (PTT) Button (High) to Transmit channel that works for you. Press the “+” button when you want to return to “radio mode”. HOW IT WORKS – “THE BASICS” POWER OPTIONS

• Rechargeable Battery Pack – Comes with a New Purchase • Use after every use • Not Available if there is a Power Outage • Consider an extra for < $10 • Double A Batteries (3) • Last Longer • Make Sure to Have Extra Batteries Available “HOW TO” VIDEO & GUIDE

Visit the SoleraRadio.com website for a video on how to operate the Motorola MR350 FRS/GMRS radio.

Also, on that website, you can click on “FRS Radios” for the User Guide and other information. WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A RADIO…………

• You can participate in the Emergency Communication Program and report information to the Emergency Communication Center. • You can communicate with other CERT members in the community • Even if you don’t want to be involved with the EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION PROGRAM, you can listen to what’s going on and “keep up to date” when the Emergency Communication Center is in operation during an emergency. • There are many other personal and/or business uses for an FRS, GMRS, or Amateur Radio. THE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION CONCEPT

• Volunteers in the Community will report information to the Emergency Communication Center (????) using their FRS, GMRS, or Amateur Radios • Amateur Radio Operators at the Emergency Communication Center will report information to the Emergency Service Agencies and keep detailed reports of their communications. • The Emergency Communication Center will provide information to Volunteers and OTHERS in the Community

• The Emergency Communication Center will act as an Volunteers will report from selected areas INFORMATION HUB and provide some OTHER in the community. They may reside there EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SERVICES or be sent there by the Emergency Communication Coordinator. COMMUNICATION PROTOCOLS AS APPLICABLE TO SOLERA RADIO COMMUNICATIONS KEEP MESSAGE “SHORT AND SWEET”. IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, KEEP YOUR TRANSMISSIONS TO LESS THAN 30 SECONDS (TAKE A “PAUSE” IF YOU NEED MORE TIME.)

SPEAK AS CLEARLY AS POSSIBLE. HOLD YOUR MICROPHONE OR DEVICE OFF TO THE SIDE A BIT OR AT LEAST SIX INCHES AWAY FROM YOUR MOUTH TO AVOID OVER MODULATION.

ONLY STATE “THE FACTS” AND NOT RUMORS OR UNSUBSTANTIATED INFORMATION. NET CONTROL IS IN CHARGE; DON’T SPEAK UNLESS ASKED BY NET CONTROL OR PERSON TRANSMITTING. IF IT IS URGENT (???) AND YOU WANT TO SPEAK; BUT, ARE NOT ASKED, SAY “[CALL SIGN], BREAK FOR COMMENT” (E.G. “DAN-P, BREAK”) AND THEN WAIT FOR NET CONTROL TO RECOGNIZE YOU AND GIVE PERMISSION (E.G.: “GO AHEAD BREAK” OR “GO AHEAD DAN-P”.) END YOU TRANSMISSION WITH:

“OVER” – IF YOU ARE “ON THE AIR”; BUT, STILL PART OF THE “CONVERSATION”

“CLEAR” – IF YOU INTEND TO BE “OFF THE AIR”

“STANDING BY” (OR “LISTENING” OR “MONITORING”)– ON THE AIR AND LISTENING ANNOUNCE YOUR CALL SIGN AT THE START AND END OF YOUR TRANSMISSION.

ALWAYS GIVE UP THE FREQUENCY FOR EMERGENCY TRAFFIC. NO PROFANITY OR USE OF “INFLAMMATORY” WORDS SUCH AS “FIRE” OR “DEAD” UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.

BE COURTEOUS, PROFESSIONAL, FACTUAL, AND REFRAIN FROM MAKING DEFAMING OR Just the facts, maam! DISCRIMINATING REMARKS ABOUT INDIVIDUALS OR ORGANIZATIONS.

TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS! JOIN US

On the 3rd Friday of the month at 9:30am, we have an FRS Drill. Anyone with an FRS Radio tuned to Channel 7, Privacy Code 27, is welcome and encouraged to participate. (About 5 or 10 minutes out of your month!!)

We also encourage all members (THAT’S YOU!) to attend the 3rd Friday meeting starting at 8am where we will often conduct TABLE TOP DRILLS , address other EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION TOPICS and/or provide training on how to use our radios !

ALSO, WE HAVE A NEW CERT WEBSITE - “Solera-Cert.Info” VISIT OFTEN !!! TRANSMISSION COMPLETED

“BREAK FOR COMMENTS”