Date: Tue, 28 Aug 2001 21:35:23 -0400 Reply-To: Maryland Birds & Birding Sender: Maryland Birds & Birding From: Gail Mackiernan Subject: Re: An FRS Question In-Reply-To: <11d.3cc4a0c.28bd2912@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi Paul and others -- The problem with the radio(s) was not teh subcode as I was using a model that only had 14 channels, no subcodes. It was a defect in the radio (since replaced). Barry's identical radio had no problem communicating at much greater distance. However, this points out that FRS radios are not exactly precise and expensive electronic equipment. There are now a lot of manufacturers, some well-known such as Sony or Panasonic and some imported from who knows where. Most now have 14 channels and 38 sub-codes; if you are going to get FRS, be sure to select one with the subcodes. In this area we really do not (yet) have the traffic to warrent their use but apparently in some states they are absolutely necessary to reduce interference from other users. (Reduce, not eliminate, I should add). Costs are coming down so much that I would assume most people will buy their radios at Best Buy or similar, where the same radios as ABA sells (which may or may not be the best, they are not what I use) sell for much less. I personally find FRS essential for certain types of birding trips, and not just for bird-finding. I think security, staying in touch with the group and keeping together in rough terrain are other reasons to carry them. I know some bird tour groups use them (even abroad, yes) as they are concerned about folks getting lost. They also save a lot of loud calling and running back and forth as well! Gail Mackiernan Colesville, MD On Tue, 28 Aug 2001, Paul O'Brien wrote: > Norm, > > I have little cheap-o K-Mart radios and even on the same channel I had > trouble communicating with Gail Mackiernan at 200 yards. I suspect that the > sub-channel on her radio simply narrowed the band too much for mine, but I > don't know if people with similar radios have that problem. I suppose if > everybody bought the same radios from ABA, there would be no problem. This > may not help your discussion very much. > > Paul O'Brien > Rockville, Mont. Co., MD > pobrien776@aol.com > > ======================================================================= > To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com > with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey > ======================================================================= > ======================================================================= To leave the MDOsprey list, send e-mail to listserv@home.ease.lsoft.com with the following message in line 1: signoff mdosprey ======================================================================= =========================================================================