strollin
San Martin, CA
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Joined: 06/12/2003
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bsprague wrote:...
If you have them, use your cell phones. Most of us have those now. Most of us can talk for free to our DWs because they are "in plan". Cell phones are "duplex". You can both talk at the same time and actually have a meaningful conversation about the post, before you hit it. ...
I agree with using cell phones. We started out with a CB when caravaning with friends but always thought CB radio was junk. Noisy with poor xmit/receive quality. Very rarely had clear communication. Not to mention channel crowding and the foul language.
Then we migrated to FRS radios. They are OK but don't perform well unless you have a good line of sight between the radios. If there's a small hill between the radios, forget it. I've never bothered with GMRS radios since I didn't want to have to get a license and still have marginal communication.
Cell phones seem to work best for us, especially for longer distances. Sure there might be times when you have no cell service but in my experience that is rarer then not being able to make contact with the other party using CB or FRS.
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BCNUL8R
Topeka, Kansas
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Joined: 11/06/2006
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ddreisbach wrote:BCNUL8R wrote:ddreisbach wrote:We use our GMRS radios for caravaning, hunting, shopping, whatever. We take them to the big home show, boat show and auto show. We even use them around the house.
Sure, we're supposed to have a license... And truckers aren't supposed to cuss. Get real! 
And with that attitude it won't be long before FRS/GMRS frequencies will be just like CB class D...
Why? Because the users don't have a license? How did you make that leap in logic?
These radios are sold in discount and dollar stores for as little as one-third the cost of an FCC license. Out of the millions of people using them, what percentage do you think are licensed? 1%? You're saying that those unlicensed outlaws are going to ruin it for everybody else? They ARE everybody else!
With 22 channels and 38 security codes we rarely hear anyone else, unlike CB. I don't see the problem.
Frankly, Scarlett.........
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Dreamweaver
USA
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Joined: 06/13/2004
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I have always had a CB radio in the truck.I was an OTR driver for 15 years and "back in the good old days"(late 60s and 70s) drivers were not as foul mouthed as they are today,but then again most of the ones out there today are steering wheel holders instead of truck drivers.I only turn my radio on if there is a traffic back-up so I can find out the reason.Other than that it is usually off.
John
John The Happy Wanderer
2003 DODGE 3500 QUAD CAB SLT 5.9 CUMMINS TURBO DIESEL
2001 Carriage Cameo LXI F34CK3 5th wheel
~~~ FRIENDLY FULLTIMER ~~~
Good Sam Club Life member
Full Time Graduating Class of '05
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riddellr
Belleville, IL, USA
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Joined: 08/03/2004
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"You gotta have a license."
"I don't care. No one else has a license."
"It's the law."
"I don't care. No one else has a license."
"You should still do the right thing."
"I don't care. No one else has a license."
Wow! With this thinking, why do we bother to get a drivers license? Why do we bother to carry insurance? Why do we bother to license the rig? Why do we follow the speed limits? Why do we stop at stop lights and signs? I don't care? No one else does? I'm not impressed with this logic.
The fact of the matter is, the FCC made some really poor judgments in allowing a single FRS (Unlicensed) radio to be combined with GMRS (Licensed) radio. To me this is no different than packaging cigarettes and marijuana in the same pack and telling the users that the marijuana is illegal and not to use it. Since using the GMRS requires a license, simply get the license ($80.00 for 5 years) and be legal, or use another medium to communicate. Would you jump off a cliff just because every one else is doing it? It is precisely this mentality that has gotten America in the condition it is in today. If the FCC had the man power to enforce their rules, believe me, they would.
As a licensed Amateur Radio Operator and a previous GMRS License holder (all family members obtained their Amateur Radio License so no need for the GMRS anymore) I strongly encourage the proper use of our radio spectrum, whether it be CB, FRS, GMRS, Radiotelephone (Cell Phone), or MURS so that we do not get the privilege of using it taken away and sold to Business users. One final reason to properly use the different types of radios is, if for no other reason, to teach our kids "RIGHT FROM WRONG" and the "PROPER" way to do things. Imagine if everyone in the world had the "I DON'T CARE" mentality. Wow!
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