[ARRL-OK] National FRS SOS Network

[M. Schneider]

So you are saying that the ham operators who are going to tune into 462.5625 
MHz are not going to make any contact with the person calling for help?  In 
that case, a ham operator isn't needed, somebody with a scanner can do the 
work, and ham ops can concentrate on areas where two-way communications are 
needed.  Perhaps the CERT groups can do this monitoring work.

When I first read this a month or so back, it was specifically stated that 
ham operators, with their better antennas and higher powered radios, would 
be able to cut through the interference on the FRS channel and get through 
to the person calling for help.  That is a violation of FCC rules in several 
services.  It seems from looking at the site that that part has been 
dropped.  Although the forums discussions still advocate hams operating (in 
other words, transmitting as well as receiving) on FRS/GMRS frequencies, at 
least now some are saying the FCC regs should be changed to allow this.  How 
about this, instead.  People who are in favor of doing this should get GMRS 
licenses and operate legal Part 95 UHF radios.

Anyway, a bad idea that no longer breaks any FCC rules is still a bad idea.

Mark Schneider - K5MAR
AEC, Payne County ARES

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lloyd Colston" <kc5fm at ureach.com>
To: <arrl-ok at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, November 12, 2005 7:29 AM
Subject: Re: [ARRL-OK] National FRS SOS Network


> >
>>
>>The information I saw about this implied that amateurs would be breaking 
>>FCC rules, specifically that amateurs would be using their radios on 
>>FRS/GMRS
> The information I saw implied no such action 
> (http://www.nationalsos.com/).
>
> I have an FRS radio in my car.  In fact, during training, our Community 
> Emergency Response Team had FRS radios provided them by the local Citizen 
> Corp Council.  Channel one, in most cases, is a logical choice, since it 
> is the default channel when the radio is activated.
>
> The concept is simple.  FRS has a low range.  It is a logical choice for 
> communicating in a mile radius (about the size of a Neighborhood Watch 
> community) in a disaster (when NOTHING works).  Aunt Susie is trapped in 
> her safe room.  She has no cell service because the same storm killed the 
> tower.  Because she is a part of Neighborhood Watch, has taken Community 
> Emergency Response Team training, she has an FRS radio and extra batteries 
> in her Go-Bag.  She calls on Channel One, because she is told her 
> neighbors will also be monitoring there during a disaster.  First 
> Responders listening on Channel One will know where Aunt Susie is trapped. 
> Either the First Responders will reach her or her neighbors.
>
> It's an easy way to keep from being trapped for hours, days, or weeks.
>
> It's just one more tool the Citizen can use to help themselves "weather 
> the storm".
>
>
> -- 
>
>
> Lloyd Colston             Mayes County Emergency Management
> Pryor, OK USA           http://www.mayescem.us
>
> "The President can make you a general, but only communications can make 
> you a commander."  General Curtis LeMay
>
> ______________________________________________________
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