[Qcwa] Unlicensed Handhelds - FRS - Others ?

[Bob Plamondon]

I'm just beginning an effort to participate in an Emergency Response
Team (legal term - and required) for a retirement community here in
Southern California.  I'll be dealing with city/county folks - as well
as RACES and other amateur groups (great 2m/70cm repeaters on peaks
over-looking this area) - but there is a need for some 70-75 unlicensed
residents to communicate as they move about the approx 550 homes here
looking for injured folks, calling for specific assistance, etc - as
well as a few that will man the command-center.

Firstly, if anyone is doing the same kind of thing, PLEASE MAKE CONTACT
!

Since the licensed operator (me) also has the responsibility for all
other radios, I find myself trying to determine what equipment might be
best for short-range (half-mile max - inside-house to inside-house) -
but reliable - equipment for unlicensed, generally hard-of-hearing,
senior citizens.  5-10 years ago, they tried using CB - but the
interference, noise-level, etc yielded a very unsatisfactory experience.

They have a few (10?) radios that they think are on about 150mhz (biz
freqs?) - which they've successfully used for "rovers" in cars who pick
up folks and take them to temporary, local emergency treatment centers.
I'll get into the room with those radios in a few days too.   Does
anyone know if INDIVIDUALS (as opposed to organizations) must be
licensed to use those radios ?  Whatever the licensing required, do you
know how difficult/time-consuming that process is ?

I know about the Radio Shack inspired FRS offering and expect to look
them over during the next week.   I'd like to know if anyone has any
experience with those radios and what they think of their fit to the
purposes required.

I've also seen GMRS radios listed on the Radio Shack web site - but I've
never heard of that class of equipment.  I guess I'll check them too
when I'm at Radio Shack this coming week.  But - more importantly - do
any of you know about those systems and/or have opinions on their
suitability ?  License required ?

What other options are available - if any ?

Thanks for taking the time to read this - and any time you might spend
in responding - it's much appreciated.

W6BOB  -  Bob Plamondon  -  Irvine, CA  92620


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