[Scan-DC] FRS In Times Square!

[John Wilson]

    A maximum of 50 watts is authorized for GMRS frequencies operation.  GMRS
repeater operation is authorized if applied for during the license application
process.  My guess is that these 50 watt GMRS repeaters have a reprogramed EPROM
or appropriate crystals or whatever it requires for operation  for the FRS
frequency offsets in the GMRS band using an operator chosen CTCSS.   Although
illegal, with decent ground plane antennas or phased antenna arrays on top of
tall buildings using  low loss coax cable, the intercity repeater coverage
should be fairly good.


William Rossiter III wrote:

> Hello all.  I just got back from a 4 day trip to New York City.  This was my
> first time in the Big Apple, and I stayed on the 40th floor of the Double
> Tree Suites in Times Square.  I didnt bring my scanner with me, but I did
> bring my TalkAbout 280 FRS radio (which has an FRS scanner built into it).
> I am writing to inform everyone what the FRS life is like in Times Square.
>
> -95% of all people using FRS radios in New York City, use CTCSS tones.
> -During the daytime, if you press MONITOR on the radio, one can hear
> somebody on probably about 400 of the total 532 channels (14 X 38).
> -During the night time, one can hear somebody on almost all the FRS
> channels.
> -A large amount of businesses use FRS in Times Square.  I heard 2 limo
> companys using them.  7 different hotels use them.  And numerous street
> shops using them.
> -Believe it or not, there are FRS repeaters set up in NYC.  I dont know if
> they are llegal or illegal, but they definitly exist.  They work on an input
> channel/output channel system.  I counted 3 different repeaters in total.
> Two repeaters were used for limo companies, and 1 was being used for the
> dance club "Barcode".
>
> The limo repeaters went like this:
>
> Input: Channel 14 - CTCSS 28
> Output:  Channel 3 - CTCSS 28
>
> Input: Channel 10 - CTCSS 13
> Output: Channel 2 - CTCSS 13
>
> The dance club repeater went like this:
>
> Input: Channel 5 - CTCSS 22
> Output:  Channel 6 - CTCSS 22
>
> - The limo repeater is excelent.  I took a taxi down to ground zero, while
> my brother stayed in Times Square.  I called him on the cell phone and told
> him to transmit on the input channel.
> I then listened to both channels.  The input channel was totally silent, but
> on the output channel I heard my brother!
> - I am guessing that they get away with using repeaters because so many
> channels are constantly being used, that it would be extremely difficult for
> the FCC to track down FRS pirates.  It kinda reminds of CB Channel 6.
>
> Anyway, that was my FRS experience in NYC.  I encourage everyone who goes
> there in the future, to monitor all the FRS channels.
>
> -Bill
>
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