[ScanIndiana] Safe-T info to pass on

[Duane Mantick]

I think you are referring to FRS; my guess is that your
"FMRS" is simply a typo indicating confusion with GMRS.

Unfortunately, it is indeed LEGAL for them to be using FRS
for business related purposes.  I just looked at the FCC's
website for a specific citation in 47 CFR 95 and while there
was NOT one, the Fact Sheet and reference at:

http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/personal/family/

...spells it out pretty clearly:

"You may use your FRS unit for business-related communications."

IMHO, this is a dreadful mistake - because as you pointed out
below, interference will result for a family or group wishing
to use FRS to coordinate group functions in any store or mall
etc. where employees are also using FRS.  Contrast the allowed
business usage to just a sentence or two higher up in the
Fact Sheet at the URL I listed:

"It is used by family, friends and associates to communicate
within a neighborhood and while on group outings and has a
communications range of less than one mile."

NOW - IFFFFF someone in said store interferes with your use
of FRS (and you may NOT interfere with them, either) you can
quote them chapter and verse from 47 CFR 95.191:

(a) ".....No license will be issued."

(b) "You are responsible for all communications that you make
with the FRS unit. You must share each channel with other users.
No channel is available for the private or exclusive use of any
user."

[and note, that last sentence applies to the Wally-World employees
just as much as it applies to you]

95.193(c) "You must not use an FRS unit in connection with any
activity which is against federal, state or local law."

(d) "You must, at all times and on all channels, give priority
to emergency communications messages concerning the immediate
safety of life or the immediate protection of property."

Having said that, I cannot guarantee that quoting them the rules
may not get you an invitation to use the front door in the EXIT
mode.  The FCC has no control over that.  :-)  But there are 14
channels available for FRS usage, if one is busy just switch to
another that is NOT.

IFF, on the other hand, the store is using GMRS radios for
which they have a license you should be aware that GMRS shares
several channels with FRS.  By GMRS being a licensed service,
they are going to have a "priority" when it comes to that
channel sharing.  In order to avoid conflicts of this nature
if you think that you're up against LICENSED GMRS users, use
FRS channels 8 through 14 inclusive.  Only channels 1 through
7 are shared with GMRS.

You will run across a LOT of UN-licensed (and therefore, illegal)
GMRS usage if you haven't already.

Duane Mantick
Lafayette, IN
WB9OMC
GMRS license WPWX735


> -----Original Message-----
> From: scanindiana-bounces at mailman.qth.net
> [mailto:scanindiana-bounces at mailman.qth.net]On Behalf Of Terry & Nancy
> Hoover
> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 6:14 PM
> To: Indiana Scanning
> Subject: RE: [ScanIndiana] Safe-T info to pass on
>
>
>
> I was in the Walmart Supercenter in Avon and the last several
> trips we have
> used our FMRS radios and have had a real bad time using our radios due to
> the Walmart staff using the FMRS freq's to conduct Walmart store
> operations,
> I thought this was illegal for the FMRS Freq's or am I missing something.
>
> If I am missing something, would someone please supply me with the correct
> information.
>
> Thanks
>
> Terry Hoover