Radio Communications
New Mexico Radio Sales, Inc.
Al Lowenstein
Radio Bands
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FRS
GMRS
CB
Amateur Radio
Commercial
Commercial –
Trunking
• Aircraft
• Cell phone
FRS
• Family Radio Service
• A sub-set of GMRS
• Very low power – ½
watt (read – short
range!)
• Millions in use!
GMRS - who can use?
• The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
is a land-mobile radio service available for
short-distance two-way communications to
facilitate the activities of an adult
individual and his or her immediate family
members, including a spouse, children,
parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles,
nephews, nieces, and in-laws
• Fees: $75 for 5 years to FCC
GMRS – what can you use?
If you operate a radio that has been approved
exclusively under the rules that apply to FRS, you
are not required to have a license. FRS radios have a
maximum power of ½ watt (500 milliwatt) effective
radiated power and integral (non-detachable)
antennas.
If you operate a radio under the rules that apply to
GMRS, you must have a GMRS license. GMRS
radios generally transmit at higher power levels (1
to 5 watts is typical) and may have detachable
antennas.
CB
• Citizens Band
• Been around for years
• Antennas very inefficient
on portables
• Most conversations not
fit for family
consumption!
• Bad choice for
ballooning
Amateur Radio
• Operation of an amateur station requires
an amateur operator license grant from
the FCC. Before receiving a license
grant, you must pass an examination
administered by a team of volunteer
examiners (VES) to determine your
operator class.
• Fees: None to FCC
Amateur Radio
• Bands of interest are VHF and UHF, can be high
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power (5 watt portable, 50 watt mobile)
Either is fine for ballooning
Equipment relatively inexpensive
Can be used for telemetry - GPS tracking, TV and
other fun stuff
Can set frequencies to avoid conflicts
Can go through repeaters to increase range
Must have licensed “ham” at BOTH ENDS!
Commercial
DOT or Itinerant
Frequencies VHF
or UHF
• Specific, shared
channels, limited
numbers
• Anyone can be on
“your” channel
• Can privatize by PL
or DPL coding
• 5 watt maximum
Assigned Frequencies
VHF or UHF
• Single, assigned
frequency
• Protected within a
certain geographic
area
• Can privatize by PL
or DPL coding
• High power
available
Commercial
• A company or organization can obtain license
for all “members”
• Anyone can use your radios under your
individual or group license
• Equipment medium priced, a lot is available
used as business users switch to other
communication methods
• Radios must be programmed by licensed Radio
Shop
Commercial
• Fees: FCC application fee of $100
• Frequency Coordinator fee of $200
• Good for 10 years
Commercial – Trunking
• Works through repeaters on a mountain or tower.
• Private – only “your” radios hear or talk to each
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other
Covers a large area – if you can see the tower, you
can talk to any other radio that can see the tower
No license required, the system operator has them
Requires a monthly fee per radio, usually about
$15
Due to the monthly costs, probably only for
commercial operations
Aircraft
• October 26, 1996-----eliminated the individual licensing
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requirement for all aircraft operating domestically
Should be carried/used when near airports or controlled
airspace –contact and advisory purposes
Frequencies assigned by FCC for specific applications
123.45 is VERY ILLEGAL
AIM 4-1-11: Aviation instruction, Glider, Hot Air Balloon
(not to be used for advisory service) 123.300 123.500
Aircraft
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
COMMISSION --PART 87--AVIATION
SERVICES--Subpart K
Aviation Support Stations Sec. 87.323
Frequencies. (a) 121.500 MHz:
Emergency and distress only. (b) The
frequencies
123.300 and 123.500 MHz are available
for assignment to aviation support
stations used for pilot training,
coordination of lighter-than-air aircraft
operations, or coordination of soaring or
Aircraft
• Balloon is covered as aircraft, no license is
needed
• Chase vehicle: Aviation Support Ground
Station license is required
• Cost: $150 for 5 years
Cell Phone
• Pilot cannot legally use while in flight
• Passengers cannot legally use while in
flight.
• Should be carried by pilot, and should be in
chase vehicle for emergency situations.
• Emergency numbers should be available
both in balloon and chase vehicle.
• When in doubt, call 911.
Comparison
FRS
GMRS
CB
Ham
Com.
Com Trunk
Power
Watts
½
5
5 (ha!) 2000
5 portable 5
50 mobile portable
20
mobile
Channels
14
8+7
40
Lots!
Assigned
1
Yes
Free
Yes
$300
No
Shared FRS
License
None Yes-$75 None
Legal vs. Actual
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Very few FCC field personnel
Chance of being “caught” slight
Fine – $100,000 per day of misuse possible
Amateur – self policed
AAAA Club Commercial License – keep
yourself legal
???? Questions ????
FRS
GMRS
CB
Amateur
Commercial Aircraft
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS FLASH!!!!
• AAAA Club License is issued!!!!!!!!!
• Call Sign -- WPYJ574
• License will be on web site, download it,
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
print
it,
carry
USE IT!!!!!
NEWS it,FLASH!!!!
• All VHF and UHF Itinerant channels OK
• List will be with license (16 VHF, 16
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
UHF)
• Special thanks to Goodie for getting it
done