FRS Radios: I Bet Cristopher Columbus Wishes He Had a Set!
Mar 15 '01
The Bottom Line I think of more ways to put these FRS two-way radios to use the longer I own them. They are certainly a must for families that go out together.
Review of FRS Radios (December 27, 2000)
My family had a big family reunion aboard a cruise ship last June. We were celebrating my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. With a large portion of the group first time cruisers, I thought it might be a good idea to invest in a good set of Family Radio Service (FRS) 2 way radios to keep in touch, especially since our group's individual quarters were located all over the ship. I never did get the FRS 2 way radios in time for the cruise, although I wish I did.
FRS 2 way radios are best described as small, powerful walkie-talkies. They use a special frequency reserved by the FCC for this type of radio service. Most FRS radios boost a 2-mile range, although most FRS radios will not reach this range (the average range is really just under a mile). These radios may be obtained and operated by anyone without any special license. They are intended to be a communications tool for general family use.
There are many possible uses for this radio. When traveling in-groups, it is a good devise to have to communicate with the various members of the group. I plan to use mine while kayaking with my wife. They can be used to relay verbal information, such as job related instructions, for short distances. They can be used by kids to keep in touch with family members, as a safety measure, when traveling. They may be used in separate cars to communicate while driving. There are endless examples of good uses!
There are many manufacturers of FRS radios. Most new FRS radios offer at least 14 channels, although older models may have only 2 or 3 channels. Within the 14 channels, the frequency may be sub divided by an additional 38 sub channels. Other features include LED displays, volume controls, voice activated microphone (VOX), paging capabilities (some with several different tunes), built in FM radios, wrist straps, belt clips, battery chargers, power saving shut-down devices, and squelch controls. Potential users may want to ask knowledgeable salespeople questions about differences in particular models before making a purchase.
Generally speaking, the higher the price of the model, the more the FRS radio has to offer. Some FRS radios are sold in pairs while others are sold individually. FRS radios are popping up everywhere in stores and they are widely sold over the internet. They range in price from about $15 for a low end/low feature FRS to about $50 for a top grade model packed with features. There are no activation fees and no recurring costs. Airwaves are free for all to use!
Here are some questions and tips to consider if you plan to get FRS radios:
How often do you plan to use the radios for? If it is only going to be used for limited purposes, you might save some money and get a scaled down model. If however you plan to use them extensively, a few extra bucks up front may make you a happier camper. For extensive users, also consider the battery used to power the FRS radio - you might want to get a model that uses rechargeable batteries, otherwise you will spend some extra money for batteries.
What is the purpose of using these radios? If you plan to use them to talk-up-a-storm - go right ahead! But, keep in mind, anyone within range may tap into your conversation at any time if they also have an FRS radio, unlike a cell phone. It is not best used for private conversations.
My friend has a different brand FRS radio then the one I want to buy. Are they compatible? Yes! All FRS radios operate on the same range of frequencies, regardless of brand. Although, keep in mind that if you or your friend has an older model, you may have different sub-channel capabilities (14 channels vs. 14 channels with 38 sub channels).
I would highly recommend having a set of FRS radios on hand. They are a lot of fun to use and they are a good communications tool. Thank you for reading my review and have a nice day!
Mike
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