Radio Communications

New Mexico Radio Sales, Inc.

Al Lowenstein

Radio Bands• 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 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!

CommercialDOT 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 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 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

AircraftTITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION

--PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES--Subpart KAviation 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 free ballooning activities.

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

Watts½ 5 5 (ha!) 2000 5 portable

50 mobile

5 portable

20 mobile

Channels 14 8 + 7 Shared FRS

40 Lots! Assigned 1

License None Yes-$75 None Yes

Free

Yes

$300

No

Legal vs. Actual

• 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

• AAAA Club License is issued!!!!!!!!!

• Call Sign -- WPYJ574• License will be on web site, download it,

print it, carry it, USE IT!!!!!• All VHF and UHF Itinerant channels OK• List will be with license (16 VHF, 16 UHF)• Special thanks to Goodie for getting it doneSpecial thanks to Goodie for getting it doneNEWS

FLASH!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!!NEWS FLASH!!!!NEWS

FLASH!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!!

NEWS FLASH!!!!