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Nationwide S.O.S of FRS.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:35 pm
by AEC
The latest thing to surface is a nationwide program to monitor FRS channel 1, for S.O.S calls for emergencies.

They are asking hams to monitor FRS channel 1 in case there are any emergency calls, and to assist if possible, in contacting the proper emergency service/s.

This has merit, but is in its infancy and needs to mature some before it can be put to use and set up properly in my opinion.

Geez, I have an old MPI portable i can easily rock for that channel and leave 'on' 24/7....So what if it's not 'legal' in FRS terms, but it is used to monitor the new 'emergency' channel, and when lives could be at risk, who cares about what radio is used to effect a rescue anyway, and does it 'really' matter?

NO!

Actually, I'm all for this, and I am in the process of setting up just such a 'station' for this purose.

Living in the desert, this CAN be VERY important!!

Too many people hike the desert and NEVER take enough water along, this is NOT the thing to do, with temps that easily top 110, you MUST have proper amounts of water to survive, as well as a small med kit.

Cholla cactus spines are painful and embed themselves very easily in the skin and are very tough to extract.

That being said, the idea of a nationwide S.O.S frequency is an EXCELLENT idea whos time has come.

COUNT ME IN!

I venture into the desert quite often myself, and I always carry a milk crate full of 2 litre water bottles(12), for just such emergencies and to provide water to dehydrated hikers if and when the need arises.

For more information on the topic, go here to read more: http://www.mrtmag.com

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 12:57 pm
by MTS2000des
yeah, I have been following Eric Knight's efforts to make channel 1 an "emergency" channel. While I think that's a good idea in theory, in reality because of the nature of FRS, it isn't practical nor is it a good idea to encourage non-technical people (general public) to put so much faith in FRS for an "emergency" aid or give them the impression that there are a plehtora of resources just standing by waiting for their call.

Sure in an emergency it's whatever works. But FRS is intended for SHORT RANGE use, unlike CB radio channel 9, which with a mobile radio or base can travel 10-30 miles or more, UHF FM simplex isn't good for much unless you're on top of a high rise. around here in metro Atlanta, you'd be lucky to get a solid mile with one of those POS bubblepacks.

I think Eric is on the right track, but focusing on consumer FRS isn't a good plan. You can't send a boy in to do a man's job. Giving people false sense of security isn't a good thing either.

Posted: Thu Jun 15, 2006 1:04 pm
by alex
Guys -

This is very off topic for here -

If you want to discuss this, take it to the batlounge (run by John), or over to Hamsexy.com.

Thanks!