I'm trying to register for a dozen frequencies in the 450-470 MHz band at 11 different locations around the country. All the transmitters are low power handhelds.
I've been trying to use ITA-Relay for frequency coordination for the past two months, but it's been very difficult to get any response. My only reply from them was in late November. I've since faxed the required information to them three times, sent a number of e-mail messages, and left voice mail to the fellow in charge with no response at all.
The last time I did it I don't remember it being this much trouble. Anyone have any advice? Another coordinator perhaps?
Thanks in advance.
Frequency Coordination Woes
Moderator: Queue Moderator
We have a travelling circus of about 40 handhelds on 9 of the 12 different frequencies, the other three are used for low power data transmission.
Having that many individual assigned frequencies is necessary for us, but kind of a waste really, because we are only located in most of the locations for 3 to 4 days a year, and even when we are there, the radios are used 4 hours a day max.
So that means those frequencies are unavailable to the local community for 5 years so we can legally use them for a total of 16 hours a year, but I don't know of any other way of doing it.
Having that many individual assigned frequencies is necessary for us, but kind of a waste really, because we are only located in most of the locations for 3 to 4 days a year, and even when we are there, the radios are used 4 hours a day max.
So that means those frequencies are unavailable to the local community for 5 years so we can legally use them for a total of 16 hours a year, but I don't know of any other way of doing it.
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Tom in D.C.
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- Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2001 4:00 pm
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Coordination?
Why don't you just get licensed for a bunch of itinerant channels nationwide? If you used DPL on the voice frequencies odds are you wouldn't have much local interference when you're in the various towns. Itinerant channels don't require coordination last I heard, but getting assigned more than four of them might pose a problem with the FCC.
Also, asking for advice from the Licensing Assistance Office in Gettysburg (this is a for-profit advisory service that just happens to be in the same building as the FCC) might be helpful, especially as to how you might get more than four itinerant channels assigned for your radios.
Also, asking for advice from the Licensing Assistance Office in Gettysburg (this is a for-profit advisory service that just happens to be in the same building as the FCC) might be helpful, especially as to how you might get more than four itinerant channels assigned for your radios.
Tom in D.C.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
In 1920, the U.S. Post Office Department ruled
that children may not be sent by parcel post.
I know you would like to use 12 different frequencies, but what about using only 5? There is always the MURS group of former VHF Business band Color Dot frequencies. They are limited to 2 watts and I do not believe they are restricted from data. You can use them throughout the country and there is no licensing or coordination involved.
If you need more frequencies, you can also use the unlicensed FRS radios for voice communications. They are UHF, off the shelf radios that will allow low poer short range UHF communications. Businesses are allowed to use FRS. The only thing is, make sure you stay off the GMRS channels, as those usually come with the radios as well and require a license to use. The down side would be families using the same frequencies at your event.
I dont like to encourage use of FRS by people who do not have a GMRS license because most radios out there are combination radios that come with both FRS and GMRS programmed into them. Unlicensed users tend to drift over into the GMRS frequencies because they dont know any better. They just see it as another channel on the radio. This causes a problem with the licensed GMRS users though.
If you need more frequencies, you can also use the unlicensed FRS radios for voice communications. They are UHF, off the shelf radios that will allow low poer short range UHF communications. Businesses are allowed to use FRS. The only thing is, make sure you stay off the GMRS channels, as those usually come with the radios as well and require a license to use. The down side would be families using the same frequencies at your event.
I dont like to encourage use of FRS by people who do not have a GMRS license because most radios out there are combination radios that come with both FRS and GMRS programmed into them. Unlicensed users tend to drift over into the GMRS frequencies because they dont know any better. They just see it as another channel on the radio. This causes a problem with the licensed GMRS users though.
Good point Will. Although, I was just being honest and it is a legitimate use of the FRS service. I was simply going by the rules in the 2nd paragraph, and then in the third pointing out that although it is perfectly legal and legitimate, there can be problems with it.
It would be nice to see the service used for its intended purpose. Your kind of between a rock and a hard place there because as a rule follower, you want to encourage legitimate use of the service, yet you know full well how it has been grossly abused.
I prefer to encourage proper use rather than completely discourage use entirely.
It would be nice to see the service used for its intended purpose. Your kind of between a rock and a hard place there because as a rule follower, you want to encourage legitimate use of the service, yet you know full well how it has been grossly abused.
I prefer to encourage proper use rather than completely discourage use entirely.