To our friends with
FRS/GMRS (22 channel) radios:
WELCOME TO THE NSEA
SUNDAY EVENING RADIO NET!
If you have an FRS
(Family Radio Service) radio (newer
22 channel style radios [with the 14 FRS channels plus 8 GMRS "output
channels"]) then you will be able to listen to the N. S. E. A. radio
net
(repeater output, 462.675 MHz, channel 20).
However, you will NOT be able to transmit into or through the
repeater. You can receive only.
Why is this?
FRS/GRMS radios all
transmit and receive on the SAME
frequency (called "Direct", "Simplex" or
"Talk-around"). To transmit
through a repeater you need a full-fledged GMRS radio with ADDITIONAL
frequencies to utilize repeater stations.
Repeaters use DIFFERENT frequencies to receive and transmit. Therefore, in order to transmit through
repeaters you must have a radio that transmits and receives on
DIFFERENT frequencies
(Called "Repeat".)
Who can I talk to
with my FRS/GRMS radio?
1)
Other FRS
radios (unlicensed) - on channels 1 - 7 and on low power on channels
8-14.
2)
Other GMRS
radios (only If you have an FCC license)
- on high power on channels 8-14 and also on channels 15-22 (GMRS only).
You are most likely
to communicate with other GRMS
stations on the GMRS only "output" channels (15-22).
By transmitting and receiving on the SAME
frequency you can use these channels to talk "directly" to other GMRS
radios (NOT through a repeater), but the range is limited, usually less
than a
mile. (For example, transmit and receive
on 462.675 MHz "Direct" [channel 20].)
Keep in mind that
while you operate under your FCC
license as a GMRS station (with higher power [on channels 8-14] or on
GMRS only
channels [15-22]) you can NOT communicate with unlicensed stations
(including
other FRS radios). You may only
communicate with other licensed GMRS stations (with FCC "Call
Signs"). See Section 95.101(a) of
the FCC Rules and Regulations.
To talk to other FRS
stations (unlicensed) you must go
back to low power on the FRS channels in your radio (1-14).
How can I tell if my
license is for GMRS?
If you operate on
high power (channels 8-14) or on
channels 15-22 (GMRS only), then you (or an immediately member of your
family
[See Rule Section 95.179(a]) MUST have a GMRS license
from the
FCC. Look at your FCC "Call
Sign" on your license. Newer GMRS licenses
(since 1999) start with the letter W, followed by 3 more letters and 3
numbers. For example, WPOK 361 is
usually the NSEA net control station.
Older GMRS call signs (1963-99) start with the letters KA,
followed by
one more letter and 4 numbers. For
example, the oldest valid GMRS call sign in Illinois is KAA 8142.
How can I participate
in the NSEA Sunday evening Radio
Net?
For purposes of our
Sunday evening radio nets, we assume
you will be more than a mile away from our "net control" station, thus
out of range on "Direct", even though you will be able to hear the
repeater. Of course you are welcome to
listen. You may send information in
advance for transmission on the net by the "net control" station
through our web site e-mail, info@nsea.com.
Information submitted is subject to editing and approval for net
transmission by the NSEA net control station operator.
You will be checked in for roll call by your
GMRS Call Sign and announced as such. Be
sure to include your GMRS call sign in your e-mail check-in message For more information, see our web site,
www.NSEA.com.
Can I use my FRS/GMRS
radio to help in NSEA Public
Service Projects?
NSEA does use
"Direct" in many of our public
service projects, and you are welcome to join us to help in such an
event if
you arrange this with us in advance (you must have a GMRS
license). We may issue you a temporary
NSEA unit number
for this purpose.
Again, welcome to the N. S. E. A. net and let us know if you have any questions!!