Using Radio
for Neighborhood Watch
Hamilton Hill FRS Radio Net
Meets on FRS
Channel One, each Sunday, at 9PM.
Join us and say hello! You’ll get a chance
to test your radio and find out what’s happening in your local area.
Schenectady, NY 12307
Turn on your FRS radio, set to channel one, without a privacy code, at 9 PM. If you’re in the Hamilton Hill area, it’s likely that you’ll hear us.
Monitor
channel one [on a scanner it’s 467.5875] and use channel one only for
brief calls, letting others know what channel you’ll meet them on, and for
emergencies. If we work together, we can make this a valuable resource!
Can amateur and citizens radio make a local neighborhood safer? YES.
There is no question that
Neighborhood Watch activities can improve safety and security in the
neighborhoods where they are used.
Many
communities and organizations use wireless communication to enhance crime
prevention, and respond to emergencies.
Schenectady’s
Hamilton Hill Neighborhood, known as a high crime area, can use wireless
communication to provide access to emergency assistance and access.
For those with limited
resources, and who may need instant access to local communication, F-R-S radios
may be the best solution.
Low end
models are available for as little as $10 each, and radios with additional
features cost only a little more.
These
radios provide contact up to two miles, but typically provide coverage of a
half to three quarters of a mile in most situations.
By keeping
channel one open as a call channel, and for emergencies, neighborhood residents
can have easy and affordable access to those in the neighborhood who can
provide assistance.
Those with interest and motivation may want to consider becoming a
licensed amateur radio operator.
Modern licensing is not difficult, and youngsters as young as eight have obtained ham licenses. There’s no requirement to learn code, at the technician license level, and all the multiple choice questions that can be asked on the exam are available in advance for study.
There’s no
charge for the license, which is good for ten years, and only a minimal charge
for the locally administered exam.
The best
way to learn about the hobby is to attend a local club, and get to know those
already working in the field. The closest club to the Hamilton Hill area is the
Schenectady Museum club, meeting on the
third Thursday of each month.
Those with
their ham licenses can monitor and relay emergency traffic from those with FRS
radios, and provide a link to vital services in the event of an emergency.
Check these links to learn
more about FRS and amateur radio, and how they can help.
FRS Communications – Channel 1
Monitor these frequencies
on your scanner to find out what’s happening and help those in need.
467.5875 FRS Channel 1 Local call and
emergency on family radio service
462.675 GMRS call freq. REACT
uses and monitors this frequency
146.79 SMARA
repeater Schenectady
Museum club repeater
147.06 SARA
repeater Handles
local weather emergencies, public events
453.875 Schenectady
Neighborhood Watch
For more information, contact kb2qzh This site started 02/25/03