New Family Radio Service

A little over a year ago, The Tandy Corporation (Radio Shack's parent company) petitioned the FCC for a new license-free radio service, named the "Family Radio Service".  This service was to be a new class of Citizens Band, designed for very short range handheld radios.  With quicker than normal response, the FCC approved the new service.

The Family Radio Service (FRS) consists of 14 channels, tucked in between existing UHF GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channel pairs.  The FRS rules are fairly restrictive, partly to prevent interference with neighboring GMRS systems, and partly to prevent the service from turning into the cesspool that we now call 11 meters.

Summary of FRS Rules:

Handheld operation only (no base or mobile radios)

1/2 watt ERP max

FM only"rubber-duck" type antennas only, and the antenna must not be removable from the radio

No external antennas or amplifiers will be permitted

3 kHz maximum FM transmitter deviation.

Transmit audio frequency response is limited to 3.125 kHz.

Frequency stability: transmitters must not drift more than ± 500Hz (.00025%).

Subaudible tone and other selective calling methods are permitted.

Autopatch or other telephone interconnect is prohibited.

There are almost no restrictions on the content of FRS communications. Business, Family, Public Service, etc. are all permitted.

The FRS channel frequencies are:

Channel No.      (MHz)
1................... 462.5625
2................... 462.5875
3................... 462.6125
4................... 462.6375
5................... 462.6625
6................... 462.6875
7................... 462.7125
8................... 467.5625
9................... 467.5875
10................. 467.6125
11................. 467.6375
12................. 467.6625
13................. 467.6875
14................. 467.7125

Complete rules and comments from the FCC can be found on the FCC's Web site, at:
http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Wireless/Orders/fcc96215.txt

Since the introduction of the service, quite a few companies have released radios designed for use on the service.  Maxon, Motorola, Midland, and Uniden all produce at least one style of FRS radio, and others are joining the group.  Most of the radios are capable of operating on all 14 channels, and a few are equipped with sub-audible tone (PL or CTCSS).  Most of the radios operate from either standard AA Alkaline cells or from internal rechargeable batteries, and with a transmitter output of 0.5 watts or less, the battery life is fairly good on most models.

FRS Practical Experience:

For a recent family vacation trip, I purchased a pair of FRS radios, and had the chance to use them extensively between traveling cars and between boats on a lake.  Overall, the radios were very useful.  Why would a licensed ham bother with these short range handheld?  Because they are relatively cheap, small, and because they do not require a license, you can hand them to any family member.

As intended, the range of the radios is very limited.  Most of the manufacturers of these radios state a maximum range of 2 miles.  I suspect that if two users were standing on the open deck of a cruise ship at sea, 50 feet above the ocean's surface, in the middle of the Pacific ocean, a range of 2 miles would be attainable.  Between two cars travelling on a highway, the signal becomes noisy if the cars are more than 0.5 miles apart, and is unusable at a distance of 1 mile or more.  If this range sounds short, don't forget that these are simplex only, UHF radios, transmitting 0.5 watts into a rubber duck antenna inside of a car.  It doesn't get much worse than that.  Much like with an amateur radio HT, I did find that the radios worked much better when outside of a car.  When both units were outside of a car, the range was reliably around 1 mile, and even 1.5 miles if one or both of the users were on a hill.  As with the 440 MHz amateur band, trees, buildings, and other obstructions can significantly reduce the range.

Despite the short range, these radios worked out better than a normal CB for travelling.  Because of the short range and lack of skip on UHF, and use of PL (CTCSS), I never heard anyone on our frequency except for our family.  Communication was also possible without the need for a long, magnetic-mount antenna, and a cigarette lighter plug for power, like those needed for a typical CB..

Overall, FRS radios are a good fit for family activities and outings, and occasionally for business use.  Because of the limitations of the service, I don't see these radios replacing amateur radio, GMRS, CB, Land Mobile, or cellphones, but they are an excellent compliment to these services.

John, N8CD

S.A.R.A. FIELD DAY 1997

For all those who participated, Field day 1997 will be one long remembered.  Although Mother Nature was kind enough forgo the rains of previous years she felt obligated to test our endurance for future dessert operations.  The temperature both days was in the 90's and was accompanied by high humidity.

Setup began about 8:00 AM Saturday morning and there were three stations ready to go at 11:00 AM to try to copy the special Field Day bulletin from W1AW, which is worth 100 bonus points in the scoring system.

Just 20 minutes before we were to go on the air officially at 2:00 PM one of our two generators developed a serious problem and had to be shut down. After a little scrambling we were able to replace the lost generator with a military surplus unit provided by the City of Rittman.
Once on the air just after 2:00 PM things went fairly smoothly.  We operated as a 4A station as in previous years which meant we had four HF transmitters in operation at the same time.  This year we also had a Novice/Technician station operating thanks to Bryan, KC8DKG.

Propagation this year was very good for a change.  The Novice station worked 29 10 meter SSB contacts and Mark N8TLV was able to secure another 100 point bonus by working at least ten 6 meter and 2 meter VHF contacts.  Even 80 meters was good all day long and in fact provided the largest single number of contacts.  A close second was 40 meters with almost 70% of the number of 80 meter contacts.
Bob KB8UHU wanted to try some 160 meter contacts this year.  After destroying one 160 meter dipole during erection, Bob was able to make another on site and after much work was able to get the antenna up 25 feet or so off the ground.  Don't ever let Bob tell you he can't climb trees either.  He scurried up that tree just like his middle name was "squirrel".  In any event after a truly great effort in antenna installation  and operating practice Bob did manage to work quite a few 160 meter contacts.

Another 100 Bonus was provided by Bob N8ZCC when he worked a station in PA via the FO-29 satellite. Thanks Bob for hauling out almost all of your station in your mini-van.

We didn't have any really talented CW operators present this year but Joe KB8YSL and Tim KF8XW managed to collect 9 CW contacts.

Del N8OFP set up a packet station for us and earned another 100 bonus points for us.  Del also managed to find the W1AW Field Day bulletin on a packet BBS and helped verify our copy and secure that 100 point bonus.

In keeping with the finest tradition of SARA we managed to consume a lot of very good food.  Chef Gary, N8OGK provided his usual culinary talents and made sure no one went hungry.  Many thanks to Carol, N8SIN and Karen, KB8YSM to making sure everything ran smoothly during Saturday's supper and Sunday morning's breakfast.  If there were bonus points available for the club whose members gained the most weight during Field Day we would have won hands down.

This years location was different from last year's although was still located in Fritz Park in Rittman.  We moved up to the top of the hill for better VHF and satellite operations but also benefited by being directly behind the American Legion Hall.  The Legion provided the use of their restrooms and kitchen space for making coffee.  (Somehow those two things seem to go together!)

Point Summary

160 meters SSB - 29 contacts
80 meters SSB - 300 contacts
40 meters SSB - 263 contacts
40 meter CW - 9 contacts
20 meter SSB - 40 contacts
15 meter SSB - 9 contacts
10 meter SSB - 40 contacts
6 meter FM & SSB - 20 contacts
2 meter FM & SSB - 12 contacts
Satellite SSB - 1 contact
Packet - 9 contacts

Bonuses Earned

100% emergency power - 400 points
Public location - 100 points
Publicity - 100 points
Information booth - 100 points
Packet contact - 100 points
Satellite contact - 100 points
VHF contacts (10 req'd) - 100 points
W1AW bulletin copy - 100 points

Phone contacts are scored as 1 point each while packet and CW contacts are scored as 2 points each.

While preparing our summary sheets to submit to ARRL we had to throw out just 10 duplicate contacts.  This wasn't bad since we operated the same band from different stations and the logging computers didn't know what the other computers had recorded.  Unfortunately we had to throw out another 29 contacts because the log didn't show the complete data required.  We had question marks listed within some call signs or station class reports and some contacts that did not list any location for the station worked.  Overall however we did quite well and learned a few more lessons to use next year!

With the scoring system used by ARRL I project our score will be about 2600 points after our bonus points are awarded.  Last year we scored 2684 with poorer radio propagation.  However last year we had a lot of 2 point CW contacts which raised our point score considerably.  We actually worked 110 more stations this year but most of the contacts were worth just a single point each.  The moral: Everyone practice their CW for next year !!

This year we had many people show up for at least some part of the event.  The following is a list of all of the attendees.  I apologize if I overlooked your name but I was rather busy all weekend.  Thanks to all of you that came out for Field Day.

Del N8OFP, Joe KC8DKF, Bryan KC8DKG
Jeremy KB8LFA, Mark N8TLV, Bob N8ZCC
Bob KB8UHU, Randy KC8DJA, Larry WD8ITF
Chuck WD8DMT, Duane KB8TXI, Tim KF8XW
Joe KB8YSL, Benny KC8DEO, Gary N8OGK
Carol N8SIN, Brenda KC8DEP, Willie KB8UHI
Mary KA8MPH, Walt KB8GCT, Phil K8MBY
Mike N8QQN, Matt KC8DEL, Rick N8TGQ
Karen KB8YSM, Dave KC8DJY, Barry KI8BS, and "Grandma" proud mother of N8SIN and a friend of many of us.

I must take the space to give special recognition and thanks to several people without whom Field Day either would not have happened at all or at the least would not have been the success it was.

Many thanks to Mike N8QQN, who made all of the arrangements with the City of Rittman, the local newspapers,  and the American Legion.  Mike is also the reason we have access to one of the city's generators.  Mike is the most gung-ho Field Day enthusiast I know and he wasn't even able to participate with us this year.  We look forward to seeing you there next year Mike!

Thanks to Del N8OFP and Joe KC8DKF who helped to set up a tent, a camper, two generators, and three complete HF stations before 11:00 AM on Saturday so we could receive the W1AW bulletin.  Those were 3 very long, hectic,  and hot hours between 8 and 11 AM.

Thanks very much to Gary N8OGK, and Carol N8SIN to make sure we all ate so well and that the chuck wagon ran so smoothly.

Last, but certainly not least my personal thanks to Del N8OFP.  Del assisted me this year and served as Field Day co-chairman.  Del also stayed at the field day site the entire weekend and worked 40 meters for more hours than I can remember!  He helped organize the event and provided his support in countless ways.  Field day simply would not have been the great time it was for all of us without his help.  My sincere thanks Del !!

See you all next year for Field Day 1998 !

Barry KI8BS

Misprint Correction from the June Salami Merchant

Dale, KC8DEN, sent this correction in via e-mail.  Just to make sure I got it right this time I'll take a direct quote...
"I just read the June Salami Merchant and I have a correction. Under "Congratulations" it reads.....
Congrats to Gary Miller KC8DEN for upgrading to General....(or something simular)

Fact is that Gary Miller's Call sign is KC8DKC and Gary has been Advanced License Class for some time.....

My call is KC8DEN and I upgraded to General Class License during April and then upgraded a second time during May to Advanced Class License.

Thanks John....
  Dale Malone
  KC8DEN"

Thank you for bringing that to my attention, Dale.

Congratulations to both Gary and Dale.

Next V.E. Session

SARA's VE test will be Saturday July 26.  Anyone wishing to take the test please call KA8MPH, Mary, at 882-6387 to register.

Product Review: Motorola Sport 7 Family Radio Service (FRS) Handheld Radio.

There are a growing number of manufacturers that produce radios for the new Family Radio Service (FRS).  Most of them are names that are familiar in the radio business, such as Maxon, Motorola, Uniden, Midland, and others.  I did some practical shopping for the brand and style that would best suit my  needs, and learned quite a bit along the way. 

My goal for a FRS radio was to have a unit that was relatively inexpensive, that I could hand to an average, radio illiterate person, and say "push here to talk"…no further instruction needed.  Many of the FRS radios that are available are relatively complicated, with LCD displays, channel selectors, volume and squelch knobs, battery LEDs, and CTCSS selectors.  Most of the units cover all 14 FRS channels, and some even provide all 38 EIA standard CTCSS tones.  Some hams (but not all) are familiar with these options, but imagine handing one of these radios to your cousin Mel.  If he accidentally hits the channel button, what are the odds that he will remember what channel it was on?  Besides, with a maximum practical range of about a mile, why would you need to choose from 38 CTCSS tones on 14 channels?

I shopped for FRS radios using this criteria:

Price

Reliability

Sturdy construction / weather resistant

Extremely easy for a non-radio person to operate

Uses AA Alkaline batteries, (no re-charge downtime)

Has CTCSS encode and decode, to prevent computer "birdies" and intermod from opening the squelch.

Most of the radios I found were designed to appeal to the gadget-addict in most of us, except for the Motorola Sport 7 model, which met all my criteria.

The Sport 7's exterior consists of:
A volume/on-off knob
An LED, for transmit and battery indicator. 
A PTT button
A momentary monitor button which opens the squelch as long as it is held.

That's it.  No squelch, no channel selector, no CTCSS selector, no display to crack.  The unit can be set to any one of 7 channels and one of 7 EIA standard CTCSS (or carrier squelch) via 2  small rotary switches hidden inside the battery compartment.

It is small, lightweight, and runs for about 20 hours on 3 AA alkaline batteries.  In the Motorola tradition, most of the case components are o-ring gasketed.  Compared to a business band Motorola HT, the radio feels light and cheap, but compared to other FRS radios, it feels very well constructed.

Receive audio is very load and clear, although a little on the bassy side.  Motorola was even thoughtful enough to eliminate the squelch tail by holding the transmitter on for a few milliseconds after the CTCSS encoder stops.  The transmit audio is clear if the user is close (within about 1 inch) of the microphone, and it was impossible to distort the transmit audio, even with a 10 year old screaming into the microphone.

When compared side by side with my Yaesu FT-50 amateur handheld, the receiver sensitivity in the Sport 7 was about the same as the Yaesu's. 

There are a variety of accessories available for the Sport 7, including an external speaker-mike, VOX headset, VOX ear-piece/throat mike, and various cases and holders.

Modifying the Radio

In case you had plans to modify the radio to put out more power, use 5 KHz deviation instead of 3, or operate in the Amateur 440 band, don't bother.  I slipped the radio out of the case, and there are no adjustments - not even final amplifier tuning capacitors or coils.  Every component is surface mounted.  There are some chip resistors near what appears to be the CPU that I suspect perform some modifiable function, but there isn't a clue as to what the resistors do.

The Price

I found the Motorola Sport 7 for $99.00 each from:
Southern C&E, in Florida
phone: 800-470-1477
http://www.southernce.com/ 

The same distributor also sells the Motorola 7X (same as the sport 7, except it has an external channel selector), and the new Motorola Talkabout Plus (a newer, fancier 14 channel model).

$99.00 is so far the least expensive FRS radio I've found.  Radio Shack also sells several re-branded models of FRS radios, but only the most expensive model has CTCSS, and all have a distinctively "cheap" feel.  Most of the units are $129 or more.

In practical use, the Motorola Sport 7 radio has proven reliable, and useful.  The lack of fancy features has added to rather than detracted from the radio's usefulness, and I highly recommend it to anyone considering an FRS radio.

John, N8CD

SARA Picnic & Junque Auction

Don't forget about the annual SARA Picnic & Junque Auction, to be held on Saturday, July 19th at 2PM at the Doylestown Park off of Gates Street. 

This year will include the drawing for the raffle ticket sales, the postponed but long awaited Junque Auction, and the traditional consumption of mass quantities of tasty food.

The Junque Auction is a chance for you to clear out your basement for a good cause...SARA.  Everyone brings some usually ham related junque (sometimes what they bought at last year's Junque Auction), and puts it on the block.  This is a donation/fund raiser for SARA, and all procedes go to SARA.  It's always a lot of fun. 

Call on the 147.390 or 442.275 repeaters for talk-in or directions.

Map to Doylestown Park on Gates Street...Site of the SARA Picnic on July 19th at 2PM.