GMRS Radios, encourage them?

metro · 10-06-2004, 07:55 PM

Hello all,
Newbie here, I found this site while doing research on the Winchester model 94 .30-.30
which I did buy yesterday by the way. I'm not sure if this is the right board for this topic but part of the issue regards hunters looking bad in the public eye and I did'nt find any other board that appeared to be more appropriate.

I thought I'd toss this subject out as it has been a topic of conversation for me lately and just today the hunter that started the October 2003 wildfires here in San Diego Ca. was indicted, he is facing 5 years in prision.

Do you carry a FRS or GMRS radio? I contend that if the hunter who set the "signal fire" that was lost last October was carrying a radio he would not have had a problem. He was a half mile from the truck and felt a signal fire was a good idea, his good idea led to millions and millions of dollars in damage and 15 deaths. I always carry one at the very least for communication with my buddy regarding a covey of quail comming his way or to let him know I am done for the day.

With these radios selling for as little as 15 or 20 dollars I believe there is no excuse for anyone who is participating in an outdoor activity such as hunting or hiking to be lost and require an ongoing operation involving SAR teams spending our tax dollars, we hear these stories every year.

I know a government regulation is not the way to go but what about outdoorsmen spreading the word, I have given these radios as gifts and encouraged their use with friends and relatives.

Anyway, I'd like to hear other opinions on this issue.

Metro...

george_s · 10-06-2004, 08:08 PM

they just approved them in my home state. i dont think they are a bad idea

CalHunter · 10-06-2004, 10:48 PM

The price is coming down and the quality is going up. I think they are a good idea within reason. I don't think they should be used to herd game or guide a hunter into postion on game. JMHO.
Cal

Coastie · 10-07-2004, 03:57 AM

I am not that familiar with the GMRS radios but do have a pair of FRS units I have carried on occaision. Small units such as these are typically low power with extremely short antennas which limit their range to a couple of miles under ideal conditions. If you are in heavy cover or in a hole, they are pretty much useless. With that said, they are another tool that could be used to help those that might get lost or hurt but should not be relied on as your sole source of something to get out of trouble. There is no government agency that monitors these frequencies (to my knowledge) or issues radios with those frequencies to SAR personell so one would have to rely on another hunter or hiker to be on the channell they were using to call for assistance. Again, not a bad idea, just limited in its usefulness.

BenGarrett · 10-07-2004, 06:17 AM

Oh yes, I definitely recommend them. We've been using them since back before these handy things now came out, when CB walkie-talkies were the only option. Of course the new radios are much, much better.

I have 5 of the radios, ranging from the 2-mile radios up to the 10-mile Cobra models. We always have them on. They're a very handy in case of emergencies, or if someone has a deer on the ground and needs help getting it out.

The Cobra model has the built-in weather band. I used it one day a couple of years ago when severe weather was moving into the area. I learned on the radio that tornado warnings had been posted for neighboring counties. We decided to leave the woods early. Shortly thereafter, tornadoes swept through the area. Also it has a built-in compass, which I have found very handy a time or two also.

I certainly recommend them for anyone. One of the GPS companies makes a model that is a GPS unit/GMRS Radio. If hunter #1 starts talking to hunter #2 on the radio, hunter #2 can see where #1 is at, and vice-versa. That would be very handy in the case of an emergency and I plan to upgrade before next year.

DougMD · 10-07-2004, 06:36 AM

Highly recommended. I have 5 myself, and though the FRS didn't work well on the mountain over hills in thick stuff, the GMRS work fine. I paid about $35 each for them (Motorolas) over a year ago. You can turn the beeps off and put vibrate on so as not to scare deer away when being called. They also have ear pieces for them if preferred.

See my post on batteries for them and why alkaline is the way to go.