best buy "radio guide" says FRS range is UP TO 2 miles with good conditions and flat terrain. then says expect about 1/2 mile range. So if im on top of the mountain, i wont be able to see if anyones at the bottom? Ive used them snowboarding but that was like 5 years ago, so im hoping theyre better. They were motorolas

 

I think the OP is referring to GMRS radios. Those are the ones that have the high range claims. FRS is limited to 2mi. or 1/2W. GMRS is up to 5W, unlimited mileage. They technically do require a licence to operate legally, but I have never seen anyone that uses them actually have one.

 

GRMS shares some of the business band, properly licensed, I think you can run up to a hundred watts, and I think FRS is limited to only 240mw.

nope you are right it can be 1/2 watt...

And skiing it depends more on terrain than power, if there is a big ridge between you, you probably won't hit your buddy a hundred yards away, but line-of sight should give you top to bottom contact capability with FRS at most ski areas

 

Darn, the one I have goes up to Ch 15 only.

 

That was another thing, I know a lot of the less expensive ones don't have so many channels and many don't have the codes either, probably get the most people in your net with a non code channel below 15, at least as a point to monitor and make initial contacts.

 

ooooh this could be fun...

 

!!! im gettin a pair

 

I still dont even know what FRS is and how it will work

 

FRS = family radio system. a small set of frequencies released by the FCC for low wattage, non licensed radio use.

normally you have 12 channels. more advanced ones have a "privacy" setting where you can have a subset channel (actually CSTSS tones) up to 14 diff ones.

anything above 12 channels, and you are using GMRS, which by law, requires a license (around $80 or so, but no tests are needed).

 

So the point of this would be, if you see another wrx, you say soemthing on the radio and pray for a response?

Sounds like a 1 in a 100,000 chance of getting someone to respond, especially while driving lol. Seems kind of dangerous haha

 

just about...

in the 4x4 world, it's almost universal to talk on channel 4...

until someone does organize this, it's next to impossible...

 

Ok, I'll start it off. I've got a set of GMRS radios at my desk. I have them set to Channel 4, sub code 08 (Get it? 408). Anyway, I'm in north San Jose. If you want to hit me up, set you radio to the same. The range on pretty much all sets of 2 way radios is not going to be very far, a couple miles at the most in an urban environment, but if someone gets the ball rolling, maybe other people will pick up on it.

 

Also, if you are looking for deals on GMRS radios, you will be able to get them cheap in the next few weeks since the industry has a line transition every April-May. It has already started. Last year's models will get marked down aggressively once the new models start coming in.

 

sounds fun, and funny, i cant find my old FRS radios, and i never knew they had sub code. i didnt really know how to use it ha

 

im afraid to buy them because they wouldnt work very far in the mountains.

but theyre good if someones playing the lookout for other cars coming your way.