Radio Communications

New Mexico Radio Sales, Inc.

Al Lowenstein

Radio Bands

FRS
GMRS
CB
Amateur Radio
Commercial
Commercial Trunking
Aircraft
Cell phone

FRS
Family Radio Service
A sub-set of GMRS
Very low power
watt (read short
range!)
Millions in use!

GMRS - who can use?

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

is a land-mobile radio service available for

short-distance two-way communications to
facilitate the activities of an adult individual
and his or her immediate family members,
including a spouse, children, parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces,
and in-laws
Fees: $75 for 5 years to FCC

GMRS what can you use?

If you operate a radio that has been approved
exclusively under the rules that apply to FRS, you are
not required to have a license. FRS radios have a
maximum power of watt (500 milliwatt) effective
radiated power and integral (non-detachable) antennas.
If you operate a radio under the rules that apply to
GMRS, you must have a GMRS license. GMRS
radios generally transmit at higher power levels (1 to 5
watts is typical) and may have detachable antennas.

CB
Citizens Band
Been around for years
Antennas very inefficient

on portables
Most conversations not fit
for family consumption!
Bad choice for ballooning

Amateur Radio
Operation of an amateur station
requires an amateur operator license
grant from the FCC. Before receiving a
license grant, you must pass an
examination administered by a team of
volunteer examiners (VES) to
determine your operator class.
Fees: None to FCC

Amateur Radio
Bands of interest are VHF and UHF, can be high

power (5 watt portable, 50 watt mobile)

Either is fine for ballooning
Equipment relatively inexpensive
Can be used for telemetry - GPS tracking, TV and
other fun stuff
Can set frequencies to avoid conflicts
Can go through repeaters to increase range
Must have licensed ham at BOTH ENDS!

Commercial
DOT or Itinerant
Frequencies VHF or
UHF
Specific, shared channels,
limited numbers
Anyone can be on your
channel
Can privatize by PL or
DPL coding
5 watt maximum

Assigned Frequencies
VHF or UHF
Single, assigned
frequency
Protected within a
certain geographic area
Can privatize by PL or
DPL coding
High power available

Commercial
A company or organization can obtain license for all
members
Anyone can use your radios under your individual
or group license
Equipment medium priced, a lot is available used as
business users switch to other communication
methods
Radios must be programmed by licensed Radio
Shop

Commercial
Fees: FCC application fee of $100
Frequency Coordinator fee of $200
Good for 10 years

Commercial Trunking
Works through repeaters on a mountain or tower.
Private only your radios hear or talk to each other
Covers a large area if you can see the tower, you
can talk to any other radio that can see the tower
No license required, the system operator has them
Requires a monthly fee per radio, usually about $15
Due to the monthly costs, probably only for
commercial operations

Aircraft
October 26, 1996-----eliminated the individual licensing

requirement for all aircraft operating domestically

Should be carried/used when near airports or controlled
airspace contact and advisory purposes
Frequencies assigned by FCC for specific applications
123.45 is VERY ILLEGAL
AIM 4-1-11: Aviation instruction, Glider, Hot Air Balloon
(not to be used for advisory service) 123.300 123.500

Aircraft
TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION
--PART 87--AVIATION SERVICES--Subpart K
Aviation Support Stations Sec. 87.323
Frequencies. (a) 121.500 MHz: Emergency
and distress only. (b) The frequencies
123.300 and 123.500 MHz are available for
assignment to aviation support stations used
for pilot training, coordination of lighterthan-air aircraft operations, or coordination
of soaring or free ballooning activities.

Aircraft
Balloon is covered as aircraft, no license is
needed

Chase vehicle: Aviation Support Ground

Station license is required

Cost: $150 for 5 years

Cell Phone
Pilot cannot legally use while in flight
Passengers cannot legally use while in

flight.
Should be carried by pilot, and should be in
chase vehicle for emergency situations.
Emergency numbers should be available
both in balloon and chase vehicle.
When in doubt, call 911.

Comparison
FRS

GMRS

CB

Ham

Com.

Com
-Trunk

Power
Watts

5 (ha!) 2000

5 portable 5
50 mobile portable
20
mobile

Channels

14

8+7

40

Lots!

Assigned

Yes
Free

Yes
$300

No

Shared FRS

License

None Yes-$75 None

Legal vs. Actual

Very few FCC field personnel

Chance of being caught slight
Fine $100,000 per day of misuse possible
Amateur self policed
AAAA Club Commercial License keep
yourself legal

????
FRS

GMRS

Questions
CB

Amateur

????
Commercial Aircraft

NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS FLASH!!!!

NEWS
FLASH!!!!
NEWS
FLASH!!!!

AAAA Club License is issued!!!!!!!!!

Call Sign -- WPYJ574
License will be on web site, download it,

print it, carry it, USE IT!!!!!

All VHF and UHF Itinerant channels OK
List will be with license (16 VHF, 16 UHF)
Special thanks to Goodie for getting it done

NEWS
FLASH!!!!