FRS radio

[az1103]

Has anyone tried to adapt an FRS system to the RSV? It seems like it would be really simple on the speaker side but coupling to the mike might be a challenge.

While trying to troubleshoot my CB last week, I discovered that CB appears to be rapidly going the way of the dinosaurs. I couldn't find anyone with enough knowledge or interest to answer some seemingly simple questions. Components are virtually unavailable, except online, and interest in the subject is minimal.

On the other hand the FRS seems to be used fairly extensively, but with handheld units.

I guess the main advantages would be a much lower innitial cost, a longer range and much clearer transmission including the possibility of private conversation.

[hig4s]

Has anyone tried to adapt an FRS system to the RSV? It seems like it would be really simple on the speaker side but coupling to the mike might be a challenge.

While trying to troubleshoot my CB last week, I discovered that CB appears to be rapidly going the way of the dinosaurs. I couldn't find anyone with enough knowledge or interest to answer some seemingly simple questions. Components are virtually unavailable, except online, and interest in the subject is minimal.

On the other hand the FRS seems to be used fairly extensively, but with handheld units.

I guess the main advantages would be a much lower innitial cost, a longer range and much clearer transmission including the possibility of private conversation.

 

If the FRS radio has a standard mic-in jack the Buddyrich cable for the Zumo 550 should work fine. It is a cable that splices into the intercom wiring harness under the fairing with a cable to plug into a mic-in jack so the same helmet mike you use for the intercom sends voice to whatever it is plugged into. The only caveat is that unlike the CB it will not allow the passenger to talk across the radio.

[Bob Myers]

I couldn't find anyone with enough knowledge or interest to answer some seemingly simple questions. Components are virtually unavailable, except online, and interest in the subject is minimal.

On the other hand the FRS seems to be used fairly extensively, but with handheld units.

I guess the main advantages would be a much lower innitial cost, a longer range and much clearer transmission including the possibility of private conversation.

What seems tp be the problem or at least, what are the symptoms of your radio problems?

As for FRS radios, I wouldn't waste my money on that junk, but that is my opinion. If I were buying something to replace the cb it would be a MURS radio. More power, lower frequency, means better range, more clear signal for same money.

[az1103]

What seems tp be the problem or at least, what are the symptoms of your radio problems?

As for FRS radios, I wouldn't waste my money on that junk, but that is my opinion. If I were buying something to replace the cb it would be a MURS radio. More power, lower frequency, means better range, more clear signal for same money.

 

Were it for some other use I would absolutely agree with you. But on a bike I am not realy looking for much range, a few miles will be more than enough. What I am looking for is clarity, which FM delivers and possibility of privacy which most FRS give through a multitude of codes.

As to problems, well, the usual-noise from most electrical sources as when passing a substatin or power plant poor sound quality (as much static as transmission) and the general lowbrow level of conversation you pick-up on any highway!

[GeorgeS]

Not to many folks use the FRS system. Ok if your ride a lot with a buddy, or you wife on her bike. !!

 

However if you ride with other groups, the CB system is what most people are useing, simply by the numbers.

 

CB antennas and equipment is Not in short supply. See " FireStik " systems, they specialize in Motorcycle CB antenna system's.

If you need a new CB T/R unit, simple stop in at any Truck Stop !!!

Also, just Google, " CB Transcievers " You will find as many as you want.

 

Granted not that much activity, on CB as years ago, however Most Trucks on the road still have them. I find this a good method of finding out what is going ON down the road a ways !!! Just listion to the truckers . Need Help, call a trucker on the CB and he will most likely get you help !!

 

There are at least TWo CB units sold especially designed for motorcycles.

 

A side note: 2 weeks ago, due to EarthQuake, in Southern Calif. Most of the Cell Phone towers were out of service !!!

 

And I do carry a Cell phone also.

 

However, when you are out there, and you really need some road Information, you can't beat getting it from the Truckers !!!

 

 

I also, carrry VHF and UHF Ham Radio Gear !! -----

[Bob Myers]

I also, carrry VHF and UHF Ham Radio Gear !! -----

I too carry ham gear, always have a 2m HT nearby. It has been modded to be legal limit output on MURS channels, as well as come down to 2m to ragchew on the repeaters. With the FRS radios a realistic range is less than a mile, usually you can see farther than you can talk. I swapped on a firestick 2m antenna tonight to replace my duckie antenna(on my Alinco DJ191) and found that simplex I could actually talk from my motorcylce 8 miles back to my base, on 1½ watts. On the factory supplied antenna about 2 miles is limit.And yes that is crystal clear FM

Edited October 19, 2008 by Bob Myers

[KiteSquid]

What about GMRS?

[Bob Myers]

What about GMRS?

Thats UHF, 462Mhz stuff. licensed operator, and license is $85.00. On the plus side you can run 50 watts and a detachable antenna, making it better for long distance simplex, if you have the electrical power for it. Expect a draw of more than 8 amps on a mobile unit, very,very short life on a battery powered hand held(HT). License restriction is biggest deterrent, FRS(still UHF), or MURS(VHF band) have no license required.

An excerpt I gleaned from a communications site, you results may vary;

 

FRS radio range:

Generally stated as "up to 2 miles," you should note that this manufacturer’s stated range should be construed as the absolute max, to be achieved only under optimal conditions (such as flat terrain, no obstructions and full batteries). Somewhere in the 1/4 to 1 mile range, depending upon conditions, is much more realistic.

GMRS radio range:

GMRS radios typically achieve greater ranges than FRS radios. GMRS range is generally specified by manufacturers as "up to 5 miles" and occasionally slightly more. Again, this is a maximum range, likely achieved only under optimal conditions. Realistic range for GMRS radios under most conditions is more likely 1-2 miles, depending upon the particular conditions.

 

From what I've seen and tried over the last few years, the description of the range expected on a frs is seriously overstated. My actual real world range from one truck to another in the woods was less than 500 feet.

[az1103]

Hate to disagree on a subject that I don't know that much about, but when I did play around With GMRS about 15 years ago I routinely spoke with people in Long Beach which is around 23 miles from where I am. And FMRS is "straight sight line" like all FM if you can see-you can hear. So if you are out on the open road, let's say I-15 to Las Vegas where you can see the horizon in both directions you can also talk pretty much that gar. And even in the city, with some fortuitous reflections you will get much farther than the 2 miles you claim. Also I am not certain but it seems I heard that licenses are no longer reqired for GMRS for private use up to 5 W

[Bob Myers]

Hate to disagree on a subject that I don't know that much about, but when I did play around With GMRS about 15 years ago I routinely spoke with people in Long Beach which is around 23 miles from where I am. And FMRS is "straight sight line" like all FM if you can see-you can hear. So if you are out on the open road, let's say I-15 to Las Vegas where you can see the horizon in both directions you can also talk pretty much that gar. And even in the city, with some fortuitous reflections you will get much farther than the 2 miles you claim. Also I am not certain but it seems I heard that licenses are no longer reqired for GMRS for private use up to 5 W

disagreements are the basis for obtaining new knowledge, for me any way. It is entirely possible to do that when the band is "open". Having that for dependable and reliable communication with out hitting a repeater is not going to happen at the power levels the HT run. There used to be a few repeaters out here in the east on some of the upper GMRS freqs but with the availability of the radios the owners decommissioned most of them.

Also from the FCC website;

§ 95.3 License required.

Before any station transmits on any

channel authorized in the GMRS from

any point (a geographical location)

within or over the territorial limits of

any area where radio services are regulated

by the FCC, the responsible party

must obtain a license (a written authorization

from the FCC for a GMRS system).

[53 FR 47714, Nov. 25, 1988]

[GeorgeS]

What it boils down to is " who do you want to talk to " ???

 

If just the guy your rideing with, then 2 miles is fine, whatever type of radio it is.

 

Who is listioning? on whatever type of radio band you use. If nobody there, whats the point ??

 

At least with the CB, there are always truckers to hear you if you need help.

And works great for group rides. and the equipment is cheap. And readiable avialable.

 

However if you want to talk talk to lots of folks, the Ham radio , VHF and UHF useing the Repeaters is the real thing.

Realisticly, on 144 MHZ with 20 to 40 watts you can go 15 to 40 miles, depending on what type of station you are communicating with. This depends on many factors, the range that is. If you want to Park at a Camp Grounds, at 10,000 feet, and set up a tent, with 144 MHZ you can hit Repeaters maby 500 to 600 miles away!! Don't laugh, I have done it.

 

From Ohmaha, on I-80 one night in a car, with 20 Watts on 144 mhz thru the 14,000 ft repeater Near Denver, I talked with a guy down in Mexico.

However this is not normal.

 

On the West Coast most of the Repeater Stations are located at high Altitude, and linked with other repeaters, You may be able to talk to stations 2 3 4 hundred miles or more from your location, IF thats what you want to do. !!

 

We have a Repeater System in Washington and Oregon, you can talk with 10Watts to almost any part of both States.

 

So, Who do you want to talk to , and under what conditions??? The answer to that will dictate which type of Communication System is best for your needs. !!

 

GeorgeS N7UY

[AmnChode]

Kinda interested in this subject as well. Me, My best friend, and our wives all ride with me being the only one with stock comms...others ride a Valkyrie, Honda VT600 and a V*650. I have been looking into a way so that we can all talk to each other and have pretty much decided to go the FRS/GMRS route mainly due to pure cost and quality. It is just flat out cheaper to get a pair of FRS/GMRS handhelds and headsets then to pick up a single CB setup. Plus you get the benefits of "cleaner" airwaves....

 

However, I would much rather integrate it into my bike's system then set it up out side of it....

 

Thought perhaps that this would work:

http://www.airrider.com/store/product.php?id=491 ...but not keen on the price and have no idea if I could hook the present PTT to it...

 

I also present use the Aux input for my MP3 player, so I really have no idea how that fits in place...

[Bob Myers]

Thought perhaps that this would work:

http://www.airrider.com/store/product.php?id=491 ...but not keen on the price and have no idea if I could hook the present PTT to it...

 

Those guys are insane with their prices. There isn't that much involved in building what you have listed. I have a rough proto of that but it doesn't cut out the stereo like the Venture stock system does. Not sure if that one there does either. If not, I have the same thing I built for $25.00 Looks like I need to refine it and put it in a case to sell. I never thought any one would want something like that.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Has anyone tried to adapt an FRS system to the RSV?......

While trying to troubleshoot my CB last week, I discovered that CB appears to be rapidly going the way of the dinosaurs. I couldn't find anyone with enough knowledge or interest to answer some seemingly simple questions. Components are virtually unavailable, except online, and interest in the subject is minimal.

On the other hand the FRS seems to be used fairly extensively, but with handheld units.

I guess the main advantages would be a much lower innitial cost, a longer range and much clearer transmission including the possibility of private conversation.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

....on a bike I am not realy looking for much range, a few miles will be more than enough. What I am looking for is clarity, which FM delivers and possibility of privacy which most FRS give through a multitude of codes.

 

 

 

 

• FRS units ( and FRS/GMRS combo units) are legally limited to 1/2 watt on the FRS channels, and builtin antennas, so thats why you dont see much in the way of anything more than handhelds and the occasional FRS/GMRS portable base, still one half watt but has a handmic. The conversations are never private, but some units are equipped with voice scrambling options, which limits who can listen in. (So-called 'Privacy Codes' do NOT insure privacy, they only control who YOU will hear.)
  
  

 

• GMRS still requires a license.
  

 

• MURS is license-free but the gear is scarce and fairly expensive, and tends to either be bulky mobiles or commercial styled handhelds, with a price to match. Modified VHF ham gear can get you on this band but its illegal to do so, even WITH a ham license.
  

Using any of this gear limits you to only communicating with other users of these radios, which means you can travel for DAYS without hearing ANYTHING.

 

If you want to be able to chitchat with the occasional fellow rider AND still be able to have the option of highway info and the use of a radio with more highway users, you need to stay with a CB. Sure, it has limitations, but they are generally cheap, although that J&M unit isnt, and you have the ability to tune in on GoldWing and ElectraGlide riders, as well as truckers on the road. And by the way, CB isnt dead or dying. Not a lot of base stations on the air anymore, but the service is 50 years old this year, and there is a LOT of new gear on the market.

 

Bottom line, as stated earlier, is, WHO do you want to talk to?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[AmnChode]

Don't get me wrong....CB is a nice medium. It is just for our purposes, which only to chit chat when ever we ride, a FRS/GMRS setup outweighs what CB has to offer. It provides a clean FM channel, with a tone squelch to cut out most everyone else, and has a much cheaper setup price. Privacy is not an issue and wouldn't matter if we went the CB route anyway, same situation. Being that my venture still has a CB setup, we don't lose the "freeway" contact, but we as a group, don't have to put up with every drunken jackass that feels the need to annoy everyone within his transmit range.

 

I might still get that airider setup yet as I think it might do what I want which is to tie the sytem altogether on my bike...Unless Bob decides to go into business for himself