MET Snow Patrol #2

We're in this one as well...

Thanks Kris again.  We have both on our calendar!

On the calendar. Can't wait.

Most likely will attend....

Sunday is my day off so plan on making this one

@Seanette and I might attend this.

kris_olof said Sun. March 9, 2025  8:30 am – 4:00 pm-ish

We will use the club's HAM PosseV2 frequency for communications, so bring your HAM radios.  Additionally I will now carry a second radio for those with only GMRS/FRS radios.
  

@Seanette and I don't have a ham license, and obtaining one isn't very high on our priorities.  But I think it was mentioned, at the last meeting, that there is some provision that allows us to legally use a radio on the organization's frequency without a license of our own, in connection with the organization's activities.  Did I understand this correctly?  If so, then if we continue to participate in events such as this, perhaps at some point, we should obtain a suitable radio for that use.  Any relatively inexpensive brand and model that you would recommend?

We do have a pair of GMRS radios, and I take your mention of a “second radio” that you will be reachable by that.

Bob Blaylock said

kris_olof said

Sun. March 9, 2025  8:30 am – 4:00 pm-ish

We will use the club's HAM PosseV2 frequency for communications, so bring your HAM radios.  Additionally I will now carry a second radio for those with only GMRS/FRS radios.

@Seanette and I don't have a ham license, and obtaining one isn't very high on our priorities.  But I think it was mentioned, at the last meeting, that there is some provision that allows us to legally use a radio on the organization's frequency without a license of our own, in connection with the organization's activities.  Did I understand this correctly?  If so, then if we continue to participate in events such as this, perhaps at some point, we should obtain a suitable radio for that use.  Any relatively inexpensive brand and model that you would recommend?

We do have a pair of GMRS radios, and I take your mention of a “second radio” that you will be reachable by that.

Bob,

The club has a pair of frequencies on HAM (amateur radio service) that we are able to use when on official club events, and the people at the event are covered by the club license.

Your question about a budge friendly amateur radio, many of us use a Bofang radio that we get off of Amazon. Here is a link to an example:

Amazon.com: BAOFENG 5RM Ham Radio 10W Long Range Handheld NOAA Weather Receiver 2500mAh Battery Rechargeable Walkie Talkies with Programming Cable,Speaker Mic,Type-C Charging,2 Pack : Electronics

Bob Blaylock said

kris_olof said

Sun. March 9, 2025  8:30 am – 4:00 pm-ish

We will use the club's HAM PosseV2 frequency for communications, so bring your HAM radios.  Additionally I will now carry a second radio for those with only GMRS/FRS radios.

@Seanette and I don't have a ham license, and obtaining one isn't very high on our priorities.  But I think it was mentioned, at the last meeting, that there is some provision that allows us to legally use a radio on the organization's frequency without a license of our own, in connection with the organization's activities.  Did I understand this correctly?  If so, then if we continue to participate in events such as this, perhaps at some point, we should obtain a suitable radio for that use.  Any relatively inexpensive brand and model that you would recommend?

We do have a pair of GMRS radios, and I take your mention of a “second radio” that you will be reachable by that.

I believe these are actually the same as what I have.

Amazon.com: BaoFeng UV-5R Ham Radio 8W High Power Long Range Two-way Radio with 4pcs Battery and TD-771 Antenna,USB Charging Dual Band 2 way Radio Rechargeable Walkie Talkie with Earpiece for Survival Gear,2 Pack : Electronics

Can’t make this one.

Eric and Dawn won’t be able to attend

Bob Blaylock said

But I think it was mentioned, at the last meeting, that there is some provision that allows us to legally use a radio on the organization's frequency without a license of our own, in connection with the organization's activities.  Did I understand this correctly?  If so, then if we continue to participate in events such as this, perhaps at some point, we should obtain a suitable radio for that use.  Any relatively inexpensive brand and model that you would recommend?

Yes, they are technically business band frequencies so as long as you are on a club run you don’t need any licenses. We say HAM since everyone uses unlocked ham radios like the cheap baufeng units.

kris_olof said

Bob Blaylock said

But I think it was mentioned, at the last meeting, that there is some provision that allows us to legally use a radio on the organization's frequency without a license of our own, in connection with the organization's activities.  Did I understand this correctly?  If so, then if we continue to participate in events such as this, perhaps at some point, we should obtain a suitable radio for that use.  Any relatively inexpensive brand and model that you would recommend?

Yes, they are technically business band frequencies so as long as you are on a club run you don’t need any licenses. We say HAM since everyone uses unlocked ham radios like the cheap baufeng units.

On  a somewhat related note, it came up at some completely unrelated event that a particular variety of “HAM” radios are popular among offroaders, that in general, you do need  HAM license to use them, but that getting a HAM license is not nearly as difficult or expensive now, that it used to be.  Historically, I think of it as something that one had to be pretty serious about HAM radio as a hobby to find worth pursuing; but I gather it is now common for offroaders to get such licenses, just to be able to use these in connection with offroad activities.

I assume that the Baufeng units that have been suggested here fall into that category.  if @Seanette and I got them, we'd legally be able to use them on the Gold  Hill Posse frequency, in connection with Gold Hills Posse activities, without having a license of our own, but otherwise, for any other use, we would need a license, right?

  Just how involved is it, anyway, to get such a license?  Might it be worthwhile for the club to hold some sort of event to help those of us associated therewith to get such licenses?

Bob Blaylock said

kris_olof said

Bob Blaylock said  Just how involved is it, anyway, to get such a license?  Might it be worthwhile for the club to hold some sort of event to help those of us associated therewith to get such licenses?

Bob, check out Tyler's website: https://myoffroadradio.com/

Jeff_R said

Bob Blaylock said

kris_olof said

Bob Blaylock said  Just how involved is it, anyway, to get such a license?  Might it be worthwhile for the club to hold some sort of event to help those of us associated therewith to get such licenses?

Bob, check out Tyler's website: https://myoffroadradio.com/

Looks like the page that ought to be useful, is currently broken.

Bob Blaylock said

Looks like the page that ought to be useful, is currently broken.

That's too bad.

Jeff_R said

Bob Blaylock said

Looks like the page that ought to be useful, is currently broken.

That's too bad.

I guess it's not crucial at this point.

When some money comes in, @Seanette and I will probably get the radios so that we can use them in connection with Gold Hills Posse events.

I am correct about these being the radios which would require a HAM license for other uses, and that they are radios for which those other uses would commonly include communicating with other offroaders in other contexts, right?  I'm sure that at some point in the future, the guidance will be available for us to get such a license; if not through this club, then from some other source.

In the mean time, we also have GMRS, and I'm sure a lor of other offroaders do as well.

Bob, at lot of people use an inexpensive radio like this: https://www.amazon.com/BAOFENG-UV-5X-Repeater-Rechargeable-Handheld/dp/B08T9BCXVB?th=1

Bob Blaylock said

I am correct about these being the radios which would require a HAM license for other uses, and that they are radios for which those other uses would commonly include communicating with other offroaders in other contexts, right?  I'm sure that at some point in the future, the guidance will be available for us to get such a license; if not through this club, then from some other source.

So long as you aren't broadcasting on HAM frequencies you are perfectly legal. Unlocked radios are technically are illegal to manufacture and sell, but not illegal to buy or own. And you are fully legal to use HAM in an emergency situation. If you don't have your HAM license just use the GMRS/FRS frequencies on these radios but have a few of the local HAM repeaters included for emergency communication. I think Jamie has his laptop and can program the radios with the relevant frequencies.

kris_olof said And you are fully legal to use HAM in an emergency situation. If you don't have your HAM license just use the GMRS/FRS frequencies on these radios but have a few of the local HAM repeaters included for emergency communication. I think Jamie has his laptop and can program the radios with the relevant frequencies.

I'm not sure many of us know how to use these radios to access HAM repeaters in an emergency. This might be something worth doing a training on.

I should make this run, it’s on my calendar.

It's on my calendar!

I will be there. Richard

I'm out now, need to attend a celebration of life in Dana Point.