We can improve the utility
of GMRS mobile's and hand-held radios for everyone. GMRS licensees have, for
years now, used Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System tone 141.3 Hz as the
default traveler's information tone on GMRS repeaters using 462.675/467.675 MHz
and FRS channel 1 462.5625 MHz. Since 2001 PopularWireless Magazines has
advocated the use of the Travel Tone.
Before 1999, GMRS licensees were
licensed on only one or two of the eight GMRS repeater pairs. The
"675" repeater pair was allocated by the FCC to ALL licensees
to report emergencies or seek traveler's assistance. Participating repeater
systems on "675" enabled CTCSS 141.3 for travelers to make
those calls.
I have actually used 141.3 on REACT
repeaters in the San Francisco Bay area and around Washington D.C. and received
a helpful response. The feedback we have gotten at the magazine is that many
REACT and non-REACT repeaters also enable 141.3 in the event travelers need
assistance. There has even been some interest in using FRS hannel 1 as a
calling channel for FRS users so we added this channel to the Travel Tone list
in 2004.
The FCC Rules changed significantly in
1999, allowing GMRS licensees to use every repeater pair. We can now travel
anywhere in the United States with our families and use any GMRS
channel.
GMRS Web and the Personal Radio
Steering Group propose that the GMRS community adopt 141.3 CTCSS as the GMRS
Travel Tone for repeater and simplex users country wide. A travel tone is not
an emergency tone. When you use the travel tone you may be more likely to
contact someone than if you had not used the tone.
There have been many times when I
traveled alone where I KNEW a local person would have information I needed to
find an address, a hotel, or a place to eat. There wasn't always a
"675" repeater available. Trying to attract the attention of
someone else on a different tone is, well, frustrating. They can't hear you.
People just don't listen in open squelch and GMRS is primarily a
directed-communication radio service. You generally do not expect to talk to
people outside of your group, but you can!
When my wife and I caravan in family
outings we use simplex on a GMRS channel between vehicles. The range is great
with our mobile units and the communication is clear. It would be wonderful if
others were listening in open squelch or using 141.3 so that we could ask those
questions of locals that travelers do come up with.
What PWM and PRSG are suggesting is
that travelers transmit a 141.3 CTCSS tone during simplex communication and
listen in 141.3 or open squelch. Further, that interested base stations or
other licensees listen in open squelch or keep an auxiliary receiver on 141.3
CTCSS.
Using a Travel Tone we can improve the
utility of the service for travelers and increase the probability that someone
using a Travel Tone will actually get the assistance they require. Not every
community has a "675" repeater or has a repeater that has
141.3 enabled. We will call it, The Travel Tone System.
We also encourage repeater owners that
have the capability to enable 141.3 as the Travel Tone for their repeater.
Anytime a licensee finds a "675" repeater with 141.3 enabled,
always make your first call something like this, "This is KAF9830 using
Travel Tone 141.3. May I make a call to find someone that can tell me where
main street in Podunk is please." Always request permission to use another
repeater system. Knock on the front door, as it where, before you enter. Wait
for a response. if you don't get one ask the question. "Can anyone tell me
where Main Street in Podunk is?" If you don't get an answer try simplex on
the other seven channels or if you have 141.3 enabled using repeaters you can
access with that tone. If you are told to go away do so politely.
A simplex call might sound like,
"This is KAF9830 using Travel Tone on 625. Can anyone help me with
directions to Main St. in Podunk." That or similar call. By saying the
words "Travel Tone" you are promoting the use of 141.3 and alerting
other GMRS licensees that you are a traveler in need of assistance.
We ask everyone to remember that a
Travel Tone System is a voluntary system. Just because a repeater can be
accessed using 141.3 CTCSS does NOT mean the repeater owner allows
repeater access to travelers. Most owners will politely ask you to leave the
air.
Never count on the Travel Tone System
to save your life. Carry a cellular telephone for emergencies. Supplement your
communication with GMRS and FRS.
Adopting this standard for traveling
while using GMRS makes effective use of this limited resource under the current
licensing scheme AND it provides a way for the thousands of new
licensees using simplex-only hand-held radios to really make those radios
useful when they travel. They also get a chance to meet the rest of us who
value the General Mobile Radio Service.
To kick things off, my wife and I will
be driving across country on Interstate 80 using GMRS. Our simplex
communication will be on 141.3 CTCSS. You might hear from us as we pass through
your town.
If your GMRS community repeater or your
base station has enabled 141.3 CTCSS for Travelers let the world know by using
the banner or button below on your website. Link to this page at GMRS Web
Magazine so people can learn more about the Travel Tone System.
