July 3, 2000

REACT News
& Press Releases

THE CHANGING FACE OF FRS.

News item from The Orange County (CA) Register June 16: "Boy's Walkie-Talkie Brings Hikers Home" A group of 8 hikers, lost for hours on Palomar Mountain, survived thanks to an 11-year old boy's presence of mind and his Family Radio Service (FRS) walkie-talkie. After 40 minutes of calling, the group got an answer from Christopher Moore who was camping nearby with his family. With the assistance of a park ranger they were talked down to safety.

News item from Associated Press - Sandy, OR June 21: "Boy With Walkie-Talkie Saves Stranded Climbers on Mountain" Five Hours after being hit by a rockfall, two injured climbers using two-way (FRS) radios finally reached someone with their pleas for help. Seven-year-old Fletcher Wold heard the call even though he was 70 miles away - far beyond the advertised 2-mile maximum range of the ½ watt FRS unit. Fletcher's father contacted authorities, who dispatched an Air Force Reserve helicopter that rescued the climbers. (This story was also on CNN and NBC Nightly News, among other places).

News item from Radio Resource Magazine July issue: "Family Radio Used to Coordinate Demonstrations" On May 1 members of the group "Mobilization For Global Justice" were monitored on FRS frequencies in New York City coordinating their activities for a demonstration.

Originally brought out as a convenience for the family to keep in touch around their neighborhood, the shopping mall, or large events, the face of FRS has changed - moving into such varied use as construction sites, warehouses, and now even coordination for demonstrations. The radio is designed with "privacy codes", technically known as CTCSS (continuous tone coded squelch system) that allow the communications of one family or group of users to not be heard by others. This is a convenience feature of benefit to the user.

However, in the case of someone needing to contact others, this privacy code system makes it difficult or even impossible to communicate. Users may have to search 38 privacy codes on each of 14 frequencies for a total of 532 possibilities before finding someone else to talk to. The convenience of privacy can become a drawback.

Recent news indicates there are times when this ability to talk to others is not only desirable but can save lives. Radio Emergency Associated Communications Teams (REACT) is suggesting to radio manufacturers, magazines and other news media, and the public that FRS channel 1 (462.5625 MHz.) be used as a call channel, with privacy code disabled. Wesbsite for the organization is www.reactintl.org

There are thousands of these units now being used in the U.S. As we have seen, certain conditions will allow a much greater distance than 2 miles maximum but even within that advertised range contact might be made if necessary when there is a recognized call channel. REACT suggests that it is now time to realize the changing face of FRS and take advantage of the safety aspect of the product as well as the designed concept of convenience.

We have solicited support and endorsement by manufacturers, and are waiting for their response.

Related REACT Press Release Regarding FRS Channel 1 as a Call Channel from June 16, 2000

The opinions expressed are those of REACT International and are not necessarily the opinions of GMRS Web Magazine or its advertisers. Opinion space on GMRS Web magazine is provided to REACT International free-of-charge as a service to our readers.

Many areas of the country still need REACT'ers even though it only takes 3 people to start a team. Information may be found on the website: http://www.reactintl.org