Dump Channel 12 ... Start Using Channel 16 ???

Utah Fishing Reports & Discussion Utah Fishing General
1

I would like to make a proposal to all you BFT’ers out there that frequently use walkie-talkies to contact each other.

Several years ago, when FRS hand-held radios became popular, BFT Utah readers decided to dub channel 12 as the channel to monitor to contact each other. These FRS radios were marketed as having a 2-mile range. Actually, they are only good for about a quarter mile and 1 mile at best. FRS channels are 1 through 14.

Since then, the GMRS hand-held 2-way radios became available on the market. GMRS radios are marketed as having a 5 mile plus range with true quality reception of about 2 miles. GMRS channels are 15 through 22.

And now days, when you go to buy a hand-held walkie-talkie, they will probably be a hybrid radio that includes both low power FRS (1-14) and the higher power GMRS (15-22) capabilities.

Well, anyway, getting back to my proposal: I suggest that we dub a higher-power channel 16 (“sweet 16”) as the new BFT channel to use rather than the old low-power channel 12. The benefit is obvious.

Not only do I propose that 16 be our new “go-to” channel, I recommend that 16 be the channel we use during the Willard Wiper Tournament '06.

I know that we have had this discussion before and for some reason we stayed on channel 12. In fact, back then, I was one of the folks that voted to stay on 12. If you hadn’t guessed, since then I have been using the more powerful GMRS range and have seen the light.

No doubt, someone will have concerns about licensing but I am not concered at all about that.

Here is a fantastic article about the basics of FRS, GMRS, and hybrid 2-way radios:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?guideID=1072288099473&categoryRep=cat06000&type=page&id=cat12077#A05

So anyway, how do you vote on the topic? Sound off and let us know. I would like to switch to channel 16.

2

i’m all for the change.

3

[;)] Works For me. IF were gonna do it though lets not drag it on. Lets get er dun.

4 
            I like the idea Old_Coot, especially now that I have my GPS/ 2-way radio. I agree with Rileyfish- LET'S GIT'ER DONE.

AFDan52

5

I’m game for the change…plus I puckered up and bought the license, so I really don’t care. 16 it is then.

6

Hey old cooter that sounds good i just got mine in the boat and working!

7

Thats Great!! I too have been wishing for a higher powered number. “Sweet-16” it is. Lets use it starting “Now”. [:)]

8

Hey coot.
I’m all for it. lets do it.

9

count me in!

10

:sunglasses:Man, I was just learning to count all the way to 12 and now you wanna add…how many more fingers and toes do I need for 16?

Let’s give it a try. I have been using a hand held for tubing with TubeBabe, but there is often a lot of local kids’ chatter in some areas. Hopefully 16 will help solve that problem too.

11

I made this same request over a year ago. The difference in my choice of channels though was channel 7. Many older radios only go to 12 and 7 is also a high power channel.
I want the change as much as anyone, but when we do it let’s make sure that everyone will be able to move with us.
So how do we tell if BFTers that are not reading this post have older radios that only go to 12 and is 7 high power on all newer radios?
When we know the answers we won’t change fast enough for me![;)]

12

[:)] The new Gmrs radios are really not that much now that they have been around for a while. I picked up two from Cosco a while back with the recharger, Ear peices and diffrent color face plate choices for 60 bones. I did not feel that was to bad. I am sure that there is probably a better price out there somewhere. If the guys check around. Besides, Mothers day is just a few weeks away, Buy them for the wife for moms day and kill two birds with one stone HEHEHEHEHEHe.

13

16 works for me[;)] I’ll start using it on friday afternoon.

14

I am with you lets use 16

15

So far, I have not seen much in the way of negative replies to my suggestion of using channel 16 as the new traditional channel to contact each other while out fishing. I only started this post yesterday but the response has been pretty overwhelming so far. I think we should still let this thread allow for another day or two of input before making it final. I too will be out on Willard Bay on Friday (afternoon) and will give it a try then. So keep your radios tuned to channel 16 and we’ll give it a go.

By the way, the reason I am suggesting channel 16 (as opposed to any other GMRS channel) is simply because it is easy to remember the phrase “sweet 16” to help remember what channel to find BFT’ers on.

One more thing, I don’t have my radio in front of me right now but if I remember right, you might be able to switch to “low Power” even for channels 15-22. My point here is that even if you are transmitting on channel 16, you may want to make sure you are set to the higher power setting. I could be wrong about that.

Hopefully, we can see the new channel 16 tradition in full force come tournament day (so that I can keep close tabs on “Team Wiper” that day).

16

You are one funny guy, unfortunately my wife was reading your reply, so that plans out for me but she did get a good laugh. She said something about “you have pulled that before and no way are you doing that again.” It seems they catch on to that trick after the first time.
One question for anyone on the new radios, what wattage is everyone buying? I have seen 5 to 10 watt models and of course the higher the watts the longer the signal travels does anyone know how far the signal really travels on these new radio? WH2

17

The only down side of using the GRMS radio is that the FCC requires a license to operate the radio. The license is easy to get from the FCC, just fill out a form, send in the application fee and you have a license. Call 1-888-225-5322. [left]The license is good for 5-years and costs $80 as of this writing. That cost could change in the future. Either call for updates or visit GMRS Licensing the Home Page to the FCC is: http://wireless.fcc.gov/uls.[/left] [left] [/left] [left]And just think you can also use it on the way home and listen to all the raod construction crews and flagmen (and women) directing traffic. [/left]

18

Hello Guys,
We think this is a great idea but are just not famliar with the Lic. process. If this is a flat fee good for everyone to use the channell I am sure it is something we would pay for and set up.

Rich, if this is something you are famliar with can we discuss it further when you Mike and myself have our Tourney confrence call?

If anyone else is also famliar with how the lic. works (i.e. what it covers, etc..) and what the process is to get approved please post it here.

19

Not high jacking the post but all with marine radio’s channel 68 will be monitored during time spent on willard,always use 16 to call out then go to 68.
Later,FNF :sunglasses:

20

My “impression” of the GRMS license is that it is similar to a CB license. A large percentage of people that used (and still use) CB radios, used them without a license. They were naughty for not having a license to operate those CB’s.