FRS/GMRS radios use only 1 watt of power at most. The majority have 500mW (half watt) on them. In the city, their signal prolly works within 1 mile radius. In the desert, you can get a good 10-15 miles if there are no obstructions. The GMRS license is required regardless of how you use it. Why? Because a GMRS license grants you use of commercial equipment that can go up to 50 watts and allows you to use repeater systems (like mine) on high mountains (like mine) to be used over 80 miles (like mine). A 4 watt portable radio in the city can travel roughly 3-4 mile radius, and the desert will give it a good 15-25 mile radius. -- I'll have my mobile radio, which is a 35w. So You'll hear me a good 30+ miles away but I won't be able to hear you. lol I frankly don't care much if people are licensed or not on the crappy bubblepacks, but when they interfere with repeater systems and licensed GMRS users, then licensed people like myself track them down and file a report with the FCC/local PD. Anyhoo, using them in the desert should be fine. lol
Going where others can't... |