[Geysers] Udo's Radio survey

[Bruce Jensen]

--- EnBBailey at aol.com wrote:

> Hello all, 
>  
> Please don't tell the FCC but Bob and I switched from the 2 mile ones to
>  the 
> 18 mile one this year and we happier (not necessarily happy, but 
> happier) 
> with them.  We still had to have calls relayed  from Riverside or
> beyond.  Most 
> of the time we had problems were days  when everyone was having
> problems.  We 
> all blame the weather for it.   We plan to stick with these radios.
>  
> Now if we could only figure out how to get the visitors to use the
> Geyser  
> channel for geyser information and not making arrangements where they
> will  
> lunch, I'd be happy, but I guess you can't blame the radio for that.

Technically and according to the law, we cannot "claim" the geyser channel
as our own.  The law specifically states that the service must be shared,
and while we can request that folks keep the channel clear, there is no
obligation by any other user to do so.  However, if the other users are
being *obnoxious* on the radios, that is a citable violation.

I use the "18 mile" ones too (these are GMRS, and I obtained a license,
WQGT 447) - they are a modest bit stronger than the FRS radios, but the VC
is in a reception weak area, and until they can get a "base station" with
an external antenna, it will probably remain so.  I do know that when my
family and I use them, there are no discernible weak spots *between us*
anywhere from Biscuit to Pipeline Meadows.  We talk easily from
F&M/Artemisia up to the Snow Lodge Cabins or the Lodge Cabins.

Anyway, one of the biggest problems I have noted is that, in the heat of
the moment, people do not always press the transmit button completely, and
the beginnings of transmissions are truncated.  Also, do not stand with
yourself between the radio and the intended party - your body absorbs some
of the signal at this frequency.
  
> If we get arrested while we are in the monkey cage, I'll know how they 
> found 
> out!
>  
> INCOGNITO, 
>  
>  
> Emily Bailey

The law is fairly specific that FRS must be used for person-to-person (as
opposed to broadcast) transmissions - but, when one announces, say, a
Giant hot period or the eruption time of Daisy, it would be hard for
anyone to prove that the transmission was not intended for a specific
human, whether that be the VC listener or a family member.  Use of
FRS/GMRS radios for this purpose is pretty clearly allowed, although an
FCC agent might be looking for licensing if you use the stronger radios. 
Frankly, I think they have bigger fish to fry, but it pays to be cautious.


I have a query into the FCC right now, requesting clarification of all of
this detail, including making sure rangers can legally use them for
specific purposes - without having specified geyser gazing, of course :-) 
I will report back ASAP.

Regarding the amateur radios, these would in theory be a wonderful
solution, although in practice it may be trickier.  For people who use
these devices only at geyser basins, the effort to obtain one (even
minimized as it has become) may not be worth it. 

Bruce Jensen


       
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