- Thread starter
- #21
Establishing a province wide emergency sledding channel.
- Thread starter RGM
- Start date
Phat Cat
Active VIP Member
Bringing back an older post. RGM, pick a channel to use as an emergency channel and lets go with it. We can ask the admins to make it a sticky so a lot of people see it. What channel shall it be? I was hoping that BC SAR or BCSF would take this seriously and make a decision but maybe it is up to us riders to look out for each other.
Frankenytro
Active VIP Member
Should be one of the lower channels so it is a higher wattage (I believe) but I am second this motion, even if it is only for the snow and mud community.... which is actually a fairly large portion of people on the hill.
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
Actually, the higher FRS/GMRS channels are the higher capable wattage channels 15-22. That is why 16 is a good choice, also with the use of GMRS 16, it aligns with the marine 16 in that its a common channel number although marine 16 is VHF, GMRS 16 is UHF.
Hopefully Industry Canada never cracks down on these Chinese radios as the higher wattage is nice to have.
LBZ
Active VIP Member
16 sounds good to me.
tex78
Active VIP Member
Frs 16 was brought up at sled club meeting last nite with sar and Rcmp involved
That's probably a good choice yes
Andrew.renegade1000
Active VIP Member
Is this channel available on the BCA radios?
- Thread starter
- #28
Yes it is
- Thread starter
- #29
I emailed the BCSF a week or more ago and haven't heard back yet. Does someone have a contact at Revy SAR they can send me. If I personal approach the BC government I don't think much will happen. I need to get buy in from other backcountry users groups.
tex78
Active VIP Member
Should be on a good frs radio yes, including bca I would assume
tex78
Active VIP Member
Contact shuswap search and rescue also Ray
I don't have there number it's not listed, but contact them on there web page
Ask for gord, he's a task manager
FernieHawk
Active VIP Member
The older BCA radios are 1 watt for channels 1-7...these frequencies are shared GMRS and FRS.
1/2 watt for channels 8-14...these are FRS frequencies only.
1 watt for channels 15-21...these are GMRS frequencies only.
1/2 watt for channel 22...GMRS only.
Just want to point out that FRS radios are only channel 1-14. They do not have the GMRS channel 16.
I’m also aware that the government has recently changed the rules regarding GMRS frequencies, some additional research may be in order.
1/2 watt for channels 8-14...these are FRS frequencies only.
1 watt for channels 15-21...these are GMRS frequencies only.
1/2 watt for channel 22...GMRS only.
Just want to point out that FRS radios are only channel 1-14. They do not have the GMRS channel 16.
I’m also aware that the government has recently changed the rules regarding GMRS frequencies, some additional research may be in order.
Rene G
Active VIP Member
I love this idea! I believe that if we as a group on S+M just make a decision and move forward with 16 as a emergency frequency that’s a start. We can debate, argue and what have you as long as you want and nothing will ever happen, let’s take ACTION!
moyiesledhead
Active VIP Member
My thought exactly. Are we painting a target on our backs even discussing this? Certainly will be if we try to get government involved.
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
That would mean two different government departments would have had to have communication with one another to even find out. Likely not an issue for now Lol
moyiesledhead
Active VIP Member
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
Don’t confuse a radios power with the power capable of being transmitted on a frequency. I am sure if that’s the case but what you posted could be misleading.
BCA link gen 1 is a 1 watt radio. So regardless if it’s on FRS/GMRS Channel 1-7 or GMRS 15-22 it’s 1 watt. Gen 2 is a 2watt so again 1-7 2watt, 8-14 1/2 watt, 15-22 2watt
Same goes for Garmin Rinos, 1 watt Rinos same as BCA, 2 watt Rinos again the same. The US 5watt Rinos benefit from GMRS channels 15-22 being over 2watts.
When you get into UHF user programable radios like the Boafengs it opens up completely different limits on power for transmission.
I am not sure where you found 22 is 1/2 watt as I have never seen that before.
I am not even sure the last time I saw a FRS only radio. Honestly if someone is using those as their primary communication for back country use they are quick to find out the battery life is horrid and the range is useless and likely replace them after one weekend. They are kids toys and what is common referred to as bubble pack radios, the ones you get at Walmart or Canadian tire.
Canada has followed basically what the US FCC did awhile back for the frequency and combo FRS/GMRS. The different is in the US you have to have a license to operate on a GMRS channel/band. Maybe Canada should follow suit and have some sort of knowledge based requirement to operate these radios. It might cut down on the Tod Hoffman wannabes on the mountain as radio etiquette is important SAR events.
https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart
FernieHawk
Active VIP Member
Not sure how what I said could be misleading. You said pretty much the exact same thing as I did.
Concerning the channel 22 1/2 watt info...all of my information came from the BCA website...I believe it might have to do with frequencies used close to the USA border.
takethebounce
Active VIP Member
It’s just the way it reads. You mention the BCA radios for channels 1-7 but second and third paragraph you don’t reference the BCA and suggest channels 15-21 are max 1 watt. Which is only true to 1 watt radios.
Sorry if that is hard to understand.
FernieHawk
Active VIP Member
Gotcha now.
All of the info was referring to the 22 channels available on the BCA Link version 1. I guess it should have all been in one paragraph.
My thoughts are the emergency channel should be on one of the channels 1 through 7 as it is available on the cheesy FRS bubble pack radios (1/2 watt) and the slightly better BCA Link version 1 radios (1 watt) or any of the programmable radios at whatever wattage they are designed for...usually 5-8 watts.
Why not channel #1? Easy to remember...any reason not to use it?
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