Universal Communications

[B. Dean Berry]

I am launching a new effort to get all of us on the same page in the field. I'm terming this "The 7's Initiative".

Storm chasers and spotters have long used two-way radio communications to keep in touch, most commonly amateur radio on a simplex channel of 146.550MHz. While this is well-known and universal, it implies that users have passed an FCC license exam.

This initiative uses incredibly cheap, widely-available equipment that is available at every sporting goods store, big-box retailer, and WalMart, anywhere in the country, and requires no license to use. This initiative is based around commonly-available FRS/GMRS radios.

This plan encourages all storm chasers and spotters to use FRS/GMRS channel 7, with a code of 7. All FRS/GMRS radios have the same channel 7, and the vast majority of all Cobra, Midland, Uniden, and Motorola radios of this nature feature the same code 7. These codes will be referred to as CTCSS, Privacy Codes, Quiet Codes, or Interference Eliminator Codes, but they all mean the same thing - CTCSS.

This is a medium that can be used for talkaround, safety, or information sharing. It would require no license test or fees, and is supremely easy to use.

For GMRS licensees, who also have access to these channels with commercial radios, the channel programming information is as follows:

Frequency - 462.7125MHz simplex
PL Tone - 85.4Hz
Bandwidth - 12.5KHz narrowband

Hope to hear people out there in the future!

 

[John Moore]

We've used FRS radios for years when convoying, even when all involved are hams. But, we use CTCSS to *eliminate* hearing other chasers, and would go to a channel they are *not* on if necessary - since CTCSS only eliminates distracting transmissions (and only if they don't use the same one), it does not prevent interference.

The information processing requirements in serious chasing are high enough that having yet one more source of interruption seems like a bad idea.

If people were disciplined and only used it for emergency or safety important information, fine. But if people were disciplined - storm chasers in particular - we'd have a lot less of the crazy activities we see from so many chasers.

 

[B. Dean Berry]

Well, this idea does not replace the idea of convoy comms. This is pretty much the open line to everyone else. I can see this being particularly useful during convergence.

 

[TJ Whitt]

The signal distance also makes this method not so reliable especially if you are trying to communicate work someone who is not in your sight. Even with simplex ham radio, communications can be sketchy. Wattage and good antennas always win in the end.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Stormtrack mobile app

 

[B. Dean Berry]

So, expanding on this a little, I think the entire GMRS channel slate could have a number of uses for the storm chasing community. I'm expanding this to include all of the GMRS channels as the "Universal Communications Initiative", or UCI. This will help to simplify channels on radio displays, no matter what type you are using.

Channel #	CTCSS #	Frequency	TPL Tone	Bandwidth	Power Level	Use
1	1	462.5625	67.0	12.5KHz	Low	USMex Border
2	2	462.5875	71.9	12.5KHz	Low	NA Ops
3	3	462.6125	74.4	12.5KHz	Low	NA Ops
4	4	462.6375	77.0	12.5KHz	Low	NA Ops
5	5	462.6625	79.7	12.5KHz	Low	Espanol Call
6	6	462.6875	82.5	12.5KHz	Low	Francias Call
7	7	462.7125	85.4	12.5KHz	Low	English Call
15	15	462.550	110.9	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Border
16	16	462.575	114.8	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Ops
17	17	462.600	118.8	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Ops
18	18	462.625	123.0	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Ops
19	19	462.650	127.3	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High***	US Ops
20	None	462.675	CSQ	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Emerg
21	21	462.700	136.5	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High***	US Ops
22	22	462.725	141.3	25 US/12.5 Can	Low*/High**	USCan Ops

* - Unlicensed US/All Canadian units
** - Licensed US units
*** - Licensed US units, no US operation north of Line A, east of Line C
Note - Channels 15-22 unavailable in Mexico.

This is a proposal. Use at your own risk. Disagree. Agree. Whatever. It's a template.

 

[John Archer]

FRS radios are going to have severely limited range.
GMRS radios are better, and can use repeaters, however, most GMRS repeaters are considered “closed” without permission.
This, and all of the guys that have ham radios would need to modify theirs or add another radio to the vehicle.
The idea isn’t without merit, but seeing how many already have ham lics, why not just push that system? The test is super easy, and gives you access to a LOT more frequencies, and open repeaters.