Are these radios suitable to be used by adults in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) emergency situations so that CERT first responders can communicate with each other in a limited emergency area, like a building damaged in an earthquake? Are these radios suitable to be used by adults in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) emergency situations so that CERT first responders can communicate with each other in a limited... » Read More Are these radios suitable to be used by adults in CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) emergency situations so that CERT first responders can communicate with each other in a limited emergency area, like a building damaged in an earthquake? « Show Less
1076816
I would say they have limited range inside, and would not trust people's lives to their performance under fire. They work well enough outdoors in line of sight.
1578162
I can't answer you definitively on either point. generally range is limited to line of sight but it can sometimes go farther. I live about 20 miles down the valley from a ham repeater that i can access no problem. "emergency communications" covers a lot of uses but it will certainly work for any simplex or repeater use within the frequency range listed. On i side note, the stock antenna works well for portable use but if you plan to use it in a building or vehicle invest in an antenna you can mount outside; also a programming cable is worth every penny.
1726870
I have these for use in my airsoft MILSIM group. One thing we've noticed is that they do not communicate with other brands of walkie-talkies. They have amazingly clear connection with each other, which is perfect. I believe there is a way to program them so that they do communicate with third party radios, but I haven't gotten around to figuring that out yet. Hope this helps!
433105
In metropolitan areas, probably not due to spread spectrum. In more rural areas, police and fire may be available. Check frequencies of your local PD and see if they are within the frequency range of this HT.
345127
I'm licensed by nys, I use it for work as a medic for a private company. But you will need a ham ticket if you are going to use it for personal use. This radio does transmit over public safety freqs.
499552
You don't need a ham license for CB radios. Go with that. They carry pretty far & good for emergency help if you need it. -KD0ZYG
1775745
First you should know that I have neither radio. However I do have a First Alert radio similar in operation to the WR300 and Uniden scanners similar to the Uniden 500 channel radio. If you are interested in only the NOAA weather alerts then the WR300 would be a good choice. The Uniden is a scanner radio which can also be set to receive your local public service channels such as police and fire. This particular Uniden radio however is only capable of receiving analog radio transmissions and many public services have switched to digital and/or trunking systems. This Uniden radio will not receive those public service systems. If you are interested in that you should check what is used in your area. Both will receive NOAA but if I was interested in only NOAA weather alerts I would use the WR300 with the S.A.M.E. feature. THat is my opinion. Hope it helps.
97753
Yes, you can set up several people to call before calling 911. Its a good idea - especially if you have animals that will need to be controlled. I have mine setup so that if the GPS signal shows that I'm at X, then call this number. If it shows me at Y, call a different number. It is also advisable to contact your local fire rescue folks and ask them what you can do so they don't knock your door down when they respond. Where I am, we have a KNOX Box that the fire department keeps the master key for. So they can open the KNOX box next to my front door and inside, there is a key to my front door. Hope I've answered your question.
201885
The only thing I can tell you about this is that it is a very difficult radio to work with. It isn't an easy one to use. I have had to ask several people how to work with it and they all agree that it isn't one to get for a beginner or your first time use. I also recommend to get the software and cord that comes with the software for this radio. that helps with some of the problems I was having. I hope you understand what I am trying to tell you. Jim F.
497379
The instructions that come with the radio are inadequate in regard to that subject. The radio has 7 NOAA channels which one tunes to the strongest one; then the ALERT button is pressed to put the radio in the ALERT mode. I am making a presumption that will activate during severe weather alerts; not had any such alerts yet this year. I also have severe weather alerts that come from an area TV station and that should let me know if the ALERT function on the radio work accordingly. A company inquiry can be made at www.etoncorp.com/ 800-872-2228
996789
I wouldn't keep the radio stashed away for emergencies. Hook it up and use it. You want to make sure everything is in working order. A disaster is not the time you want to find out that the radio isn't working. I use my ham radio equipment on a regular basis. So if I there is a problem I will catch it BEFORE a disaster.
2255316
No, they can't be used as CBs. They are the same as any other FRMS and GMRS FAMILY radios. Not the same frequencies as CBs. These radios have, I believe, 42 channels plus about as many privacy codes for a whole lot of optional private channel use. We use them every day at work. 12.5hr shifts. Our whole crew. Batteries last about 3days or more without charging, depending on use. And we use them quite a bit at work. Because we can't always get on company radios, we use these to keep in touch and organized. We work around large equipment, large scrap piles, and past a section of woods to a river about 3miles away and still can be heard. Haven't tried truly long distance. Hope this helped you and others.
1389133
This is a great radio, but it does not serve as a weather alert radio where you can program in your county or region to receive alerts when severe weather is in the area. As with most radios, you have to manually dial in the AM or FM stations you want to hear. We've used this radio while taking cover from a tornado in our underground storm shelter, and it worked great!
1062790
In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in relatively close-in situations. In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in... » Read More In urban areas, don't count on more than a couple of blocks. These are line of sight, if you cannot "see" the person, your range will degrade significantly. The 36-mile claim assumes you are using the GMRS frequencies over a perfectly clear terrain (such as calm water) and under perfect atmospheric conditions. You will never realistically achieve this range or anywhere close to it. Plus, the antennas on these radios are not that good nor were they designed to be. People expect more out of these radios than was designed. They are useful for somewhat limited purposes and in relatively close-in situations. « Show Less
415335
You only need a license to transmit not to own , you can lock out the transmit feature on this radio.I purchased it to for a general reciever for listening only in a compact package , no other full band recievers exist in this size with this many features . If you want to transmit you can go for a novice technician license test given by your local ham radio clubs , you no longer have to know code to take the test , study guides are aviable from the amauteur radio relay league (ARRL). You are allowed to transmit unlicensed ONLY in an emergency situation matter of life or death.
1709838
Hi fellas! Quick question, is this a radio that a newbie would be able to learn to use, perhaps with a modest amount of instruction?If it is, Ed, would you like to sell yours? Thanks!
1131351
so when buying these radios they are not set and ready for use?? do i have to program them for them to work with each other???