[Gocamino] Two-way radios (was April Pilgrimage)

Thu Mar 3 19:37:58 PST 2005

The web site below describes something that is very similar to the FRS radios commonly used in the USA, both UHF, licence free, and about 1/2 watt power.  (Motorola Talkabout is the most common brand in the USA, and they also sell an European version).  The PMR446 radios in Europe use different frequencies than the FRS in the USA.  Not sure about pricing, especially at the current unfavorable rate of exchange, probably $50  to $100 US each.  This is a European standard: Spain, Portugal, and France accept the standard without deviation;  you could use them freely without a licence in almost all  european countries.

My experience with these types of radios has been favorable, although they tend to work line of sight.  If you are on top of a hill you can talk for miles and miles, but in the bottom of the valley they probably will not reach to the next valley.  Range varies, but a mile or two is typical in most cases.  Be sure to get a radio with CTSS (38 tones), or you will hear all the other traffic on the channel, and it will drive you crazy.  Set all radios to the same channel and CTSS tone, and, in theory, you only hear your own group, not others using the channel.

If I had a sizable group, I would probably go for some of these radios.  Be sure the fastest and slowest hikers each have one.  ;-)  

I remember some European hikers using cell phones to advantage when one member of their party took a taxi, as she was walking slowly.  But getting multiple cell phones is pricey, and you pay by the minute.

I don't want to reopen the debate about cell phones.  I am not promoting either cell phones or the PMR 446 radios, with the exception of larger groups, where the group might get separated for one reason or another.  I carefuly researched cell phones before I left the USA, and decided not to get one for my solo trip.

http://www.446user.co.uk/

Richard

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: Robert Spenger <rspenger at earthlink.net>
> The subject of cell phones and separated parties reminds me of another 
> item that I have been wondering about. Well before cell phones became 
> prevalent , hiking groups in the U.S. were using citizen band radios to 
> keep in touch when members of a group got separated. Even now, CB units 
> are superior to cell phones for that use in my neck of the woods. On 
> one of my local hikes, I could see my house, only two miles away, but I 
> could not get through on my cell phone because the nearest tower was 
> over 20 miles away behind a hill. If we had a pair of CBs, I could have 
> called home with no trouble. I have heard that it is illegal to use 
> U.S. CB units in Europe, but does anyone know if there is a European 
> equivalent? We have tentative plans to do part of the LePuy route in 
> the spring and, though I hope to walk the whole time, my wife will be 
> using motor transport (if we find that it is available) a good part of 
> the time. If this works out, it would be useful to have a pair of CBs 
> on hand to keep coordinated.
> 
> regards,
> 
> Bob S.
> 
> On Mar 2, 2005, at 7:25 AM, Grant Spangler wrote:
> 
> I found a multitude of EuroPeregrinos to be walking with a phone. It 
> makes finding a separated party a breeze.
> 
> Ultreya!
> Grant
>  
> Grant Spangler
> GASpangler at hotmail.com
> http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago
> http://community.webshots.com/user/ElCaminoSantiago
>   
> 
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