well, most of the FRS radios, run on double A or tripple A sells, which seem
to be the most commonly availible batteries in north america....not many of
the major brands have a unit specific battery pack that requires recharging
to use.
As well, most house holds have at least two remote controls that use these
sells, so in an emergency, you can always use those if you don't have any
batteries, or can't get to a store to obtain some.
Its a good idea in theory and on paper, but real world application certainly
leaves allot to be desired.
It almost sounds like another corprit ploy to sel radios under the guize of
emergency measures.
Midland will only have to add emergency procedures into their user manuals
and they will have held up their end of the deal.
Which, in itself isn't such a bad idea either.
Some clear operating procedures would do FRS frequencies good and hopefully
weed out some of the trash that exists on there now.
Especially the retail industries seeming insistance upon using frs
frequencies for store security, maintenance and what ever other business use
they decide to use them for.
Around here the biggest users of FRS are the malls and retail chains using
them illegally.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Louis Kim Kline" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 8:58 PM
Subject: Re: How to Communicate When Disaster Strikes


> Hi.
>
> I can see one problem with this scenario already.  At least to the extent
> that these radios use rechargeable batteries, if one doesn't use them
> regularly, they probably won't operate when the real disaster strikes.  Of
> course, for the units that can run on dry cells, they might be viable as
> long as one is in the habit of keeping spare dry cells on hand.
>
> It's an interesting idea.  Thus far, I personally haven't found a use for
> FRS, and consequently haven't invested in it.
>
> I don't really have a reliable emergency power source at this time, so my

> station is probably of use for emergency communications to the extent that
> I have a station packed up that can be rapidly deployed wherever
> needed.  It stays in a backpack, ready to be taken to wherever at a
> moment's notice.  The biggest time requirement is the time it takes to
> erect an antenna--the actual station can be set up and on the air in about
> 5 minutes.
>
>
> 73, de Lou K2LKK
>
>
>
> Louis Kim Kline
> A.R.S. K2LKK
> Home e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work e-mail:  [log in to unmask]
> Work Telephone:  (585) 697-5753