Wichita Falls Pundit

HOME PAGE - XITTER - BUY RADIOS - DIRECTORY

A Hobby Radio Aeronautical Mobile Pop-Up Event

Aeronautical Mobile events are common on the Amateur (ham) Radio VHF, UHF, and sometimes even the HF bands. I've even heard one on CB Radio Channel 19. But what about the Family Radio Service - FRS, General Mobile Radio Service - GMRS, and the Multi-Use Radio Service - MURS? To be the object of attention, you must own an aircraft, know someone with an aircraft, or rent an aircraft. If you're not a pilot, you'll have to rent one of those, too! Renting is not cheap, but it doesn't have to be expensive. Even a private pilot can share the operating costs of the aircraft. No Commercial license is needed.

I interpret the FCC rules on GMRS stations as stating that the licensee may communicate only with members of their immediate family. Random contacts with other GMRS licencees are not permitted. If true, this means that Aeronautical mobile contacts can only be made with immediate family members. So, no pop-ups for GMRS—planned events for family members only.

I see nothing in the FCC rules prohibiting aeronautical mobile operation for these services. For CB Radio, the FCC says, "There are no height restrictions for antennas mounted on vehicles or hand-held devices." For all practical purposes, GMRS is probably not the best choice for a fun-filled event with the expense. So, FRS, MURS, CB, and Amateur Radio to the rescue!

So, Wichita Falls Hobby Radio enthusiasts, I look forward to hearing you on the air up there, somewhere! And please use a simplex calling frequency, not a repeater. You'll be thousands of feet in the air - YOU are the repeater! I repeat, simplex only!