My only concern is many FRS radio do not have the privacy code option. If a
privacy code is used as a standard all those that don't have the privacy
code option will not be heard. IMHO, a channel is agreed on to meet at and
if the privacy code is to be used it is agreed on as needed.

Glenn

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jack Stephens" <jstephens62 at home.com>
To: "Tweeters" <tweeters at u.washington.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 7:49 PM
Subject: FRS radios - Working for a standard


> The ABA has put together a working group on birders from around the
country
> to make recommendations regarding FRS radios. I have been asked to gather
> input from birders in the Northwest regarding a national standard for FRS
> frequency and privacy codes for birders.
> For background information, FRS radios are the small two-way radios
> available in sporting goods stores, with a range of about two miles. Some
> models operate on one or two frequencies, while more expensive models have
> up to 14. In addition, some models allow the use of privacy codes that
> eliminate interference from other users on the same frequency.
> In several areas of the country, birders have established a local standard
> for FRS frequency and privacy codes; these are used primarily when chasing
> rarities. A birder who finds an unusual bird can notify anyone else within
a
> two mile radius of the sighting, if they both have a radio set to the same
> frequency and code. The advantage of a national (or international)
standard
> is obvious, you could travel to High Island, Point Pelee or Madera Canyon
> and be in touch with other birders in the area.
> The ABA working group will be discussing what that standard should be. I
> would appreciate input from birders in Washington, Oregon and British
> Columbia, so that I can pass it along. It is my impression that there is
not
> a FRS standard in the Northwest, so that adoption of a national standard
> locally could be relatively easy. Responses could be public or private,
but
> public responses on Tweeters have the advantage of stimulating broader
> discussion. Please send any input in the next week, I will be gone on
> vacation after the 20th.
>
> Thanks for you participation.
>
> Jack Stephens
> Edmonds, WA
> jstephens62 at home.com
>
>
>
>
>