[FedCom] Re: FedCom Digest, Vol 35, Issue 13

[Dan Yemiola]

    >I'd be interested in finding out what keeps the cost of EPIRB so high.
   
  They are built and more importantly TESTED to meet various MIL-spec , FAA ,FCC, ISO, DIN, and IMO specifications. 
  They must meet a spec that exceeds MIL-SPC 810-c,d,e by a wide margin. 
   
  If you make equipment that is intended to work in hostile environments it must be over engineered and tested for use. 
   
  There are no EPIRB boards that are wave soldered, and passed thru Q&A after a visual inspection.
   
  I dont think there is a FRS that even meets ISO 9000, much less amore stringent standard. 
   
  >That seems like a better solution, though you would probably find yahoos 
firing off their EPIRB when out of gas, with a flat, etc.

  Already happens every year.
  In fact there has been a case in the Adirondacks where a fellow had to be "rescued" twice because he carried an EPIRB into an area where he was told not to go in the winter time.
  
Ken wrote:
> I'm sure many of you may have followed the news reports on the Kim 
> family tragedy in Oregon
> http://news.com.com/2100-1028_3-6141498.html .. We've had discussions 
> on various groups on the feasibility of an FRS radio utilizing Channel 
> #1 (462.5625 mhz) calling channel being an adequate communications 
> device for victims to communicate with airborne search assets.
>
  I'm afraid the FRS devices are just not reliable enough as built, problems with the batteries in low temperatures, problems with the structural integrity of the units casings, etc.

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> BUT I just have to wonder how long it's going to be 
>before the various states consumer departments and perhaps the FTC put some 
>pressure on the ones that are claiming, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 miles 
>communications range. 
   
  There are situations where these FRS units can communicate at these kinds of ranges.The problem here is that these units are being marketed to technically unsophisticated persons who assume that the FRS units most extreme performances are the norm. 
  I once got into UHF amateur repeater full quieting at a straight line range of 118 miles with 150 milliwatts.
   
  See 'Popular Communications' magazine editorial at: 
http://www.popular-communications.com/Dec06Highlightsblank.html

Hey about 2 1/2 hours back I monitored some activity on FRS Channel 1, 
someone in the neighborhood was telling the kids to get to bed since Santa 
Claus would be coming tomorrow. Needless to say I couldn't resist giving a 
HO HO HO over the air and reminding the kids that they better nice cause SC 
was monitoring whether they were being naughty or nice!!!
   
  Very good!