K7MFC mobile shack: 2019 Ford F-150 XLT

Last summer I replaced my 2013 F-150 with a new 2019 F-150. Just like the last truck, this is my daily driver to the office job, but it does truck stuff too! I've been happy with Ford trucks and decided to get another F-150, but this time around I placed a factory order so I … Continue reading K7MFC mobile shack: 2019 Ford F-150 XLT

Refurbished Radio Shack Pro-2021

Recently, I was on the hunt for a desktop scanner for my desk at work. I didn't need anything new or high tech since this would just be for casual listening to the VHF local and wildfire comms, area ham and GMRS repeaters, NOAA, etc. I love old radios, especially Realistic/Radio Shack, so I began … Continue reading Refurbished Radio Shack Pro-2021

How to get a GMRS license

General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile UHF radio service in the United States, near 462 and 467 MHz. GMRS shares the same frequencies with the Family Radio Service (FRS), however output power is limited to 0.5 or 2 watts on FRS, depending on the channel. A license is required to operate on the … Continue reading How to get a GMRS license

The history behind 462.675 MHz and the travel tone

I came across the North Shore Emergency Association's website recently and found their club history page interesting: nsea.com/nseainfo.htm This link briefly discusses how the "travel tone" of 141.3 Hz and the national calling/emergency frequency of 462.675 MHz came to be. NSEA was one of the very first adopters of GMRS in the early 1970s, then … Continue reading The history behind 462.675 MHz and the travel tone

K7MFC Field Report: Four Peaks, AZ

The Tonto National Forest in Arizona lifted all fire restrictions on Friday morning, so me and a buddy threw the camping gear and some radios in the truck and headed up the Four Peaks Road. For those unfamiliar with the area, about 30 miles north on AZ Highway 87 from Highway 202 in Mesa, AZ … Continue reading K7MFC Field Report: Four Peaks, AZ

K7MFC mobile shack: 2013 F-150 Lariat 4×4

I've been piecing together my mobile shack since purchasing my current truck about a year ago. I have everything finally done (j/k - I know it's never "done"), so here's a quick post to share my temporarily complete install. This post is especially for the Ford guys out there wondering about installing roof antenna mounts … Continue reading K7MFC mobile shack: 2013 F-150 Lariat 4×4

Motorola CDM1250 Install

I've updated my mobile shack and created a new install post - check it out here: https://seesharpdotnet.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/k7mfc-mobile-shack-2013-f-150-lariat-4x4/

Worldwide Spectrums Allocation Poster

I came across a post on reddit last week that had a link to receive a free poster illustrating electromagnetic spectrum allocation, courtesy of a company called Textronix, a testing and measurement instrument manufacturer based in Mesa, AZ (no affiliation with me). It's pretty neat - I received mine in the mail today and just … Continue reading Worldwide Spectrums Allocation Poster

BTECH GMRS-V1 Review

I recently wrote a review of the BTECH GMRS-V1 handheld radio for my club's forum, but I would like to share it here as well. I was in the market for a handheld GMRS radio to be used primarily for outdoor recreation - mountain biking, camping, hiking, fishing, etc. I had a few requirements of … Continue reading BTECH GMRS-V1 Review