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Club Radio and Direct Connect App (Zello) Info
As noted, when we do cruises, meets, etc we use handheld FRS radios, (Typically on channel 5, no sub-codes)
The small, FRS only radios start at about $20 for a pair, theoretical 2 mile radius. You can expect to pay more for rechargeable batteries, extra features, etc. They work decently, but if we have a long convoy, the people at the front or rear may loose each other.
Example Cobra MicroTalk:
_____________________________________
The other option on the market is a FRS/GMRS combination unit. the GMRS frequencies are more powerful, and have a much longer range. Why does this matter, you say? Some of the channels overlap the FRS frequencies, but since it uses the same hardware, the FRS channels have more power, as well.
The FRS/GMRS units seem to run above $ 40, and again extra features will dictate price. - T
They all should interchange, so long as you don't have any brand specific technology enabled for channel security, or subcodes set.
Oh, and if you don't have a radio at the next cruise/meet, there may be somebody in the group with an extra that you can borrow, just be sure to give it back!
The club also USES a Direct Connect style smartphone app, called Zello. It's available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry devices, from their respective app stores. There's also a PC app for Windows computers. The app does require users to sign up for a free account, but after sign up, C5G mebers can join in our Chicago 5th Gen channel and communicate in near real-time, similar to the "old" Motorola Push To Talk phones. Comes in real handy on cruises if the group gets separated and out of radio range.
The channel that we will be using for general cruises and meets will be:
Chicago 5th Gen
The channels are indeed case sensitive, so when searching, be specific about how you enter the title.
You can also request to add other C5G users that you see in channel to your own contacts so that you can directly message an individual user.
Post up if you have questions or can't get something to work right, we'll get you squared away.
As noted, when we do cruises, meets, etc we use handheld FRS radios, (Typically on channel 5, no sub-codes)
The small, FRS only radios start at about $20 for a pair, theoretical 2 mile radius. You can expect to pay more for rechargeable batteries, extra features, etc. They work decently, but if we have a long convoy, the people at the front or rear may loose each other.
Example Cobra MicroTalk:
_____________________________________
The other option on the market is a FRS/GMRS combination unit. the GMRS frequencies are more powerful, and have a much longer range. Why does this matter, you say? Some of the channels overlap the FRS frequencies, but since it uses the same hardware, the FRS channels have more power, as well.
The FRS/GMRS units seem to run above $ 40, and again extra features will dictate price. - T
They all should interchange, so long as you don't have any brand specific technology enabled for channel security, or subcodes set.
Oh, and if you don't have a radio at the next cruise/meet, there may be somebody in the group with an extra that you can borrow, just be sure to give it back!
The club also USES a Direct Connect style smartphone app, called Zello. It's available for Android, iPhone, Blackberry devices, from their respective app stores. There's also a PC app for Windows computers. The app does require users to sign up for a free account, but after sign up, C5G mebers can join in our Chicago 5th Gen channel and communicate in near real-time, similar to the "old" Motorola Push To Talk phones. Comes in real handy on cruises if the group gets separated and out of radio range.
The channel that we will be using for general cruises and meets will be:
Chicago 5th Gen
The channels are indeed case sensitive, so when searching, be specific about how you enter the title.
You can also request to add other C5G users that you see in channel to your own contacts so that you can directly message an individual user.
Post up if you have questions or can't get something to work right, we'll get you squared away.