Making contact by FM radio

[Skvez]

We talk about using CB or Ham radio for making contact with other groups after a major event but what about the 'normal' 88MHz to 108MHz FM band? Transmitting on this band before a major event requires a rather expensive licence but after a major event there are going to be a lot more people with FM radio receivers than CB or Ham units. 'It is my understanding' (note legal weasel phrase) that it is legal to own an FM transmitter without a licence, it's using it that requires the licence.

[Skean Dhude]

Interesting. I've not seen any transmitters that specifically target those frequencies only although I thought that Ham radios can be adjusted to those frequencies.

[grumpy old man]

i think i know of one but need to check it out first

[Skean Dhude]

Grumpy,

Back in the days before CB came legal we had a technician in our club who modified the US FM/AM radios to do all sorts of things. It was based on a top range model that had 120 channels, AM/FM and there was also a base unit called the Jumbo. I had the portable version.

[grumpy old man]

my dad had a hi gain 5 and use to talk all over europe
i think it's in his loft somewhere?

[Skean Dhude]

Dig it out and see if you can find the rest of it for your supplies.

[grumpy old man]

my dad reckons everthing is still up there with a few other rigs, he used to be into his cb's a lot.
he's more of a horder than me.
mine for the taking if i can find it

[Skean Dhude]

and while you are up there see what else is around.

[Reality Jones]

If we assume that in an event the power grid goes down, how much electricity would you need to power an FM radio and create a strong enough signal ? could you run it off of an ordinary car battery or would you need to use a generator of some type?

[Skean Dhude]

Radios don't need that much power but transmitters do require a lot more than receivers. They will run quite comfortably off a car battery for some time but obviously you need to conserve the power or replenish it. Get a hamster in a wheel or better yet a pedal bike with a generator attached.