Crow Plans - Our Goal
Colonial Heights
GMRS Coverage
WSED351 Coverage Goal
Nov. 1, 2024 Updated Nov 30, 2024
The City of Colonial Heights is a small densely
populated square shaped city about 4 miles by
4 miles, the way a crow flies.
Interstate 95 and Route 144 Temple Ave.
divides the city into four equal quadrants
about 2 miles by 2 miles each, the way
a crow flies. Using a low powered repeater
in the center of each quadrant would
allow HT-to-HT area coverage for
each quadrant neighborhood.
Current Online
CrowsNest Repeater
The Blue Dot in Q1 quadrant.
Field Strength studies show a repeater
capable HT can communicate with another
like capable HT anywhere between the
city library, each north-east side park of
White Bank and Fort Clifton,
including their waterways, plus
Tussing Elem. and the High School area
using the current Q1 online repeater.
Plans are to install a low power low antenna
repeater in each of the other 3 neighborhoods
that would allow 4 conversations all
at the same time between HTs and
still allow a base or mobile unit reach
any neighborhood by channel selection
from any location in the city.
Each repeater would be assigned its own
channel and maintained by a
licensed "CrowMaster" in each area.
Current Online CrowsNest Repeater
The Blue Dot in Q1 quadrant.
Quadrant #1 - Tussing / High School Area
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Quadrant #2 - Lakeview / Sherwood Hills
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Quadrant #3 - College Park / Stadium
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Quadrant #4 - Southpark Mall / Hotels
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Our Goal would be to complete all four
quadrant repeaters in 2025
and in 2026 add a high antenna,
high power city center repeater.
* * *
Some FACTS:
FRS - Family Radio Service is a low power
wireless Walkie-Talkie Handheld (HT)
technology somewhat like GMRS
sharing the same channels but without
repeater transmit capability, only
the ability to receive repeaters.
No FCC license is required and
usually communicate around the
home area or next door yet able to
receive distant GMRS communications.
GMRS - General Mobile Radio Service
is a FCC license required wireless
technology similar
to ham amateur radio
technology but
uses less frequencies
and power and
fewer modes of operation.
GMRS require far less technical skills
and no test to be licensed to operate.
Walkie Talkie ( HT - Hand-Held )
radios and repeater technology has
greatly improved in recent years
bringing down size and cost.
FRS and GMRS should be considered
short
range communication whereas
ham radio far exceeds ranges and
modes of operations.
FRS and GMRS HT's are great at
local events like fairs, parades
campsites, and hikes and when
ever a family likes to stay in touch
with each other. What makes
this technology different than
using cell phones is one person
transmits and everyone else
hears that transmission.
It is a PTT push-to-talk movement
requiring no muli-key typing.
The greatest thing about GMRS
is only one family needs to be
licensed and the entire family
is licensed no matter the age.
* * *
Colonial Heights is surrounded on
three sides by water causing some
neighborhoods to somewhat have
limited access in and out during
severe rain storms.
* * *
GMRS or Amateur
Radio is in no way
considered a replacement for the EMS
911 communication system for
emergencies but in some rare extreme
cases made play a vital role in time
of need.
* * *
Crow Caws in the Heights is a local
club of those interested in radio
technology for family short range
communications at home or in
areas of limited communication
systems like cell towers in remote
locations like some recreational areas.
* * *
The main purpose and mission of the
Crow Caws in the Heights is to promote
radio technology knowledge and skills
leading up to being licensed as
GMRS and Ham Radio operators.
Such knowledge, skills and licenses
often lead to careers in many technical
fields.
* * *
GMRS HT radios and the more limited
power FRS HT radios require no repeater to
operate over extended distances.
Only certain repeater capable HTs
and proper setup procedures called
programming and a licensed GMRS
operator are allowed to use repeaters
and often require permission from
repeater owners to use them.
Having a club of experienced ham
and other wireless technicians can
be helpful. The internet can be a great
tool as well.
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Contact
Crows: Email
Click Here
.