Radio nerd here. (73 y'all)
I've seen pictures of people getting arrested and one thing I've noticed is that every now and again I'll see an FRS/GMRS radio with some of these rioters.
What does that mean? Well, it means they're organized. And you can be too.
As a radio operator, when we do events and such a common thing to do is to set up a "net control" or central command or some sort of base station. This station will have high power and an effective antenna. People can then meander around with an HT (handheld radio) and communicate back to the base.
This is effective in that two HT's, which are lower power and don't have a nice antenna profile, can communicate via the base station (otherwise known as a repeater).
This can work in a couple of different ways. In repeater mode, the HT's can all communicate with the higher power repeater and it rebroadcasts and everybody hears it. Or there might be a net control operator, the HT's communicate with net control (a person) and net control responds with advice or orders or some sort of information they wouldn't otherwise have.
This radio right here is one that is inexpensive and that I've seen used by people getting arrested. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BXCF85T/
Knowing radio technology, I can take an educated guess and say they're using GMRS. Here's why, a nice chart that shows the overlap between FRS and GMRS frequencies: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart
You'll notice peak FRS power is 2w while GMRS peak power is 50w. If they're following legal operating power, which a lot of radios require in hardware, then that means they're operating between the frequencies of 462.5500 - 467.7250.
What does this mean and what can you do?
Well you can get a GMRS radio and antenna and listen and record. This is evidence if they're coordinating criminal activity and could help in a RICO case.
So what to do... Keep in mind this is a "line of site" radio technology, so everything's within a mile or so.
Option 1: You can spend $20 on the same radio I posted (or any GMRS radio) and set it to scan between the above frequencies. You're free to roam around.
Option 2: You can get a GMRS radio (even the HT) and use a vehicle mounted antenna. This will use the vehicle as a ground plane and have much better reception, around 3.5dBi. Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWYVM94
Option 3: You can get a base station antenna and radio, this will have the most gain (up to 6.5dBi) with this antenna, but you're not going to be mobile. Example: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0784FQ9VB
They're talking to each other and coordinating right under your nose, this is how you go about listening in. Record any crimes. Fuck it, give them false orders too. Don't let them own this technology, we can use it too.
Wouldn't those crimes fall under federal jurisdiction though?
I honestly cant tell if he's serious or sarcastic. But there is no law against speaking in code over a radio considering almost all radio operators speak in some form of code. ie: 10-4 little buddy...
yes there is a rule against it. im a licensed general. you cannot speak in code that obscures the intended message. are you licensed? because you would know that if you were.
10 codes are for cb, different band, different rules, no license required. Q codes are accepted by the ARRL, they are even required knowledge to get a license. but go ahead, id love to see you explain this to me how im wrong.
Lol I've had several messages telling me I'm wrong about not being able to speak in code so thank you for backing me up. Its a question on the frikin exams hahaha
yes it is. the people arguing with you most likely are not licensed. anyone with AT LEAST a technician license knows this. you also can't use ham radio for business where money can be made. its stupid little rules like this that many people either don't know, or choose to disregard.
10 codes are explicitly permitted over FRS/GMRS https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=&SID=bcd7f16c7a0687c00b6e09ef379a4f60&mc=true&r=PART&n=pt47.5.95#se47.5.95_11733
part 97 for HAM radio has exceptions such as authentication purposes or for medical personnel. part 95 for FRS/GMRS says, (4) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (``10 codes are permissible);''
PART 95--PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES--Table of Contents
Sec. 95.183 Prohibited communications.
or indirect; (2) Messages in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State, or local law; (3) False or deceptive messages; ** (4) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (``10 codes'' are permissible);** (5) Intentional interference; (6) Music, whistling, sound effects or material to amuse or entertain; (7) Obscene, profane or indecent words, language or meaning;
you are making my point, you realize this right? no one is saying 10-codes or Q-codes aren't allowed. in fact, if you read the rest of the replies, you'd see that i already wrote that several times yesterday.
are you agreeing with me or disagreeing? because i've already made this point several times in this thread.
Also, OP is telling people to give fake orders with GMRS. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I just paid $70 to the FCC for a license to use GMRS today, don't you need to be licensed to use GMRS?
yes you do need to be licensed to transmit over GMRS. it is a $70 fee for 5 years.
EDIT: in 2017 they changed the duration from 5 to 10 years! :)
yes, you need a gmrs license to transmit, you can still own a radio and listen with it. just looked it up and they increased it from 5 to 10 years / 70$ license fee in 2017.
So I think they are confusing two related things.
There are FCC regulations banning encryption over any HAM broadcasts, CB, and a wide range of commercial frequencies.
The only people allowed to broadcast encrypted chatter are government entities (feds, cops, etc) and telecom companies with federal licensing.
By a very technical reading using simple word codes with the intent of concealing the message is broadcasting unlicensed encrypted radio.
I would be shocked if you could be held accountable for that alone in court, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it as an add on charge if the book gets thrown.
I may be wrong, but I believe business frequencies can be encrypted...
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzDj0u1HhvE&t=533s
I thought I typed a reply to this earlier, but I can't find it now so sorry if this is a double reply.
The guy in the video doesn't really go into details about it but when he says "amateur frequencies can't be encrypted" he's basically saying the same thing I am.
To use encrypted radio you need:
a good reason
a license to the frequency spectrum you are using from the FCC
This is to facilitate things like, quickly locating and disrupting drug traffickers or terrorists or really anyone using radio for crime.
You don't have to bother decrypting the communication to figure out "oh they are talking about bombing a building" you can know they are up to no good just by the fact they are broadcasting unlicensed encryption.
Groups that typically get encrypted radio are stuff like: cops, private security, fire and rescue, feds, rarely event security for large or high value events, some forest service and logging related activities, and telecoms.
You are correct. There are exceptions to all the rules. When I made my statement I was being specific to FRS and GMRS as Easter_Bunny was specific to FRS and GMRS. I used a 10 code as an example because it is explicitly permissible in the FCC's PART 95 for FRS and GMRS.
i agree with you for the most part. general here.
In the US it is illegal to transmit using codes or ciphers over a radio with the purpose of hiding the meaning of the content unless the license you are operating it under allows it.
TL;DR It depends.
Yes there is
This is blatantly incorrect
That's CB bands. As I understand it, different frequency bands have different rules applied - the ones commercial radios operate in have different rules than CB, etc. NOT my wheelhouse, though.
FCC so yes