Farm Communcation
How you communicate on your farm is an important and easily overlooked portion of farm planning. Lucky Duck Farms is not very big; however, during peak farming season, my wife and I will often find ourselves spread out far enough that simple communication can become frustrating or just plain difficult. Even simple questions like Where did you put the shovel or Do we need more duck feed can become obstacles to overcome. Yelling at the top of your lungs is an option, but this is not effective and is not anything the neighbors want to hear.
So then, the question is, how do we communicate on the farm?
Cellphones and text messages are the obvious first place to look; however, this quickly became inconvenient. Your hands become filthy when performing dirty chores such as deep cleaning the duck run. Hands (or gloves) become covered with dirty and wet shavings, duck poo, food chunks, and who knows what else. With the cost of the average smartphone exceeding one thousand dollars, choosing not to expose it to certain environments made sense to us.
Making cellphone calls and sending text messages requires us to stop what we are doing and use our hands. As we already mentioned thoes hands and gloves can be filthy. The process of placing a call, sending, or checking a text message takes time and interrupts our tasks and foucus. While cellphone technology is convenient, it can lead to long interruptions and is not as intentainous as we think it is.
Where else do we look?
After cellphones fell flat, I started exploring different radio options. Radios can be easily cleaned and disinfected, are portable enough to carry on belts or in pockets, and, because they transmit signals at the speed of light (670,616,629 mph), they allow for nearly instant communication. Additionally, radios are more affordable than cellphones, function without cell service, and provide faster communication with the simple click of a button, minimizing interruptions to work. There's no need to dial a number and wait for it to connect and ring; all you have to do is press the Push To Talk button.
But What Radio Service?
In 2015, I became an Amateur Radio Operator, also known as a HAM, by earning my Technician class license before upgrading to my general class license in 2022. While Amateur Radio offers many advantages compared to other radio services, it is also quite complex. The FCC requires users to pass an exam, and each student receives a radio personal radio license that cannot be shared or transferred with others. Additionally, amateur radios and equipment can be veryexpensive and require technical knowledge to install and operate. Although Luck Duck Farms has had an Amateur Radio station for years, this station is primarily used for hobbies and activities outside of the farm.
The Family Radio Service (FRS) is an excellent starting point for most people. FRS radios are designed for family use and are license-free, meaning anyone, including children, can use them. This makes FRS a convenient option for many, as no special knowledge is required, and the radios come pre-programmed.
However, FRS does have limitations. The service is restricted to handheld radios only, with no base stations or repeater available. Since FRS radios are accessible to the public, they are often inexpensive, which can lead to issues with build quality; however, some reliable models do exist.
FRS radios can transmit at a maximum output of 2 watts and must have fixed antennas. Due to these constraints, FRS radios did not fit in with our farm needs.
How do we bridge the gap between Amateur Radio and FRS?
The General Mobile Radio Service, or GMRS, really shines in this in-between space. GMRS users must pay a $35 fee to the FCC, and in return, the user will be issued an FCC callsign good for ten years. Unlike in Amateur Radio, where the call sign is tied to a single operator, GMRS covers the callsign holder and their entire immediate family. The FCC considers immediate family to include spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. That's a lot of mileage out of a $35 fee!
Just like Amateur Radio users, GMRS operators must follow FCC rules and regulations, which include identifying themselves with their call sign every fifteen minutes and at the end of your convesation. Don’t let this intimidate you; FCC rules are easy to find online and are written in a straightforward format. While GMRS does have some structure, it is not nearly as strict and strignet as Amateur Radio.
GMRS offers users the ability to transmit up to 50 watts of mobile and repater power, or 15 watts if the station is fixed. Unlike FRS users, who are restricted to handheld devices, GMRS provides more options. Users can choose from a number of commercial grade 5-watt handheld radios, as well as 50-watt mobile and base station radios. Additionally, GMRS users have access to a wide array of repeaters.
In the Puget Sound area, several repeaters facilitate reliable communications, extending from Vancouver, Canada, to Vancouver, Washington. These repeaters make it possible to communicate effectively on farms and serve as excellent options for city communications. Additionally, they are a great resource for emergency preparedness for the entire family.
GMRS repeater coverage of the Puget Sound
After reviewing all available radio services, it’s clear why Lucky Duck Farms has chosen GMRS. While Amateur Radio offers many advantages, it is not a realistic option for most people. GMRS provides a significant upgrade from FRS in terms of build quality, reliability, transmission range, and repeater capability. By paying a single fee of $35, we cover our entire household, ensuring equal accessibility and radio privileges for everyone.
I hope this blog has given you something to think about and that you have learned a few things along the way. At the end of the day you need to pick the communication method that works best for you. If you are intrested in radios The Family Radio Service or FRS is still a great option even if we did not pick it.