Field Trial Radios
The field trial community uses the Blue Dot and Green Dot frequencies for communication at trials.
When purchasing a new field trial radio you are looking for a Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) radio. Ask the seller to program the following channels for you:
If you want to use your radio outdoors, it isn’t a bad idea to look for a model that comes with weather alerts from NOAA.
Those typically require a specific frequency which is license-free.
Those weather radio stations are typically located in the VHF public service frequency band.
The most common ones are 162.400 MHz, 162.425 MHz, and 162.450 MHz.
for more information
Everything You Wanted to Know about Blue Dot radios but… were Afraid to Ask by Bill Fawcett: CLICK HERE to read Bill’s Field Trial Radio article!
FCC: CLICK HERE to go to the FCC website
Cleaning Your MURS Radio
Regularly cleaning your MURS radio can help extend the life of your device. Since two-way radios usually operate in heavy-duty situations, it is typical to gather dust, grime, and dirt quickly. Luckily, it is not hard to keep your MURS radio clean.
All you need is a microfiber towel, water, and rubbing alcohol for dirt that is harder to remove. Lightly dampen a microfiber towel or paper towel with water and carefully wipe the exterior of the radio. Don’t scrub the radio heavily to avoid scratching the surface.
Storing Your MURS Radio
As part of properly caring for your MURS radio, you need to build the habit of storing them safely.
As a rule of thumb, you should always hold radios in a cool, dry place. Keep them away from direct sunlight as extreme heat might damage the internal parts, affecting its performance. You should also make sure that the storage is also safe from moisture.
Keep the storage area at room temperature between 68-86 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure you also turn off your MURS radio before storing them, and remove the batteries if they are removable.
Battery life can also be heavily affected if you expose your MURS radio to extreme temperatures. Moisture caused by the extreme cold can cause the batteries to corrode, rendering them useless. Excessive heat, on the other hand, can cause batteries to vent or expand abnormally.
MURS Radio History
In the 1990s Blue dot radios were licensed by the FCC as part of their Business Radio Service commonly known as the “Business Band”. In 2002 the FCC deregulated the “Business Band” allowing 5 frequencies to be used without a license.
None of the channels are assigned for the exclusive use of any user. You must cooperate in the selection and use of the channels in order to make the most effective use of them and to reduce the possibility of interference.
MURS Radio Range
As far as the range is concerned, here is the basic guideline:
- With a clear line of sight – up to 3 miles
- Normal conditions – up to 1.5 miles
- Forested/Hilly area – half a mile out
Do not expect more than 3 miles of range from the MURS radio even it is under ideal conditions. It is because that is the limit set up by the FCC. To be more specific, radios can only have 2 watts of power maximum.
