Static is normal. Most channels have infrequent traffic and all you will hear on them is static. Turning up the squelch just high enough to eliminate the static while allowing understandable transmissions to activate the speaker is how most operate the radios. However, I turned the squelch down and endured the static whenever I wanted to hear every discernible message. I haven't used one in many years.
Historically, the "chatroom lobby" was channel 19, so that would be your best bet for other traffic. Also, this is low power (assuming legal kit); reception's going to be very fragile as a function of range and any imaginable source of interference.
Like desert_sparrow, it's been a few years, although we were still using ours for a while after the popular craze moved on. My impression is that they've become less popular, even with the pros, now that cellphones (and "push to talk" mobiles) have become common.
Thank you. It's for emergency purposes, with the idea that we'll be crossing some areas where we might not have cell reception and the possibility of a car breakdown in 100+ degree heat is not to be trifled with. Do you think that makes sense?
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Like desert_sparrow, it's been a few years, although we were still using ours for a while after the popular craze moved on. My impression is that they've become less popular, even with the pros, now that cellphones (and "push to talk" mobiles) have become common.
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Yeah, we overprepare. :-)
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