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September 14, 2009 - New GMRS Book Already Causing Controversy!
(Read the first chapter free here!)
The publication date of my new book, “The Complete Guide to Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service: How to Get the Most Out of Our Nation’s Licence-Free, Fee-Free, Two-Way Radio Service”, ISBN 978-1-895391-20-6, is not until October 1, 2009, and already I hear through channels that some things discussed in the book are controversial and might ruffle feathers of those in the radiocommunications industry.
It seems that some manufactures of two-way “business-exclusive” radios are upset how I compare their two-watt UHF handheld radios to the two-watt GMRS radios, effectively telling readers that instead of paying hundreds of dollars for one of these “business-exclusive” radios, that they can buy a pair of GMRS for around fifty dollars. Both types of radios perform the same and have essentially the same features. The only advantage “business-exclusive” radios have over GMRS radios is that the channels are not as accessible to the public. However, the big advantages GMRS have are many; purchasers do not need to licence the radios; they do not need to licence the frequencies; there are no rental fees, airtime fees, usage fees, monthly fees, or any other fees to operate GMRS radios. In fact, GMRS is TOTALLY licence and fee free. The ONLY thing you pay for with GMRS is the cost of the radios, which are usually sold in pairs and most pairs go for UNDER one hundred dollars.
With “business-exclusive” radios, you have to either buy each radio at one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars each, or pay a monthly rental fee for each radio. Then you have to pay a licence fee for each radio. Plus a licence fee for each frequency. Then you have to pay a fee to renew those licences. And like GMRS, you have to share the frequencies with other users. Therefore, “business-exclusive” is not that exclusive, especially in a large urban area.
And the ironic thing about this supposed controversy? The majority of manufactures who make “business-exclusive” radios also make GMRS radios. Now, as a consumer, if you wanted to buy a handheld UHF two-watt two-way radio, what’s more important to you; having access to frequencies that are being used by other “business-exclusive” users rather than the general public and paying hundreds of dollars per radio for that privilege, or having access to frequencies that are available to the general public, but with a pair of radios that cost around fifty dollars but with no access, monthly, or licencing fees, both types of radios providing the same performance and features?
General Mobile Radio Service radios are exceedingly more cost-effective given that they perform the same as “business-exclusive” radios. It would be in any company’s or business’s best interest to go with GMRS radios. But I can see dealers trying to steer purchases towards the higher-priced business radios. Don’t be fooled by the supposed “controversy” that I have mentioned. It’s your money. Spend it, or save it, wisely when buying handheld two-way radios.
“The Complete Guide to Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service: How to Get the Most Out of Our Nation’s Licence-Free, Fee-Free, Two-Way Radio Service”, ISBN 978-1-895391-20-6, is available from Cafepress.ca at $24.00 CDN or Cafepress.com at $19.95 US.
June 16, 2009 - My new book for users of Canada's Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service two-way handheld radios is available for pre-publication purchase. The Complete Guide to Canada's General Mobile Radio Service: How to Get the Most Out of Our Nation's Licence-Free, Fee-Free Two-Way Radio Service, ISBN 978-1-895391-20-6, is now available from Cafepress.com for $19.95 U.S., and from Cafepress.ca for $24.00 Cdn. This is the ultimate resource guide for anyone, from the family or group of friends that needs to keep in touch with each other during recreational activities, to business, retail, construction, industry, and anyone who requires wireless contact with co-workers. Learn how Canada's fee-fee and license-free UHF two-way radio service can supplement or substitute for your cell phone, pager, or current radio equipment. Visit Cafepress.com or Cafepress.ca today! (Read the first chapter free here!)
September 2, 2008 - I am now a Certification Administrator for the Electronics Technicians Association International here in Northern Ontario Canada. I am available to give exams for the various Certified Electronics Technicians certifications, and U. S. FCC Commercial Radio Licences. The CET certifications are wide-ranging, and include Senior and Master CET's, Avionics, Biomedical, Computer and Service Techs, Radar, Wireless Comms, and many others. These certifications are recognized throughout the U. S. and abroad, and here in Canada. Certified Electronics Technicians get to use letters after their name. I am Phillip J. Boucher, CETsr, CTT, CSS (Senior Certified Electronics Technician; Certified Telecommunications Technician; Customer Service Specialist.) For more information on the various certifications available and how to set up an exam, please visit www.etainternational.com.
June 27, 2008 - I have returned from my personal hiatus and am back in business! If you need any writing or editing services to be done, contact me NOW!
June 5, 2008 - Well, the first novel in a five-book fantasy series, Dragonstoen™, is complete and I will be sending it out to publishers and/or agents at the end of the year. "In the Land of Husanta™, there are Kings, and there are villains. There are friends, and there are foes. There are Dragos™, and there are Majji™. There are dragons, and there are girls. And for one young Dragontend™, an attack on the castle and an accidental journey on a fleeing dragon will propel him into a reluctant search for a missing jewel of rightful Royal rule. Then, there will be a hero."
June 5, 2008 - I am in the process of re-writing the novel Tattonville™ so it more fits the fantasy genre. Let's hope a publisher picks it up this time. "Three police officers in a small Northern Ontario town not only have to contend with the incursion of the RCMP and CSIS, intent on building a training centre on the old Tatton Estate, but also with the vengeful spirit of a great Shaman the construction unleashes."
June 5, 2008 - I will be working further on the political romance/thriller (that's what I call it, anyway) Sveta™ once the other two novels above are out and about in the publishing netherworld. "The chance meeting between a young male American composer on tour, and a young Russian female student soldier in the New Russian military academy, blossoms into romance, but the Moscow Chief of the New Russian intelligence service sees this as a plot to turn the girl against her country, and interfere with his plans for control of the New Russian government."
Press Releases
News Release
For Immediate Release
New Book on Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service to be published October 1, 2009
The Complete Guide to Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service: How to Get the Most Out of Our Nation’s Licence-Free, Fee-Free UHF Two-Way Radio Service, ISBN 978-1-895391-20-6, is the only book dedicated to Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service. GMRS, now combined with the old Family Radio Service (FRS) frequencies, uses small mid-powered UHF two-way radios to provide remote wireless communications between friends, family, and co-workers.
Readers of the guide will learn what GMRS is all about, how to buy and operate GMRS radios, the many uses of GMRS including personal, recreational, business, industrial, retail, security, and how GMRS can reduce operating costs, increase productivity, and improve customer service. The book also explains how GMRS can supplement or replace traditional wireless products and services, such as cellular phones, pagers, and business-exclusive two-way radios.
Written by writer and author Phillip J. Boucher, acclaimed columnist with the Radio Amateurs of Canada magazine, The Canadian Amateur, this book is the only essential reference guide for anyone who owns or is considering purchasing GMRS radios.
The Complete Guide to Canada’s General Mobile Radio Service, ISBN 978-1-895391-20-6, is available exclusively from the printer/distributor Cafepress.com for $19.95 US, or Cafepress.ca for $24.00 CDN. PDF review copies are now available for media review and will be sent via email upon request.
For further information, please visit Cafepress.com or Cafepress.ca, the author’s website at http://phillipboucher.tripod.com, or contact the author directly at phillipboucher@gmail.com.
I
am also the author of
"Slot Machines: Fun Machines
or Tax Machines? A Technician Reveals the Truth About One-Armed
Bandits", ISBN
1-55270-049-6, published by Productive Publications in Toronto,
Canada, under the name Ian B. Williams. I am a former electronic
gaming machine technician for two major North American casinos,
and an expert in, and provide consultation on, Electronic Gaming
Machine addiction/problem gambling. However, due to the fact
that I am again employed in the gaming industry those services
are suspended at the present time. You can visit my All Experts
page at