Resources

Why are flags flown half mast?

When you consult the Flag Etiquette section at the United States Flag Store you will learn that flying the American flag at half-staff or half-mast for flags on ships is a symbol of grief and mourning. The exact origin of the tradition is unknown. However, the first recorded record of flying a flag at half-mast occurred in 1612 on board the Heart's Ease when the flag was lowered halfway after the death of the commanding officer in the line of duty.

On the following dates, Flags should be at Half-Staff:

• • National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service – May 5th, 2024
  • Peace Officer Memorial Day – May 15th, 2024
  • Memorial Day – May 27th, 2024 (until noon)
  • Patriot Day (9/11) – September 11th, 2024
  • Pearl Harbor Day – December 7th, 2024

How long do you fly a flag at half-mast?

Typically, flags are flown at half-staff of Memorial Day until noon, September 11 for Patriot's Day and on December 7 for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. The President as well as the governor of any state can order that flags be flown at half-staff at any time during the year and for any length of time. Often it occurs after a tragic event to honor the individual lives that have been lost.

There are also specific times when flags are flown at half-staff such as when a president or former president dies. When this happens, American flags are flown at half-staff for 30 days.

DEFINITION and Status

The term "half-staff" refers to the position of a flag when it is halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. It is often synonymous with "half-mast", although it is argued that this term should only be used if the flag is displayed on a ship or nautical flagpole. The measurement does not have to be exact, but it should be at least the width of your flag. This is to imply that something is missing above the flag. Many scholars refer to this space as the "invisible flag of death," (Martuccio).

SYMBOLIC MEANING of the American Flag lowered Half Staff

Flying a flag at half-staff or half-mast is a sign for grief and mourning. It is flown following the death of certain government officials, in times of national distress, on various holidays, and at any other time it is instructed by the president or government. There are specific instructions in the Flag Code for lowering the flag and the time frame it should be flown. This information is available in the Flag Code section below.

ORIGIN and Procedure of Flags Ordered Half Staff

The practice of half-staffing or half-masting a flag has been taking place for some time. No one knows when and why this tradition began, but the earliest recorded incident was in 1612. It took place after the commander of the ship Heart’s Ease was killed by a native Inuit while searching for the Northwest Passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. His crew flew their flag at half-mast in mourning. When the ship reconvened with its fleet, the gesture was immediately recognized by crew members, insinuating that half-masting was already common practice at that time.

PROCEDURE

• • To fly your flag half-staff, first hoist it to the peak, then lower it to the half-staff position.
  • On Memorial Day fly your flag at half-staff until noon, then raise it back to the top.
  • Fly your flag at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless it is also Armed Forces Day.
  • The President can order that the flag be flown half-staff at any time and for any duration of time.
  • Patriot Day (September 11) - fly flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on this day.

MOURNING

• • Following the death of the President or a former President, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
  • Following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, a retired Chief Justice of the United States or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 10 days.
  • Following the death of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory or possession, the flag should be flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment.
  • Following the death of a Member of Congress, the flag should be flown at half-staff the day of death and the following day.
  • Base Commanders have the discretion to declare Flag be flown half staff. Lots of times it's for someone assigned to the base that passed away. Normally, News Media don't cover this type of event.

References

U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7.

FAQ Contributed by Richard R.

Freezing Weather Suggestions

Before the weather gets to freezing temperatures it helps to use a silicon based product like Endust which is available on Amazon (and many grocery stores)  on the Rubber door seals of your car and rig.   

We spray it onto a paper towel and then apply it the length of the seal on the door and  the frame seal.  This also helps with slides and hatches.  

It helps clean the seal of dirt and residue, and applies a thin silicon coat. 

That coat helps keep the ice from sealing the door shut..  and not ripping the seal when you do get it open.

We find that one application generally lasts the entire winter.

 FAQ contributed by Alan K.

RV Miles

We recommend them as a great way for you to keep track of things going on in the RV world as well.

Featuring a Website, a Facebook group, and popular YouTube channel, RV Miles is the destination for
RV news, National Park updates, the latest in the RV lifestyle, RV travel guides, and more.

Every week, RVMiles.com editors Abby and Jason share their adventures on a podcast along with the latest news, industry interviews, and so much more.

The RV Miles Podcast is available on all podcast apps and  the RV Miles Podcast YouTube channel.

MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service)

The Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) uses channels in the 151 – 154 MHz spectrum range. The most common use of MURS channels is for short-distance, two-way communications using small, portable hand-held radios that function similar to walkie-talkies.

You may operate a MURS transmitter at any location the FCC regulates radio communications, subject to certain restrictions. A MURS transmitter must be certified by the FCC.

None of the MURS 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.

No MURS transmitter shall, under any condition of modulation, transmit more than 2 watts transmitter power output.

The usual range of communications between MURS stations is less than a few miles; connecting a MURS radio to an external antenna can extend the range to ten miles or more. MURS stations are not allowed to be interconnected with the public switched telephone network. A station identification announcement is not required to be transmitted. Other restrictions on the use of MURS stations also apply.

FRS (Family Radio Service)

A short-distance two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, between low power hand-held radios, for facilitating individual, family, group, recreational and business activities.

FRS units normally communicate with other FRS units, but may also be used to communicate with General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) stations.

Each FRS transmitter is designed that the power on channels 8 through 14 does not exceed 0.5 Watts and on channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22 does not exceed 2.0 Watts.  No detachable or external antennas are allowed.

FCC: Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 95 Subpart B   [FRS Section]

Table notes

1. Shared FRS and GMRS simplex.
2. Shared FRS and GMRS simplex; GMRS repeater output.
3. GMRS repeater input. The output frequency of this repeater input is the input frequency minus 5 MHz.
4. FRS transmissions are limited to bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.
5. GMRS transmissions may have a bandwidth of 16 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 5.0 kHz. Channels are on 25 kHz centers.
6. GMRS transmissions are limited to a bandwidth of 11 kHz with a transmitter deviation of +/- 2.5 kHz. Channels are on 12.5 kHz centers.
7. National GMRS calling channel (CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz).

FCC: Title 47 Chapter I Subchapter D Part 95 Subpart E  [GMRS section]

Which GMRS/FRS radios are Legal in US and Canada?

It's simple:

Every GMRS or FRS radio has to be approved by the authorities of the country where you will be using the radio.   Industry Canada (IC) and the FCC in the US.  There are also rules for usage.   So don't cross the border and use your radio until you make sure you have the right equipment.

• If the radio does not have an IC number, it’s not approved for use in Canada.
• If the radio does not have an FCC number, it’s not approved for use in the US.

Also be aware of the US Line A/C and Canada Line B/D rules.  See the Frequency Coordination with Canada Below 470 MHz FAQ 

GMRS Line A Frequency Coordination with Canada Below 470 MHz
(Channel 19 & 21)

Your GMRS license recites the following clause which is regarding GMRS Channel 19 & 21, and any associated repeaters:

Effective 2/16/1999 the GMRS rules have been amended and you may operate on any of the primary or interstitial channels shown in section 95.29. Exception: Licensees who operate North of Line A and East of Line C may not operate on channels 462.650 MHZ, 467.650 MHZ, 462.700 MHZ and 467.700 MHZ unless your previous license authorized such operations.

• Line A is an imaginary line within the US, approximately paralleling the US-Canadian border. To the north of Line A, FCC coordination with Canadian authorities is generally required in the assignment of frequencies.
• Line C is an imaginary line in Alaska approximately paralleling the Alaskan-Canadian border. To the east of Line C, FCC coordination with Canadian authorities is generally required in the assignment of frequencies.

See if 19 & 21 are prohibited at your location with this FCC Interactive Map 

FCC Article about the Coordination     FCC Section 90.7 (Definitions)

So, in the example below, folks in the area between Des Moines WA which is south of Seattle and all the way to the Canadian Border Cannot use GMRS channel 19 & 21 without breaking FCC regulations.

Line A example from the interactive map:

HAM Radio Line A reference

In the 70 cm band: