The Telluride Backcountry Radio program was introduced to help with communication in the popular backcountry areas surrounding Telluride. You can learn more about the program and various channels here.

We have received feedback that some groups are using these channels, and some are not, for a variety of reasons. Below we have put together simple steps to show how to change the preset channels on your radios for ease of use.

The radios come with preset channels, A through F, but it is possible to preset your own channels using the dial on the Smart Mic. Follow these simple steps:

1. Turn the radio on using the power/volume dial.
2. Select the preset channel (A-F) on the Smart Mic channel selection dial.
3. Press Menu once (*to deactivate the keylock, see below). The channel number will start flashing in the display.
4. Select the desired channel using the up/down buttons. Accept by waiting for five-seconds or pressing OK.
5. Press Menu again.
6. The privacy code number will start flashing. Select desired privacy code. If the channel or privacy code digit stops flashing while presetting the channels, press menu again.
7. Repeat this process for each channel (A-F) that you want to preset. All members of your party must select the same channels AND privacy codes.
8. After channels have been preset, the desired channel and privacy code combination can be selected on the Smart Mic. Therefore, you don’t have to touch the base unit to change channels.

*Keylock: The keylock applies to the keys on the base unit only; it does not lock the controls on the Smart Mic. Activate the keylock by pressing the Menu and Ok buttons simultaneously for 3 seconds. During this time, a countdown from 3 to 1 is shown in the display. Keylock can be deactivated the same way it is activated.

Note: Channels 1 through 7 are combined GMRS/FRS channels. Channels 8 through 14 are FRS channels. Channels 15 through 22 are GMRS channels. The FRS channels (8-14) transmit at 0.5 W, while all other channels transmit at 1.0W. While battery life is longer when using channels 8-14, the range of transmission is shorter.

Please let us know any feedback you have on the radios, the program in general, the channels we have chosen or anything else. As always, stay safe out there!