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The omission of base station from the allowed types for 467 MHz main channels is not an oversight, it's policy. Not what we would like but that's how it is. The Licensing Division advises that this is not an oversight. Repeaters (or mobile relay stations) by definition extend the communication range of mobile and handheld units. And folks, that means thousands of users are breaking the rule, despite how they try to rationalize it.

The official response is not very informative. Besides again quoting the definition in the regs, this is it with only slightly different wording: Fixed Stations are any stations at a fixed location that communicate with other stations at a fixed location. As far as I can tell, that could mean base to base for normal conversation, however that limits power to 15W where a base can do up to 50. The only benefit I can see is fixed stations are allowed to use 467 MHz main channels in simplex mode. I'll address repeater use in another topic.

Heh. My wife doesn't necessarily participate, but finds them useful at times. She didn't really say anything after she saw my last purchase order other than "that's a lot of money" then walked away and didn't mention it again.

I don't have a BTECH UV-50X3 Tri Band but was using one BTECH GMRS-50V2 as a base and one in my vehicle. I ended up swapping the base unit out for a KG-1000G Plus and have been extremely happy with its performance. I'm located on the outskirts of town (~25 miles away from center) so the additional receive capabilities is noticeable. In fact, I had to start using the receive tones on a couple of the repeaters that I use due to picking up so much distant simplex traffic. Didn't have that with the BTECH. Anyway, glad I had an extra radio because the BTECH in my vehicle quit transmitting. It has been sent in for replacement. The second one (that had been my base unit) is now in my vehicle and so far, doing well. All 3 of these radios showed good power output (until the one BTECH failed) but, if I had to do it again, I would have 2 of the KG-1000G Plus radios. I may still get another KG-1000G Plus although I work from home and don't go mobile all that often anymore.

I sure am. She makes me a sandwich every work day and dinner every night.

Seems he wants help when he wants it but isn’t interested in giving it. The snarky “40 years using radios” yet ask for help that won’t reveal any info on what he did wrong that might be helpful for others is telling. As much as I hate the term (I feel it’s over used), what we have here is a bonafide Sad Ham. Some people are gatekeepers and just take. Oh well.

@LeoG reading your story gave me a genuine smile. As someone who feels lucky to have my wife I appreciate hearing someone else’s positive experiences. You are a lucky guy.

Yep, but you gotta feed it with Heliax for it to really wake up and perform. And if you want to get an extra 1.5db out of the 1486, you need to polish the brass elements with Brasso to a mirror finish prior to putting it in the radome.

Now you're talking! There's only one Heliax and you got some. Beats the hell out of using that cheap LMR stuff.

So, basically you did what was required of you to keep things fresh, you rotated stock. Just remember for freshness always put new stock at the back of the pack. Good man!!

Perhaps it was a joke of the day? I’m reminded of the “that’s not how any of this works” meme

Yeah, I can certainly understand how that would get old. I wish everyone could have a spouse as good as mine, but it just doesn’t work that way.

When I went back the second time to collage to get my second degree, combo Mathematics and Computer Science, she would complain about all the time I spent on the weekends doing homework and programming projects for school. That got old really quick. Had me thinking about quitting school. I was about the same age back then as you were when you went back.

No BS. I would spend it anyway whether she approved or not. Life is too short to not have a few pleasantries and hobbies. She has surprised me in the fact that she shows interest in the radio - period. I expected when I got the base station installed it would always be "can you turn that thing off/down". But for the most parts no complaints. She even joins in on the nets on one of the repeaters. I consider this electronics which she has no interest in. I guess it's the gossip part of it. You get to listen to other peoples conversations and then talk about them later on. And after 38 years of marriage it's nice to have another topic to talk about.

So how about telling the rest of us what the problem was so the members of the forum can learn as well?

I have a wonderful wife and I honestly wouldn’t want to dwell on life without her beside me. When I went back to college at 32, she worked two jobs to take care of me and our kids without ever complaining. Now that she’s in a wheelchair with MS she still never complains. I know that not everyone is so fortunate but I’m delighted for @LeoG. It appears he has a good one.

If you go for AE and you're really lucky you may be issued sequentially one of the highly coveted 1X2 or 2X1 callsigns. If not, you'll still get a 2X2 which lets everyone know you're an AE. You can apply for a vanity 1X2 or 2X1 as well, and I considered it, but when I got my 2X2 I was happy with it.

Me too, and it works just fine.

That's awesome!

Necrothread … I am in NW Frisco and like OP said 3yrs ago, GMRS appears deprived of decent repeaters in these parts. Anyone in the area having success with an HT? I might add a Midland antenna on a pizza dish to see if I can get any love. Otherwise, will stick to ham freqs and add those to the KG935G+

I don't have one of those, wife, got rid of that problem years ago, so I get to spend my money anyway on anything I want. No BS to put up with.

WOW 40 years in radio!!!!! Every one gather around some dude has been in radios for 40years. Omg. Grab a chair. Skooch in. Quiet he may speak soon. Haha but you purchased a retivis, (-1) you couldnt program a pre programmed gmrs radio (-2) and you wouldn’t except help from others. (-3) You wouldnt describe the problem or any solutions you may have tried. You just wanted to be spoon feed in the exact way you demanded. You actually sound like a modern 20 year old kid.

Good to go now! Thanks for the assist.

It was never just about the repeaters. I know what I needed to fix the problem, I have been using radios almost 40 years. I am good now. Luckily one person was actually willing to provide the assistance I asked for.

When we swapped from spotty cell phones to radios for work comms across the valley (60miles wide and 120miles long) my wife was not convinced untill they worked all over in places where cells didn’t. Then when the first big winter storm came and we had no cell phone for days she was super happy to be able to talk to me and friends all over the valley. We were able to get help to elderly or people with stuck cars or downed trees. Then when the fires came and we had no cell phones and we were evacuating large animals and using radios to coordinate with our crew and others, things got real, after that asked do we need more or better radios. Now it’s Motorolas all around. Plus they are 1/2 the price of the other junk.