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Nope! This is what my copy says: (c) 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz. Notice that fixed is not included in the restriction to repeater use. (Fixed stations aren't allowed to use repeaters so that makes sense.)

As is the case up north where we go. Cell Service is spotty to no-existent. We have a Landline at the Cabin. We use GMRS there for Mobile (auto and pontoon) for general chatting and contacts.("lunch is ready", "how's the fishing?", "Grab some bread and a dozen more minnows.") Were we to need help, 911 is right there to call on the LL. And if perchance the LL is down, there's a couple of pretty good 2m repeaters I can hit with better than average chance someone is listening. In the 8 years we've used GMRS up north, I can count on one hand the number of others using it that we've heard on the air, and definitely have never heard any traffic on 19 or 20 when travelling up there and back, or while in the area.

That's interesting. It doesn't mention fixed stations. Not that it means anything for most of us, because we're unlikely to be operating a station that communicates only with other fixed stations. § 95.1763 GMRS channels. The GMRS is allotted 30 channels—16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels. GMRS stations may transmit on any of the channels as indicated below. (c) 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz. Out of curiosity, has anyone here seen a true fixed station in operation? What was its purpose?

I've heard and talked to 3 people on FM CB. 2 were arranged with friends, the other was trying it out when the 3 of us were talking and joined in the round-robin we had going. I'm thinking it may slowly catch on but so far not much out there. OTOH, I've worked a lot of (mostly) Stateside FM on 10m so it is a given that DX is possible, so mayhap there'll be some UK/EU users to be heard. But the lower power limits might make that that a bit less likely?

GMRS came into being in 1987. The FCC officially recommended GMRS channel 20 (462.675 MHz) with a 141.3 Hz tone as a travel channel in 1988. This recommendation was removed in 1999. That means that there has not been an official "the" travel channel in 26 years. Given that's the case -- that the FCC *removed* the recommendation for a travel channel 26 years ago -- "nailed down yet" seems to be wishful thinking. There isn't an official travel channel. There isn't any de facto travel channel. There is the suggestion, from some, that 19 be the travel channel. Its adoption has not reached a critical mass sufficient to make it matter what people suggest and recommend. And north of "Line A", would be irrelevant anyway. In every area I've used GMRS in, there is not much rhyme nor reason to how the channels are used. People turn on their radios, pick a channel, and go. And on almost every paved road in the US where there's any hope that one of the 300k GMRS licensees in the country will happen to be listening within range and willing/able to respond, there is much more likelihood that cell phone service could summon AAA, a tow truck, police, an ambulance, or some other quick-responder in shorter time, with less confusion, and using established and tested infrastructure (cell towers, dispatch systems). The technological climate that existed when a designated travel channel was recommended does not exist today. The only areas lacking cell coverage today are areas with populations so sparse that it's also highly unlikely you'll find someone monitoring 19 within propagation range. If you are in a group, agree to a channel to use.

Okay, I can see why using channel 19 and the repeater channel (however the manufacturer has labeled it) interchangeably could be confusing to some people.

What? It's a simplex channel because transmit and receive are the same frequency (no offset). Normal repeaters require the offset but there is a thing called simplex repeater too. And there's nothing in the regs that prevents fixed stations from transmitting on 467 simplex if your radio lets you.

To shore up what the others are saying, I also have an AM/FM CB and no, there is no one using FM. Sometimes I leave it on FM and I can pick up AM to see if it sounds any better but it mostly just sounds muddy. I don't suspect FM is ever going to catch on in CB.

Same here. I haven't heard anyone on FM.

I have an AM/FM CB. Had one for years. I've never heard a single random station on FM. I had two friends who also have one. They are the only reason I knkw the FM part of the radio work. Most of the time, we end up on SSB so we can use the 12w output, but AM is pretty much king. And that is only when we are in metro areas during the work day. The rest of the time, CB is dead.

There are very few repeaters that have a true 100% duty cycle, & the RT97L is not one of them. Most operate on a 100% / 50% (50 watt / 25 watt) duty cycle, meaning it will transmit at 100% rated power until the internal temperature rises to a set point then cuts back to 50% transmit power, & does not shut down or damage the repeater. Other 25 watt repeaters like the RT97L operate on the similar principle & hopefully power back as needed. Some may utilize a very short time out timer which may not protect the unit from an overheating condition. The Motorola MTR2000 & MTR3000 commercial grade repeaters for example, are true 100% duty cycle repeaters. They are designed to transmit continuously for 24hrs a day if necessary. They also have very large heat sinks on the chassis to help dissipate the heat during continuous transmitting. But even with the large heat sinks, they still will self preserve if internal temperature gets above a certain point due to ambient surrounding temperatures & will cut back on power output. The Kenwood NXR-810, another commercial grade repeater is only rated at a 100% / 50% duty cycle. It is in their specs, & unlike other radio manufactures don't sugar coat it by using the verbiage "light duty" to mislead that it is a true 100% duty cycle repeater. Ambient room temperature where the repeater is located also plays a huge roll on the internal temp monitoring system. That is why most all commercial radio sites have air conditioning to compensate for the heat generated by several repeaters or transmitters. Heat Is The Enemy Of Transmitters......

My poor H8 has been a dust magnet, since I bought my Wouxun 935H

They ALL are, when you pick one and you're going somewhere !

Not sure but ours runs 24/7 for our ranch & firearms range since February with 4 to 20 radios on it with no problems.

I watched the YT video on the Retevis RT97L 25W repeater ( Thank you @OffRoaderX ! ). Unless I'm misunderstanding things, the video indicated that this repeater is intended for "lite use" and suggest that it may not have the duty cycle or capacity to serve as an open use general repeater. The spec sheet says it has a "Transmitters Duty Cycle of 100%". What does that really mean, and has anyone out there has done any serious real-world general use testing with this specific repeater?

Good question.

If you're transmitting on the output frequency then that's simplex operation on a repeater channel, which is legal, even if there is one but not currently in use. Doing so might be a poor practice. However you can ONLY transmit on a repeater input frequency when using a repeater. It's not for simplex operation.

It might seem pedantic, but if you’re on channel 19 on a 95E certified radios, you can’t transmit to the repeater. If you can’t transmit to the repeater it’s not a repeater channel.

Do you have an AM/FM CB and if so did you notice anyone using FM?

I get what you’re saying but it is fairly common (really common) for people who are new to GMRS to not realize they are in fact different and try and change all their settings to make the simplex channels talk to a repeaters when they’re not grasping the concept. I think @SteveShannon is just trying to avoid putting out info that is confusing and point out what may be obvious to some to those that don’t know.

Hey Y'all. Looking to connect with other owners so we can learn from each other and a start a 'family of friends' with the TID in common. I've had mine a year. Still trying to figure out all the functions and codes. I did a firmware update a few months ago and fried my unit.. TIDradio sent me a replacement unit.. That was nice of them. I just wish they would make a better belt clip that actually stays on the belt, suspender, pocket, etc. I create separate repeater channels and use the codes for tx and rx, yet still no reaching anyone. I'm in a town with a couple repeaters around, but no noise. Only when I'm close to a walmart or home depot will I hear it go off. I'm currently south of St. Louis, MO and Marion, IL. Later. Crazy WSDX 855

Channel != frequency. First day on the internet?

That was why I was puzzled. It's kinda splitting hairs to say 19 isn't a repeater channel when the repeater output is heard on that frequency. But I suppose if you want to be pedantic...

Nope, you're the Steve I was yacking to.

program one of your buttons for squelch defeat.. or Monitor