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Then it is, by definition, NOT a "GMRS" repeater!

I have now gotten the program downloaded, but getting an Out Of Band error when I input my repeater frequencies

Except for at least one GMRS repeater in Florida that changes the offset in order to avoid a conflict with maritime communications. That’s the only reason I didn’t say ALWAYS.

Just for clarification: Not almost always, for GMRS its just plain ALWAYS .

Maybe you're too young to remember the old phone system when AT&T (and then regional Bells) owned everything. But back then every town of any size had a local phone office. And there were more copper wire lines coming in from customers than there were between offices. The lines between offices were the "trunk". And it's one reason why we got the message all circuits are busy. Public service and 911 dispatch have more officers in the field than they have frequencies for. So trunking systems choose an available frequency for the officers/firemen/EMS to communicate without them having to switch around to find an open channel. But, trunking isn't something we need or would even benefit from. We are better off with our independent stations and the frequencies we have. I knew firemen in my hometown who were buying UV5Rs to get around some of the limitations of their official radios.

Good points

The idea of trunking is confusing to me. Control frequencies, talk frequencies, DEC's... not sure how it all works.

It sounds like you’re consistently making a similar mistake, maybe even exactly the same mistake. Transmitting through a normal repeater requires that the following be correctly configured: 1A. Transmission on the correct frequency in the 467 MHz main channel list. 1B. Inclusion of the correct tone (CTCSS) or code (DTCSS) which is called the Input tone relative to the repeater. Receiving from a repeater requires only that you are tuned to the correct frequency as listed below: 2A. Reception on the correct frequency in the 462 MHz main channel list. Note that these frequencies are almost always exactly 5.000 MHz lower than the frequencies you transmit on to the repeater. That difference is referred to as the Offset. 2B. You don’t need to have a receive tone or code in your radio in order to hear the repeater, but if you do include a tone or code it must match what the repeater outputs. If you don’t use a tone or code on the receive side you will receive everything transmitted on that same frequency.

Think about it... a lot of people have FRS radios and GMRS uses those frequencies too but with more power. Your communication options with hams will be much more limited. It seems that way, but the reality is people won't stay interested. Some won't use or even keep their radios charged. They will pay more attention when they need it. My approach is coordinate with people already interested in radio for now and wait to go knock on doors (or do flyers/signs) until the dark times when people will see the benefit.

Sure looks like it to me

I guess what do you want to know about them? Does trunking radio make sense to you, or are you stuck on how that is done?

I know it's one of the few repeaters on GMRS that covers the entire valley and that I can hit with my HT. To say it's important is an understatement.

Just bought my Katie a Uniden sds100 for her B-Day. She literally cried she was soooo happy. I got it pretty well programmed with some help from YouTube. But I've been trying to research p25 and trunked systems just to try to learn about it, and DUUUUUDE!!!! Most of the info I find, I'll just say, I need to do research on the research. I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to find info that's not designed to make things more confusing. Maybe something with illustrations and not some monotone nerd staring at the camera whilst droning on like he reads a dictionary for fun. Anyhow, I'm super intrigued by p25 and trunked systems. And I have a feeling it's easier to understand than what I'm finding so far. Does anyone here have any links to good sources of info to learn about these systems?

I am happy to try to help; but I need more facts from you. I purchased a DM-1701 from AliExpress a few months ago specifically to see how easy it was to install OpenGD77. It was very easy and I gave it away to a new Ham who made a donation to our local Repeater Club. Did it come with its own USB programming cable or did you separately provide one? What type computer and OS are you using? Did you download the OpenGD77 files before the recent attack on their website?

It's always fun to see how these threads evolve. From setting up a neighborhood watch listing on this sight, to what exactly a base station is. You guys are great!! By the way, it it's grid down, SHTF... GMRS won't be my choice. Most likely a number of pre programmed random frequencies and a good set of AR-5RM's. If you want to set something up for your neighborhood, I think it's best to do it in person. But, then again, I've never tried it. But now that I've read this whole thread, Me thinks me will. Thanks for the inspiration @UncleYoda

Yeah, that's an important clarification to my post. THANK YOU for pointing that out!

Been working on this with Midland support. So far nothing has worked. They asked that I send the unit back. They want to do a firmware update. It's on its way back to them now. Turns out that I am not hitting the repeater with the Baofengs either. I assumed I was because I could talk from one Baofeng to the other. But once I got beyond 6 miles there was nothing. The repeater has a est. 50 mile range. I sent a picture of my CHIRP settings on the Baofengs to the repeater operators asking for help. Have not heard from them. So all in all, not going well, except for non-repeater traffic.

For a while, before it was deactivated "?" it was linked to the Auberry repeater on the east side of the valley. As far as I know, it hasn't been on the air for many months. I check for it every time I come down into the valley. I was over in Coalinga a while back and scanned all of the repeater frequencies and didn't hear anything. The repeater was located on Joaquin Ridge to the east of Coalinga. I have not heard anything regarding the demise of the repeater.

equipment tests have all come back excellent. current working hypothesis by radio types in the area, think it might be the local mine 15+ odd miles away. Thanks for the help all

"Some people" might think otherwise.

As it was told to me, it started somewhere in Canada during COVID. Some lady put a rubber ducky on some other ladies Jeep to encourage her or something. Took off from there. As to the radio installs, well done, OP. Not a lot of room for radios in the Jeep.

A fixed station is a base station used in a system intended only to communicate with other base stations. A fixed station can also be radio link used to operate a distant base station by remote control. (No mobile or hand-held radios are involved in the system.) A control station is a base station used in a system with a repeater where the base station is used to communicate through the repeater. A temporary base is a base station used in one location for less than a year. A repeater is a type of base station that extends the range of hand-held and mobile radios.

Totally meaningless, looks like AI junk. Part 97 doesn't even use the term. ppppps: this topic isn't about fixed stations

Fixed Station on a Google Search Fixed Station Meaning A fixed station in amateur radio refers to an amateur radio station established in a permanent structure, such as a home, school, or public building, where the equipment is not intended for portable operation. This is the most common form of amateur radio station. A typical fixed station is equipped with a transceiver, one or more antennas, and may include additional components like amplifiers, antenna rotators, SWR meters, and antenna tuners. While the term "base station" is often used interchangeably with "fixed station," meaning a radio station fixed in one place, usually in the home, the definition of a fixed station is not limited to a specific location and can be found in various permanent structures. The equipment is generally not designed for mobility, distinguishing it from mobile or temporary field stations.

I always check new dummy loads to make sure they are 50 ohms. It does make a difference. I did blow a 50 watt dummy load when I forgot to turn my 100 watt HF rig down. Luckily it only melted the solder joint on the resistor. It was definitely a newb mistake. I needed a resistor to test 49:1 ununs so I dug through my assortment of resistors until I found a combo that gave me exactly 2450 ohms. I need to make a couple up for testing 4:1 and 9:1 ununs.