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Understandable. The goal was finding a spot where those that want to use digital voice have a "home", and not impact those who are happy with analog FM. The proposed changes allows those who want to continue to use FM won't notice a difference. The manufactures would have a choice which grade of radio they want to provide. For example right now in the EU one can buy cheap simple analog only PMR446 radios, or spend more money and buy one with digital functions too. There isn't any reason to force manufacturers to sell only the more expensive combo analog/digital models. The market place will take care of that if the demand is there.

I have to agree with @SteveShannon on this. You would be better off with a single repeater and use a good quality commercial antenna. The trick is getting the antenna(s) up as high as you can. You should be able to get a 30-50 mile radius of coverage if you can get the antenna(s) up high enough and if the repeater is located on one of the highest points in your area. Hilly terrain and forested areas will cut down on the range if the antennas are not high enough. I did a search and could not find anywhere to even download the GMRS Live software. So that looks like a bust. The only other option is finding someone that can rewrite the Allstar Link software to work on GMRS. Another issue is if the UHF SA818 module will work well enough on GMRS frequencies. I haven't looked into that myself. Again, best is to use a good quality commercial antenna up as high as you can get it with a single repeater.

For GMRS I don’t know of any. For amateur radio there’s the Reverse Beacon Network, but you will only get results from receivers that participate.

But really, you have two repeaters that are only 4 miles apart in the flattest state in the union and they’re on the same frequency. They’re going to interfere with each other. Use just one and get the antenna up another 40 feet.

I don't know if you can still download GMRS Live or not. I know the website is still up but for information only. It is basically a GMRS version of Allstar Link. GMRS Live pretty much shut everything down on their website when the FCC stated that linking GMRS repeaters was verboten. IF it was me, I would run both repeaters on a different channel if you plan on linking them.

Does anyone know a website where you can see if you are hitting a receiver? In Michigan, W8CMN Network doesn’t do that anymore.

How were frequencies taken from 2m/70 cm by the digital modes?

We see temperature inversions more in the spring and fall here in Missouri. Though we have seen a few openings lately since the daily high temperatures have been in the upper 70s and low 80s. There have been a few openings on the 2m band lately and guys have been chasing long distance contacts on side band. And checking the NOAA channels is a good idea to see what propagation is doing.

OK, I guess I could have tried it w/o registering an ID and see what trouble it caused. But even then, I'm a staunch analog defender and I hate the way digital modes were allowed to take frequencies from 2m/440. And I hear some of it on GMRS too even though not allowed. I don't oppose what you're proposing for ch. 8-14 as they are worthless to me now. But I wouldn't buy a $150 HT for that. If they can include it on the $30 radios, then probably so, as long as the radio still supports analog on the other channels as you said it should.

Thanks.

Yes I did. Yeah, it's not the best written paper I've ever done. Just tried to get my ideas down in some coherent fashion. I'm not an English major. It's easier to just attach it to a post rather than try to convey my ideas a few lines at a time over dozens of separate posts. No. The only reason for any kind of registration on Ham is for the user ID's. That's to prevent duplication. However you can use whatever ID you want, but for those that depend on the radio's builtin database it will, of course, show the wrong info. I had accidentally did that programming one of my DMR based NX-1300's. When I used it one of the Hams on the repeater noticed and asked about it. Didn't impede the QSO any however.

Which repeater are you requesting permission for?

Congrats on getting your Technician Class Amateur license. I've never used 1,25m in the over 30 years I've held a license, so can't speak to that, but in addition to 146.520 for Simplex on 2m, one we use around here and especially when up north beyond cell phones (in addition to extensive use of GMRS on simplex) is the so-called "Adventure Frequency" - 146.580. Used a lot locally (TC area of MN) by hikers and bikers, etc. that are amateur operators. on 70cm, 446.000 is the National Calling Freq., beyond that I don't use simplex on 440 much, only a couple repeaters hereabouts. Definitely look into Repeater Book, a handy app for both iOS and Android, great resource for repeater info for you area, as well for travelling.

Agreed. There is a LOT of overlap in material between the General exam and the Technician exam and General is relatively easy if you've just wrapped up Tech. I'm a VE (we actually have a monthly exam session tonight) and I very often see the same Tech candidate pass then come in the following month for their General and pass that too.

Hi Greg, long time no hear! When I first setup my base station a few years ago there was a really decent band opening here in the Tampa Bay area. Me and another somewhat local on the other side of the bay (that would have been YOU!) were hopping all around the state on GMRS. I was feeling pretty pumped about how the new base was doing until I found out you were using a HT outside your car port. It deflated my ego just a bit. I learned a lesson, when the band is open it doesn't matter your equipment you can get may miles. My personal best is Tampa to both the Valdosta Ga repeaters - around 210 miles, but its only happened one night in three years.

I Suggest You Do Some Further Research On The Communications Act Of 1934, Signed Into Law By FDR. It Empowers The FCC To Create Rules As Needed For The Regulation Of Radio, Television, Wire & Later Satellite Communications In The US. Chevron Limits Federal Agencies To Interpret Laws - FCC Creates Rules As Needed For Telecommunications.

Based on my understanding of the Chevron decision, your perception is wrong. Everything did not change. Specific regulations will probably have to be challenged in court or through some other official channels if any exist. (I didn't read your linked document because it requires scripts from 3rd party sites.) And the post above yours is wrong; talking through a repeater is not controlling it.

If the repeater is listed as "open" you do not need to request access. It really depends on how often a repeater owner checks their email and logs in to approve requests. There is little a repeater owner can do to prevent people from using a repeater with published tones. There are also radios capable of scanning the tone to gain access, GMRS repeaters really are not secure.

Can any one tell me how to link them?

Great info on this review - thank you!

How does any of this comply with the chevron decision. There has to be a actual Law passed by congress outlawing it before they can make such a rule. What in the law outlaws it not the code? After the chevron decision everything changed. Most of these rules are backed up by no law whatso ever. I have submited this to the FCC. https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filing/status/detail/confirmation/2025080209512443

Here in FL there've been band openings in the winter & spring when the mornings & evenings have been cool I'm in the Tampa Bay area close to the Gulf & several times I've connected to repeaters up towards the FL Panhandle I know of ops that live on the East side of Tampa Bay that have hit repeaters on the East Coast when the conditions allow it A Tip: on those cool mornings & evenings, check the 162 MHz NOAA weather channels, if you start copying NOAA stations from out of town that's a good indicator of a band opening

Yes.

What about 65 miles on my HT at 5 watts to a SSB station doesn’t work for you?!? It works for me!! OMG: I have an 80-6 meter vertical: all these years communicating with Hams with beams - my whole amateur radio career is trash!!! Geesh!! Let the OP live a little on 2 meters talking to SSB stations. He told you he can’t afford the Icom…