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Not true, GMRS can be used for business purposes as long as each individual person is licensed. No licenses will be issued to a business entity, only individuals. So if you have 5 people that need to communicate for the business, you better have 5 licenses (assuming none of them are related, otherwise the relatives can share the one license).

Today, Beekeeper's question E. Per HamStudy, I've reached 66% proficiency. In another week, I should be able to sit for my licensing exam.

Some repeaters, like the Motorola GR1225, have separate options to pass PL from the rcvr to xmtr or filter the incoming PL and then regenerate it on the output.

GMRS can not be used for business, not even as a backup to AT&T. The FCC will be happy to licences you for your business under the part 90 industrial pool, GMRS is for personal and family use.

Just remember that while simplex operation happens down at 462 MHz, duplex operation transmits at 467 MHz and SWR / return loss should be checked at 467 too.

Motorola gear is a pain to get programming software for but not impossible. I can take a week or longer to navigate Motorola's process but in the end you will have legal software and you can get the entitlement for wideband operation for free after some quick online training. I use Motorola for the options alone, in the truck I run handheld control heads and a long range Bluetooth speaker mic so I can use the trucks radio well in restaurants our friends houses. The same mic is also on my base paired with a desktop mic, its nice being able to go anywhere in the house and just carry a small mic that allows the use of the base. This gear is a little pricey but can be found used on ebay reasonable, its all comes down to personal preference. Bluetooth Mic that can be attached to most of the newer Motorola XPR radios including portables. http://mwgmrs.com/mygmrs/handmic.jpg This is the handheld control head, it is also the speaker and mic, 4 years old an not a single issue. http://mwgmrs.com/mygmrs/truck1.jpg Radio Head unit is installed under the back seat. http://mwgmrs.com/mygmrs/truck2.jpg The control head cable comes thru the map pocket allowing it to tuck away nicely out of sight. http://mwgmrs.com/mygmrs/truck4.jpg Simple 1/4 wave gives great performance, i am able to hit repeaters 30 miles away and simplex 10 miles easy in the freeway. http://mwgmrs.com/mygmrs/truck3.jpg

If you program a Baofeng UV-5R to GMRS you need a GMRS licence. I see you understand that the radio is indeed a HAM radio and by the part 95 rules that your GMRS licence is authorized forbids the use of such equipment on GMRS. I won't get into all the details but here is the simple and best way I know how to explain this. Since no test or radio knowledge is required to get a GMRS licence its operating rules require certified transmitters to maintain the integrity of the service. GMRS is located within a tiny sliver of the part 90 commercial radio service used by business, ambulance services, fire depts, and well you get the picture. By using non certified low quality transmitters you risk causing harmful interference to other licensed services, if caught you will be held accountable. I am not here to tell you what you can and can't do but I hope you take something away from my ramblings because in the end the choice is yours.