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There is a clear answer, it was the first response:

I've thought of doing this but don't have any LTR capable radios. It would be set up as a single channel LTR system and with the pulse turned off. I have heard of exactly this being done to thwart repeater jammers and unauthorized users. I've thwarted a well known jammer in the past by using DCS/DPL instead of CTCSS/PL. The jammer in this case had antiquated radios that only had CTCSS/PL capability and no DCS/DPL capability. He also didn't have a clue about DCS/DPL. I've heard him screaming on the air about being unable to get into my repeater. He was continually p!$$ed about not being able to get into the repeater after trying almost every CTCSS/PL tone. I've heard of DPL also being referred to as "Definitely Prevents Losers" LOL. This won't work today with most modern radios having DCS/DPL in addition to CTCSS/PL.

We have several projects planned that are in various stages of development, but I'm trying to figure out priorities based upon what the members want (and some things that I haven't thought of yet). I think we can all agree that Problem #1 is outdated listings that never got removed but are no longer on the air for one reason or another. We have plans to address that, but it requires a major redevelopment of the site. In the meantime we have the toggle switches on the map that allow you to hide anything that hasn't been updated in the last year, as it could be stale. So, what do you think myGMRS needs? What do you personally wish we had that we don't? Here's some projects that are being considered or are already in the works: Finish working on the mobile apps. We have a beta version of the iOS app that has some issues before it can be released to everyone. That effort needs to be revived soon. The Android version has been released but there are new features that we want to add (and will also be in iOS). A complete site redevelopment. Much of the code powering myGMRS is over 10 years old. It's the main reason new features aren't being added -- we need a fresh modern platform to work with. Some early experimentation has been done and we think we have the right combination of technology, but need to build it. Then we can begin adding new features once we have covered all the current functionality. Launch of our store and securing reseller arrangements with various suppliers. This has been a small success already that we're hoping will grow with time. Most of my energy has been spent here lately, trying to get products that our members are likely to want to purchase. We're always looking for suggestions on products we should add, so please let us know. Expand our repeater linking project. We have had success with adding systems to our myGMRS Network over the past few years but we haven't pushed to expand very hard. Interested parties have come to us asking to join and we have approved them on a case-by-case basis. It's time, I think, to ramp up the project and try to get more high-quality repeaters on board across the country. There is a lot of work involved in making this something that can scale up without taking huge amounts of my time, however. Upgrade the forums. We're using an older version of the IP.Board software, and I want to migrate to the latest version soon. We'll have to migrate all the accounts and topics over, but hopefully it won't be such a tough process.I also have a really cool project in mind that I'm going to remain tight-lipped about. It would be an app which would be of interest to the entire two-way radio community, not just GMRS and Amateur operators. I'm working on a proof of concept that could expand into a whole side business if successful. So again, what do you think this site is missing? What kinds of features do you think would be worth paying a small subscription for? The core features of the site will remain free. Since incorporating, we have had to look for ways to monetize the site so it pays its own bills and can grow with time. One example might be an ad-free experience for paid subscribers. Another could be advanced tools for helping to compile a list of repeaters along a trip or commute. Dream up some ideas and hopefully we can launch them all!

Recently we have begun holding the National GMRS Net once per month on the last Sunday of each month. This is due to reduced interest in holding a weekly net, and due to quickly running out of fresh topics to discuss. We will still link each regional hub together nationally each week during the same time period, but won't hold the net on the other weeks. Feel free to chat on Sunday evenings and make distant contacts during this time, but also please be mindful to not hog the repeater system so others can jump in there and participate as well.

I believe it is safe to say that the market is too small for manufacturers to make hardware that is 100% specific to the GMRS. Instead what they do is make hardware that can be used for a variety of different services, but mainly for Public Service, Commercial and Amateur radio. Then they adapter it for GMRS. I think they leave some commercial and amateur radio features in the radios to lure folks into buying them because they have “extra” features, even though said features may have no practical use in the GMRS. Quite honestly some of these radios are unnecessarily complex for what the GMRS user really needs or wants. Yes I was referring (in part) to PTT-ID. There is nothing to say that it could not be used in GMRS, just that is currently has limited or no practical use in the GMRS for the masses, whereas in a commercial or public service application it has had lots of practical use according to some folks I have discussed it with. If you do have radios that can both transmit a PTT-ID as well as decode and display it, that could potentially be a benefit to you. If you had a family business and perhaps your own repeater that could leverage it in some manner then again it could be beneficial. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The radio arrived today, but with the severe storms I have been unable to safely install in the car. On the bright side, I was able to use the included program cable and software to program in local repeaters and channel names. First impressions - The radio feels very solid and is nice and compact. Programming with the included cable and free software from AnyTone is very easy. I was able to program in local repeaters and channel names.

I'll continue. Split tones are for everyone! As long as your equipment allows to use them. Benefits are abundant! Well, for the repeater owners. They can keep people with wrong equipment, or without the right knowledge, off the repeater. Low plank to pass, but nevertheless, filters problematic audience. It also challenges a _very_ problematic audience, they take it as a personal affront and make themselves a bigger problem.

Split tones means there are different tones used for transmit and receive. It is one method of keeping the use of a repeater down as some radios are not capable of transmitting one tone to trigger the repeater receiver and another tone to unlock your receiver.

The legal basis I’m not so sure if it would pass under the FCC rules. This is my reason for asking if anybody knows of such a system in operation with the FCC’s blessing. The radios are transmitting digital data using sub audible signals to the trunking system’s repeater. Also what I read the repeaters are sending digital data out every 10 seconds on an open channel. See the links in my opening post. The FCC has some requirements, limits, on the duration, frequency and type of digital data that can be transmitted. Somehow a burp of digital data every 10 seconds will effectively preclude having another conventional repeater on the same channel. I don’t think this would be compliant with the rules.

The wire runs down under the weather stripping of the rear door, and then crosses into the car under the trim panels. There is a loop under the trim panel that should take care of any water.

There is indeed two factors at play. Foremost you are 100% on point about maximizing your station's potential and getting a good antenna on a good ground is paramount. No HT is going to be ideal and even if it's radiating well just the fact that it's being held by a bag of meat absorbing RF at a bad angle is going to cut your range. That 5 watts is doing more work warming you up than radiating useful signal. The original point was line of sight. Two HTs at 4 feet can expect a range of about 5.6 miles (2.8 miles each) absent any obstructions. Moving one station to 6 feet high increases this to 6.3 miles (3.5 miles plus the HT's 2.8), so less than 1/2 mile improvement. Putting your trailer antenna on a crank up 30 foot tower increases this to 10.6 miles (the 30' tower will now have a range of 7.8 miles). The original point is valid, though. Going from an HT at 4 feet to a truck roof at 6 feet isn't going to make much difference in increased coverage and especially when you're blocked by terrain and buildings. If there's houses with roofs 15' or 20' high the handhelds and mobile still won't go more than city blocks while the antenna on the 30' tower will be more likely to work out to at least a couple of miles since it's eliminating half the obstructions. Getting an antenna into the clear makes a big difference. This is still true with an HT. Having one HT user simply walk up a hill or stand on the roof will do more than pushing more power into a perfect antenna on your truck roof if you're between buildings.

Certainly can see where GMRS has a place in your individual disaster plan potentially. At a family or neighborhood level it could very well make more sense to use it since it requires no test and is much less of a hurdle to get everyone on board. The reason I bought up ham was it sounds like the original poster is talking about providing emcomm for an organization which requires some imposed formality if not actual conformity with Red Cross and FEMA training, procedures and infrastructure, which local amateur radio groups may have already in place. So while he may have to get his ticket but that opens up a huge world of options.

Never though about using LTR as a means for repeater access control while ignoring the multi-repeater bit. That would seriously screw with repeater jammers and unauthorized users.

There is something called the Open Repeater Initiative or OPI. It uses 462.675 with a CTCSS Tone of 141.3Hz. The frequency was selected by a group of Repeater owners who wanted to create a standard for travelers to be able to have easy access to repeater while on the road, without having to search for a repeater or ask for permission to use it. The 141.3 tone was also selected as the "travel tone" standard. Scanning the frequencies is okay, but you may only talk for a couple of miles. Using open repeaters with "traveler" settings gives you a chance to reach the greatest number of operators for more distance and time.

Hi Everyone, Unfortunately, our moderators Gary (PastorGary) and William (spd641) will no longer be volunteering for us. I have reluctantly made the decision to remove their moderator status after some disagreements about how to run the forums resulting in William asking to have his account deleted from myGMRS completely. I appreciate the help they have given over the past few years and I know many of you feel the same as they have become staples of the community. For the time being, all management of the forums will be my responsibility and you're welcome to contact me with any concerns you may have. Thank you for your understanding and I would appreciate everyone's help in ensuring a smooth transition.