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I then have a follow up question. Are not all radios programmed with "standard" channels? I see some people refer to channels as frequencies, while others refer to them as channels? Are having "simpler" channels a way to make "newbies" more comfortable with using the GMRS radios? I was looking at this handy dandy FRS/GMRS Radio Quick Reference Card (click). It seems to show a channel and a frequency. Was it someones attempt to make it easier? Thanks everyone. The simple answer to your question regarding channelization is YES, channelization is an attempt to simplify radio for the masses. And it certainly has merit and works well for the masses. Channel ‘15’ is a lot easier to remember for most folks than remembering 462.5500 MHz in the GMRS. In its most simple form, a channel is a simply an alias way of express a frequency. A channel can be more than just one frequency. Channel 15 in the Citizen’s band radio service is not the same as Channel 15 in the GMRS. Similarly, Channel 15 in terrestrial TV broadcast is different from 15 in CB, GMRS and every other RF communication service. In its more advanced form, a channel is actually a group of settings what when used together enable some form of RF communication to occur between a transmitter and receiver. If the receivers settings complement the transmitter settings communication can occur. Depending upon the radio and service, the channel will include such things as a frequency and other factors such as modulation type (AM, FM, etc.), modulation depth (bandwidth), squelch codes (PL, DLC, CTCSS, DCS) and many other settings. A programmable radio has memories. Memories in most cases are synonymous with ‘Channel’ as well since each memory holds a frequency assignment and all the other necessary factors to enable communications. No, not all radios have standard channels programmed into them, but that is certainly something the FCC is trying to make happen a manufacturer wishes to get their radio certified for using in the Personal Radio Services under Part 95 of the rules. As you look at the current crop of part 95E GMRS radios you will see that they do in-fact have factory-programmed memories preset to use the standard GMRS frequencies so that no additional programming is required to use the radio. Programming of additional memory configuration (i.e. channels) becomes optional. Hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Split tones refers to using two different tones for input/output, but isn't specific to a tone. Travel tone is specific, referring to 141.3, usually both input and output.

In a number of posts on this forum I have mentioned my intent to side mount my amateur radio antenna on the same mast that I use for the GMRS antenna. I can now say that it is done and has been working for almost a week. As promised elsewhere, here are some pics. The side mount bracket is home crafted and painted a color similar to the main fiberglass mast. The amateur antenna is currently about 6-1/2ft below the bottom of the GMRS antenna. There is about 21” between the amateur antenna and the nearest metal (the GMRS feed line). I am using LMR400 feed-line for both antennas and have ferrite chokes installed over the coax. I have not yet detected any material interference or objectionable desense in the GMRS radio while transmitting on the amateur radio. I do however observe one bar on the GMRS radio’s meter flutter while transmitting at 50w UHF on the amateur radio, if the GMRS radio is receiving a usable low-level signal at the point I key up the amateur radio, just not enough to be of concern presently. I will be operating both antennas at the lower height you see in the picture until I am ready to guy the mast at full height, which is about 16’ higher. One of the inquires I received elsewhere is listed below along with my original response. Posted here to prevent derailing another thread. I will be running 50w UHF and VHF, 50w GMRS. I will let you know once it is operational. I may not have it installed for two weeks. I do expect some desensitization of the listening receiver while I am transmitting on the other service, but nothing that I expect will affect my operations. I will have ferrite chokes on the GMRS feed-line to cut down on the noise and reduce ingress from the 2m/70cm since that line will be running parallel to the amateur antenna. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Hi everyone another NOOB here LOL! Got my GMRS license back in March but have held off getting active till my antenna was complete, (the radio God's have spoken and it is not operational woohoo)! I'm in beautiful serene Edgar Florida where i can hear the frawgs fart LOL! I'm operating on a custom engineered ROHN fold down tower (my lower guy line stainless aircraft cable should arrive this week to finish up the tower) on a Diamond dual band antenna topped out at 65', (I've spent the past 3 months installing the tower and the concrete alone bout killed me). I'll be doing some upgrades to my hoisting methodology in the coming months as it's just too hard for this retired/disabled 60 yr old man to be fighting with, (a mighty mule 4K pound hand crank winch at present). Guy wires are isolated/8' ground rods driven at the base of the tower as well as each guy wire/line anchor (where 660 pounds of concrete are poured for each anchor). I'm getting little traffic on my little Baofeng UV9R HT for now, (plans on upgrading the radio to a little higher wattage in the coming months AFTER I get a tuner to see what's going on here). I'll try to slow down and get a better pic of the tower in the coming days as it was pouring down rain when I raised it, (and even the upper guy wires hadn't been isolated or put onto the turnbuckles yet in this pic). Thanks for leaving the door open for me and hope I don't have too many questions for ya'll!

Ok, short update. Got the radio mounted nicely. Pulled headliner down a little, so I could knock a 3/4” hole, and got everything installed. And I’ve got to admit. This radio is fantastic! I have no trouble hitting the local, and kind of distant repeaters. Radio checks come back loud and clear. The more I use this thing, the more I enjoy it. The 1/4 wave antenna is perfect. No clearance issues on the lifted truck. I mounted the radio where the useless cupholder used to be.

Chick-fil-a and a chain hotel within range at my location. I know exactly where housekeeping needs to take the extra towels

I do not think that is quite true. Most if not all modern GMRS radios are frequency locked and will not transmit on anything but GMRS frequencies. There are some older part 95 radios that are grandfathered and have dual type acceptance available on the used market. I own a modern commercial type 90 (business band) digital radio that can be programmed for GMRS but its still not legal for GMRS use even though its far better than anything I have seen available specifically for GMRS Part 95e use. I personaly do not buy the argument that modern ham radios are inferior to cheap GMRS radios. Only the Cheap Chinese Radios like the uv-5r are a real problem and even at that I just do not buy that a 5 watt HT radio can cause much interference or could cause much spurious interference. The idea that Hams build there own radios is a real stretch too. Maybe back in the day it was a thing but not anymore especially for UHF use. Truth is that many Hams just don't like GMRS and many GMRS users don't like Hams. Many Hams want it all to be special for them only and think GMRS is just for people to lazy to take a test and use radios responsibly. Many GMRS users think of Hams as cranky old Men who want to feel elite I am a Ham and now a GMRS user and just want to have friendly conversations on the radio. I don't care what license you have as long as you are respectful and not causing problems. I am an advocate for using any radio that works and doesn't cause interference. Most Ham radios would be just fine for GMRS and should be allowed. But what do I know I am just an old not so cranky Ham operator who likes to talk on the radio GMRS too.