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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 I think we can all agree that Problem #1 is outdated listings that never got removed but are no longer on the air for one reason or another.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!

I kind of did this Backwards as I've been a Ham for a couple years and have my Extra license and just got my gmrs license Monday. Have HF, 70cm and 2 Meter radios everywhere and had a pair of Audiovox FRS/GMRS walkie talkies in the drawer that hadn't been used in years so decide to get new batteries for them . That lead up to I better get the gmrs license and some better handhelds, then a mobile radio to use as a base which means another antenna going up. It's like the word BOAT break out another thousand. So new to gmrs but did it to get the family on the radio and ope to get to know a few of you.

LScott, thank you! That designator has been driving me bonkers for some time. Great idea, BTW! I always figured if someone used 141.3, especially on 675, they must intend that it be open. Interesting how many do, yet restrict access. I will give you a like when the site allows it. It says I have used up my likes for today. ? 73

Definitely, paper repeaters are the biggest issue confronting this site. I agree with all who said there needs to be a user input for status (on or off air), as well as incorrect tones, coverage, etc. Just as an example, as far as I can tell, none of the repeaters listed for Sumter, SC are on the air. There is one listed for Andrews, SC the operator of which shows an expired license. Sadly, as with too many ham repeaters, there are some owners who just did not have the extra 30 seconds it would have taken to encode a tone on the output of the repeater that requires one to key it up. Separate listings for tone status on the input and output would be especially helpful regarding these repeaters. As there becomes an increasing number of repeaters with wide/narrow capability, there should be a wide or narrow notation for every repeater. One last thing I may have overlooked, on the window that appears on the location/coverage map, what is "ORI"? Thank you and 73!

Just in from conference call with the VEC's If you are holding your breath for the $35 GMRS fee, you better have big lungs

Not the one that made the decision, but I can make a semi educated guess on the main reason behind this...While the situation has gotten better in terms of things being standardized, some models/brands do not (or did not) follow the current "standard" channel/frequency mapping, so channel 15 on one radio may not be the same frequency as channel 15 on another brand. Another minor bonus is for those using something beyond the current off the shelf gear, such as some of the dual certified (90/95a) gear that doesn't come preprogrammed. (Edit: @axorlov posted while I was typing, and beat me to it on this part ?)

Tradition. Before 2017 rule change 50W GMRS frequencies were not legally available for FRS users. Of course, everybody on FRS still used them, thus a rule change in 2017. It's actually easier to remember frequencies. Block of hi-power channels starts with 462.550 MHz, ends with 462.725 MHz, step is 25 KHz. 5W interstitial are in between, and I don't care about 0.5W channels. Easy. And not all radios have channel numbers. Many Part 95 and Part 90 radios only display channels if you program to display them. I can't be bothered to remember all these silly channel numbers. They are also different between Uniden and the rest of manufacturers.

I really like this idea here.

This is true, Alexandria 675 is hidden. It is very much in use. I actually posted bitching about not knowing which repeater was in use. Till I found the setting. It is very much alive. Maybe a setting to say when the repeater was last heard to keep a repeater that is alive showing on the map. I found it hard to contact the repeater owner, not sure if it traded hand or the e-mail went into oblivion.

Don't assume the coverage shown on the map display in My GMRS is accurate. It's a generalization based on assumptions such a antenna height, efficiency and generally flat terrain. Software that uses more accurate Longley-Rice propagation models are very expensive and those do include terrain modeling showing coverage holes used by hills and ridges.

I'd like to be able to see the map with __all__ coverage circles __at the same time.__ Should make it much easier to tell where repeater coverage is required!

One of the things that seems to be fairly prevalent in the repeater listings are paper repeaters - those who are listed, but not longer online or usable. It would be nice if there was some sort of process for removing these - either by vote, requesting a review, flagged as "reported offline," or something like that. We have a few of these in the Tucson area; their owners at times haven't logged in in almost a decade and/or their licenses expired.

1. Toward the topic of linked repeaters. It would be nice if there was a note as to where the networked repeaters are located prior to clicking on the link. There is no way to tell what state or city the linked networks are in if it's not in the name and there are many to click on only to find out that there are plenty in Texas, but none near me. 2. Perhaps a way to add a repeater that you do not own but have found. There are several in the area that I come across while scanning the GMRS frequencies, but can't find on the website to get a tone for or permission to use because I don't know who to contact. If someone could add, for example, " Found: 550 repeater near Center City Philadelphia. Tone 141.3"

I would suggest an addition to the repeater listings that would allow some degree of crowd sourcing of current status. In other words, let users add something like a QSL card or signal report. It could be simply binary as did or did not work. Or, it could be more detailed. Location at the time of the report, signal strength, etc. Then, "last verified access" could be added to the repeater report page and, possibly, people could search on, reported active in the last: 30, 60, 90 days, etc. In the signal report it might also be possible to report if anything differed from the listing, like Frequency, PL, or location. The specific information would not be given, except in the case of a fully-open repeater. But, at least other users would know there had been a change. And, finally. The owner could receive an, optional, email each time a signal report was received. In any case, the basic point is even if the owners do not update their listings, other users could help a bit.