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Then leave it as a Part 95(e) GMRS radio and program those Ham repeaters into the other channels and NOAA too! I think that unopened there is a smaller limit of channels available, but I am not sure. The next one I buy, I will study it "out of the box" more before I open it up for Ham and more.

The English on that webpage is suspect, but that aside, it says this is for making a cross-band repeater (RX on UHF, TX on VHF or visa-versa) - that means that the two radios sitting next to each other would not be much of an issue. But if you set your radios to work as a GMRS repeater (RX on 467.xxx and TX on 462.xxx) there would be much desense (the radios making each other deaf because they are too close) unless you set them at least 10-15 feet apart... But I've never used something like this so I would like to see what anyone with experience has to say. Something like the Retevis RT97 would do exactly what you want, but it costs a bit more.

Didn't realize there are two threads... copied. I bought this exact unit from Amazon... I tried using it with two Baofeng handhelds. Even though they call it cross-band, the radios actually determine if its same band or cross-band. Bottom line... it ended up in the trash. It relies on the volume level of the radio, VOX operation, and if you try to use it on the same band, unless you have incredibly expensive radios with great filtering on the front-end, the transmitter wipes out the receiver and it gets stuck in a transmit loop until you turn off either one of the two radios. I am a geek by trade, so I ended up building a full-blown portable repeater. At this point, I would recommend you just buy a pre-programed Retevis.

The government agencies I work with usually ask volunteer civilians to partner with them, provide the hardware and human capital. I'm not aware of any of them doing it on their own, but my experience is obviously anecdotal. My team is in process of putting an amateur repeater on the county dispatch tower at the EOC. We are already approved for the antenna and radio install. I am going to see if we can put up a dual band antenna and see if we can co-locate the amateur and GMRS systems there.

Even then it wouldn’t happen. The beer sounds great though.

WELCOME! The Rules aside, you can accomplish this, but only two people can talk to each other simplex over split frequencies, it will not work with a 3rd or more.

So what else are people going to excuse because the rules are inconvenient?

So much to unpack here: "Most folks had bubble packs that requires no license." -- End of discussion: even if they have a Ham license. "I talked to one guy last year... The issue with GMRS use is the guys who buy mobiles and either don't think they need or don't care about the license." -- Is he one of these guys?!? If he is using a bubble pack FRS no need for the debate. If he is using the mobile, how will paying $35 for a no-test GMRS license instill any qualifications for the ethical use of GMRS that he does or does not have now?!? At least a Ham has studied operational use of radios. Why not let these guys enjoy themselves in the middle of nowhere, where they are not causing any disruptions, and if they are, paying $35 for a license will not teach them how not to disrupt!

Midland GXT1050 (April 2010) has three power levels. Motorola MR356 (April 2012) has repeater capability.

And FRS is stuck with narrow band FM only and limited to a max of 2 watts.

I agree to a point. We used channel 7 and 21 for the trails I was on. Most folks had bubble pack that requires no license. I did talk to one guy last year about the license stuff and he brushed me off. This year I asked him again (same guy) about it and he said he had his ham license and didn't need a GMRS. I tried to explain to him the difference but he didn't want to discuss. The issue with GMRS use is the guys who buy mobiles and either dont think they need or dont care about the license. I did ask the "sales" lady at the event that was selling mobiles if she told folks they need a license. She said the paperwork says you do. So I think their take on it is its Midlands deal and not theirs. This is my issue with them merging the services together. IN the end as said GMRS/FRS is a much better option for trail use than CB was. I still run a CB for other events. Greenbrier is in a few weeks. Hopefully my transfer case is back together in time.

For handheld radios at least, FRS channels are the same as GMRS channels (with the exception of GMRS repeater access frequencies).

I will second MichaelLAX to rather save $65 and get Anytone 779-UV (aka Retevis RA-25 or Radioddity DB-20G) which are programable via software and are not locked to narrow band like Midland 275. I received AnyTone AT-779UV yesterday that I bought on Amazon for $101. I programmed it via OEM software and installed today in my car. And I FELL IN LOVE with this radio. I can listen to HAM repeaters, I can listen to weather channel. It's just very cute little radio.

With a completely fresh (or very stale) GPS receiver, it can take over seven minutes just to find a strong bird and download the constellation almanac/ephemeris. More time to obtain first position fix as it cycles through the constellation looking for signals (2D position requires a lock on 3 birds, 3D position needs 4 -- 3D position is lat/long/alt/time, 2D is just lat/long/time)

Received it today. It is very cute little radio. Oh, and it is 20W compare to HT's 5W. Programing AnyTone software is not bad at all.

Local repeater because of myself and Rolund (a local super user, why he's a regular on about 7-8 repeaters) pretty much have to have a Round Robin system ,since now a days our little conversations have attracted more than a handful of users. Jokingly, said we should just assign a net controller or at least some system so we do not double as much. FYI. Rolund has been on the Harrisburg repeaters and is a regular on the Mount Holly, Ellicott, and Towson nets. It really depends on the repeaters and the personalities that use it. Some won't even respond unless you know them or are asking for a radio check. You get the same thing with ham repeaters. Just keep calling out on the repeater and have conversations. You'll probably end up with some people with like minded thoughts. That is how it starts, then it goes into in person meets, and spending holidays with them...lol Also look at the GMRS zello groups, there is someone usually looking for somebody to talk to.

My first was a Garmin Rino GPS/GMRS radio. Current? Uh….which one. Radioddity GM-30, BTech GMRS V2, wouxon 805g, Wouxon KG-uv9g pro