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Just an update that Premium Members can now export a CSV file compatible with CHIRP from the myGMRS Reports page: https://mygmrs.com/reports Note that there was a bug in CHIRP that prevented cross-tone DCS codes from importing properly, but this has been fixed with today's latest update of CHIRP-next.

Exactly- you don’t (and shouldn’t) need a bunch of radio theory to use GMRS, but you have agreed to follow the rules (cryptically written though they may be) so a licensee needs to know and understand them.

Ham Radio operator uses his satellite mapping skills to save a missing hiker

A whole family can get i to GMRS with a single license that doesn’t need a test. My family would not touch the amateur side of radio but GMRS and jumping onto a repeater if needed is much easier for my family. I know many hams that got their GMRS license simply for this reason. (Well, maybe it helped justify buying new radios for the family…..)

There is an easy way to fix this: Turn the knob to a different channel.

I gave it a shot on different channels, power levels and distances...same issue. I'll email Radioddity support. The box was damaged and the interior packaging was a little off so I'm wondering if this was a previously returned item. Thanks for the quick response. Enjoy your evening.

I wrote these "tips" back a couple of years ago; hopefully they still work:

Correct, being that the exact allowed frequencies/bandwidths and power levels are directly outlined, it's must simpler than amateur radio. The point of the Part 95 rules for type acceptance is so that the average joe can buy the license and purchase an off the shelf radio and be within the rules. While the concepts are identical between ham 70cm and GMRS, there is more responsibility on the operator in amateur radio. This includes coordination of repeaters/operating frequencies as well as RF exposure evaluations. The idea of GMRS is that frequencies are not overlapping/spaced too closely, and the FCC has already done the RF exposure evaluation in a general sense. Not saying there won't be someone trying to use a 45w mobile with antenna attached directly to the radio placed 4' from the user, but they did a good job simplifying it.

Pardon? I've owned CB HTs since the 1970s... And still have RatShack and Midland units sitting on a bookshelf.

The young ladies in my area come with USB-C!

You want less for the same price? ?

The Mike Holt videos are excellent on YouTube. He understands and clearly explains the actual requirements of the National Electrical Code as seen by a Professional Engineer . Here’s one of his more recent videos discussing antenna grounding: https://youtu.be/WRv8AKVAfyc Ward Silver does a very good job of explaining it from the perspective of an amateur radio installation. In fact, he wrote the book for ARRL on Grounding and Bonding. Here’s one of his videos: https://youtu.be/WizvvhQgtoA The short answer is that yes, your tower, antenna, and coax may share a ground. In fact, their grounds are required to be bonded (connected) to each other and to your electrical system ground. Here’s how I understand it: A four legged tower would have a ground electrode for each leg. Then, all four ground electrodes would be bonded to each other with a ground conductor ring and a sufficiently sized solid ground conductor would then run from that ring to the electrical system ground which is connected to your electrical panel. The bonding is as important to the grounding because it prevents differences in ground potential (between ground electrodes) from creating currents that flow through your radio equipment. You really want those currents to flow through the ground conductors or bonding conductors rather than through your radio or your body. Then, where your coax enters the house, it passes through a lightning protector. The lightning protector is connected to a ground or ground plate, which is bonded to the electrical system ground. Inside your house, all of your devices (radios, power supplies, amplifiers, etc.) are connected to a single ground point (frequently a copper bar), which is also bonded to the electrical system ground with a decent sized conductor. Steve

Just like everything else they do. Have to keep the starving lawyers employed.

If it isn't swearing and racial slurs, it is who is smarter, has better radios, antenna's, cars whatever. This happens on every type of medium. "Feeding" them often makes the situation worse in the long run. In southern California there are amateur types that even throw out their call signs bashing certain people, using profanity, and trying to get a rise out of other users. so much so, it is almost a containment frequency for those users. Never ceases to amaze me, but on my own network, have a radio ID and a logging recorder that helps keep people honest.

Because they were written by bureaucrat lawyers, not 'normal' people. LOL

Amen! We had a case of P&B control relays which were designated to be used in automating a hydroelectric plant which we had to replace because mice urinated on them. Plus, a lot of times when an electronic device is submerged the water has contaminants in it that become deposits as the water evaporates. All that must be cleaned off in order to assess damage and possibly restore functionality.

Some of what you mention as far as amateur licenses was already tried and it failed epically, leading to the licensing scheme we have now. Also, I may be so bold as to say that Ham radio operators use GMRS for the same reason anyone without an amateur license would use GMRS. There is no mysterious or hidden agenda. We want to talk to people we know, while using a radio, or have some form of communications when traditional communications is not an option. For what its worth, the core of the definition of the purpose for GMRS is "a mobile two-way voice communication service... for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members". Nothing says it must be used to talk to anyone about anything in particular, for some specific purpose. I think while the dialog is healthy and I like the conversation, I wouldn't support running anyone off because their usage of the service doesn't fit some preconceived notion of what I think they should use the service for. If anything, I would encourage more people to take advantage of the fact that services are available. Everyone should be familiar with GMRS, FRS, MURS, CB and Amateur Radio. There is no such thing as 'not enough room' to accommodate everyone. Again, just a thought.

As some of you may know, we have been trying to get myGMRS integrated into CHIRP, a popular open-source radio programming software created by Dan Smith, for several years now. I finally heard back from Dan in December and shared our API (Application Programming Interface) resources to him and test credentials for the website. Given that this was a new feature and a big convenience to users, we wanted to offer it as a perk to Premium Members of the website who support our efforts to be the go-to GMRS community. Dan expressed concerns about having any paid services such as RadioReference.com in his application, because developers would be unable to test unless they had a membership at the website. We agreed to table the discussion until we had a solution for developers to test the myGMRS integration, and he implemented the new feature into CHIRP-next, the next generation of the CHIRP application. Dan released a version of CHIRP-next on December 24th with myGMRS integrated into it. Yesterday, I sent Dan an email letting him know what changes to expect to the API once I require accounts to have a Premium Membership to download repeaters through CHIRP, so he had time to make the required changes to show the appropriate error message rather than a cryptic "Got error code 403 from server" message. Long story short and omitting the gory details, Dan decided it was best to completely remove the myGMRS integration that he had finally added, rather than work with us on how to reach an amicable agreement that makes everyone happy. We offered several solutions to provide developers with Premium Membership so they could test the feature, eliminating the concern from Dan. We are surprised by this but respect his wishes, even though it hurts the GMRS community which utilizes his product for GMRS and/or Amateur Radio. Understandably, I know many people will wonder why this wasn't just a free feature and that be the end of it. However, myGMRS is a small business and it needs to be profitable to survive. myGMRS is a one-person operation (not withstanding all the amazing members who contribute the repeater listings and forum posts) and it takes considerable resources to just to keep the lights on with there being so many users. Since the founding of RepeaterFinder, LLC, the corporate entity behind myGMRS, I have not taken a salary. We intentionally minimize the number of advertisements we show because we hate ads too, but they alone don't cover the cost of running the website for nearly 50,000 users. Very few members have been kind enough to support us by subscribing to a Premium membership, so we're always looking for new perks to add for Premium Members to draw more people to sign up. To those who do support us, I sincerely thank you! If you'd like to utilize the myGMRS lookup feature and are a Premium Member, you can download the last working version of CHIRP-next from 01/09/2023 here: https://trac.chirp.danplanet.com/chirp_next/next-20230109/ If you receive "Got error code 403 from server" when trying to authenticate to myGMRS, it means you do not have an active subscription and you can subscribe by going here: https://mygmrs.com/profile/subscriptions You can see the commit notes from Dan regarding the removal here: https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/repository/github/revisions/12301814e238458766f1f7bf06476b39a4e3ab93 Here's the original ticket tracking the feature request: https://chirp.danplanet.com/issues/9169 Thank you for understanding!

Every repeater in a given state, for now. Later on I will add a zip code radius search so you can narrow it down further.

The CHIRP config from @wayoverthere got me to where I could RX/TX again but had me stuck in VFO mode. Someone at my local ham club Slack (who I bought the KG-805G from) had a Wouxun config that I subsequently wrote to the radio. I think I'm back in business now. I'm uploading the stock KG-805G config now. I wonder if going into the KG-805G programming software from Wouxun and creating a new config and writing it to the radio would have gotten me back to working after @wayoverthere's CHIRP config - I guess we won't know. I don't really wanna chance killing this radio trying to take it through this cycle again. Thanks for the help and ideas, everyone. KG-805G stock.tw

See if you can figure this one out: VFO A is set for VHF and has the common 0.6000 MHz set for OFFSET (Menu 10) VFO B is set for UHF and has the common 5.0000 MHz set for OFFSET (Menu 10) (those VFO settings come from my codeplug I believe). In any event, if we have to change Menu 10's setting, is there a way to enter it manually? I have had to scroll from 0.6 MHz to 5.0 MHz and back and it is a slow process to watch it scan up or down.

Before you make any conclusions, try separating the radios like they would normally be used, like a hundred yards or something, and see how they work. Radios aren't really designed to work that well that close together.

Perhaps, but you still can't complain about the features available for the price charged.

Oh wow, mouse urine - that's probably a great conductor for shorting circuits. This KG-805G was basically in rain water - which is... pretty much distilled water? Anyway, RX/TX seems to be working - I'm thinking I'm just dealing with programming/CHIRP issues at this point

Before turning on the radio, these are my recollections: Yes, once a Channel is programmed by the CPS software, if you change a setting such as Tone, it only "holds" while you are on that Channel. If you change channels and return, or power off and then on, it will default back to the Channel's settings from the CPS software. Here is what I do: I program "gaps of channels" between different categories of Channels. I'll try to do a screenshot later. So if like @Borage257you program a new frequency and tone in VFO, you can then save this to one of the empty channels without having to use the software and it will stick.

RT97, 6' LDF and a DB404 is an ideal setup for a silo. Just run 110' (which is normally already up there) and plug it in.

It's even simpler. Just start up the software - and in the top level menu items - select "view" choices should be something like basic / expert. Select expert. Now you see all the options for rear accessory connector & CWID. The built in Help files in the CPS are worthwhile - even if they are somewhat cryptic.

Here is what I ended up with on my UV-9G. It is close to what is shown in the link Lscott posted but a bit different. I found this to work good for me but you may find your radio and area a little different. You'll notice I set my GT-3WP (same radio but HAM) a little different as they seemed to behave a little differently. I first came to do this because I noticed The UV-9G would always show reception even when no one was keying up from a local repeater that is close by and that wasn't happening on my GT-3WP even though they were exactly the same settings out of the box. I also noticed if I was monitoring that repeater on B and something else on A, that B always saw the repeater as active I wasn't ever hearing anything on A. Having two radios really helps when diagnosing issues. I just played around with settings to quite out the noise in my area while scanning and to give myself some room to play with. The first one is UV-9G, Second is GT-3WP...

I would say that user knowledge is required from a standpoint of how much power can be used on various frequencies, antenna height, identifying by call sign, usage rules (business vs personal, etc), who is covered by a license, etc. Not that everyone goes by all the rules, but by having a GMRS license, you have entered into an agreement with the FCC that you at least know the rules.

Look at the miklor website for instructions on making a back up programming cable. https://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_ProgrCableAT779.php

Mine make me look like I have an different kind of social life: But I’m really not even looking to avoid ads. I just want to be able to support the site at a level that I’m comfortable with.

If they add or even replace MURS with UHF FRS/GMRS, I will buy these for sure. I do have stock in Garmin though, as I own a lot of their products, and have for a long time. The Rino series radios are awesome! I am not even scared off with the $2k price tag for the power switch and 10" display package. I like that they are making products like this. And OP, thank you for sharing the links.

Thank you!

Some have recommended carrying a SAT phone.

 So perhaps we can all agree that hams and CB’ers are looking at GMRS so they have someone to talk to, and in particular, because they can utilize repeaters to accomplish that goal. The repeater is the primary attraction in this movement towards GMRS. So, with trying to stay on topic to the OP’s original question, I suggest that amateur radio is missing the mark, by not providing the experience for many people who are, or would be, active on radio, where GMRS is providing a resource for these people, but it is my belief that GMRS is not the appropriate venue for this particular activity, due to it’s very limited bandwidth and shared FRS activity. GMRS should be short distance, brief messages that convey information that is of interest to a family or immediate group of licensed people. Amateur radio is for longer distance conversations that include people not related to one another, who enjoy participating in long-winded ragchews. I know the dozens of amateur repeaters in my region sit idle for days/weeks. Unused bandwidth on 2m and 70cm, and from your comments, it is true in your region as well. While the 8 repeater channels available are being used by CBer’s and ex-patriot hams. It is just ridiculous for amateur radio to continue to hold onto old conventions that are literally causing it to lose participants, when we can clearly see the activity interest in GMRS increase, as ham radio interest decreases. And again, it is primarily related to repeater access on GMRS, so here is the simple solution… 1) Eliminate the testing requirement for an entry level amateur radio license. 2) Establish a license class that authorizes use of 2m and 70cm FM simplex and repeater access available for the price of admission ($35). 3) Allow up to 50 watts of transmitter output power (HT and mobile radio operation). This is basically the same as GMRS (with the exception of the VHF access), and if GMRS does not require a license holder to demonstrate any knowledge of operation, than neither should amateur radio, for the same basic operating privileges. Beyond the requirement to identify your station every 10 minutes on the amateur bands, I don’t think there is anything else that a user of 2m or 70cm would need to know, relating to Part 97. Should one want to further their involvement in amateur radio, then the usual process of testing can be followed, to permit the use of higher transmitter power, additional bands and modes of operation. But for amateur radio to try to have a gatekeeper in place for access to some VHF and UHF spectrum, in the form of a 35 question test, is archaic and useless at this point. And it is only destroying the General Mobile Radio Service in the process. And for the hams that would scream that this idea would destroy amateur radio…as a GMRS user, I am trying to save GMRS from the very situation you have created, so if you think my suggestion is wrong…then GFY. This is exactly what needs to happen, in order to save both amateur radio and GMRS.

How do I sign up to pay more for more ads?!?

Please see the above post we just shared regarding this topic.

I decided that I am building a 20x20 shop in the spring with power and heat to it. Great time to make a dedicated repeated spot I think for Wasilla/Palmer

Hello there, I'm Connor from Eagle River. New to GMRS like the rest of you, but I'm trying to get my local friend group onboard as well. My primary use is for offroad comms and road trips, but I have been trying to monitor the Eagle River 575 repeater during the day.

The EVX-R70 has better specs for the receiver, it has a bigger (better) cooling fan than the 7000, and it also has an added heat sink on the transmitter. It will also do DMR Digital or work as conventional analog. As JohnE alluded to, it's really just a re-badged Motorola XPR8400 machine - but uses different CPS software. (make sure to toggle the software setting to 'expert' mode if you want to see all the parameters available.) That said, for all it's good qualities, it's still really just 2 XPR mobile radios inside a box. I've been happy with the EVX-R70's I've set up. It's also nice that you can buy the EVX-R70 used for 10 to 25% less than the same thing with a Motorola label. The EVX-R70 is good and reliable for "regular" service - but they're really not 100% duty cycle 24/7 machines. I would never run one over 25 watts if I wanted it to live for years.

Hi. Im jeff, down in the kenai area. Im a life long commercial fisherman. We've always had tons of radios and coms on fishing boats from cb,2meter,10meter,ssb, vhf, sat coms, you name it, so I've always like radios and after the 2018 earthquake then the covid stuff i decided to get into gmrs for all the options like repeaters and different antennas and not having to get ham tickets for me and the wife. Thats about it for my intro. Anyone still catching coho?

Frequency change. The EagleRiver 625 is now 575. I also decreased it's output power.

Be nice to have a small network of repeaters, If I could do it at my place in wasilla I would Rick WRME688

FYI. Anchorage 625 is down for now. Something went sideways at winter solstice. I am unable to get to it to trouble shoot it until spring.

Hi guys thought I'd say hi to the fellow Alaska GMRS guys. Just started in the GMRS world for communication in the local Anchorage area though I'm from Eagle River. My brother in law wanted to sell me on getting a HAM license but figured I'd start with GMRS in my Jeep. So hoping to hop on the E.R. repeater and hopefully hearing some traffic. Channel 20 has had some traffic, but otherwise its been pretty quiet. Hope to hear from you guys and thank you WRFP for setting up repeaters that's super cool and handy.

It's up for the evening as just a simple "throw down" repeater. I would assume Palmer, Alaska is blocked a bit by some terrain features but who knows. Give it a shot. I will be collecting this tomorrow.

excellent I will do that.

If it is worth anything I try to connect into the national net on Sundays from around 4PM to 9PM Alaska Time. If you drive into the coverage of the ER repeater you could participate.

I was replying to your "think-of-the-children" remark. Of course my comments do not deserve a response from you! Just put me firmly on your ignore list and be done with me. And no peeking!

I usually monitor the .700 repeater that has a 100 pl. Seems to do alright in brooklyn queens and lower manhattan. Its listed as open for everyone... I usually catch someone on there from time to time