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It's rather unreasonable to expect any service to remain static. Analog TV has gone basically extinct, 11M CB now has analog FM, auto manufactures are trying to eliminate AM radios in cars, the FM PMR446 license free service in the EU now allows two types of digital voice modes and so it goes. GMRS was limited in the number of channels it could use and the changes in 2017 added more, and a few headaches. It's going to change again. It's not a question of IF but WHEN and what those changes will look like. Some of the proposals here have little to no chance of happening while some do have merit. If GMRS doesn't evolve it will just be another dinosaur looking for the nearest tar pit.

The eight current GMRS channels can handle eight simultaneous conversations today (in the same area). The proposal below would allow for 32 simultaneous conversations without expanding the GMRS service. For those not familiar with DMR technology, each DMR repeater signal has two "timeslots" which allows for two independent talk channels. Two DMR signals can fit within the same space as one analog FM signal today. This is possible because a DMR signal only requires about 7.6 kHz of spectrum, while todays wideband analog signals need 20 kHz of spectrum. Thus, four conversations can be supported within each of the current GMRS channels. The center frequency of each DMR repeater (and the radios it supports) would be programmed 5 kHz above or below the current center channel. +/-12.5 kHz might also be used. Below shows how this would work in reality. The FCC would not need to allocate new radio spectrum. They only have to allow more efficient use of what we already have. The other benefit of DMR is that two different repeater groups could invest in one DMR repeater, which splits the cost in two while each maintains their own "channel". As a DMR repeater takes the same rack space as an analog repeater and only requires one antenna, the repeater site lease costs could be split between the two groups as well. It would take the FCC some time to accomplish this, so if they started now, they might be able to complete this rule change in 2024.

Essentially +/- two generations from the license holder. And that is a great expansion over the regulation from the early/mid 90s... Which had the additional clause of having to be living in the same residence as the license holder (we're back to the large family farm situation again).

It sounds like hog wash to me.

I say this over and over. At least once a year folks decide we need to change GMRS to suite their needs and who cares what others do. I have been in GMRS since we rented a repeater PL. Alot has changed but in the end not much really did. analog and simple has been the game. If you want DMR or other stuff go to ham or business.

Then stop putting repeaters on top of other repeaters! Simple solution because you don't need more than a few. Here in Southern California we have idiots that need to shut up and allow others to periodically use the frequency. Those are the real issues. Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

As already stated, 23-30 (aka rp15-rp22) are repeater only channels. No normal GMRS radio can receive those frequencies (repeaters listen on 467.xxx, and transmit on 462.xxx). Prior to the 2017 reorganization by the FCC, the only purely FRS frequencies were those now designated as channels 8-14 -- the 0.5W ERP NFM channels. Channels 1-7 were GMRS interstitials (allowed 5W FM) years before FRS was created, and original FRS was permitted them using 0.5W NFM. Channels 15-22 were GMRS MAIN channels (and in the old days, one was allowed to specify just /two/ [pairs: simplex and repeater] of them on their license), allowed up to 50W FM. With the 2017 changes, FRS is allowed to access channels 1-22, with 2W on 1-7/15-22 (ie; what had been the "GMRS" limits on the pre-reorganization bubble packs sold as FRS/GMRS). FRS is restricted to NFM on all channels. GMRS HTs, in return, gained access to 8-14 -- with the limits of 0.5W ERP NFM, same as FRS. GMRS retained 5W FM for 1-7, and 50W FMS for 15-22.

That is not correct. The receive frequencies on 23-30 are the same as on 15-22. If a nearby FRS user is on 15-22 you will hear them. The difference between 15-22 and 23-30 is that on 23-30 you are transmitting 5MHz up from the receive frequency so you can go through a repeater. The GMRS regulations explicitly prohibit the use of the 467 inputs as simplex channels: 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz.

That's not a mobile repeater in that pic, its a HAM operating HF. As far as a mobile repeater it really is a waste of time. I have done this already and it was a total disappointment.. Unless your car is at a substantial height advantage you will not have any better coverage then simplex. Again you can and will try to explain or reason away my logic without listening to what I and others have been trying to tell you. I have tried the mobile repeater, the setup was a 50W Motorola SLR 5700 with a 4 cavity BP/BR duplexer connected to a 5.5dB gain antenna on the top of my truck. After testing for about month I realized it had no practical use and only offered slightly more range than simplex, best part I ended up needing a jump after a day at the fair. Mind you this was a $2400 repeater, $800 duplexer with an antenna that was tuned using an Anritsu S331D. I promise I nor anybody on this site will try to steer you wrong, I hold a Commercial, Amateur and GMRS license, own and operate several large repeaters and have all the gear for building, testing and maintaining these kinds of systems.