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I keep reading over and over that the FCC doesn't require any sort of testing or type acceptance for ham radio gear. Yet I have the July QST magazine in my hand with the new Kenwood TH-75A on the back cover and down at the bottom of the page it clearly says: THIS DEVICE HAS NOT BEEN AUTHORIZED AS REQUIRED BY THE RULES OF THE FCC THIS DEVICE IS AND AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE UNTIL AUTHORIZATION IS OBTAINED. I think that the second most misunderstood regulation in ham radio is the type acceptance, manufacture authorization rules. As a ham operator you can build your OWN gear. You can sell that gear to others. No testing or type acceptance required. Manufactures don't have that. They have to meet certain requirements. Type acceptance, or some level of testing to be approved for sale in the US. Yes, there are requirements for MANUFACTURED ham equipment to be sold in the US. While that might not be 'type acceptance" testing, there is indeed testing that has to be done for manufactured equipment. So, not only is the idea that runs around some circles in the ham community that they can cut the TX block out of their ham radio to talk to the police "just in case" but the lack of a requirement for testing of manufactured ham gear is also not technically correct.

You really aren’t. You’re lecturing people and whining about what you perceive as a problem caused by “old hams”. Get off your butt and petition the FCC.

That seems like a violation of FCC rules... especially since (I believe) there is no certification process for amateur radio equipment. I'm highly suspicious of them making that claim and having it be truthful. Edit: man... that whole write-up is sus. Dude claims it's GMRS and Ham approved, but you're doing a soft-reset and going between modes via a service menu... now I'm really calling BS.

Well said WRXD372. I appreciate everyone chiming in. I'm going to go and enjoy the holiday now. Thanks everyone.

462 is always the output (your RX) and 467 is always the input (your TX). If you have a 'real' GMRS radio you dont need to worry about that, you just pick the correct repeater 'channel', which will already have the tx and rx setup.

Nope - still doesn’t work that way. I understand what you mean. You’re just changing the configuration and there’s no reason that doing so should affect the certification, but the regulations say something different. c)No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.

Just curious what tips all the licensed H.A.M. operators would give to someone thinking about getting their H.A.M. license.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! To quote Mayor Vaughn... "as you see, it's a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time"

If I want my full 2m/70cm capability, I'd already have to carry two HTs -- both have shared analog capability but one supports D-STAR, and the other supports DMR (I am NOT adding a YSF HT to the mix). GMRS is a third HT, and MURS makes number four. There is also the old 11m/CB HT to consider

I tried. I did. I tried to tell you all but you went there anyway. Randy -1, Hams -0

Sorry Randy. Since I'm your FAVORITE VIEWER, I'll stop.

The H.A.M.s shall reap what they sow while i use my "cheap Chinese toys" ...

Without knowing why the rule exists, I would absolutely be in favor of a regulatory change allowing a type 95E certified radio to be used for ham radio as well. Maybe I would change my mind if someone explained the reason for the regulations.

People can hint at it all they want, they will still be wrong. If you don't like the rules, lobby Congress. That's what everyone else who gets laws and rules changed does. In the mean time, you need to live by them or be prepared to suffer the consequences of those choices.

Oddly, while Kenwood's discontinued F6A and D74A manage "full" power on 2m, 1.25m, and 70cm, Kenwood never incorporated 6m into the mix (the F6A /receive/ however was 100kHz [3000m or 3km] to 1.3GHz, less cell phone band) Yeasu's VX8-DR is really a 6m, 2m, 70cm unit with 1.25m shoehorned into it -- but at flea power.

I have two of the DB20G radios. It’s not as simple as loading a different codeplug, as least on mine. First you must reset the radio with a two finger key press while powering it on. That wipes the memory of all existing channels. You also must choose which frequency ranges where you want your radio to operate. In my opinion if you were to ask the FCC if this nullifies the certification I believe they would tell you that it does, but I have not asked them. I would not ask. The regulations are clear.

You’re going to need a bigger boat.

OMG, thanks my good man that just cleared it up!

Program your channel to transmit on 467.725 and receive on 462.725.

It says nothing about monitoring another frequency. It applies to transmitters. And you must also read all of the regulations in the context of the general rules regarding personal radio services. For instance: § 95.337 Operation of impermissibly modified equipment prohibited. No person shall modify any Personal Radio Service transmitter in a way that changes or affects the technical functioning of that transmitter such that operation of the modified transmitter results in a violation of the rules in this part. This includes any modification to provide for additional transmit frequencies, increased modulation level, a different form of modulation, or increased transmitter output power (either mean power or peak envelope power or both). Any such modification voids the certified status of the modified transmitter and renders it unauthorized for use in the Personal Radio Services. Also, no person shall operate any Personal Radio Service transmitter that has been so modified. As for repeaters I’ll copy and paste a regulation that allows for devices certified for other uses in a few minutes.

Once you modify if, it is no longer certified for use on GMRS.

That's not an accurate statement. The FCC rules state that only a radio that is type-accepted for Part 95 E can be used on GMRS frequencies. Nowhere does it say, "but it's OK for you to use your ham radio that's been 'opened up' (either by hardward modification or via software) as long as you have a GMRS license too".

None of those is an attempt to conceal or disguise meaning.

Like many 3-band HT's, this one has reduced power on 1.25m. However, 3W is better than Yaesu's 1.5W. If I was in the mood to buy 1.25m radio, I'd go with Wouxun.

No Not all the 10 code is used , but is the example and same that I would use . Some are from Law enforcement and only a base of the 10 code for use . I just listed all here for simplicity of copy and paste . Most Law enforcement agencies are using post 911 simply verbiage to communicate now days .

Yeah and that explains why it is more likely used for open repeaters.

The travel tone of 141.3 was adopted because it is what REACT uses as their tone for the most part. Kinda makes sense.. lol Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

While there is no official coordination for GMRS repeaters the Mygmrs map page can help repeater owners see what’s in an area ahead of choosing a frequency. At least the ones that are listed. I’m going to guess the tones in question being used would be 141.3. While it’s not a hard fast rule this is generally accepted as a tone used on open repeaters and sometimes referred as the travel tone. That said an owner can still require permission through in my opinion having chosen this tone and or one that overlaps they may want to be somewhat forgiving. As mentioned by @kidphc it really is up to you how you want to set your radio up. Like you, I have some channel’s and tones installed more than once. For my personal set up I have programmed the first bank of the eight repeater channels with those that are closest to my home. The second bank is all eight repeater channels with the 141.3 tones labeled travel and the number for just that, travel. Finally the banks after that are repeaters I may use when further away from home. In the one case where there is a frequency that is being used twice near me I only entered the one that has more range and I am more inclined to use. I’m aware the other one is there and it’s an open repeater as well. The reason I set things up this way is I can separate repeaters closer to home from others by the use of scan groups. I like being able to only scan one particular group. With all the fire threats here, I have a channel group for the two counties near me so I can be a bit more informed when I’m hearing sirens near me. It came in handy last year as there was a fire less than a mile away. It’s all your preference and you may find you change things more than once. Hope this helps.

Not going to really answer your question, since really it is going to depend on you and how you want it, it really is personal preference. However, you may want to contact the repeater owners to see if other tones are enabled. Some repeaters, many, will have multiple tones on the same repeater. For various reasons, however since there is no real gmrs coordinator, this can reek havic on other repeaters if those same tones are enabled and they are close enough. In your case, i imagine the closer repeater has both tones enabled. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I personally am not aware of any part 95e approved radios that would allow to make this change. I think the thought is if you are following the rules and using compliant radios it’s a non issue. The concern is then at least limited to those already stepping out of the regulations. Like painting lines for a crosswalk, if you step out you probably know it. Amateur Radio is painting their own lines within guidelines they have learned and have demonstrated by passing an exam for their license. My thoughts anyway FWIW.

This is one of those if/then statements where people link two unrelated concepts to try and make their point. In fact, the whole post is a veiled rant against hams. The reality is that GMRS requires a license so the FCC is reasonably assured that you may have at least heard of the rules. Amateur radio allows a person, even at the Technician level, to use all kinds of frequencies, and at power levels that can actually cause interference on other frequencies, and in some cases actual harm to living beings. Therefore, testing is required so the FCC is reasonably convinced that the licensee is aware of the many more rules, concepts and hazards that apply to ham radio.

I looked it up earlier this year and there were something like 13 thousand more active ham licenses last year than the year before. That doesn’t point to it going away. Basic testing is necessary in order to ensure that people have learned the bare minimum regulations and a small amount of the science. Many of the most basic questions that people ask when they become involved in radio are those things that a person learns while studying to pass the Technician test. Not only that but the questions are all publicly available. Eight year old children pass the test. Some ham clubs even have one day cram and test days where a person goes through the material for a while and then immediately tests on it. The test is truly not a barrier unless a person is unwilling to put forth any effort at all.

There are plenty of folks running around with GMRS who already don't follow the simple rules (identify transmissions, no swearing, etc.). Can you imagine if these same folks decided to do the same on analog public service bands (telling cops and fire bogus information)? And no, I am not an amateur radio licensee.

I just want to know if you guys are making it do dinner on the 25th. All this other stuff is a silly distraction. LoL

I'm just wondering... And anyone feel free to chime in here. Who, exactly, is monitoring my GMRS communications for hidden meanings, and more importantly, am I going to get busted for asking my wife to "Rendezvous at Location Sierra Bravo" instead of saying "Meet me at Sonic Burger"?

I picked up this one. By filing down the sides it fits perfectly into an empty switch blank in my 4Runner. Mic / control head plugs right into the dash and looks factory. CERRXIAN RJ45 Male to Female LAN... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MRZAN3R?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Using a ProClip console phone mount, angled wedge, and MagneticMic holder. Here’s a shot of the dual NMO antennas; one for the Midland and one for the Wilson WeBoost. Both head units mounted under driver & passenger seats. Both work great! Controlled power for both through the SwitchPro. Top left is the Wilson, bottom left the Midland. Semi-related, but the other coiled cord visible in a prior photo is for the phone. Here’s my DIY dash mount for iPhone. …….and a random glamour shot in its element. In this photo I was trying a Wilson whip antenna, but it broke (and didn’t work too well anyway).

Show me the paragraph in the *current* GMRS rules (Part 95 E) where it says that. Oh wait, you won't be able to do so, because there IS no paragraph where it says that. What it DOES say is that you can have a radio certified for Part 95 E and "another section" as long as it cannot transmit on Part 97 (amateur radio) frequencies. But the manufacturer still needs to submit for Part 95 E certification in order for the radio to be legal on GMRS. Nowhere does it say that Part 90 radios are automatically OK to use on GMRS.

They don't have to be Part 95 type-accepted to be legal to use on Part 95 Subpart E freqs. Part 95 allows the use of Part 90 type-accepted radio units on GMRS channels.

I'm sure they all have Part 95 type-acceptance too, yes?