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RX 462.600 - DCS 023 TX 467.600 - DCS 023 Now Google has it and there is no getting that toothpaste back into the tube.

I have heard rumors that they will be available for sale beginning the last week of July, and on the same day the worlds most popular and most widely-loved GMRS YouTuber will be releasing a video about all 4 of the new antennas. But, you know, those are just rumors...

It happens in a lot of places. Recently, on another site, I was reading about a guy in Georgia who was paying $150/month for a primo GMRS repeater site so he could communicate with his family. He had the misfortune to be located where all eight pairs were clogged with repeaters that were part of a linked, mega wompus, system. He noted that for large chunks of the day, all eight pairs carried the same people, having the same conversations, about the same thing. IMHO, this goes against the original intent of Class A/GMRS and is just wrong. In my area, two repeaters are linked to a four repeater system. For the most part, it isn't too bad except for Sunday evenings when they are tied up with an inane regional or national net, or the occasional needy sounding guy mumbling on and on in broken English in the next state. Then you add another guy piping in drivel from all over the country with the possibility of adding "nodes" to clog up other 50W simplex/repeater channels and soon you have a big, unnecessary, cacaphony, tying up those few pairs for people wanting to utilize them for local comms. It just isn't necessary. If you are the only networked repeater in your area then Kudos for putting up a stand-alone for local comms. I don't believe I mentioned simulcasted repeaters but it did cross my mind. I am fully aware of how expensive they are and how tight tolerances have to be, therefore I did not mention it. It just gets aggravating that most people I hear talking about putting up a repeater seem heck bent on either linking to other repeaters in their area or linking to a network, apparently just to keep noise going across the frequency, and not caring that they hinder people trying to use GMRS for its original intended use of local area communication.

Wrong.. The website has told the members of this forum to request access, not the repeater owner. This specific repeater is open to everyone, as is very plainly spelled-out in bold letters in the description of the repeater. The website does not give an option to NOT display the "request access" button. Try again Perry Mason...

I'm guilty of doing this on occasion. If I hear somebody on the repeater input frequency and I catch a call sign, I'll look them up online to see how my antenna and radio are performing on receive. Not a lot of local GMRS users here and I'll do a call out to them and let them know I'm local to them. I've made a few simplex friends this way.

We have a couple like that around me. Even some 2m repeaters on the builder's pair.

If it’s listed as “open” it’s open. If listing it as “open” was a mistake the repeater operator must correct it. As to why no tones are listed, if the repeater truly is open I don’t know why they don’t list tones unless they don’t use tones.

Yup.. a small group of idiots that we call The Kiddy Kartel decided they didnt like it when a few founders of the group that put Delta up talked and started jamming them all the time, so we said "F-that" and repurposed it.

I had a very early unit and the antenna came right off. Since then I have seen reports ranging from people just needing to give it a rough-twist to get it off to not even being able to get it off with a crowbar and a hammer. For BTech to get certification for the radio the antenna must be non-removable (because it transmits data).. Once word got out that they were easily removable it looks like BTech upp'd their glue-game.

To anyone who might be wondering you can go to your present location, sort of, from using the "Browse Repeaters" button. You can set your distance to search in the settings within the "Browse Repeater" area. That didn't seem to be available using the "Map" button until I logged out and then back in. It now shows my location on the big map. I'm sure it was my mistake. The app is great and much smarter then I am.

He only wants people skilled at breaking in.

Midland updated the firmware of the MXT400 a few years ago to give it GMRS wideband capability. Prior to that, all of their MXT mobiles were NFM-only ("we expect most of the users will be talking with people using NFM FRS radios" [essential concept given out, not an exact quote]). The MXT115 is NFM-only, still, as I recall -- though it has allowed separate Tx/Rx tones "on the repeater channels" for a time. Tone scan is something rather new -- remember that originally a GMRS license listed only two frequency (pairs for repeaters) and those were the ONLY frequencies with repeater capability one could use; and a radio shop was required to go into the radio and install crystals or set DIP switches to lock the frequencies in place (technically, one could use the -- at the time FCC specified -- emergency frequency FOR EMERGENCIES; but since many radios only came with A/B select switches it used to be recommended that one of the two frequencies on the license be the emergency frequency, and that then became a general use frequency on the license). Given the two frequency limit, the odds were good that one knew the tones for the repeaters of interest -- most all GMRS repeaters were operated by businesses or government entities (this was when such could get a license for such, not the current "individual" mandate) and one pretty much had to ask the repeater owner for access. These repeaters often had multiple sets of tones configured, so different groups of users would not be heard by other groups -- of course, one still had monitor before talking to ensure they weren't going to step on a different group.

So it’s open but he wants only people who can figure the tones out to use it? I mean I guess if that’s what he wants. Definitely different though.

One other thing I don't recommend is pilfering, or spoofing or faking, a call sign. For example on enough occasions I would talk to somebody for the first time on the air. Then was a bit put back when they knew my name and location that I never mentioned. Seems like people like to sit in front of the computer and look up call signs on the FCC's database while yacking on the radio.

I have some radios without NOAA, but I just added the channels. Easy enough. I do like the weather alert feature on the radios that include it though.

Sorry to hear that.

Has anyone bothered to ask if the PL tones were listed in the posting for the repeater here on the site. If the tones are posted,,, chances are it's OPEN. I answer one or two requests per week and the repeater is listed as being OPEN. I would rather that people just use my repeater as they need to and NOT ask for permission. And yes, my tones are posted. No need to scan anything. Have you monitored the channel and even verified there is an active repeater on the frequency any more? Might verify it's still active before asking about getting access to it. But again, if the tones are posted, use the repeater. For those of you that don't want other people on your repeater either post the repeater as being CLOSED or don't post your tones. Better yet, don't post the repeater at all. But don't blow a gasket when someone comes in and parks an OPEN repeater on your pair. One of my favorite things to do.

I appreciate it. Have to say though, I thought we were having a friendly conversation. If you were offended by anything I wrote... my apologies. That wasn't my intent. Not trying to be a smart-ass, but this statement is you literally acknowledging that you indeed do not have permission by default, as you are asking for it. Since there is a public posting stating that you need to ask permission of the owner, the owner stating you don't have permission (public posting requirement for trespass). Someone could argue that the lack of response is a response. I don't know... just my opinion.

My opinion, no, not necessarily. That question falls in the jurisdiction of the FCC and the rules are pretty clear that no one has any more or less privilege on a given frequency, and harmful interference rules would then apply.

What repeater contract are you refering to? There's no implied agreement. What are you talking about? The FCC seems to disagree with you. Sounds like you mean entitlement, which is not a thing, legally speaking as far as I know. (2) May allow any person to use (i.e., benefit from the operation of) its GMRS repeater, or alternatively, may limit the use of its GMRS repeater to specific persons; Enhanced Content - Paragraph Tools URL https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/part-95/section-95.1705#p-95.1705(d)(2) Citation 47 CFR 95.1705(d)(2) (3) May disallow the use of its GMRS repeater by specific persons as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section.

Obligation? Where can I find this binding agreement?

I’m not sure why you think talking down to someone who obviously understands the regulations better than you is called for. It’s not. When radios are certified it’s done as configured from the factory. The configuration in firmware is sometimes adjusted to ensure conformance. Even though the same hardware is used, firmware (and configurations of it) can make a significant difference.

OK, and where is that happening exactly? Certainly not on the MidWest system, or the MYGMRS system for that matter since that is specifically watched for and not condoned. Now, true simulcast would be nice on GMRS. Where the same frequency pair is used at multiple overlapping sites to provide coverage to a larger area without taking up additional frequency pairs. It's also quite expensive, requiring voters, simulcast audio controls that are GPS disciplined to enable the ability for it to work. Not to mention that EVERY repeater on the system would need to match exactly, same model and even firmware so the delay internally to the repeater would all match. Yes, that's possible, yes it works, and I have personally done it with public safety radio system on VHF / UHF and 800 Mhz. But again, it ain't even close to being cheap. I run two repeaters. One is linked and the other is NOT linked. Reason for the second repeater is simple. It allows locals to chat without tying up repeaters in 4 to 6 states for a conversation that is happening in the coverage area of my single repeater. The repeaters are all on the same antenna system and run the same power levels so the coverage is a dead on match. These three antenna's (one receive and two transmit) have a total of 3 GMRS repeaters and a UHF ham repeater currently. There will be an amateur radio packet data repeater added later this year. But since I have a large coverage footprint, I of course run all my GMRS repeaters as OPEN repeaters for all to use that have a license to access them. This keeps folks from needing to spend time and a lot of money to put up a repeater, but also leaves open pairs if they want to do so.

@WRXE944 that is not how Property Rights in the US work. The repeater owners have zero obligation to anyone (beyond FCC rules and state/federal laws, of course). My house is on a public street. It doesn't mean everyone who has the privilege of accessing that street has any business being in my house and I certainly don't have an obligation to make it known that my house is private, not public or they can just come right in. By law, it is assumed private and you can't come in. Those personal Property Rights don't change depending on the property. You have the exact same 'privilege' to use the frequencies as anyone else. Unless you ask the owner of the radio (which is what a repeater is) if you can use their radio, you can't just assume the privilege of using that person's radio is yours. It is their Right to grant or deny access to their personal property. The problem with you sharing your opinion is, while you don't care if you open yourself to criminal trespass charges and FCC fines, not everyone feels the same way. You are giving out bad advice.

After install, I also see it in my menu list: it also shows in here: C:\Program Files (x86)\CHIRP\chirpwx.exe

Yes, @marcspaz, speedy recovery and friendly nurses!!!

OK that can be problematic. Radio waves have a hard time getting out of your vehicle. All that metal traps the signal inside. You lose most of your transmit power. I would suggest trying from outside the car. Just make sure you have the right CTCSS set on transmit.

Are you transmitting from inside a vehicle with the stock antenna?

Perhaps they drive through the coverage area.

Welcome to myGRMS. From a portability standpoint, the FRS & GMRS radios are smaller than the CD handhelds have historically been. And because they operate in the UHF band their antennas are naturally much smaller. FRS and GMRS both use FM modulation which means that atmospheric static is not introduced into the audio. CB(CBRS) using AM, USB, LSB. FM has recently been approved by the FCC for use in the CBRS, so in time that difference will become moot. FRS and GMRS hardware supports squelch codes (CTCSS & DCS) that give you and your group the ability to prevent the squelch on your radios from opening except when a transmitter using that code transmits. So if you are on a camping trip and your family all uses CTCSS 67.0, you will only hear radios that use that code. FRS and GMRS are not subjected to the gross degree of daily signal propagation changes that affect your range and the ability to communicate locally as CB is. Don’t expect skip to suddenly permit you to talk to Texas from New York because of temporarily atmospheric condition change. But you may experience conditions were perhaps you can talk another town or two away. FRS and GMRS radios can mostly interoperate because they share 22 or 30 frequencies in common. GMRS radios are permitted to use wide-band modulation, which can give some GMRS radios an audio quality advantage over FRS. FRS is limited to narrow-band modulation. GMRS requires a FCC license whereas CBRS and FRS do not. The GMRS service permits use of radios up to 50 watts. FRS maxes out at 2 and CBRS maxes out at 4. The GMRS allows for the use of repeaters. Repeaters make it to possible to increase the usable coverage range, most notably when the repeater is installed in a prime high location. It is not uncommon to have repeaters that cover an entire City, even some that will make it possible for two handhelds 40 miles and more apart to communicate. A GMRS license gives you the permission you need to put up and operate your own repeater. Antennas for GMRS do not have the 20’ above building or tree rule that the CBRS is subjected to. Instead, height limit rules are the same as for Cell Towers, TV Towers and other tall structures where the FAA rules dominate. If you can afford to put up a 200’ tower and get approved to do so from your local AHJ you can put it up. Regarding hardware. FCC rules require the use of part 95 certified hardware for CBRS, FRS and GMRS. Each service has its own set of technical certification criteria. I know of no equipment that is dual-service certified. This does not mean there is not hardware that can be modified to operate on two or more services, just that doing so violates your authority to use it. Many, including some members of this forum, choose to operate outside the rules. Hopefully this information is useful. Regards, and again, welcome to myGMRS. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Oh dear: someone forgot to tell that to Yaesu! ?

Oh I didn’t forget. But then you knew that. You’re just being condescending now. A MYGMRS.COM STRANGER DOESN'T LIKE MY OPINION. PLEASE RESPECT MY PRIVACY DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME.