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I can't stand it, that's what I think. For me, from the first day I ever got a ham ticket, to me the purpose of a repeater was, is, and always will be - for lack of a better word - "tactical" - not "social." Use a repeater for a purpose. If you want to chat with your buddy about the weather and your health problems, call them on the phone or facetime or whatsapp or whatever. I use GMRS locally - no repeater - as much as possible, and for the most part, the only repeater I use with any regularity I use while I'm on a long fire call to check in with my wife because we have some epic cellular dead zones, and even when I'm not in a dead zone, the quick and easy "push-to-talk" does not require me fumbling with a phone while wearing gloves or whatever. It also maybe more useful as we're thinking about banning use of mobile phones on calls for a lot of reasons that start and end with Social Media. GMRS is now starting to get exactly like everything I hate about DMR - when these repeaters start joining up over the internet, all they are doing is making a radio and other equipment into little more than a complex microphone/speaker for an internet chat room. Just use your smartphone and zello if you want to yak. Nobody wants to hear you.

I'm sure that Wouxun did fix that years ago. Otherwise they would not be selling them and/or we would still be hearing about the issue.

Well, I took mine off the air. Which was the ONLY active linked repeater in Ohio. So now there are none in the state. I did enjoy having people to have actual discussions with. But I am not gonna wait to have the FCC decide to tell me I can't be doing it and giving me a fine in the process. I actually had two repeaters on the air, one was linked and the other one was not. This was done to combat the issue that you mentioned. There needed to be a repeater that locals could use to have local discussions that weren't carried across 4 states when the users having that conversation were 10 miles apart and no other users were involved in the discussion. And of course, my repeaters had the same coverage so there wasn't an issue with one having better or different coverage than the other. But that no longer matters as I have shut the one down. But I am curious, how many repeaters do YOU have on the air? You seem to take issue with three of the repeater pairs having the same conversations actively going on, and mentioned 2 more repeater pairs being used. So that's 5 of the 8 pairs in use, leaving 3 others that could be used. Are you seeing it as somehow limiting your ability to put up a repeater? Are the repeaters in question private use only and you don't have access to them? Do you have equipment and a tower site that you can't put a repeater on because the pairs are all taken up by others? Or is this a case of I need something to complain about, and this topic seems to be adequate to fill that need at this moment in time? Repeater owners of OPEN repeaters tend to get tired of listening to people complain about what they are doing with their equipment by people that are guests of their equipment and efforts. I certainly am.

Like we have with amateur radio repeaters. Here in southern California, my 2-meter repeaters are coordinated through TASMA, my 1200 Mhz repeater is coordinated through SCRRBA.

Well, the one in your area HAS gone away. I shut it off last night.

We ran a NMO mount in the hood on our old grass truck for 30 years. Was a rag top on an old military truck and the hood worked just fine.

I've always opposed them. GMRS is designed for families and small groups to communicate locally. Of course, now that the FCC has finally, definitely, ruled linked repeaters illegal, we can now see a return to sanity. Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk

I attended an FCC luncheon held in Harrisburg,PA the subject was brought up on GMRS linking. And within 24 hours I found the CFR and other law websites have the updated CFR 95.1749. Where they updated and includes the words “or other networks” they made the update real quick, showing they are serious.advise.. don’t link on GMRS This meeting was a warning. Internet is allowed solely for remote control only. Linking is not legal… think I am kidding look starting at 1:12:40 in the video of the meeting here is the link

I came across this from the FCC this morning. (paragraph 3) It seems to remove any ambiguity from the language in Part 95. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs?fbclid=IwAR3boNx4H1NaI0AJDJgCvTIgCqrIs9Bru0DGkxxr66zRtQrUn-zXSWP0t9s#operations

Every GMRS radio groups on Facebook has a bunch of people who thinks the handheld GMRS radio is more than 5 watts. To be honest with you folks I've been told that my BTech GMRS V2 is 5 on high transmit power. I sit back and just roll my eyes in the back of my head

I don’t understand how you came to the conclusion that the printed words from the FCC is one person’s statement.?? Or are you referring to the video posted? Which did have FCC representatives in it but wasn’t from the FCC website. link to FCC, see operations. “You cannot directly interconnect a GMRS station with the telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations.”

I'm pretty sure they've fixed this issue too or they'd have stop selling the radio.

I decided to look into this after seeing this topic brought up in a few threads. All I could find were articles and forum threads from 2016 and older. I would say that if there was an issue, it has been fixed since then. @WSAA635 keep us updated if you happen to have any issues with your radios please.

I'm curious how you classify a reference on an FCC webpage describing GMRS as "rogue".

at a minimum, all you need to do is put the radio on the correct corresponding repeater channel, go into the menu and find the CTC or DTC menu (depending on if it is a CTCSS tone or a DPL/DTC tone) for TRANSMIT, select the correct tone from the list, and save the change. I know you said you are not "technically inclined" but I assume you know how to read, so you might have to read the manual for the exact steps. Only worry the transmit tone for now, the receive tone is optional. That is all you need to do.

I think they have a place. I just wish they werent SO prevalent. If I could tune to one of my 4 or 5 local repeaters and have it be the linked thing, that's fine. But when it's 3 of the 5 all simulcasting the same rag chew from 3 states over, not so much.... I'm not in favor of any more additional government, but I almost wish we could have a sort of informal yet respected body that would sort of keep some order to repeater channel allocations for areas so that people aren't setting up new repeaters on top of others, and maybe additionally they could space out those linked things as well..

This paragraph has been there for several years. It is part of the Operations description of GMRS, and appears to be an addendum, if you will, to the Part 95 rules, specifically 95.1749 that regulates connecting GMRS repeaters to networks. If it's true that the FCC prohibits network linking of GMRS repeaters for anything other than remotely controlling them, there appears to be zero enforcement of it by the FCC. I inquired specifically about this issue yesterday with the FCC and I'm anxiously awaiting a reply.

I hope they all go away. Sent from my SM-A136U using Tapatalk

That’s just fine. And don’t worry about desense on your RT97. Nobody has ever reported desensing the RT97 at factory power levels in this forum. Now if you started running an amplifier between the transmitter and the duplexer I could see it happening, but the RT97 actually consists of a completely separate transmitter and receiver. For your purposes it should be fine. Take your repeater and handhelds someplace clear and flat and see how much range you get.

If you’re hitting Tiger Mountain from Yelm that’s impressive. Oly3 and the OlyComm group are a good bunch of folks. Welcome to the party.

At 1 hour 19 minutes and 48 seconds THIS web site is specifically mentioned by the FCC agent that is speaking. He seems to be a member here, and as such he knows and by extension the FCC KNOWS who is doing what.

I was able to actually run home and test it. On 467.725 I get an average SWR of 1.29:1.

Sure looks like NMO to me.

It might look funny but it will work on the hood. Closer to center is always best but you may have trouble noticing a difference between center and to the side. Many people claim that if you have a 6" border around the base it is enough. Some people claim you need even less than that. In the end, you are probably going to buy a different mount and antenna to get the best look and performance.

Absolutely 100% agreed. Here’s the actual paragraph: You can expect a communications range of one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain and repeater use. You cannot directly interconnect a GMRS station with the telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations. It must be pointed out that that is the FCC’s interpretation (which counts! ) of 95.1749. I don’t have a dog in this fight. I don’t have a GMRS repeater and if I did I doubt that I would link it. I think it boils down to this, based on the definition of remote control, I can connect to a repeater and remotely control it via the Internet. But connecting one repeater to another repeater to carry traffic between them over the Internet goes too far for the FCC. But my understanding should not be taken as any kind of authoritative source.

I've gotten to where I say very slowly so I don't have to say it again. Sometimes I even say it phonetically for that very reason. For me, it can be frustrating when people say their call sign so fast I can't even begin to get it all. It's like saying ";alkdsjflsd;kjewl;knf;aej." And I'm like what?

Technically, you should pronounce each character, but realistically, for GMRS nobody cares. The fact that you even attempt to ID is better than most people do.

Exactly right. programming a radio with a computer enables a person to get the most out of it, but for those times when a computer isn’t available, the ability to program and use your radio without one is a necessity. I don’t want to have to carry a computer with me every time I travel.

There is a troubling habit among folks both here and on other radio forums to read into, add, change, or delete words from the FCC part 95 regulations. The following is copied directly from the FCC Part 95 regulations concerning who is covered under an individual license holder's license, not including grandfathered GMRS licenses that no one can get these days. It's best to follow the FCC regulations exactly as written, without encumbering oneself with "what ifs". "Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws."

I don't mind Roger Beeps, but those call-tones can be annoying at times.

Hams do talk about other things but yes, ham equipment is a big topic. Ham has a lot of bands and modes and therefore there is a lot to talk about when it comes to equipment.

Before I mounted it on my car - I put the magnet on a cookie sheet and put high in my loft in my house. Wasn’t able to reach any further than I could with just the HT antenna. Maybe even worse then too - just figured I wasn’t getting a good ground plane. Maybe that was a sign something wasn’t right

Since they are using your callsign you will be responsible for their action on the airwaves. If they violate the rule, you're the one the FCC comes after since it's your callsign their using. (Just as a reminder)

Youd want a power meter with a dummy load. VNA can also be used to diagnose this issue and ensure resonance.

I'd say, GMRS isn't a ham facsimile. I know that a ton of people on it seem to really want to treat it as such, but it isn't what it's for. It's closer to FRS. It's aim is to be a utility/domestic/family service. That's why the call isn't for an individual, but a household. It's for house:main radio, family cars:mobile and some handhelds for ski trips. Nobody constantly yelling out call signs and whatnot.. But, it's a novel radio service that attracted the ham nerds who took liberties with the 8 repeater channels and here we are.

Someone touched on it a bit, but it was going to be my follow-up point. While the sentiment might be “it’s their repeater to do what they want with”.. They’ve also sort of helped themselves to occupying one of only 8 available repeater positions on the dial.. As far as I know, there’s no governing body that allocates these places to someone looking to erect a repeater. So with that being said I do believe there is SOME responsibility of good stewardship to the GMRS users at large when it comes to how you’re doing things. Tones don’t really matter. If you plop two blow torch repeaters on the same frequency, the tone will open the repeater and let all traffic in. So the idea of “well I’ll start my own repeater then with my own rules” isn’t really possible if your local repeater spots are spoken for.. And you don’t want to just have an arms race of repeaters just trying to squash out the next…

I resemble that statement

I see no reason to link GMRS repeaters. Let the ham team enjoy that. (Which makes me sound like I have dual personality disorder, since I have both licenses )

You bet. It's on the Operations tab. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

The tones don’t prevent interference. They just prevent audio reproduction. The signal must be received before the tone has an effect. So, two transmitters on the same frequency can interfere with each other, even if they have different tones, as long as a receiver receives them.

I think you articulated the problem. By having several repeaters in an area linked each one requires it's own pair of frequencies. Sticking to the usual standard of a 5MHz offset that leaves just 8 pairs. So, by linking several repeaters together when any one of them goes active all are now on the air. This effectively ties up several valuable repeater pair frequencies whereas one might have been sufficient. The argument for this practice is now a much wider area is covered. However one forgets that another user may wish to setup their own repeater, and has NO desire to share it with anyone outside their family or group. The multiple linked repeaters now consumes the limited repeater frequency pairs, and possibility leaving none available for somebody to use on a limited basis. For example here in the metro Detroit area we have, I think, three linked repeaters, and one wide area standalone repeater. Since we are past the FCC's "Line A" two of the official repeater frequency pairs are not available. With four of the remaining pairs consumed by the linked system that leaves just 2 frequency pairs open for somebody else to use.

The GMRS license is pretty cheap, $35 for 10years and your entire family can use your license. I do believe the more that get their license will help us all protect keeping the GMRS frequencies available for our use...but I digress.

More like 80% in my experience.

Actually they are very good friends and we like to give each other trouble at every opportunity

They do not sound like friends.

Welcome @WSAG780 and @WSAH452. GMRS is a great service and I know you will both enjoy it. As @gortex2 you should use type certified radios but don't sweat it. Half or more of the people I talk to on GMRS aren't using type certified radios and no one cares as long as they stick to all the rest of the regs.

I do too

Welcome @WSAH452. I think that knowing how to program your radios via the front panel is valuable.

Some models are capable of doing between 6-11 watts, never more than that though..

If they were still alive… A license elapses when the licensee expires. Here’s the actual regulation: 2) Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws.