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I'ma have to agree.. The OP is a great example of "some people" over-thinking what should be very simple and carefree.

Nobody in Arches National Park is listening for a call sign so they can call back to a criminal they have on speed-dial in Atlanta to burglarize your home so they can split the ill-gotten gains. Nobody hearing your call-sign in Atlanta is going to assume that your entire family is out of the home just because you use the radio to talk to someone five miles away while driving home from work. These licenses are family-oriented. If you're concerned about the address being public, switch your record over to a PO box. But again, this is not a very useful attack vector. On any given day the FCC website probably doesn't even load. Anyway, your choice. But call signs being linked to mailing addresses has been the standard since the early days of ham licensing.

This has always worked for me.

People have used a P.O. Box when they registered for their license. So, if somebody looked it up on the FCC database they still wouldn't have a clue where your house is located.

I thought it was the Midland radios that you, and everyone you know has issues with? Seems like you and "everyone you know" has issues with a lot of radios...I recall you once posting a comment proclaiming that "everyone you know" always throws their Midland radios directly into the trash right after they buy them.. So I am pretty sure that anyone that has read your previous posts (including before you changed your forum-name to hide from ridicule), already disregards anything you say.. I have owned 30+ Wouxun radios, Wouxun radios were my primary radios in both of my Jeeps for several years, and I have a dozen or more friends/off-roading acquaintances that that use them - probably around 100 in total, and never, once, ever, have I, or anyone I know had any significant issue with any of them.

Unfortunately call sign has to be given in English. But you could use Morse code as an alternative to English phone identification.

I'll add to the anecdotal Wouxon thread here. No PL issues with these Wouxon radios I've had, KG-UV3D bought new at the Dayton hamfest 12+ years ago. Charger base croaked after 5 years though. KG-805G bought new around 5 years ago, everything going great even with a cracked screen. KG-935G bought new around 2 years ago, no issues.

Most 50Watt GMRS radios do indeed put out 50Watts, within an acceptable +/- % tolerance.. Further important information: You can add a user to your IGNORE list by hovering your mouse over their avatar and then clicking the IGNORE button. When done with the right users you will limit your MyGMRS experience to only actual helpful replies.

He likes this old commercial radios that you have to dig up an old MS DOS or Windows 3.1 computer in order to program them. And yes most of us do not pay much attention to him no matter what user name he uses. Plenty of people in my local club have Wouxun radios for both amateur bands and GMRS. No one has had any issues with all of the different Wouxun radios.

I get it that people do not like having their address and info listed for anyone to see on the FCC website. But if you true want to stay off the map and be untraceable then you would have to totally go off grid which means no cell phones, computers, tablets, etc along with no bank accounts and paying cash for everything. We get tracked everyday if we have a cell phone on us or even by our vehicles if you own a newer one with all of the computer modules onboard. PS: If you have ever had any type of government issued security clearance then they already know your life story. And the government ALSO has your DNA on file if you have served in the military since 1993. IF you are that worried, then get a good home security system and a big dog that roams the house while you are gone.

I understand your point, but in order for that to happen, a number of things would have to occur simultaneously. 1) Someone would have to hear your call. 2) They'd have to know they could look up your address from the call sign. 3) They'd have to know a criminal near where you live -- because by definition, if you're away from home, the miscreant is somewhere near you, not near your house. 4) They'd have to go to the effort of contacting their buddy and telling him to burglarize your house, which they'd have little incentive to do because criminals don't burglarize a house and send part of the ill-gotten gains to a friend 100 miles away. The odds of all that happening simultaneously are so astronomically small that I don't even consider it. I just periodically check the security cameras on my phone and go on enjoying my vacation.

I couldn’t remember this myself so I had to look it up but English on the identification is required. 95.1751 GMRS station identification. (b) The call sign must be transmitted using voice in the English language or international Morse code telegraphy using an audible tone. You can use a P.O. Box as stated. With GMRS if someone can hear that you are no where near home than they are also not likely anywhere near said home. While you do bring up a valid concern here are some ideas. Use an alarm system, camera security, house sitter, big dog, a pleasantly noisy neighbor, Burmese tiger traps (affiliate link below). Pun intended

If you have a callsign (GMRS or H.A.M.s radios) anyone can look up your name and address on the FCCs website - so basically, every time you say your callsign, you are also saying your full legal name and address.. ....unless when you applied for your license you used a PO box or a service like HamRegistry that lets you use their address to keep your address private.

I think your home would more likely be burglarized due to mail/newspapers piling up in an obvious area, trashcans unattended, or lack of vehicles/activity seen at the home more so than someone hearing your call sign and doing the research to figure out where you live and making arrangements to steal your belongings. Just because you and your wife are away from home doesn't mean that there isn't someone else living there that would be home at the time of your absence.

As 928 pointed out; a lot of stars would have to align perfectly for there to be a problem. And a lot of dangerous assumptions would have to be made by the dirtbag. Could it happen? Yes. If that probability is more than you are comfortable with then it is good you figured all of this out now. Whether we realize it or not, we all determine what chances in life we are willing to live with. I would not give this scenario a second thought.

Well I finally saw it. I thought the lowering temperature sublimed the SWR but it was just a rapid decrease. I only saw one reading in between but that was enough to tell me it decreases not switches. Came home to find the SWR at 2.04 and the temp was just under freezing. At about 24.5º I checked and it was at 1.83, half hour later it was at its low of 1.15 again. At 1.83 most of the function of the radio returns. At 2.04 I couldn't hit the Holyoke repeater. I did a long key and some signal must have reached because I was able to hit it. No response from anyone so I assume no audio was transmitted from the repeater. Plus the received signal was very weak. At 1.83 I have access to the repeater and a good received signal. Same with my own repeater. Gotta find some time to heat up that lightning arrester to see if it kills my signal.

So you imagine a scenario like this? : Dirtbag "I got my gmrs radio on, let's do us some listenin!" You: Okay honey, lets stop at the next rest area, WABC123 Dirtbag "That's it, we have his address, let's drive 300 miles and hope his house is empty and unsecure" Yeah, I think you're worrying about the wrong stuff. Much more likely to have a neighbor kid break in when he sees you driving away all loaded up on what's normally a day off.

The thread in question is not for the faint of heart… only the bravest knights seek this knowledge… what is your name? What is your quest? What is a fixed station - ahhhhh

They’re considered mobile radios when not called out separately and subject to the 50 watt limit.

Another helpful comment chock-full of details and data. At this rate it won't be long before you have to change your user-name again to hide from the ridicule/people laughing at you.. Just like you had to do a few months ago.. as to the question: If you have the newer model, it lets you switch between Wide/Narrowband ONLY for the channels that allow Wideband.. Channels 8-14 are narrowband only per our friends at the FCCs.

I need to get hands on with the new IC-7760 and a TS-890. I'm not sure I'd ever pull the trigger on either unless I'm convinced I like them and they would be significant improvements over my 7300. I won't say I would never spend that much money on a radio because I have, but those two interest me. I'd like to see the 890 and 990 refreshed though.

This is a totally unsound scenario with zero re world issues. I’m going to bet that no one’s home has ever been broken into because they used a call sign on a radio. It amazes me what some people have the time to think About. I can’t imagine being this paranoid.

I think you need a speaker that is designed to have two sides input into the one speaker, like the Yaesu MLS200.

Not worth risking the heavy-fines or possible jail time ! SOURCE: "some people" right here on this very forum.

Amatuer Radio Newsline wants to remind Everyone that 2/13/2025 is Love your Radio Day !!

There’s an entire thread about Fixed Stations, but the definition of each in the regulations is the place to start.

and risk a hefty fine or jail time? It's your choice, but is it really worth it?! SOURCE: "some people" on this forum.

I lived in Hawaii in the days of CB's and don't recall any break-ins of this kind on the islands. Being on an island in such a small area I'm happy the criminals didn't think like this. Could a criminal net-work successfully set up a statewide network to perform break-ins but I doubt it would bring them the revenue necessary to live off it. And besides, Many folks talk from base stations anyway limiting the ther travel away from home. In real life, by time someone catches your conversation, you'll be long gone by time you have to give your call sign again. BUT YOU GAVE ME AN IDEA, on a trail ride with many Jeeps... out in the woods all day! That's spooky!

Yeah, I used a different address since i knew this, but its not like someone will just know, they have to look it up. This is such a paranoid concern when there are things 1000x more likely to be an issue.

Please help @Socalgmrs achieve his dream of being the most-ignored user on MyGMRS by hovering your mouse over his avatar and clicking the IGNORE button - most people here have done that already. He is working hard every day to achieve his dream by leaving useless, unhelpful, opinion-filled comments demonstrating how socially-rhee-tard-ded he is every time he leaves a reply. The basic steps are to find which repeater-channel your repeater is on, switch to that channel, go into the menus, enter the Transmit tone, and save it, and you're done! You can ignore the Receive tone for now as that is optional and will only confuse things.

Who cares. Gotta say it does not matter at all. I’d say there are many other things to think about then theoretical watt limits for an ht. Most 8 or even 10w hts don’t put out 8 or 10 watts anyway. Most 50w adios don’t do 50w so none of this really matters. Especially if you’re buying a type accepted gmrs radio. Plus a 5w or a 10w really doesn’t matter for distance anyway so why eat battery like you already said for no reason.

DXE has it $300 off right now, only $5,999.95!!!

And I do the same with mine at home. That being said, it would have made it easier for mobile installs if Wouxun would change things so that both sides can be heard through a single speaker like the Icom IC-2730 does. Not everyone has room for a bunch of speakers in their vehicles. I use the Icom SP-35 speakers with all of my radios in the home and in my vehicle. They are great sounding little speakers. I even use one with my IC-7300. I have also used one with my Yaesu FTDX10. And the SP-35 sounds better than the expensive Yaesu SP-30 speaker. I tried the Icom SP-35 and Midland SPK-100 speakers with my 1000G radios and a Y adaptor. The sound was horrible and muffled even with the 20 watt SPK100.

Relaxing way to send some RF out. I use two-way radio all day at work so I tend to favor digital modes when at home during the week. FT8/4 for just seeing who is out there, rare DX or DXpeditons, and good propagation indicator, for rag chews I tend to run VarAC, PSK31 or JS8. RTTY has always been a favorite mode, but not much of it out there other than for contests...

To study, I used the ARRL Technician Class Study Book. It gives a good fundamental overview of what is being asked in the questions, so you can answer, knowing why you answered it that way. To prepare for the tests, I used the flash cards and tests at https://hamstudy.org . The test layout on hamstudy.org is the exact layout that they used for testing. The testing with GLAARG is based upon the same backend. So, it looks exactly like what you see at hamstudy.org. You use a tablet to take the test, and all of the test results are immediately gathered. That is how they can send your results to the FCC so quickly. This electronic integration is why you do not have to wait for weeks to get your ticket. There are some people who simply study the questions at hamstudy.org and pass the test. They say pass the test, then learn from experience to round out your knowledge. I prefer to learn the material first, then test. It just felt better that way. In computer networking, those kind of people were referred to as "Paper CCNAs" for just learning the answers, not the concepts. One plus of the radio that the Papa Systems provides to the new licensees is that it can be easily modified to transmit on GMRS frequencies, also. One radio for both services. Not that I would encourage people to become scofflaws and perform such a dastardly deed.

I agree completely.

I am opposite of @SteveShannon, I use the Wouxun KG-1000G as the extra power helps me. Part of that is because of where I live and the local terrain. Plus I like having a removable head unit both in my vehicle and at home. I can install the main unit out of the way and have the smaller head unit elsewhere. I would have considered the DB20G for my SxS if it would have been IP rated. But since it is not, I went with the Wouxun KG-XS20G since it meets my needs better. There are a lot of different radios out there. Most people that have the DB20-G are happy with them and they are inexpensive. Most people that own Wouxun radios have not had issues either. But the Wouxun radios do cost more. Again, more details will help us recommend a radio for you. You won't go wrong with the DB20-G or either of the Wouxun mobile radios.

The only thing I have not tried yet is using an external stereo speaker connected to both output ports on the 1000G. Most external speakers designed for two way radios are all going to be mono and you will have degraded sound when connecting a single mono speaker to two mono outputs on the radio. Again the reason is that you will have an impedance mismatch. I know the 1000G manual states that you can use a Y adaptor. But that does not work in my experience when using a mono speaker. I tried two different 1000G radios and several different y adaptors and none of them worked when connecting the adaptor to both speaker ports on the radio. The subject of impedance mismatches and degraded sound is a lengthy subject. You are best to google the topic yourself.

Actually, 95.1705 not only specifies who may hold a license but also specifically lists whom that license holder may authorize to use his or her stations. Third parties are not listed, unlike for amateur radio. If they aren’t listed, the license holder may not authorize them to operate the license holder’s stations. It’s that simple. There’s a broad list of family members and in an emergency the license holder may authorize anyone. Also, while 95.1743 excludes minors from responsibility it goes on to state that the license holder has full responsibility for the minor’s actions while operating the station. This is absolutely not complicated by operating on “FRS channels” because there is no such distinction; all of the FRS channels are also GMRS channels. If the radio used is certified for GMRS the GMRS rules must be followed, regardless of channel used, output power, antenna permanence, or any other characteristic. I absolutely agree that the instructor avoids all of this by using certified FRS radios. And yes, I realize that none of the above rules are likely to be enforced, but I think GMRS license holders should understand them correctly anyway.

Bahahahah this is great

Not necessarily. When you travel, do you travel Together or in separate vehicles? IF you travel out of the Area where you live, then set up a schedule or time that you will call her and keep your transmission short and to the point then Wait 10 minutes before you give your call sign. Also use LOW power when your close, and maybe use the interstitial channels instead of Repeaters. Or stay Silent until you are almost Home. IF you are Bilingual, you can give your Call sign in Another language too. There's no rule that states your Call has to given in English.

Congratulations! I have only been into GMRS for hte past 6 months and have considered going for a Ham ticket too... but have just been waiting to feel more comfortable with what I am doing now. Thanks for the inspiration. That is pretty cool. Will keep it in mind. I am very local in Central OC. I listen only to some of the PAPA system on their nets and have been pretty intrigued listening in. I know there is a repeater in their system up in the central valley too... and my parents live up that way so that intrigues me.. the idea of being able to communicate that far north on a repeater system form home!

I'm not sure about the GMRS Pro as it's built for BTECH by a different manufacturer, but the BTECH BF-F8HP Pro (and other Baofeng models with GPS) don't retain the almanac across power-off/power-on sessions. They're radios that have a GPS receiver inside, not full-fledged navigation devices. I agree that the documentation and on-screen reporting of a bunch of these radios could be improved, and that might happen in a future BF-F8HP Pro firmware update (as I mentioned, I just have a GMRS Pro and don't work on its software). I'd also point out that my Garmin InReach Mini personal tracker / SOS beacon intentionally does not maintain any record of its position across power cycles (and my BF-F8HP Pro acquires faster when they're side-by-side). [I'm not a BTECH employee, just a contractor, and nothing I say should be construed as an official position of BTECH.]

If operating simplex, people will use the tone so that the only person(s) they hear are the ones that they want to hear (those using the tone) It makes monitoring easier if you don't hear all the other traffic that you are not interested in. If operating through a repeater it means that the only repeater you will hear is the one with the tone, all others on the same freq withing range will not be heard. If you turn off your receive tone, then you will hear EVERYTHING on the freq. Basically, it makes it easier to monitor a freq if only stations using the tone can be heard. Even though, way back, Motorola called it "Private Line" ("PL") and today is is usually referred to as CTCSS, it really isn't a 'private' feature since with the tone, they can still be monitored if you have your receive tone set.

Ok, so rx tone is to BLOCK out folks who dont know the correct tone. It doesn't prevent them from transmitting. It blocks ME from hearing. Got it.

I teach at Spotsylvania High School and I have an Amateur Radio Club(KK4WXX). It's always difficult to get kids into HAM radio, but I was thinking that GMRS would be a good way to get students interested. We are in the rural part of the county and have pretty spotty cell service. I doubt we could get an antenna up on one of the 175 ft water towers, but I could try. The press box of the stadium or maybe the school building might be possible locations.

@MarkInTampa is 100% correct. Most Y adapters are stereo and not mono. Plus you will have an impedance mismatch whenever you go from to outputs into in one speaker. SO even a mono y adaptor won't work well or sound very good. I'm surprised that you are only getting audio out on the B side though. I tried a y adaptor and I was able to hear both A and B on one single speaker but the audio was very muffled and just down right horrible sounding. Wouxun radios do not have the ability to send audio from sides A and B out to one single channel like other brand radios do. I know my Icom IC-2730 has dual audio jacks but I can still hook up a single speaker to to the first audio port and hear both side A and B just fine. The IC-2730 also uses the second audio jack for programming and computer control functions.

If I had to guess you have a stereo to mono 3.5mm Y adapter. It needs to be a mono to mono or stereo to stereo 3.5mm adapter.

This is, in no way, related to, or even similar to an "emergency channel" as asked about by the OP. This advice should be ignored as it relates to a GMRS "Emergency Channel", unless your plan in a serious emergency is to die alone.

no, because it does not exist.. Contrary to "some people's", wishes, hopes and dreams, there is no generally accepted or FCC-designated emergency channel for GMRS. There may have been one, long, long ago, but not anymore. "Some people" claiming otherwise should be ignored, laughed at, and called names.