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According to the FCCs, if you are using a GMRS radio, no matter what channel you are on, the answer is YES.. In the real world, and knowing that nobody listening cares, the FCCs dont care, and nobody will know what kind of radio you are using, the answer is NO.

No, but that’s a myopic view. The U.S. government has regulations against conducting radio communications on the U.S. side of the border that violate international treaties that they have with other countries. So even though the communications you actually interfere with are in Canada, you can be penalized on the U.S. side.

I was checking repeaters today to see which ones I could hit and got into a repeater net gathering. The controller was a nice guy and very welcoming. There was a few of us on and we played a game of "Appliance Operator or HAM?" where we were given a scenario and ask if it was something an Appliance Operator would do or a HAM. Anyway, that was my first contact on HAM and it was fun. Just wanted to share with ya'll.

a long time ago i shelled out some good money ($45) for a Comet (i don't remember the model) HT dual band antenna. I never was able to ascertain the difference between that and the standard stock antenna. I gave up spending money on HT antennas and just use what came with the radio.. And honestly, considering they are HT's never been dissatisfied .

If you choose not to comply with regulations that’s your choice, but it’s wrong to belittle someone else who does a good job of explaining the regulations to someone who might not understand them.

It is perfectly legal to us GMRS radio in aircraft over the US and it's territories. I have talked to a friend of mine while in a private plane. I was mobile in Woodbridge Virginia and they were flying as far away as 47 miles from my location.

But really, you have two repeaters that are only 4 miles apart in the flattest state in the union and they’re on the same frequency. They’re going to interfere with each other. Use just one and get the antenna up another 40 feet.

Many people use the Midland models that are fully water/dust proof and have the built-in intercom port/plugs in them. They also have a simple screen and simple controls (only 1 or 2 knobs) - which is useful when plowing through vegetation and animal habitats at unsafe speeds while drinking beer with the music blasting at full volume.

With me, and I'm not sure how guilty I may be, but if I do it's habit. A habit, because it's required on my work radio. It's only natural that some of those habits follow me. In my case, I'm usually checking for warrants. CCSD -Britt

The issues are the constitutionality of deportation without due process, presumption of guilt (again failure to abide by the constitutional requirements of due process), wholesale “roundups” at locations based on “Hispanic presence”, etc. I would go further except I wish to respect the forum rules against debating politics. And don’t get me wrong; I wish to see actual criminals and criminal behavior punished after due process. But none of those issues imply that a person who disagrees with you and your beliefs is stupid. In fact many of them are pretty intelligent.

Look, anyone can post two web links and ask which is best. It’s the laziest way to post. But without explaining exactly what you mean by “best” nobody can give you a serious answer. Now had you explained what model of Laird antenna you had and that you think it might require a ground plane, people would be able to give you a serious answer to your question. So, why don’t you try again. I might not have the answer and if I don’t I won’t act like I do, but at least you won’t look like an entitled idiot.

No because i mounted the antenna on my chimney.

You haev to first go to the REPEATERS section of the website (for whatever reason the shared user account is kind of - separated between the forums area and the repeaters section) Click the Repeaters menu at the top menu. find the Edit Profile menu on the right under your profile log in (if you are not logged in in the repeaters area .. log in first.) In that Edit Profile edit screen you can change your username and then hit the Save Profile button at the bottom of the screen.

I removed the callsign from the other account, so you should be able to register now, Ken.

Our neighborhood (HOA) sent an email announcing the frequency to be used. Simple, if you can compile an email list.

In 1970 my mom thought One Toke Over The Line by Brewer & Shipley was a church song (we didn't go to church). While I didn't partake back then, and still don't, I had to explain it to her. I really thought she was joking. She was not.

We know, but you told us that you didn’t need to be told about the FCC rules.

It’s frequency based. For VHF such as 2 meters it’s actually 0.600 MHz offset and it can be either plus or minus. For UHF such as GMRS or 70 cm it’s 5.00 MHz and for the ham frequencies it can be plus or minus, but for GMRS the FCC put the repeater input frequencies in the regs. The frequency that’s given is always the frequency that the repeater transmits and your radio receives. For the frequency your radio transmits you apply the offset. You uplink (transmit) to the repeater and you downlink (receive) from the repeater. You really will pick it up. You’re doing great. It’s just that the fire hose is so big right now. Edited to add: most of the better ham radios automatically select the correct offset value based on frequency, but sometimes you have to override the direction.

Its cute that it's taken you this long to realize this fact.

I'm reading this thread, thinking the same thing.... while wearing this shirt...

Ok, I've got Zoom set up and I've taken the Practice Test a couple more times, Scored 32/35 and 34/35. I think I'm ready. Just need to set up a time to take the test remotely.

You know, every radio is illegal, if you use it wrong enough...

For our rocket launches I am the LCO (launch control officer) who announces the launch, counts down, and then presses the launch button. The LCO is required to be able to command the attention of the spectators. I’m also the guy who has his mobile GMRS station setup there with a battery so I can talk to the the rocketeers who have walked out on the range to recover their previously launched rockets. It would be great if I could use the GMRS station as a PA.

I agree that it is courteous to ask for permission to use open repeaters. But it's definitely not required. As the custodian of our GMRS repeater that is open, I always try to approve requests to use our repeater when I receive them. If they are courteous enough to ask then I will be courteous enough to grant permission quickly.

I'm glad I can help! Definitely my pleasure. We do still use 73 to send someone Best Wishes... it's much appreciated, and 73 to you too, my friend. Looking forward to following along with your most recent radio journey!

They either mean what they say when they label it open or it’s not really open. I would use it without seeking permission but if you get a chance contact the owner to say thanks.

Yes. get them at least 50 feet apart and try again.

To limit range. FRS is intended to be used for short distances using handheld radios and no licenses. As soon as a high gain antenna is installed the range for two watts is basically the same as GMRS radios.

This weekend I sat down and talked to an engineer who has been working with the FCC to shape rules for GMRS since before it was called GMRS. I got some pretty eye-opening information from him on the whole POTS v Broadband thing. He explained that linking a GMRS system to the POTS lines (no longer exists) and Broadband connections are legal (not a rule violation) for remote control... but not for voice traffic, because all POTS providers and now Broadband providers provide voice service for a fee. So, sending voice over POTS / Broadband is considered theft of services. That explains why remote operation of a PRS station from any location on the same premises where the transmitter is located, is not considered to be remote operation/remote control and why RF (non-network) linking for voice operation is not prohibited. No theft of services is occurring.

I’ve been flying high power rockets for 25 years. I got GMRS radios to enhance my enjoyment of my high power rocketry hobby. Most of us in my rocket club got Garmin Rino radios so we could see where each other were while out recovering our rockets. After several years of being a scofflaw I decided that I wanted to do the right thing and get licensed as well. Somewhere along the line I started watching Notarubicon videos where Randy (@OffRoaderX) spoke about Baofeng UV5R radios. Also a friend showed me his UV5R radio and I ended buying one. I discovered that I really enjoyed programming it which gave me confidence. Playing with the Baofeng radios reawakened a barely dormant interest in ham radio that I’ve had since eighth grade. So three years ago I finally got around to applying myself to ham radio. For me (not for everyone) ham radio has been a fascinating experience. It keeps my brain working and is something I will be able to do even as I eventually get old. (I’ll be 70 next month but I feel 40 most of the time.) GMRS is something that can be done in conjunction with other activities, including very dynamic and energetic ones, and without becoming an expert on radio operations. Ham radio is a government sanctioned hobby intended to develop radio operators. It’s structured in such a way that older hams can (and sometimes do) mentor younger hams with differing levels of licensing and activities that are relatively sedentary. So, I think it’s natural to perceive GMRS as a younger person’s hobby. Now why did I come into this room?

The short answer is no, though @OffRoaderX is making a push for 19. He is probably the most influential and well-known person in the GMRS space. If any one person has a shot at impacting the culture, it would be him. You are going to hear a lot of people mention channel 20 with tone 141.3... but that is a little misleading. I'll try to make this painless, but this is the long answer. The original 'distress' frequency was 462.675, aka channel 20. This was by FCC rule... but that doesn't exist anymore. After the rule change got rid of the official distress frequency/channel, Popular Wireless and the Personal Radio Association came up with the idea of the Open Repeater Initiative (ORI). It was originally repeater channel 20 with 141.3 for the tone. They called 141.3 the "travel tone" They spread the word that if you have a repeater on channel 20 and are willing to let people use it with no special permission, as a courtesy to travelers, use the tone 141.3. As time went on, people started using the "travel tone" on their repeaters, regardless of what channel the repeater was on, for the same reason. So, 141.3 became know as the "travel tone" for repeaters, in general. However, with the fall of Popular Wireless and the Personal Radio Association, the adaptation of 141.3 on any repeater channel for open repeaters, and no central group helping maintain the tradition of a travel/emergency channel, the ORI vanished pretty quickly. So, there is still an informally recognized "travel tone" for repeaters, but there really isn't any "travel channel" per se. I feel like you have just about the same likelihood of finding people to chat with or making contact in an emergency on every channel by trying all of the repeater channels with 141.3 as the transmit tone (no receive tone squelch). I wouldn't use simplex unless I was traveling as part of a group and we all agree to use a specific channel. Hope that wasn't too long.

As a relatively new member, my experience with @SteveShannon couldn't be more opposite.

95.307…Operation of Personal Radio Service stations in any location outside of those described in the following paragraphs is not authorized by this part. (B)Aboard any vessel or aircraft registered in the United States. With the permission of the captain, while the vessel or aircraft is within or over the United States or its territories, U.S. territorial waters, or upon or over international waters. So, it appears it’s allowed.

Being old and liking to talk face to face I solved the problem. First a bit of background. Neighbor and her kids survived a home invasion while on 911 waiting for police. The police showed up a couple of hours "after" the invaders left. I helped her and he husband with the use and purchase of that which can't be mentioned here and had an idea. What about a neighborhood "network" where we could check in on those who are elderly or infirm and also allow a call for help from neighbors during emergencies. I went out and talked to my neighbors and some were receptive. So I supplied a few radios to older neighbors, and some bought their own. Nothing official, but it works. No fancy interweb lists or maps, just good old talking with neighbors.

I don’t know why the FCC chose to disallow radios that transmit on multiple services. I agree that it doesn’t seem to make sense. Since they’re asking how to simplify the regulations this is one way.

Okay... really quick... the short answer is those people on the net are incorrect. You can use all of the GMRS channels anywhere in the US. Details without getting too dorky... what used to limit us was a combination of FCC rules and a US/Canada treaty. The treaty is called "Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Canada Concerning the Coordination and Use of Radio Frequencies Above Thirty Megacycles per Second, with Annexes" also known as the "Above 30 MHz Agreement". A new agreement that was signed in 2021 supersedes that agreement. The new document is called "General coordination agreement between Canada and the United States of America on the use of the radio frequency spectrum by terrestrial radiocommunication stations and earth stations." This document discontinued the parts first treaty I mentioned, that impacted GMRS. Now, that only relates to the Treaty / Agreement. Under FCC rules, the restriction was also lifted. The older rule was under "§ 95.1761 GMRS transmitter certification" (e). However, § 95.1761(e) now has new text that is completely unrelated. Also, Line A is not referenced anywhere in the Personal Radio Service general rules, nor in the GMRS specific rules. The original text from the FCC (from the wayback machine), again no longer valid, is noted below. § 95.1761 GMRS transmitter certification (e) GMRS transmitters intended for use north of Line A or east of Line C* must not be capable of transmitting on channels 462.650 MHz or 462.700 MHz (GMRS Channels 19 and 21), unless such operation is specifically authorized by the Commission pursuant to an application showing that harmful interference to Canadian stations is unlikely.*

I was in our electronics lab once working on a project. Some mention was made about drunks on the street. I referred to them as "Stumble Bums." Well I got one of those "WTF is that" looks. Makes you feel old.

i just got a DM UV 32.. When i get back from camping I'm gonna check it on the Tiny Spectrum. My experience with some of the Baofeng's I've test is hilarious with with their harmonics. I've seen second and thirds just about equal to main carrier. My Hytera's are pretty clean. The DM 32 sounds good, I'm getting good reports with it.. I like the radio

I disagree. GMRS -- by definition -- is for business and personal use. You don't own the airwaves, and you don't get to tell people what "personal use" they can put the service to. If someone wants to talk to someone else about their bunionectomy, they have just as much right to use GMRS as you do. Whether you like it doesn't matter. I hear stuff all the time that makes me roll my eyes, but I don't pretend I have the authority to tell people they can't use the GMRS service to say it. That's one of the reasons I have channels with CTCSS/DTCS tones on the radios I hand out to family -- so I don't have to hear that stuff. I suggest you do the same.

That's a nice neat installation! I like it when people post stuff like this. Good material to reference for ideas.

I don't think impressing anyone was his intent. But Proven Science is what it is, and L. Scott was correct in that formula.

I was using a DTMF switch that required an HT transceiver to remotely shut down my repeater. It worked but wasn't always reliable. One of my friends told me about an eWELink WiFi switch he uses for his garage door opener that works off a free eWelink phone app.. (both androoid & IOS). I bought one on Amazon along with a fused 30A relay. All together $12 bucks. Tested it out on the bench, works great. I can shut down the repeater anywhere in the world and it's pretty much 100% reliable.. Just got done printing up a case to hold it all.. thought i would share for anyone looking for an easy solution.. If you want the 3D box print... message me, i'll send it to youl. The eWeLink switches come in a one Ch, two Ch or 4 Ch DC configurations. i used their 'one Ch.' for this project. IMG_3172.HEIC

One for a go box and one for the car or one for the house, etc. You can never have too many radios.

Oh sweet summer child....

I went on HamStudy.org last night and took a few practice tests. I finally got one where I was 26/35 which I guess would be passing. The electronics part is easy for me(Electronic Tech Degree, DeVry)but some of the legal stuff and other "HAM" stuff was a toss up. I'm sure with a bit of study I could pass. Thanks for the link.

I thought that when you buy a UTV/SidebySide it was in the purchase contract that you must turn up the over-powered stereo volume to full-blast whenever within 5000 yards of other people trying to enjoy nature.

In that event you won't be worried about the FCC rules, you'll be too busy running from the zombies to care.

I want to thank all of you for you help. I fiddle with my cable bit and tried the Radioddity UV-5G setting and it worked. WSJF239

I wrote the CPS for the BF-F8HP Pro and co-manage firmware development, as well as dabbling in manuals and marketing. The BF-F8HP Pro has user-upgradable firmware and the upgrade tool is integrated into the CPS. There have been 3 public releases of firmware (V29, V33 and V44) and there will likely be ongoing future releases. The radio you bought on the first day it was available (October 1, 2024), today, and at some indefinite point in the future will all be able to run the latest firmware. Feedback from users here, on Facebook and elsewhere gets evaluated and often results in new features and/or bug fixes. I don't know anything about the UV-28 Plus - I stopped collecting random Baofeng models once I got involved in the BF-F8HP Pro project. BTW, you can get 20% off the BF-F8HP Pro (radio only, not accessories or other models) on the https://baofengtech.com web site (not Amazon) by using coupon code "CPS" at checkout. * It should be obvious that I'm involved with the BF-F8HP Pro project, but here's a disclaimer anyway.