WQAI363

Taking an FCC exam for an Amateur Radio License is fine and dandy, but like everything, you want to do for right reasons. Of course, when you do take your exam, your family will have no choice but take an exam for their own license, since your license will only cover the individual who's name on that license. I won't discourage any individual from taken an FCC exam for an Amateur Radio License. But on the same note, I can't force someone to take the exam. I will offer a piece of advice, talk with your family friends and co-workers, see if they have any interest in getting into Amateur Radio, because it's kind of fun to have folks you want stay in contact with on the same page when the SHTF. You take Care!

I may not have fully read the entire post on the additional channels or the talk about Digital Voice, but it would be great to see that in the GMRS spectrum. Although I seriously doubt that D-STAR or FUSION would be implemented in GMRS, since those Digital Modes were designed for the Amateur Radio Service. I'm not saying that those modes wouldn't work, but it would be defiantly sound weird, especially when GMRS user who also are Amateur Radio Operators talking other GMRS Licensees that aren't Hams. Which probably put us back to where we were just a few months ago, with FCC requesting repeater owners and trustees to terminate links. I understand that the General Mobile Radio Service was designed as a short-range communications service that could be implemented for commercial or non-commercial use, and not to be used as Amateur Radio.

I'm not going to remined folks what happened down in Washington DC, because most of us are aware of what activities are prohibited and what are permissible I would hate for the FCC step in and start placing more restrictions or simply eliminating services that we use for many different purposes. I don't want to say most troublemakers, are unlicensed, which may be true on Amateur Radio and GMRS, but I wouldn't know how to classify that on CB FRS or MURS, after all those radio services are licensed by rule, not individual licensed. I believe it's our responsibility to remind others that may pick up and press the PTT regardless of radio service to be respectful and use commonsense, so Big Brother doesn't have to do his job.

No Problem, because with other commits I thought confusing you more! Glad that I was to shorten the answer for you.

You're talking about the Charlotte 462.575 / 467.575? Yes sir, that's GMRS repeater pair alright. I didn't really notice what you were referring to, but that's a GMRS Repeater, not Amateur Radio 70cm.

Yep, that's the best answer yet! Almost makes me want to have writer's block. I think I'm not staying on the subject and I wind up stretching out a simple answer.

Another good point! Thanks for not telling me that I'm way off into left field. I tried to stay with the subject / Topic. All I know, you have added onto what I should have added. Thanks again!

That's a good question! I would just scan around the 22-channels, whichever channel comes up more that the channel. I don't the interference that sometime interrupt the scan. but when you actually voices. There are a few retailers and other businesses that GMRS to facilitate their communication needs. For example, Big Blue Swim School uses channel 13 and 14 as an intercom for Swimming Instructors and Lifeguards as well administration staff. Sounds a bit weird, but that the way they operate. If you want to know about whether or Businesses use GMRS Repeaters. I can't give you a straight answer, but I'm sure somewhere a small mom and pop operation might use one or two. So, your scanner up with all 22-channels and scan a way. The reason I said to set your scanner is because you don't want to accidently press your PTT and get into debate on who has dibs on that particular channel. I realize that why the manufactures put sub audible tones in radios. Then again, most commercials establishment don't take the time to understand the General Mobile Radio Service Rules and Regulations. They just know that they have saved money that could have been spent for a commercial license and a assigned frequency or frequencies allocations. Hope this helped you, even though I may have added more, or I could have strayed off course a bit.

I know that you're asking something about an input tone, right? Most new Hams ask this same question. If you're asking about systems that use split tones, that were confusion sets in. If you know where the general location of certain repeater, you drive to vicinity and monitor in put frequency while scan the receive tone, I mean if the tone isn't listed. Heck, try other's advice, don't just take my advice. For you know, I may be rambling on other than the topic which you're trying to obtain knowledge on. Take Care!

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You got a point there! Thank You!

I don't want to sound as if I'm putting myself, but I have to admit, that post of mine made no sense. I know that the FCC made those changes in which I'm referring in 1987. So, I should apologize for sending my commonsense on a Coffee Break. I also realized that what I should have said, the FCC insists that all members of any Club Group or Organization that are not related to one another. apply for their own individual licenses. Technically, the Town Watch that I was a member of, was breaking the rules. After all, there were only two license holders, and I forget how many members, but somehow, we manage to not rock the boat. Again, I apologize for sounding as if my commonsense went on a Coffee Break!

I know that I signed a petition for the FCC to give approval to link GMRS repeaters via VoIP or Telephone Networks. But until the FCC gives the approval, those of us who are in favor of linking GMRS repeaters, we must work within the parameters that the FCC has. Of course, most of the Amateur Radio Community will say, that what Amateur Radio is there for. I would tend to agree with that statement. However, not everyone has the desire to take an exam just to have an alternative other than landlines or mobile phone to stay touch with friends or family members who maybe more than 100 miles away. Then again, even in the Amateur Radio Community, a lot of commercial telecommunication systems do go down during storms.

As far as the Purpose of BTECH GMRS PRO, I like it. Now, using it as a scanner to monitor other radio services, I wish that BTECH would have include the ability to monitor DMR and IDAS/NXDN, because railfans like myself, could carry one radio. I also think the GMRS PRO is great for EmComms and Community Service Events, such as parades and Neighborhood Watch Programs. Yes, I'm sure the GMRS PRO would do a good job for Camping Trips and Convoy on Road Trips

Normally, when we think about modifying or unlocking a mobile or HT, it's usually Amateur Radio. OTOH, there are a few GMRS radio out there that have extended receive and some of them are able to be open or Jailbreak, when it comes to transmitting beyond the FRS/ GMRS allocation. I was wondering if anyone figured out how to extend the transmit on the GMRS PRO, from the standard FRS/ GMRS allocation to allow the 70-centimeter band? Of course, I do realize this would diffidently violate the FCC's Rules and Regulations.

You just got your GMRS license, now you want your own repeater? Now, since there isn't a frequency coordinator within the General Mobile Radio Service. Meaning, it's up to us cooperate with one another when it comes to setting a GMRS repeater. Just as FCC's old Part 95 A and now new Part 95 E, no one own's particular channel, whether simplex or repeater pair. Then again, no one own's a CTCSS or DTCSS. Of course, out of respect for one another, it's commonsense to use different subtone if the main channel is on the same pair. I sincerely apologize to some individuals who may say, nah dah Adam. As we did not know that already. Then again, there some individuals who don't really read through the FCC's Rules and Regulations in their entirety. I must confess, I tend not to research important aspects the FRS/GMRS and MURS. But I do try to understand the legist of the original post before adding my two cents. Well, you can insult me and call me a bunch names, just don't call me late for dinner. LOL

Yep, I know! I probably rambled on for no reason. I realize that was the case with the Town Watch that I was an active member of. I remember, we only two members who held licenses, but I don't remember their call-signs really well. However, their pre-fixes were either KAD or KAD. Our repeater site was on City of Philadelphia's property with a good 50-to-100-mile range. By the late 90s early 2000, we switched from GMRS to UHF business band. The repeater and site remain same, but of course the antenna had to replace or tuned. I still remember the WPMP942, currently expired.

I don't mean to sound like a think I know it all, because I don't. You're Right, I do remember my first experience using a GMRS repeater. I joined the local Town Watch group, which at first were still using CB Radios. Two years later, the Town Watch migrated to GMRS, because of non-sense that was going on over the CB Radio Channels. Of course, at that only two of the board members applied and held GMRS licenses. The rest of us just piggy backed off of those two board members. Then again, the GMRS repeaters was only used when we had patrols and special events.

True the FCC prefers that each non-relative user of a GMRS repeater have their own license. However, I don't see the FCC would make a fuss over having individuals who aren't relatives using a GMRS repeater with one or two licensees in charge of the group or organization. However, it would be better that each member of the group or organization apply for their GMRS license. On the other hand, the group or organization could apply for Business Band License, which everyone in that group would be covered under the one license.

There are many 575-repeaters operating in close proximity in the Delaware Valley. However, the one group is kind of secretive that I'm not even sure if the membership active and retired LEO. There, one individual that I can't stand, and I wish I could turn that individual for impersonating a LEO. Unfortunately, he's a retired LEO.

Assuming you're referring to your relative doesn't have a GMRS license, which they are able piggyback off of your license. The one license that can't be shared is Amateur Radio License. If that's the case, your relative would need find Amateur Radio License class and take the exam. It's simple and you can do more with Amateur Radio that's not really allowed on GMRS or CB What happens, KIL and KIS 73 DE Adam K3JCP & WQAI363

I hear the same thing here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. However, I do hear more conversations on a closed system than on open systems or even on simplex. Most of time on simplex, I'll children fooling around or chit-chatting with parents. I also hear a lot of business being conducted on GMRS simplex channels. I never really hear casual conversations on any simplex channel. Yep, that one huge difference between Amateur Radio and the General Mobile Radio Service. Of course, everyone's already aware of that, but there are some out there that don't really the full understanding of the differences with each two-way radio services. I have to admit, I get confused myself, even though I've been around two-way radios almost 35 years. Of course, I've only been licensed over 21 years as an Amateur Radio Licensee and GMRS Licensee over 20 years.

I'm not too sure how to answer this question, but since the FCC dropped a bomb shell about using Telephone Systems or Internet networks to extend or interconnect to other GMRS Repeaters.