WQAI363

I started going to Field Day with the Holmesburg Amateur Radlo Club K3FI nearly 20 years ago. Of course, I've several Field Days with Penn Wireless Association W3SK. For a while I haven't felt like doing anything in Amateur Radio. A lot of great friends of mine, both Amateur Radio Operators and non-hams have passed away. I realize I shouldn't allow myself to fall into a depression, but sometimes a break is necessary in order re-spark the interest to a hobby, whether it's in radio or model railroading. 73 to all!

Once a in a while I'll monitor channel 03 and channel 04. I'm really not sure who uses channel 03, but listening to it can be interesting. Same thing on channel 04, it sounds like Patient First or a Retail Furniture Chain. I hope it's not Patient First, because that's walking a fine line with trying follow protocol for HIPA. Although, I haven't heard sensitive traffic being past. So, I assume it's Ashley's Furniture or some other retail establishment. Channel 03 maybe the Warminster YMCA or as Barney Rubble would YCMA Young Cave Men Association. I figure the YMCA use that frequency as intercom for power outages and emergency Lifeline for Lifeguards

I still standby what I have posted in December of 2023 about the use of uncertified radios and repeaters in the GMRS spectrum. With that note, I did notice that I still refer to the General Mobile Radio Service as Class A Citizen Band Radio, which in recent years, the FCC has reclassified GMRS. I'm not too sure if I can refer GMRS as Class E Citizen Band Radio.

Yep, I knew that!

Can the FCC come after someone who isn't licensed? Heck Yea! Of course, this requires FOX hunting, but it can be done if necessary. I won't say that it has been done before. However, I'm sure the FCC will go after unlicensed individuals if necessary.

There are too many radio manufacturers out there, trying to compete with each other. Knowing someone's pulling a fast one on the consumer. Those Bubble Pack Radios have to the biggest scam, claim 35 miles or more, when the majority of those BPRs are only simplex about not even 5 watts. I like Motorola Kenwood and Vertex. Of course, non them of them ventured into Part 95E Typed Acceptance for GMRS repeater capable mobiles & portables. I know that Motorola had some GMRS consumer grade radios, but they never had a mobile.

I'm sorry that I unable to answer this question without fear of being wrong. I know since GMRS has become more popular as CB radio once was. Connection simplex nodes via internet is somewhat frond upon but is becoming common practice.

Sometimes I confuse myself with my post on certain topics, but really try to sound intelligent. I guess you can say I either think fast then I can write, or you certainly tell that I didn't really read the topic.

I won't say that I use to be one of those individuals that didn't care what Radio I used, just as long as it works. To some extent, I still believe that, even though there will always be controversy using part 90 radios in part 95 Domain. Even, modifying part 97 radios is constantly brought up in discussions among Amateur Radio Licensees and GMRS Licensees. The late Russ Stafford W3CH-SK, he would preach to other HAMS about what not to do and yet, Russ himself did exactly what he advised others not to do. Russ Stafford along his wife for many years organized the communications for the MS 150 City to Shore. Russ would also claim that the use of Ten Codes was a violation of FCC Rules and Regulations, which isn't.

With most non-bubble pack radios, I did not really think too much about the FCC's R&Rs in regards to the non-remove able antenna claws. However, I do think that the FCC could change that rule, providing the power restrictions stay in place. Then again, I can't say that I don't know why FCC placed that restriction on FRS/GMRS bubble pack radios and a few single radios, because obvious the FCC doesn't want the average user to experiment and hook up to UHF FM amplifiers, Especially on FRS channels 08 through 14. With the advancing technologies, I'm sure manufactures, such as ALINCO, BTECH KENWOOD, MIDLAND and other radio manufactures could apply for certification to include the full 22 simplex channels and keep channels 08 through 14 into mobile radios while keeping the current output of 1/2 watt.

Someone thinking about getting a HAM LICENSE. I say, go for it if that's what you want. Although, unless your family members also have their licenses or going to take the test with you, you won't be able to stay tough via radio as you can on GMRS under one license.

Midland is a good manufacture of two-way radios and follows the FCC rules and regulations to the letter. So, I couldn't imagine why an FCC Part 95 E equipment is unable to be programmed to it's authorized use. I contact Midland to find what the reason is that the bandwidth can't be change.

Just as Skunkworks, I also don't know anything about using the app on IOS. I have an Android, which I assume the app is similar to use with a few functions that either Android or the IPHONE doesn't have. I forget which OS, but all the important features are there. I'm still wait BTECH to update the firmware to include Digitals modes for receiving frequencies, such as DMR and IDAS/NXDN, because then I have a radio to monitor railroads when they switch over. BTW, I recently purchased the BTECH BS-22 Bluetooth speaker/mic. It does have good audio in my opinion.

I just remembering when I used to go out patrol with Tacony Town Watch. We tried not utilizing the Ten Codes, since the PPD didn't use them. However, we did use a few, but we cut it down. Town Watch Ten Codes 10-4 Yes or Copy 10-7 Out of Service 10-8 In Service 10-20 Location 10-33 Emergency 10-100 Break 10 to 15 minutes 10-Double 100 END OF TOUR Philadelphia Police Department & Town Watch Codes 5292 - Request For ME Deceased Person FLASH - Information about Suspect or Suspects Local - Fire Activity Fire Department Requested NAT - Necessary Action Taken RTF - Report to Follow

As SShannon said, your FRN doesn't expire. Just open the browser and go to FCC ULS to apply for new license. It's a shame the FCC probably won't reinstate your original Call, but you'll be good this time for 10 years as Amateur Radio Licenses. Don't forget update any changes.

A good Commercial to use for GMRS. I use my Connet Systems CS-800 and 800D. I realize they aren't Typed Accepted, but they do the job when needed. I rather have a CDM series or Maxtrac, but finding an older DOS PC is hard to come by.

Re-Examine what you have posted. I assume forum was on providing communications during SHTF when commercial landline and cellular are not available. Sure, providing phone patches for people is fine and dandy, but during a Real SHTF situation, it's a guarantee that commercial landlines and cellular systems won't be functioning. So, having a patch from an Amateur Radio to a phone is useless.

Where does it say in the FCC's Part 95 (A) (B) or (E) grants people the right to use amplifiers? Even Part 95 (D) CB radio amplifiers are prohibited. However, I guess if you bought one of those 10-watt Repeaters. You could amplifier if you don't exceed the 50-watt limit.

Carrie aka Frog: Would a cop, taking a leak on the side of the road interest you? Bandit: Yes, it would! He's taking a 10-100. Carrie aka Frog: At least, it's better than 10-200.

I have a problem, I have a hand full of GMRS repeaters, but only one of them I be leave is VoiP, but I can't really confirm that. I should be able to hit the repeater from where I live in Warminster Twp, since Richboro is only less 3 miles from Warminster. However, I'm unable that repeater, at least not with a Handheld. I know if had my mobile hooked to antenna, I would no trouble at all. Strange, there are several other 575 machines around the area that I have great line of site with, but I don't really know who the Control Ops are. Most of the repeaters I do have permission to use don't have VoiP connections.

The Daj at the end of my name comes from my Mother's maiden name, Dajnowski.

The main part of good communication isn't whether you're Hi power or Low power. I has to with Antenna system. You could have the best performing radio, but if you don't have proper antenna, all you're doing is cooking your radio. A 4watt HT can do just as a 5watt Mobile on simplex. The most important thing for Handheld is holding Radio straight, even on repeaters. Now You said something about using multiple repeaters, I guess you could use repeaters, but the sounds more like roaming feature, which used P-25 systems and DMR. I won't say that you won't find that on analogue conventional, but I don't of any on GMRS or Analogue Amateur Repeaters. But yes, if have permission or all the repeaters around you are open, then yes it's possible to use multi repeaters.

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

This post maybe long overdue but according to a good rule of thumb, when using phonetics. Initially, it best practice to say each letter individually as stated on the FCC Data Base, can't really say on the paper license received in the mail, since the FCC has stopped sending actual license documents. The reason for phonetics is to confirms one's call-sign when you or the person you're specking to didn't hear your call or you didn't hear their call. This is more common on Amateur Radio Bands, because a lot of newcomers haven't really listened to Amateur Radio or GMRS before the got licensed. For FM simplex and HF, you gone to want use phonetic, after all, you're not going through a repeater and that line of site is always in your favor. Heck, I know at one Amateur Radio Operator who was new, that he ided every time before unkey. I'm guilty of this as many others, when signing off or 10-7. The last thing you say, should only be your Call-Sign. Not This WQAI363 going 10-7! I'm 10-7 WQAI363