berkinet

I think you either mis-read the post, or were mentally responding to another topic. @jeremyb66 was asking about waterproof ham radios. Personally, I don't know of any. But, that doesn't mean they don't exist.

Sorry. But that is simply incorrect on 2 grounds. 1. Many ham repeaters are effectively private and do not publish their access requirements; and 2. Repeaters are not and have never been part of what you get rights to use with a GMRS license.

Practice what you will use. Use what you practiced. Even if people would be allowed to use the radio in an emergency, they will not have had any practice. GMRS is fine for the technology (in spite of what some hams will tell you). You just have to manage the licensing. And, now that it is $3.50 a year....

It was linked in my post, but somehow got deleted.

The KG-805 (WVTWOUXUN08) is a base model designed to be released with customization as several other radio models, as you previously identified - though I am not sure all of those radios belong on that list). Take a look at Wouxun's own page for the KG-805: https://www.wouxun.com/radios/KG-805.aspx The KG-805G has a separate FCCID: WVTWOUXUN08 I also recall that at the time it was discussed extensively on redit (Read the entire thread). It explains how a new radio has the FCCID of a 2012 radio,

I think the answer to your question is, unfortunately, no. There are several factors that lead me to this view. Notably... The letter is not well written (several errors) possibly due to a poor translation, suggesting the letter may not mean what you (or they) think it does.The radios listed are clearly not identical to the KG-805GMore importantly. It was only a request.And, most important, the request does not appear to have been granted. The grant clearly states:EQUIPMENT AUTHORIZATION is hereby issued to the named GRANTEE, and is VALID ONLY for the equipment identified hereon for use under the Commission's Rules and Regulations listed below.WVTWOUXUN16

Concur! The key is the comma in : New licenses, modifications That should be read as New licenses and/or modifications. And, there is the new license $35 fee!

I think there is an ongoing impression, especially amongst people new to GMRS, that repeaters are somehow part of GMRS and generally available to licensed GMRS users and that this site, or any other, is somehow involved. It has been posted here before, but perhaps it needs to be made sticky, that: A GMRS license includes the right to use simplex communications on all 22 GMRS channels, subject to the published power and bandwidth limitations. While a licensee also has the right to operate a repeater, the license does not include the right to use other repeaters. Any such access, if permitted, must be done in accordance with the operating practices set by the repeater owner.

No ham radios are certified on GMRS. But many will operate just fine in that service. There are also many hams with GMRS licenses. So, it seems to me that if someone, ham or otherwise has a GMRS license and a radio that works in that band, it’s no different than using some Amazon UHF special. Sure, there are issues with with “illegally “ modified radios, and non-certified operation in GMRS. But, as long as people have the proper license, the rest is none of my business.

Business use is quite possible and legal on GMRS. At one point business licensing was permitted and those licenses are still valid and grand-fathered for their original usage. See § 95.1705 (g)

Nice install. But, be aware that unless the antenna’s base is above the tree, the tree is bound to impact the radiation pattern to/from your antenna.

Not to worry. the difference is only just over 4db. You can more than make up for that by antenna choice. But, you can only use that power on channels 15 to 22 and the repeater inputs. on the other 14 channels the limit is 5.0 or 0.5 watts ERP. Enjoy your radio.

I had suggested MURS VHF. You can certainly try GMRS with two hand heads if you already have them. Who knows, it might just work. But, while the distance is not really a factor, other channel usage from FRS and other GMRS users will likely be the most serious problem.

Marine radio is not legal for land use, only land to sea and sea to sea.

Amen!

In GMRS, and other UHF services, power is far less important than signal path. For UFH signal path is essentially LOS (line of sight). Depending on the exact frequency there may be a bit of bending, reflection or fresnel effect. But, the one sure element is LOS. With that in mind, 6 or 7 miles at 5 watts with LOS between the two locations is no problem. Increasing the wattage to the legal maximum of 50 watts will only make a difference in terms of overcoming other traffic on the same channel. That is because of the FM capture effect in which the "louder" of two signals is heard while the weaker one is lost. This would help you, and wipe out the other user(s) you were stomping on. So, not a good idea. Also, if you really want power then you would be advised to purchase a good quality mobile radio (possibly used) that operates at the power level you want., Not only would you get 40 or 50 watts of power (there is almost difference between the two: < 1db), but, you would also get a much better receiver that would be capable of rejecting noise and adjacent channel interference in an RF rich environment like NYC. On the other hand, coupling a cheap radio like the UV-5R, with its poor quality receiver, to a cheap 50 watt amplifier, with lots of noise and spurious emissions is not only unlikely to meet your needs, but will probably piss off a lot of other nearby GMRS operators. Also note, you can only operate simplex at 50 watts on 8 of the GMRS channels, and those are also repeater outputs and likely to be busy. The other 14 channels limit you to 5 or 0.5 watts. So, if you really want GMRS, I would suggest you look at your antenna options. A pair of good medium to high gain antennas will help focus your output power and reduce unwanted signal reception. However, beware that the limits for most of the GMRS channels (1-14) are ERP (effective radiated power) that includes any antenna gain. As another option for unlicensed radio use (as opposed to ham radio) you might look at MURS. This is a VHF service and might give you better propagation in your area. There is a separate forum for MURS on the MyGMRS Forum. Or, skip radio altogether and try an IP based approach, like Zello.

Two meta points. This is the wrong forum for this discussion. Since your topic is specific to GMRS it is very much on-topic and you should post it in the General forum. Then, if you look in that forum, you will find there is already long running discussion on this very subject. https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2085-whats-with-repeater-users-needing-permission-on-gmrs/

You have brought up this issue before, and I and others have responded. GMRS is not a general two way public radio service like CB or ham. If you want to meet locals on the radio I strongly suggest you look into those two services. You are far more likely to make the connections you seem to be looking for. While the definitions of radio services are not always all encompassing (I.e. some leeway may apply) here are the service definitions from the FCC. GMRS General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). A mobile two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members, including, but not limited to, voluntary provision of assistance to the public during emergencies and natural disasters. FRS Family Radio Service (FRS). A short-distance two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, between low power hand-held radios, for facilitating individual, family, group, recreational and business activities. CB CB Radio Service (CBRS). A mobile and fixed two-way voice communication service for facilitating personal, business or voluntary public service activities, including communications to provide assistance to highway travelers. Ham Radio The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

Many UHF radios have hardware options, usually cutting a diode or resister, to allow operation outside of the ham bands. Typically MARS/CAP & GMRS. If there is a radio you are interested in, just google the radio make & model + "mars cap gmrs" Ex: yaesu ft-60 mars cap gmrs I would not be surprised if some of the CCR mobile "ham radios" work on GMRS right out of the box.

Ham Radio ≠ GMRS Different in many ways: equipment authorization, power and features; history; community; user licensing; purpose; expandability; commercial support; etc. etc. You simply cannot, and, IMO should not, try to compare the two. And, even if you try what is the point?

You could be opening a can of worms. For one thing, the antennas could have completely different impedances. Also, unless all the antennas, Rx & Tx, are in the same plane and polarization, you could make the situation worse. So, unless you are having problems with the current system, and know the problems are being caused by a weak signal rather than by some other issue, like interference, I would suggest you just leave it alone.

The problem is not how such a list should be organized. Nor, is it a problem of whether it can be done or not. The issue, as stated previously, is who is going to do this? As long as that answer to that question remains, “somebody else,“ then it will never get done.

Found it. It was started by @gman1971 on 25 October 2020 and the last post was barely 3 weeks later. A total of 3 people contributed reviews. https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2183-brand-name-radios-proscons-thread-usednew/

I agree with your comment about accepting responsibility for the consequences of our words [and actions] while keeping in mind the 1st amendment to the US Constitution applies specifically to the government: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Courts have held the term Congress to apply to government in general. However, private enterprises and citizens are not bound by this amendment. So, whatever freedom of expression we have on this forum is limited to that which the owners and operators allow us. Fortunately, on this forum we have been given a fairly broad latitude in this respect. However, along with that privilege of expression comes the responsibility to use it thoughtfully and not abuse it.

That comment added nothing to your post. And further, what is the point of bringing up your personal opinion about something that has nothing to do with GMRS radio to begin with. This forum tends to work a lot better when people stay on topic.