Lscott

Yup, it's just the cost now days of a couple Micky D's Happy Meals in some places.

From some of the comments here it's more like how to find where to pay the license fee. Since this is "The Government", they're like drug addicts except it money, you'd figure this would the easiest part.

You can try searching the frequency database. If you’re lucky it belongs to a licensed user in your area. https://digitalfrequencysearch.com/index.php

It’s a completely different experience. Programming commercial radios is a lot different. The function reference is a good addition to the software’s help file. The modifications manual is for adding accessories to the radio and the connections for the various ports. TK-2180_3180_7180_8180 MPT Function Reference V2.00.pdf TK2180_3180_7180_8180 Modification Info V1.13.pdf

I think I found that for you. I wanted a copy for my records. I keep a collection of Kenwood radio programming software, even for radio models I don't have. Yup! I had a used TK-3180 once that showed up with the SJ-180 firmware. Lucky for me the firmware update feature was enabled so all I did was load the new firmware in the radio and used KPG-89D to program it. TK2180K_TK3180_7180_8180_V122_035C_Firmware.zip

OK. My collection hasn't grown much lately. Been a bit more selective in what I get. I don't have any of the mobile or base radios listed. https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/249-my-radio-collection/?context=new

That’s all?

Interesting article about narrow verses wide band. Narrowband vs Wideband.pdf

One more thing. Sometimes these radios are loaded with the "Passport" firmware in place of the regular LTR one. In that case when you try to program the radio using the KPG software the radio display show "USE SJ-180". That's the special "Passport" version. You can fix it by writing the normal LTR firmware to the radio. However the firmware write feature has to be enabled. If not then you need the SJ-180 radio programming software and enable the firmware write feature. I've attached a copy of that too. Unfortunately I don't have a copy of the mobile radios LTR firmware file, just the portables. SJ-180 v2.2.0.6 for TK-7180-7180H-7182-7182H-8180-8180H 2.zip

OK, I'm an engineer, not an English major.

It becomes an addiction, buying radios.

I guess we all will just have to wait and see what happens.

I also though about it could be simply a published code of conduct that anybody using the repeater must adhere to or they will be banded from using the machine. That would cover both open and closed systems.

As pointed out there won't be much of a difference between 30 watts and 45 watts. If you're a long winded talker the 30 watt radio will generate a lot less heat that has to be radiated by the cooling fins in the radio's chassis. If the radio is going to get mounted in an area with restricted air flow that might be a big deal. Sitting on the dash board it's going to "cook" a bit from sun light exposure. One other thing to look out for is which "band split" you get. These radios come in several ranges, 450-520, for the 30 watt radio, 450-512 for the 45 watt version. The 400-470 range is available for the 30 and 45 watt version. Note only the 450-520, and the 450-512, have FCC type 95 certification if that's a concern for you. Otherwise any of the ranges will work for GMRS. You can double check the FCC grants for which FCC parts the radio is certified for by looking up the FCC ID found in the attached brochure at: https://fccid.io/ You'll need a programming cable. I recommend getting one from this site: https://bluemax49ers.com/ The programming software is attached. Use the "engineering" install serial. That one allows you access to a few more features and the all important read/write password bypass. Some used radios have a read/write password set. Without this feature you'll never reprogram the radio if the write password is set. I've used this software to program some TK-2180's and TK-3180's which are the portable versions of the mobiles. TK-7180_8180.pdf KPG-89D V1.61.zip

If it's an "open repeater" there wouldn't necessary be an explicit "sharing arrangement", much less a written one, between the users and the repeater owner(s). Another case, as an example, a formerly closed repeater, by me, one would request access and receive verbal permission from the owner after supplying a valid call sign, all over the air. Again there would be no written agreement. So, would the above imply that a repeater owner must have have a record of who is using their repeater, open or closed? Maybe this is why the FCC requested a list of repeater users?

I just sat back to let somebody who has one to answer. Most of my experience is with the Kenwood hand held radios. I have a lot of the Kenwood radio programming software. I'm not sure if I have that one on file.

As you’re the owner, and allowing people to use it for free, you don’t really need a reason. It would be different if it was paid access.

I already have an Extra Class license. Business radio went narrow band, in some cases that was digital. TV went from analog to digital. Many people, like me, gave up on analog commercial radio and went with satellite radio etc. Sooner or later GMRS is going to end up partially, or fully, digital. Either that or the FCC will refarm out the spectrum for business radio that will make more efficient use of it. Don’t think that won’t happen? Well the FCC did that with part of the Ham 1.25 meter band when UPS wanted it. They, UPS, never ended up using that spectrum and Hams never got it back either.

No.

My area, Detroit Mi, has several linked repeaters spanning a wide area of the state. When the system is busy there doesn’t seem to be a problem with people jumping in for a quick contact. As far as people trying up a repeater for hours, well that’s not mode specific. If somebody is going to yack on a repeater for several hours they are going to do it even on FM.

I think there is a way to do this without affecting the vast majority of analog GMRS users. I’ve posted this several times before how it could be done. GMRS Digital Voice - 20231127.pdf

I also stumbled across a thread for fire fighters. The concern there was the background noise, sirens - air horns etc. The vocoders used for P25, NXDN and DMR is very highly optimized for human speech only. The above mentioned sources of background noise tends to muck up the vocoder and the resulting sound quality. It was also the reason given for some of the unsatisfactory results trying to run track side tone control through NXDN. If you know anybody with a NX-200 radio I've attached the prototype railroad code plug. Don't need a "groups.io" account. This is a short description of the code plug. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Code plug for Kenwood NX-200 radios with all the standard VHF analog and digital channels included. I understand the NX-210 is almost the same radio. This is a prototype and has not been tested. No passwords are used. To aid rail fans the 5 MURS channels are also programmed in too. MURS is a license free VHF radio service. The default power level is set to 5 watts while the legal max allowed is 2 watts. If you want to stay under the legal power limit then select low power, 1 watt, using the programmed function keys on the front panel. This version a number of Ham 2M simplex frequencies were added in for those licensed for this service. The channel names match the frequency programmed in to that memory location. The seven NOAA VHF weather channels are also programmed too. The transmit function for these are disabled. To program the radio you will need a copy of KPG-111D software. NOTE all the channels have transmit ENABLED! If you don't want this then you have to disable the transmit function yourself. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The NX-200 is very similar to the NX-210, which is the railroad version, which seemed to be favored by rail-fans. NX-200 Railroad 20220422.dat NX-210.pdf NX-200_300.pdf

That’s odd. I thought it was settled the railroads would move to NXDN. Then they sort of backed off sticking with analog FM. The reason I read was a lot of track side equipment is tone controlled, which the railroads found out doesn’t work that well with NXDN.

Did you see this? https://groups.io/g/RailScan/files/NX-200 Railroad 20220422.dat I have some NX-200’s and did a prototype code plug for one for railroad scanning. Not enough railroad activity by me to test it out.