Logan5

Jeremy - if you look closely at 95.135 is says that no station shall transmit with an RF output power of more than 50 watts.
 
That is NOT ERP, but the raw RF coming out of the connector at the back of a repeater or a moble type radio.  The Commission couldn't care less about ANTENNA GAIN and ERP for a repeater or mobile type radio.  One of the systems I use each occasionally each year has a 50 watt output from the repeater into 175 feet of Andrew hardline to a stacked vertical array with 11.9 dbd gain... which is just under 600 watts taking line loss into consideration. That system is on an elevation 210 feet above average terrain and the tower is another 168 feet. It has a service diameter of over 100 miles.

The UV5R is not part95 cert. and as far as I know, no Baofeng radios are. However as I have always believed, Part95 cert is in the programming of the radio, as seen with the powerwerx  made by Wouxum, this shows us that a radio once properly programmed is technically compliant. not certified until the manufacture applies for the certification. I myself also use Baofeng radios, since they are half the cost of similar part95 cert. radios. and 4 watt's is better than 1 or 2 watts. also versatility, Many Part95 cert. radios that include FRS are no so versatile. The GMRS service allow up to 5 watt's and removable antennas, FRS does not.  I have my UV5R programed for GMRS freq's only and when I am in my truck, I use an external antenna to prevent radiating my 4 watt's back into my head and my body. For less technical users I like the BF888 it has 2 watt's, comes with a gain UHF only antenna and works 2X as good at twice the range of a Motorola bubble pak radio, and only cost 19.99 shipped. I go to the airport once a week, the BF888 hit's the repeater at 7.6 miles as easily as the UV5R and the UVB5. for those of us not made of money, the value of these radios far outweigh the certification issues, However the use of non part 95 cert. radios is likely against the charter that allows GMRS service, even though the wording seems vague I am sure these radios were never meant to be allowed and against your license to use them. However with so many Hotels and taxi cab drivers illegally using and also using non part 95 cert. equipment, The FCC will unlikely ever get to prosecuting actual family use of non cert. equipment.  I say use equipment that is affordable and well within the spec's for technical part 95 certification, use good radio operating practice and you'll be fine. 

Jeremy - Good thoughts.
 
I have commercial licensing in low band VHF, high band VHF and UHF as well as GMRS and non-licensed MURS. Comparing range yourself with similar output powers in these frequency spectrums verifies all the published range statistics for simplex systems. The higher the frequency, the less range you have - utilizing the same output power and antenna heights (or using portables at the same height off the ground.) 
 
There is a nice helpful chart detailing this topic of frequency vs. range in the following website...
 
http://www.artscipub.com/simpleton/simp.range.html
 
 
 
 
 
 

I have to agree - Security is priority 1 !. 
 
In 36 years of law enforcement I've done my share of vetting people, and believe me we drilled down into some people's life - but with regards to giving out a repeater PL code - my vetting process is kinda plain and simple - if I wouldn't want you to be an overnight house guest - I don't want to listen to you on my repeater - has worked for me so far. When I want to chat with strangers there is always AOL or CB or the corner gas station or 7-11.
 
Dan
NJ

OK guys - I'm convinced. 
Now to paint that white antenna olive drab
 
A few weeks ago I tuned my Yaesu to the CB band. I haven't ever really monitored that service and I was amazed (appalled) at what I heard there. If GMRS ever began to sound like that, it would be a total loss. 
 
Steve

I tried out the MURS channels with my HT set for low power (1W). The MURS frequencies on 1W could penetrate better and farther than GMRS on 4W. I badly want to drop down into the VHF range with a decent power now. I think I will take my HAM Technician test next month so I can start playing with the 2M band.
 
I will keep my GMRS current and continue using it with my wife, but seeing what the lower bands can do has given me the itch.

I want to add something here,I was looking over some different hand held radios and I have chosen the ICOM IC-F21 as one of my favorites.These radios have several different functions and features one of which I like is the 2 tone activation when used with say a ICOM F221 mobile you can have the hand held in silent mode and program the mobile button to send out a 2 tone enconder signal like the fire depts use.
 
When the F21 receives the tones it will sound a audible alert along with a visual alert to let you know someone at you base location is trying to reach you and another note the f21 hand held can be programmed the same way so you can hit one button on those and signal another user with a F21.
 
This radio is out of production but I find several on eBay and other websites,so are new old stock some are used but IMO opinion these are some of the best and are easy to program.Just my thoughts on the matter and if anyone buys one and wishes to have it programmed let me know I would be glad to help you out...William

Also as handhelds don't discount the Ritron Patriot RTX-450's available surplus.  A little big by todays standards but a full five watt output, Part 95 compliant and have great audio.  I have a bunch of them, some new in the box, and use them frequently on a local repeater and get great signal and audio reports.   I have sold a few to local guys because they like them so much.   High Capacity batteries are still available.   They do require proprietary software to program but if you go that route reach out to me I the software for them. 

Congrats on getting your license,I noticed you received a signal 20-25 miles away.I doubt with those radios anyone will hear you over a few mile range unless they are on a base unit in the clear.The range claims on those radios are marketing hypes to sell radios.
 
I would recommend a good pair of part 95 certified radios such as ICOM F21 which you will run across on eBay from time to time along with programming software and cables.
 
Enjoy GMRS as it is a good radio service where you and the family can get a great deal of use without spending a whole lot of money unless you go full blown buying your own repeater and other high dollar accessories.
 
 In the repeater section of mygrms.com there may be a repeater in your area,it will be up to you to you to contact the repeater owner about using their system and if it is a open system the owner may welcome you to use it,on another note also if you do find a repeater to use I am sure the owner wouldn't mind you donating a few dollars to help with upkeep.
 
In case you find a radio shop or someone offering to sell you air time on thier repeater system please let us know as it is illegal to sell airtime for profit on GMRS but donations are always welcome but a paid service is not.
 
                                                                                                                                                       Enjoy your radios...William

Welcome to the forums! The Baofeng are good inexpensive units. Wouxun would be a step up from those and rival the big three. Welcome to GMRS!

Hey - Logan... In my primary residential location, one humming bird flapping it's wings near the vent in the enclosure would be enough.  Where I live we have 4 seasons... June, July, August and Winter.....
 
We only turn on one 8000 BTU window A/C approximately 9 days each year - so far this year it's at 3-1/2 days and only the month of August to go for even the potential of anything over 84 degrees.  In all my time in this area, I have seen it SNOW in each of the 12 months. In fact, on July 28, our FURNACE turned on at 4:45 AM for 15 minutes.   "Cool, Huh?" 

I haven't made a comment on this but I will.IMO I believe it is a good idea to have weather information on any radio system is a good idea.I like the way my 2meter radio is set up with WX configuration and it works well.I like the idea it can be set to over ride any ongoing transmission or if in scan mode...William

I can't say that my repeater has gotten a lot of exercising but an 80mm fan mounted directly on the heatsink seems to work ok so far. The GM300 pair came with the fan connected to the power leads, i.e. always on. That's unnecessary and noisy. I picked up an inexpensive temperature controller on ebay for under $20. This is a WillHi WH7016. It's a panel mount 12 volt unit with digital display and set point adjustment. It comes with the sensing element. An internal 5 amp relay controls the load. I stuck the sensor on the GM300's heatsink and wired the fan to the power supply via the relay. Works great. It also gives me the actual heatsink temperature.
 
The repeater is still in my 2nd floor no A/C shack but will soon be moved to the basement where the temperature is lower and more uniform.
Steve

most of mine is all climate controlled, in addition to thermo controlled fans on the equipment itself. in addition I'm looking into swapping out my Astron 50A w/Samlex 60 w/battery backup and 400Ah of battery on the 650 machine.
the 575 isn't quite up to its full potential so that will come later as $$$ permit.

Will do, Rich...
 
I'm here at 5 AM CDT Tuesday July 16 and the refresh rates and post times are almost back to normal today.
 
I'll email you if any of the fringe issues remain after a couple days of observation.
 
Thank You !!

Pete and Fred had not seen each other in many years. Now they had a long talk trying to fill in the gap of those years by telling about their lives. Finally Pete invited Fred to visit him in his new apartment. "I have a wife and three kids and I'd love to have you visit us."

"Great. Where do you live?"

"Here's the address. And there's plenty of parking behind the apartment. Park and come around to the front door, kick it open with your foot, go to the elevator and press the button with your left elbow, then enter! When you reach the sixth floor, go down the hall until you see my name on the door. Then press the doorbell with your right elbow and I'll let you in."

"Good. But tell me...what is all this business of kicking the front door open, then pressing elevator buttons with my right, then my left elbow?"

Pete Answered, "Surely, you're not coming empty-handed."

I keep a set of Uniden FRS units around, and so do my inlaws. I have a repeater and real radios, but we keep these FRS radios that run on AAA batteries so that we can take them on vacation. We use them car to car while travelling and at the beach every summer. 
 
Everything has its place. 

I agree with Logan, your GMRS license extends to cover your children. Make sure they know your callsign and all is well. This would allow for farther transmission as well since those HTs can get some decent range. If you are getting 1.5 to 2 miles off 0.5W FRS I imagine you could get 3 or maybe even 4 off a 4W GMRS HT!

According to the Internet Traffic Report site, there are approximately 10 cross net routers down at the moment - That isn't helping the overall situation, but the forum server still has internal issues.
 
Internet Traffic Report:   http://www.internettrafficreport.com/namerica.htm

I can vouch for the Baofeng UV5r model radios.  I have three, up and running.  Price has come down alot (<$45 + FS&H on amazon w/xtra battery, charger, and earpiece/mic) make these almost disposable!
Use CHIRP software...and Baofeng USB cable for PC, makes life infinitely easier.  I programmed two radios last night in less than 5 mins.

Heres th elink for th eFCC action against Fisher Scientific
 
http://www.fcc.gov/document/30k-nal-issued-thermo-fisher-scientific-unauthorized-operation
 
Cheers

we could discus how the FCC should have never allowed the bubble pak radio manufactures to include FRS freq's on GMRS radios to begin with. or vicea versa, FRS created the need for radio manufactures to included molded non removable antennas on their radios. I consider the non removable antenna part of FRS to be the most limiting factor,  any radio that includes FRS frequency's can not have a removable antenna . FRS at a half of a watt into a "tuned gain" antenna would not be too bad.

given a choice between 600 or 1/2" take the 1/2".
have you ever worked w/1/2"? its not as bad as you think but as w/any cable when retracting a tower you have to be careful w/it.

Dan -
 
We enjoyed your role as LT. DAN in the movie "Forrest Gump"... we see that you have been promoted since then to CaptDan...
 
P/S - Gary Sinise, who actually played Lt. Dan in the 1994 movie as well as having a major role in 'CSI New York', is  a fine bass guitar player and tours with "The Lt. Dan Band".   He and I share a commonality - we both play bass guitar and we both have owned Fender and Cort basses.
 
Now, if there was just some way to attach a mobile GMRS antenna to a Fender Jazz Bass, I'd have it made.
 

Dan - Thanks for the feedback.  Rich is aware of the fact that the forum needs a little fine tuning, yet, and he does that when he can... however, as I understand it, he is working over 60 hours a week and things like this may take some time.
 
For the time being, please bookmark the main site in your bookmarks or favorites file and hit that in your browser if you have to go back or simply open another tab and be in both places at once.