FRS is narrowband while GMRS is wideband. The difference is the amount of the radio channel used. A channel is 25 kHz wide and wideband occupies 20 kHz and narrow 11.3 kHz.
There is no difference. The radios themselves are not licensed, the operator holds the license. If a GMRS radio is talking to another radio, no matter the type, on FRS frequencies then they are FRS units talking on frequencies licensed by rule and do not have to identify. If the channel is GMRS, then they must identify.
The Comet 2X4SR covers the bands with some antenna gain for increased coverage. The Signal Stalker by Signal Stuff also covers the bands very well but no antenna gain.
Rather than modifying the 4 person intercom hardware and the work of trying to find and wire the necessary hardware, why not just buy a headset from Paradan and connect it to the radio? I have one of their headsets on my ICOM radios and it is extremely robust and comfortable.
I don't know why some people just think the regulations don't apply to them. Even unlocking the radio to operate outside its certified parameters violates the regulation.
Not approved for use in BOTH services. The Type Certification would be for GMRS with an additional statement it meets Part 15 requirements which is needed for Amateur use. Putting the radio onto Amateur frequencies negates the GMRS certification as stated in the regs.
SHEESH! Ever used Wikipedia or even done a search about Rosa Parks. You are obfuscating your lack of performing research and fact verification just like a prominent political candidate campaigning for relection.
Rosa Parks was sitting in seats marked for "colored" and not in seats for "whites." She refused to move from her seat when a white couldn't find another seat.
Now, if you are going to make statements about historic events you need to verify your facts first.
Many antennas come with cutting guides, just remember to check and measure twice before cutting. You really need an antenna analyzer to tell you where the antenna is tuned before making any changes. An SWR meter isn't an analyzer.
That's not correct. When transmitting in DMR both time slots are sent so the entire 12.5/25 kHz channel is used even if it is carrying only one timeslot.
Personally, I would look more towards MURS for trail use rather than GMRS. MURS, being VHF vice UHF, will have better penetration in wooded areas and follows the earth curvature better than GMRS. 2 watts on MURS will give you about the same coverage as 5W on GMRS.
If they are not cognizant of what's already installed in their area and are interfering with an existing repeater then yes, they are being irresponsible.
IMO it would be against the regulations to key the transmitter without knowing the output frequency. It could have been set to use a licensed frequency where you would then be an unauthorized transmitter and/or possibly interfere with a current user of the frequency.
As a former frequency coordinator, I have to say "depends." Most of the coordination plots use the Longley-Rice algorithm and the predicted coverage area between wide and narrow band remains the same in most cases. Some coverage areas do increase while some decrease, the change being about 3%. As to the performance of a radio at the fringe of the coverage, it again depends on both the radio's specifications and any change to the coverage shift if any,