[GMRS repeater]

What are the FCC requirements to setup a GMRS repeater?

 

I assume no more the. 50 watts?

 

Is their a requirement to broadcast call sign every so often like HAM?

 

What about antenna placement?

[GMRS: GPS Location and Texting...]

Now that the FCC has allowed GMRS to have the ability for the “transmission of limited data applications such as text messaging and GPS location information”, is anyone using such features?

Is there a protocol that has been standardized, similar to APRS, or is it left to each manufacturer to have their own protocol? (Hopefully there is a standardized protocol.)

Anyone actually even using these features? Are there any GMRS transceivers on the market yet taking advantage of this?

Hmm. Wondering if this could be used over linked GMRS networks as well?

Just curious...

Thanks.

I have been using Garmin’s rhino series for a few years now, I love the GPS capability of seeing where everyone else is.

 

I haven’t seen any other units other then Garmin’s

 

I hope they choose a system that can be used by everyone, a single system. Like APRS is to ham.

[BTech UHF Amp with GMRS]

Midland does make a 40 watt mobile radio as well as a 15 watt mobile too.

Currently they are the only ones doing so that I am aware of. I could be wrong.

HT radios are all usually 10watts or less no matter what kind of radios they are, vhf/uhf for anyone.

 

The way I see it, until the FCC specifically state otherwise, I will continue to use my amp when needed.

 

Usually the FCC won’t make a mandate until problems arise. Personally I don’t see any problems arising. Because the vast majority of GMRS HT’s don’t have antennas that can be removed.

[New FCC Action: Petition for Reconsideration filed by Motorola]

I personally use a portable GMRS radios when i go camping and hiking with my family. I also use a small portable repeater with my RV. 40-50 watts on a nice 20’ mast. I get decent range with it.

 

I love the idea of location info sent from one unit to the other automatically. That way i can see where my family is at any given moment. It saves alot of “air” time getting this information.

 

For those of you who are hams. This amounts to a very similar system that hams use called APRS. These are also short automatica bursts, usually under 2 secons. Messages are limited in size.

 

Having this informatio. Saves “air” time because to convey that information verbally would take much longwr.

 

I dont agree with mygmrs.com’s opinion and reaponse to the FCC.

 

Garmin Rhino series gps/radios have this capibility all ready. However it is not automatic.

 

The Garmin units only send the information when manually told to do so, or at the start of every manual verbal transmission.

 

However....

 

It should be a feature that has On/off:manual capibilities.

 

The bursts should be at inaudible levels like it is with the Garmin units.

 

Full power shoild be allowed and on repeater frequencies.

 

I do agree that these location bursts should be limited to no more then 1 per every 2 min. Or unless manually polled or sent.

 

I do agree they should have the feature to pause sending if the channel is busy.

 

Text messages should never be sent automatically and only sent manually.

 

The Garmin system works well. Text messages are only sent manually, and location informatjon is only sent when a transmission is made, or when manually polled or sent.

 

I would like to see more compition in this field as currently i am not aware of any combination gps/gmrs radio combinations other then Garmin.

[BTech UHF Amp with GMRS]

I actually use the Btech Amp U-25 with a midland mxt275 gmrs Mobile. The midland only gives off 15 watts under normal use

With the amp I can get a full 40 watts use out of the mobile.

[BTech UHF Amp with GMRS]

As i see it, (i am legally blind) the linear will allow you to violate the 5 watt limitation for 1 - 7 gmrs/frs combined channels. The FCC is specific about this. For what its worth the linear works well but at only 32 watts.

It’s 50 watts for those channels 15-22 and repeater channels 15-22

[BTech UHF Amp with GMRS]

Well the FCC does allow GMRS repeaters. I have yet to figure nd a single repeater, that is actually not a part 90 device. So from my POV amplifiers are just fine to use with a GMRS radio. The antennas are made to be removable and allow the use of different antenna configurations.

 

So personally I do believe the FCC does allow the amplifier use. JMHO

 

The thing is though...

 

The max allowed power that can be used on GMRS frequencies is 50watts. No matter if your using a Ht, a mobile, base, or repeater.

50 watts is max. Midland makes a 40 watt mobile. The only value that an amp would use is to take your HT to 50 watts.

 

The Btech amp, which will work on GMRS frequencies will only go to 40 watts.

 

So I think you will be safe!