marcspaz

FRS radios on channels 8 through 14 are limited to 0.5 Watts, and all other channels are limited to 2.0 Watts. There are some higher powered GMRS handheld radios, but even GMRS radios are restricted to 0.5w on 8 through 14.

Happy Thanksgiving!

You need to understand the history of GMRS to answer this question. The original 'distress' frequency was 462.675, aka channel 20. While there is no longer a formal calling/distress channel, there are plenty of sites that have old articles about common distress frequencies in different bands, and the history of GMRS. Then there are guys like me who have been using GMRS since the '80s, who just remember. Also, the legacy distress/calling channel gets conflated with ORI. There were two groups, Popular Wireless and Personal Radio Association, that came up with the idea of an Open Repeater Initiative (ORI). It was designed to get repeater owners to open up and share resources instead of locking down systems. The idea was to make it easier for GMRS users to find and access repeaters. The group established the 141.3 CTCSS/PL as a “travel tone”. Originally, the repeater pair 462/467.675 was the ORI frequency (675 known today as the travel channel) due to 675 historically being the distress/emergency channel. However, ORI eventually morphed into any repeater pair using 141.3 for PL access and did not require prior permission. ORI and the founding groups are long gone, but many repeater owners still honor the spirit of ORI on their repeaters. In the absence of ORI, there has been debate in the community over what should be put into place, if anything. If we stick to the historic components of the FCC and groups like ORI, the calling frequency would continue to be 462.675, and the open repeaters would be on 467.675/462.675 with tone 141.3. However, the radio services is so small, the number of users has dramatically increased over the past few years, and with modern technology, just about any channel can fit the bill for "calling". A vast majority of us are scanning all the channels if we're not actively in a conversation.

I really don't want to see you leave. I think you're a nice guy and you contribute a lot here. I think you're just taking my comments and the comments of others entirely too serious. Steve and I disagreed on something. We had a conversation about it. Nobody got offended because the other guy had a different opinion. That's just normally how adults do it.

I don't understand why you're taking it so seriously. Some shares an opinion you don't like, so you melt down and hide instead of saying "thanks, but I disagree". That is something I expect from my 6 yo granddaughter. Not an adult.

If that was the case, we wouldn't be on page 4 of the 30th time this was discussed... I think, anyway. I mean, I am open to other opinions, but it would help if the rules weren't written by lawyers and kept up with modern technology.

Mostly for the sake of conversation and boredom. I thought I was pretty clear on that. There are a ton of things we discuss here that haven't come to consensus in a decade... I doubt it will change; especially with the overwhelming lack of enforcement and lack of 'official' guidance or clarification from the FCC (with the exception of recent Linking debates). The entire internet is a giant black hole. Has been since about 1994. I do enjoy the technical stuff, learning and helping others. So there is that.

I'll tell you want i think. In the end, no one gives a damn what the rules say, they do what they want or think they can get away with. Even the people who don't publicly admit it due to work, or position in the community, etc., fall into this category. I think the entire conversation is theater, boredom or both. Carry on.

Okay @SteveShannon ... I'm tracking. That makes sense.

So, I assume it's not one-way transmission because I am expecting and receiving a response on another frequency. As you are aware, that is the whole concept of a repeater, but also, on HF, we do split operations. I have spoken with many Hams in other countries who are not allowed to transmit in the space that US general class can operate. They transmit on a frequency they legally can and listen on a frequency we can legally transmit on. Sometimes, depending on conditions and the time of day, we won't even be transmitting and receiving on the same band. I've done 40m/20m splitting before myself. Those types of communicating are not considered two different one-way transmissions and those are not even both managed by the FCC. Again, just my interpretation. You could very well be correct.

I have always understood the rules (including the ones above) to indicate you can talk in one service and receive in another Amateur and GMRS are both FCC regulated services in the US and while not transmitting and receiving in the same service, you are definitely not broadcasting nor having a one-way transmission. It is absolutely two-way voice traffic. That said, I'm an idiot. So, don't take my opinion as gospel.

That's a winning answer, @SteveShannon!

Hopefully it will be as much fun, too!

That sounds great! I still want to get a trip together for members who are on or willing to commute to the east coast. I feel like Uwharrie is a nice, central/ Mid-Atlantic location. We have to see what we can pull off in 2025.

Hey Kenny... I appreciate the recommendation, but I will never buy a Rugged Radio. They have such bad products and reputation for poor quality. Everyone I ever knew personally who owned one, it was broken in some way shape or form and none of them ever made anything close the the power they claim... like 4 or 5 watts on max instead of 50w, kind of stuff. Also, that they have been cited for unlawfully marketing radios in violation of marketing rules. I'd rather steer clear. https://www.fcc.gov/document/eb-issues-citation-rugged-radios-equipment-marketing-violations

Well, i got the green light from the wife to build another rock crawler. This one is going to include some nice VHF/UHF comms, too. Just not sure if I'm going to stick HF in it. I feel like I won't need it, unless I'm wheeling with someone who is still running a CB. Of course, I know a few people with CBs, but no one uses them offroad. I am pretty sure I am going to install the MXT500 due to its IP rating. The Jeep won't have any roof or doors once it's done. Shoot, im not even sure if it will have a windshield when it's done. LoL Anyone aware of a different, affordable and readily available GMRS/UHF mobile radio that I should consider? IP66 or better and 20+w? This is what I picked up. 1997 Wrangler TJ. This is roughly what it will look like when its done.

I came home from work, and man, this thread delivered for my nightly wind-down...

The Queen has declared it; so it will be.

Or... you could have just replied 'no'.

I wish I could like a post more than once.

No.

Fantastic! Glad to hear it!

Depends on if they are sitting still or shuffling around.

I made a special EmComm rig with two Campbell's soup cans from the '70s and 5,000 feet of Spider Wire.

I have had to separate some handheld radios as much as 100+ feet to stop the desense. If you're running more than 1w-2w, you may need more distance than what you're currently doing.