marcspaz

With limited exception, there are almost no rules on bandwidth on HF. The bandwidth limitations are typically defined by the modulation type authorized. Most of the HF radios that I've seen that transmit FM only occupy 1.8 kilohertz of bandwidth. Which is well below the common bandwidth of 3 kilohertz used for single sideband, and it works great. I personally have used FM as low as 3.85 MHz and spoke to people as far as 300 miles away without issue.

Actually, FM is allow almost everywhere phone/voice is allowed on the HF bands. The only modulation restrictions I have ever found in the rules are on 60m where you must us USB for phone, and on 10m tech segment (28.3-28.5) and only if you have a tech license. Then, you have to use AM or sideband. The only other restrictions I found specifically for HF voice is that the total bandwidth of a sideband emission with a B designation or a multiplexed image and phone emission cannot exceed the communications quality A3E emission. Which is kinda of stupid, but whatever.

Did someone say FCC Rules???

When I had my FT-891 and IC-7300 MARS modded, it opened up transmit on the CB frequencies, too. Even though I have a legit CB, it's nice to know I have options if needed.

I mean, they didn't do it until 4 decades after the rest of the nations with CB equivalent services did it. If the FCC kept with the times, GMRS as we know it might not exist. Now that I think about it, 27 MHz FM with 50w and repeaters doesn't sound like a terrible idea from a technology standpoint, but it hasn't been very popular on 29 MHz. So, we may have ended up with modern GMRS regardless.

I hear a lot of people from Dominican Republic.

I think President is the only company making FCC type approved radios with all three modulation types. The President George FCC is a great radio with all 3. So is the McKinley II FCC. I'm not sure if there are any other brands, but it would be fun to see what folks can find.

Add that to the list of rules I mentioned earlier that don't make sense. I could see emergency traffic and travelers assistance being priority on every channel... but saying one of the channels cannot be used for anything else seems like a waste of one of the limited number of channels. Especially in today's world of communications tech.

When people are talking locally, they still use a handle, but in noisy DX pile-ups, it's easier to hear a number. Also, there are some really stupid rules, like you are not allowed to talk to people in other countries and you're not allowed to have a conversation for more than 5 minutes, then there is a mandatory 1 minute break, etc. So people have a tendency to use a number instead of a handle to make it harder to ID who's talking. Was it 401 in New Hampshire or 401 in New Mexico kind of mindset.

As 255 mentioned... This will transmit 141.3 and only listen for signals with 141.3. If you want to hear everything and only transmit the tone to open the repeater, do this...

I would agree with others that GMRS is not great for finding people to chat with. If you want radio for that, CB and Ham radio would be much better. Outside of metro areas, GMRS users are far and few between and even in metro areas, you will have a bunch or people lurking, but unless someone knows you, they probably won't respond. Also, "the best" is so incredibly subjective. You need to define what "the best" would be fore you, including upper and lower budget, features desired, is space or weather-proofing a concern, etc. Then we can recommend brands on models based on your goals and limiting factors.

Dude! Don't curse my people! I thought we were friends! LOL

For handheld radios, the Nagoya NA-701C is good for MURS and GMRS. The Nagoya NA-320A is average for amateur 144MHz, 220MHz and 440MHz, and performs marginally on MURS and GMRS. The Diamond SRH77CA will work anywhere from sub-par to fantastic on frequencies from 136MHz to about 600MHz, but is designed for 2m/440.

The short answer is yes, there are plenty of multi-band antennas. The long answer is, yes, but not that cover every band. Also antennas tuned to and dedicated to the band you want to transmit and receive on Will work better.

Two of the old moderators were the biggest troublemakers. He bounced them and hasn't put anyone back in the role.

I think you're giving human beings way too much credit. Counter surveillance and evasion tactics aren't something the typical person understands.

I guess you don't know that every GMRS radio (including made by American owned companies) is made in China or Chinese territory?

I'll take "Questions Answered with 'No' " for $800, Alex.

I can't answer your question directly, but I have a friend who setup several repeaters on zello. I can ask him if he has all text directions. If he does, I'll share them with you. It may be a day or two before I hear back from him.

I'm with Steve on this one. You seem to be the angry one. Like, I think you might need therapy after reading that pathetic string of posts. You can't win the debate with facts to back your opinion, so you start name-calling, being vulgar and antagonistic. A true sign that you are losing and angry about it. Lets be very, very clear about something... I have zero F's to give. I have no grievance with the FCC. I like the way things are working right now. I don't have a dog in the fight, I'm not buying one, and I have nothing to prove. Frankly, I don't care about your opinion either. The only reason I post what I do is so someone new to the forum or with less information, doesn't come in here, read the crap you post, and mistakenly believe it is correct because there was no voice to oppose it. The truth is linked repeaters are legal (via several means), they are not going anywhere and not one single person whining about has been able to provide a single shred of proof to the contrary. Also, I'm not mad about anything. Though, I do feel bad for you from time to time. Anyway, the mean ole repeater owners aren't going anywhere. Find a new hobby or get over it.

I wish I knew... it seems like a bad idea, but it has been working so far. If I were to take a WAG at it, I would assume its related to the availability of inexpensive and improved tech, combined with a lot of government radio being moved to higher UHF frequencies, and demand from private persons increased. However, its the other way around. They put FRS and GMRS in the government allotted spectrum. Emergency services and LMR occupied the space before the PRS.

One of the reasons there are such strict rules with GMRS radio performance is because emergency service all around the country share this RF space with GMRS. in my area, there are a few fire departments that use 462 MHz for UHF digital data links. They run 24/7 and the one closest to my house freaked out for awhile, splashing GMRS. If you have access to a Kraken SDR, track it down and get the owner to fix it.

Could not agree more. Well said.

@LeoG I have participated in enough court cases to know that the intent of the law/rule means nothing to a judge. Only what is written. I have no choice but to interpret the rules as written with the provided definitions. Not to mention that linked repeaters with voice communications have been around long before the changes in 2017 and there have been exactly zero actions against anyone.... not one single person in a decade or more, with hundreds of linked repeaters and 10's of thousands of users nationwide in that same time frame. Not one single letter, accusation, fine, nothing. And it's not like its a secret. Leads me to think I may be right. Words have meaning. I agree it can be messy, but if they meant something else, they need to amend the rules and issue a clarification, which they seem wholly uninterested in. FCC enforcement agents are on this site... they are here and reading this stuff and say nothing. Though, I'm sure they get a good laugh from time to time.

It's literally in the Part 95 definition section. I have no idea how you can read this definition and not get it. "Operate: Control the functioning of a Personal Radio Service station; in particular, cause a Personal Radio Service station to begin, continue or cease transmitting. " Remote control: Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from a location that is not in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter. Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from any location on the premises, vehicle or craft where the transmitter is located is not considered to be remote control. " The combined rules literally say to remotely cause a Personal Radio Service station to begin, continue or cease transmitting. You know, like the push the PPT button, hold the PPT button, release the PTT button. No where in those definitions does it say anything about turning the repeater on and off. It's transmit or not... put it in a transmit state... or stop transmitting... remotely. If these rules weren't meant to describe remote communications/messaging, why the hell would they waste the effort and ink to specify that if you are in the immediate vicinity of the radio (on the premises, vehicle or craft where the transmitter is located) and operating it, it doesn't fall under the legal definition of Remote Control for the purposes of GMRS rules? I'm not sure how else to spell it out. Either you're messing with me or reading comprehension isn't your strong suit.