marcspaz

It's not limited to a telephone network. Collectively, the rules state any public network. (I'll get the quotes shortly). This includes any internet connection, even over a VPN. In my opinion, based on the rules as a whole, the only way I am aware of to link GMRS repeaters without a rule violation is for a private person or business to own 100% of the physical infrastructure. There may be a way of RF linking on GMRS channels, but I haven't dug into the rules enough to make a legit determination.... yet.

I thought about doing it for my own interest, but I didn't think of it until after the project was done. The customer was looking for a cheap alternative to commercial radios, to communicate between two campus' with base stations. Handhelds were also in the site survey and setup, but they only needed coverage for about a mile in each direction, per campus and only to the base station. I missed an opportunity for sure... but was focused on the job and requirements.

While I tend to agree, it will still take a lawsuit, deep pockets and the courage to both pursue it and apply those resources to the suit.

So... couple of possible answers. I have done head-to-head-to-head testing for a customer, through 10 miles of heavy woods, with GMRS, MURS and CB. I will make this as concise as possible. With everything being equal, the lower in frequency you go, the less foliage and trees absorb RF... therefore the less the impact on range. That said, due to rules of the services, that doesn't mean anything as far as practical application. Again, no Line of site restriction, heavy woods, abiding to the FCC rules. From and to the exact same locations, on the same day, within an hour time frame. With a mobile CB, legal limit on AM, the max usable power of 4w (3 measured) and a 1/4 wave antenna, range was about 2.5 miles. With mobile MURS, max usable power of 2w (1.8 measured) and a 6dB gain antenna, max range was 1 mile. With GMRS. max usable power of 50w (48.5 measured) and a 6dB antenna, we were able to talk the full 10 miles with about a 50:50 SNR.

I agree with Steve. Especially since the FTM-500 is a crossband repeater already. I was using two FTM-300DRs as a repeater for EmComm purposes, but I had two radios in two different vehicles and only set them up as a same-band repeater for emergencies and training. Even then, it's not practical and I ended up getting another DR-1X repeater.

BBI has a 10kw amp he drives with an 1.8kw amp. Thing is loud as heck.

Unfortunately, based on the wattage mentioned, I don't think the duplexer is doing much, if anything. A typical 'notch only' 6 cavity duplexer (3 transmit and 3 receive) will experience 3dB or more signal attenuation, cutting your signal in half. However, when properly tuned, even losing half the signal is still a significant improvement over the desense of using two close proximity antennas with no duplexer at all. Do you have a VNA available to you? Or a friend with one?

I ran a 3/4" ground strap from the swing gate to the tub, from the tub to the frame and from the from to the engine block. My SWR did drop under 2:1 (1.7 IIRC), but the radio just worked much better. I could hear a lot better and got much more distance out if it.

It's tough doing QRP during some of these QRM contests. Even with 500w+, it can be difficult to get through the noise of 1kc of separation. Field Day is no exception. For the past 2 years I have skipped all contesting for health reasons and the fact that it has been close to 100 degrees two Field Days in a row. Normally, I bring out a portable shelter, solar and batteries, and I will string up a dipole between two 35' masts. Same thing on Winter Field Day. It's always fun, but its a lot of work to setup and tear down.

I had gotten my first GMRS license long before I was licensed in amateur radio, '87-'88 timframe. I was looking for an alternative to CB, that was quiet and family friendly. It was mostly for road trips with my family, as several times a year we would caravan 1,000+ miles to states around the country. I had let me original license expire due to lack of use, but got interested in Ham radio back in the early 2000's. As my son got older and started driving, he wanted radios to keep in touch. Especially because of the camping g and 4wheeling. At first we used CB... but he asked me if there was something like Ham radio, but without having to take a test. I remembered how well GMRS worked, so, I got a new license for the family to use. Just like the old days, it was for caravans with the family and noodling around when there was no cell coverage. Today, I still use it for the same reasons... caravans, wheeling, keeping in touch around town. It's a good service.

GMRS has historically been a utility, not a rag-chew hobby. While in very dense population areas there is a big social component, once you get outside population centers, it is very much still a utility. If you are looking for social communications, I would recommend amateur radio. Specifically either a General or Extra class so you can use the most amount of HF voice spectrum.

I don't think the people who write this stuff are very smart... "You cannot directly interconnect a GMRS station with the telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications," The common definitions of a network are "a group or system of interconnected people or things." and "interact with others to exchange information" Two people talking on the radio creates a network... two operators talking on a repeater (using 3 radios) is a network. They really need someone with a firm grip on the English language to help them over at the FCC, because they are failing.

I mean.... this is the first one I've seen. And my opinion is the only one that matters. Just ask me; I'll tell you!

This is a great interview that our friend @OffRoaderX has done with someone whom has been directly involved with a linked repeater network being turned off after FCC interaction. This is a big deal. The FCC is asking for call signs of people who used the network, not just to turn down the network. Repeater owners and users, pay attention. I don't want to see my friends getting in trouble. Thanks for the great work Randy!

Quick note... with the exception of the Midland, my antennas are UHF mounts, not NMO. So, you all should find some entertainment in this. I just finished sweeping my Comet CA-2X4SR and on the the hood lip mount, the antenna does not work as well as on the thru-hole mount on the bed rail. On the thru-hole mount on the pick-up bed, these are the current values. 140 - 1.5 142 - 1.2 146.520 - 1.3 148 - 1.3 154 - 1.5 440 - 1.6 444 - 1.7 448 - 1.5 462 - 2.1 467 - 1.9 The biggest deviations on the hood lip mount are seen in the MURS frequencies and in the GMRS frequencies. The curve is much steeper and the center tuning moves down in frequency. 154 - 2.0 462 - 1.9 (improvement) 467 - 3.1 (worse by more than 1 unit) So, it looks like the SWR is better on the VHF frequencies while using the Comet and better on the UHF frequencies using the Diamond. I am fine with this since the NR-770 is being used on my Moto exclusively for GMRS.

Hmmm I wonder if it's mounting location or if the NMO version performs differently. I've had great luck with it... though there is no obvious gain to it.

I still have my CA-2X4SR... I will probably sweep it again in a bit. I don't have notes on the exact numbers or performance experience, just memories of disappointment. I remember the main reason I changed it was because I was sitting next to a friend of mine and his mobile was receiving a station fairly well, that my radio didn't hear at all, and we have the exact same radio, the same mount, on the same year/make/model vehicle. The only difference was the antenna.

This is everything I have notes on... @OffRoaderX I wanted to tag you in case you're interested in my results, too. MXTA26 Freq in MHz - SWR 440 - 1.5 446 - 1.8 448 - 2.1 462 - 1.5 467 - 1.3 NR-7900 140 - 2.2 142 - 1.7 146.520 - 1.4 148 - 1.3 154 - 2.8 440 - 1.6 448 - 1.3 462 - 1.6 462 - 1.5 NR-770 140 - 1.8 142 - 1.5 146.520 - 1.4 148 - 1.3 154 - 2.6 440 - 1.1 446 - 1.1 448 - 1.2 462 - 2.1 467 - 1.5 SBB1 140 - 1.9 142 - 1.8 146.520 - 1.7 148 - 1.6 154 - 1.6 440 - 1.6 446 - 1.3 448 - 1.0 462 - 1.8 467 - 1.2

Mine was on a hood mount, too, but I have run plenty of other antennas in the same spot with much better results. Overall, I would say that it's an OK antenna if you are primarily using it for Ham radio and occasionally use it on the 462 simplex frequencies. I was very disappointed with the SWR and performance on the 467 frequencies. I ended up replacing it with an MXTA27, and then eventually with a Diamond NR-770, when not sharing my NR-7900 with my amateur gear. All 3 antennas are much better performing on the 467 frequencies.

Oh yeah... and they have different handles for local and DX, too. I go by Papa Spaz locally and 410 on DX. My buddy goes by Porch Honky (he's a huge Moccasin Creek fan). I can't tell you how much dust that stirs up on the air. LoL

It works. Users just need to be sure to select the correct radio brand/model options based on the firmware loaded to the active profile on the radio.

Just do what I did and buy both! LOL

I didn't even consider that, which is bad, given I have one in the Jeep. That is a rock star radio as far as just simply communicating goes. Audio filters are really good too, and it has the ability to switch an amp as well as run digital modes. I suppose because it's a no frills mobile, I didn't think of it as a base station, but it can definitely be used as an affordable option.

In my opinion, the Icom IC-7300 or the Yaesu FT-991a are your two best options. The 7300 has better receive sensitivity and a better display but the 991a has 2m and 70cm.

I know a few members do emergency volunteer work. Anyone have a legit portable repeater setup? It's been about a year since I setup my portable "shack". Since the weather was nice today and I have a new repeater to field test, I figured I would do a dry-run at home before I setup in an actual emergency. It takes about 3 hours to deploy the portable setup with HF, VHF, and UHF amateur radio and GMRS. So, needless to say, unless it's a multi-day drill or real emergency, I'm not going all out, but it was time for that dry-run. I have a dedicated mast for the homemade 80m/40m/20m/10m OCF dipole, and then an additional mast for the VHF/UHF antenna(s). In these pictures, there is a Yaesu DR-1X and a Icom IC-7300.