WREM784

I just built an Android app for this: https://github.com/nathanchilton/remote-identifier
With the app running on an old Android phone, connected to a BTECH GMRS-V1 using a BTECH APRS-K1 cable, it listens for traffic.  If it hears any sound (via the HT) after the last time it has identified, it will use speech-to-text to transmit an identification through the HT, which then is also transmitted via the repeater.  It is a bit of a hack, but it means that the device just needs to be within range of the repeater for this to work (no direct interface to the repeater is needed).  It isn't as good as a real controller, but I think it's better than nothing.

I just built an Android app for this: https://github.com/nathanchilton/remote-identifier
With the app running on an old Android phone, connected to a BTECH GMRS-V1 using a BTECH APRS-K1 cable, it listens for traffic.  If it hears any sound (via the HT) after the last time it has identified, it will use speech-to-text to transmit an identification through the HT, which then is also transmitted via the repeater.  It is a bit of a hack, but it means that the device just needs to be within range of the repeater for this to work (no direct interface to the repeater is needed).  It isn't as good as a real controller, but I think it's better than nothing.

For anyone interested, I put together a bit of a hack to handle repeater identification, for something like a Retevis RT97, which doesn't have a way to connect a real controller.  It isn't as good as a proper repeater controller, but I think it could be good enough in many cases (or at least better than nothing).  It certainly shows some intent to comply.

Essentially, I wrote an Android app which listens for sound and uses Android's text-to-speech capabilities to transmit a message.  It will transmit this message any time it hears sound and it has been more than 15 minutes since the last time it identified itself.  

I installed it on an old Android phone and connected it to a BTECH GMRS-V1 (with VOX enabled) using a BTECH APRS-K1 cable.  The HT is configured to communicate through the repeater.  So, the HT just needs to be reasonably close to the repeater to handle the identification function.  It waits until things have been quiet for a second before transmitting, but it could still get walked on by any signal that is stronger.  So, the identification won't always be heard, but I expect it would be heard a lot of the time.  It would certainly be heard if someone was just "kerchunking" the repeater to see if they could bring it up. 

I haven't published a release build, yet, but if you're interested, I could email you an APK file -- or you could just build it from the source: https://github.com/nathanchilton/remote-identifier
 
 

The only reason that I own GMRS and FRS radios is because I like to set a good example and follow the rules.  If I were to use MURS channels on a regular basis, I would get myself some MURS radios.  There are times when one would be significantly better than the other, and there are a plethora of radios which will do both, so it's frustrating to explain that you're not supposed to use those radios that way.  Even if you follow every other rule and use the appropriate amount of power, etc, it's illegal for no good reason.  I would absolutely buy a set of legal, dual-band FRS/MURS radios if the FCC would allow it.  I have the ability to do this already with many of my HTs, but I would spend my hard-earned money on a redundant set of radios just to have a set that is fully legal, so I could set a good example.  It would also give me something I could recommend to people who don't want to make radio into a hobby, etc.  

It would be very useful for an individual to be able to have a fully legal handheld radio which does both FRS and MURS (and VHF marine, for when you're boating, etc).  There is no technical reason why a radio cannot be manufactured to do all of these (because any unlocked Baofeng or "MARS-modded" ham radio can already do this), but the FCC doesn't want us to do it, so they prohibit it in their regulations.  VHF and UHF have different behavior depending on the terrain and it makes sense to be able to switch between them depending on the circumstances, but carrying two different radios for FRS and MURS is a hassle and it's just silly when one radio can easily do both.  I'm sure there are manufacturers who would love to market an FRS/MURS radio for unlicensed use.  It's just the FCC that stands in the way.  They would sell well to people who want to follow the letter of the law, as long as the price was reasonable.

I’m all for following rules that are based in common sense, but in our modern world there are many rules & regulations that exist only because those in power have a need to justify their existence. It happens not just in the world of communications gear, but in every aspect of our lives.

For anyone interested, I put together a bit of a hack to handle repeater identification, for something like a Retevis RT97, which doesn't have a way to connect a real controller.  It isn't as good as a proper repeater controller, but I think it could be good enough in many cases (or at least better than nothing).  It certainly shows some intent to comply.

Essentially, I wrote an Android app which listens for sound and uses Android's text-to-speech capabilities to transmit a message.  It will transmit this message any time it hears sound and it has been more than 15 minutes since the last time it identified itself.  

I installed it on an old Android phone and connected it to a BTECH GMRS-V1 (with VOX enabled) using a BTECH APRS-K1 cable.  The HT is configured to communicate through the repeater.  So, the HT just needs to be reasonably close to the repeater to handle the identification function.  It waits until things have been quiet for a second before transmitting, but it could still get walked on by any signal that is stronger.  So, the identification won't always be heard, but I expect it would be heard a lot of the time.  It would certainly be heard if someone was just "kerchunking" the repeater to see if they could bring it up. 

I haven't published a release build, yet, but if you're interested, I could email you an APK file -- or you could just build it from the source: https://github.com/nathanchilton/remote-identifier
 
 

I have no understanding why the FCC can't, or wont allow multiple type certifications for a single radio. My point here is that I can't see any reason that you can't legally buy a type certified radio that covers both MURS, FRS, and Marine VHF. Is this because the manufactures don't want to bother with this? Or is there something within current FCC rules that I'm missing that prohibits this?
Currently there's four "services" that do not require licensing, Marine VHF (license requirement eliminated in 1996), MURS, FRS, and Citizens Band (11M).
Marine VHF is an interesting one. The limitations are pretty generous. The way I understand the current rules for Marine VHF is that as long as you are using to communicate with another person on (or near?) a navigable body of water, it's within the rules. So technically, if one party is on a kayak in a creek large enough to allow kayaking, and the other is onshore (and at  no specifically defined distance from the water), communication on the Marine VHF band is permitted. Anywhere in the country. The power limitation is 25 watts for Marine VHF.
What burns my bacon is you can buy a radio(s) that does have this capability (but they're not "legal"), so the technology is available, but the FCC wants you to buy 3 radios... Hmmm... maybe I just answered my own question...

What I did was set up a cw wav file of callsign and then set up task manager in my computer to play it every hour (or whatever time frame you choose) and the headphone out from computer goes to mic input on a cheap baofeng on low pwr, VOX turned on and set to repeater rx frequency. For me was 467.550 pl 136.5. Seems to be working just fine

Well, here is where I think a slight change of tactics could help.
Instead of telling people their radios are garbage, let them look at ALL of the tests in one place.
You don’t need to advocate for any particular brand or radio.
I remember, back when I was more into motorcycles than anything, looking at the back pages of a cycle (or cycle world, motorcyclist? I forget. Point is one had the following data) and there you would find a full page with virtually every bike they tested. 1/4 mile times, top speed, breaking distance, weight, price etc.
An odd brand (Bimota) had some really good numbers... but cost a small fortune. Like $20k when a good Japanese bike was like $7500.
Obviously, those were dream bikes, so we found bikes that fit our budgets and still performed as best they could at that price.... and we always kept an eye out for a used bike we could afford, that gave us performance that was well above our wallets ability to match in a new bike.
Same works here. If someone has a budget of $50 to start, let them buy their Baofeng. When they decide they like the hobby enough to upgrade, they can. Yeah, it may well be junk, but it’s also $50. Not a bad way to test the waters.
For many, there is going to be an acceptable price/performance ratio. They might look at the Boafengs and want a step up, so they look at the Wouxun... which is a step up, but still not a top end radio. If they could see HOW MUCH of a step up it is, perhaps they would see that for a bit more, they could have a LOT more radio, and maybe it changes their minds by giving them the information to make a well informed purchase.
Not everyone is going to want a Motorola off of E-bay, they might want more features, or simply don’t want to gamble on how good the radio still is, sight unseen. But maybe, in time, they decide they do want a top of the line radio, so they buy a brand new Motorola (or Kenwood, or Icom or...). And someday they sell that to someone looking to upgrade from their Wouxun.
It doesn’t have to be insults back and forth. Very few will listen to someone telling them they bought garbage, at least compared to someone telling them, that for their next radio, if they want to see some significant improvements to buy the better brands.
I’ve heard (or read) it said “Boafeng has done more for amateur radio (and I suggest GMRS as well), than any club, web page, or organization.” And I believe it is true.
Had it not been for my ultra cheap Boafengs, I wouldn’t have gotten my, tyt, Anytone, or my new Icom, much less my GMRS license.
Putting the data all out there at once takes away the “radio snob” bull$#!t and lays it all out there for all to see.
Some will make better choices because of it.
 
If People send me the data, I will organize it and post it for all to see.
I don’t have many radios, and nothing to test with beyond an SWR meter. I won’t be able to generate much data, but I can organize it and even add some grading systems that help people make sense of the numbers without being a full on radio nut.