quarterwave
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Posts posted by quarterwave
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You could use something like this and some bigger clamps.
or
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I've had one of these on a secondary repeater (a couple of Radius or Maxtracs) for a number of years. Adjustable audio, hang time, and it works great.
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FB2 is Single User Repeater
FB4 is Multiple User, "Community Repeater", Each user group (Ex: Bob's heating and cooling) is licensed for the repeater pair and their mobiles/portables.
FB6 is Multiple User, Common Carrier, Only the system (Repeater) is licensed, users are licensed as part of the system when they become users.
FB7 Same as FB6 but non-profit
FB8 is a trunking repeater (centralized)
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I think it would be best if members of this forum kept their political views to themselves and stuck to the topics this board was created to support.
I will stop reading the peacocking and grandstanding responses some people type because they need everyone to know they are the expert. LOL.
The comment wasn't political, it was administrative, many FCC changes occurred under that administration.
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Businesses can use FRS all they want, we've discussed it to death on other threads. MURS radios are very difficult to find at the same price point anyways.
Everyone, regardless of GMRS licensing, is limited to 1/2 watt on the 467 MHz interstitial channels (8-14) on an integrated antenna. It wouldn't surprise me if people were selling imported radios capable of more power or detachable antennas on 8-14, but the equipment shouldn't have type certification. FRS can use all the other channels (1-7, 15-22) at 2 watts and narrowband modulation. Even if the radio was sold as a FRS/GMRS combination radio under the old type acceptance rules, it was reclassified as a FRS radio during the rule change if it were compliant with those power limits.
Selling GMRS radios without proof of license, or making licensing requirements difficult to locate on the consumer-visible packaging, was the bigger issue. Had the labeling and licensing requirements been made more rigorous, the GMRS radio manufacturers (Motorola, Midland, Uniden, Cobra, etc.) would have been under pressure to recall basically every FRS/GMRS radio on the market. Additionally, adding more barriers for equipment adoption and generating a lot of consumer confusion would have hurt sales significantly and made the FCC look bad to the public. It was easier to change the requirements for FRS, and recertify the radios for FRS. GMRS was screwed either way due to the need for more channel capacity on FRS with falling equipment prices.
Thanks for the reminder of what we know. Is the pulpit free now?
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Yes. I have seen some on Amazon that claim up to two watts on 22 channels.
However, I was wondering what regulation you were citing in your comment that it would be illegal to speak Spanish on FRS? There is a requirement that GMRS station IDs be made in English or Morse code. But, the only other reference I can find to language in Part95 is in subpart-A - General Rules for the Personal Radio Services
Plain language voice communications. Voice communications without codes or coded messages intended to provide a hidden meaning. Foreign languages and commonly known radio operating words and phrases, such as “ten four” and “roger,” not intended to provide a hidden meaning, are not considered codes or coded messages.
I was probably thinking of that, and you had to not be representing a foreign nation to get a GMRS license....but Hell, after Obama who knows!
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That is not an option with the Micro Mobile line of radios. Turning on the encode function without the decode function, is still split tone, which the radio can't do. Also, leaving the RF squelch open with the tone squelch enabled still results in no audio output on the receiver.
Gotcha...so do they even have a momentary monitor function? I haven't partaken yet...as they are not wideband....but Midland assures me they will be updating the product in 2020 to do wideband.
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Update... This fall we have had a lot of local projects started (roads, industrial, commercial) and I am hearing a lot more of what is probably newer FRS radios which can use the GMRS mains now at 2 watts, they are all using roger beep, and most can't be heard over a mile. Tell tale signs. Also, alot of Spanish, which would be illegal, and the radios are probably coming from Walmart, Grainger, Fastenal...etc. People just don't know what questions to ask and what is right anymore.
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The work around is to TX the right tone and RX with no tone (CSQ) or leave the monitor engaged and listen CSQ regardless. I'm not familiar if the MTX radios have a latching monitor function or not...
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How about another repeater part way into the coverage area you want to expand to, and part way in the existing coverage area. Same Freqs, just use a different PL to get into the second repeater, but same output PL.
Think of it as overlapping circles.
I know of an entire county's fire system that was setup that way years ago, we called it poor mans trunking.
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It's also being operated illegally....it says they run digital modulation over it.
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GMRS requires a user license, FRS does not. FRS "Rules" are generally non enforceable.
'FRS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required to operate an FRS radio provide you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use if you are not a representative of a foreign government.'
And you are right...businesses need to be on MURS if they want cheap comms.
Maybe the good thing is that most of the cheap radios that people buy from a "store" are good for 2 watts at best. Really what was done with the rules was to make what people were (uneducated about radio) doing illegally with store bought radios that did GMRS and FRS in being legal. The fcc should have never allowed combo radios to begin with.
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I have noticed the same. In my area there is an automotive supplier or two, and a hotel using FRS/GMRS channels and shouldn't be....however.....
With the rules change where FRS radios can use the GMRS mains at 2 watts....you don't know who is legal and who is not. I say about 50/50 illegal (seller put them on GMRS), and then business using FRS because it is cheap on equipment...even though it's not right, it is legal. I hope they get tired of replacing junk radios and buy some real ones and a license (part 90).
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There is alot (at least there used to be, it was preferred band) UHF commercial and public safety/services in that area. There were a ton of UHF community repeaters which are now probably LTR trunks.
It is possible you were hearing a mix, where multiple high power repeaters are on air at same time, especially if your radios have a broad receiver.
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welcome
Ha ha!
It just reminded me of a new employee I had (inherited from another location for the week, I did not hire him) at the radio shop way back in the day. He introduced himself as the FNG and then proceeded to say the words, to a customer no less. I sent him to my office and then home for the day. Dang kids...
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Been, done that, got the empty bases to prove it. I've ripped off 3 of them so far, and most of the guys have lost at least 1. So far, I haven't noticed any real performance difference......but it's hard to say in the mountains.
Advice: If no metal under the base, put some there, you need a ground plane, and I would solder a lead from it to the framework as well. Second, if you use a 1/4 wave...rip the ball off the end, you'll use far fewer or none. I took the ball off many times on tall trucks and equipment to keep them from being ripped by tree branches.
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I think the moral of the story is simplex repeaters are, with the exception of some testing, and niche applications, very tedious and awkward to use practically. If someone is looking for a reason not to invest in a regular repeater, a simplex repeater isn't it.
From experience. I built an interface and used echo station to try one out some years ago.
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Best antenna we ever used in commercial application (I worked for Motorola years ago) was a quarterwave. I have one on my Blazer roof connected to a 40w M1225 and it works great. Although, I do recommend hole mounting versus mag.
I have Motorola Spectrum 5dB, ASP 5 and 3dB sticks too....never got any more out of them on a NMO hole mount. Quarterwave always matches better too.
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Neither has priority. That said, your letter to the business was pretty well stated.
I would agree that in the letter of the rule, neither has priority. However... In practical use, I've had a license for about 25 years, and there may be 3 other legit guys within 25 miles of me with a license as well. With that said, channel usage is not a problem. Owning an expensive repeater, I simply don't care if some FRS-er is jacking around on their $22 radio, or a business just happens to start using 13 new radios they got at Menards or Walmart and think that gives them exclusive use on a certain channel. I use my repeater when I want to and they aren't going to get in my way. If I hear a licensed user, I'll give them room.
There was a medical office on the same freq that I used for a secondary open repeater once, and I advised them they could not use GMRS (this was 10 years ago). They told me to "get off our headsets". No problem, I made the repeater ID every 15 minutes on the PL they were using. Didn't take long, they were gone. My theory is, file a complaint, we'll see who wins.
It is amazing how much of an expert some people are on some things, they really are, but some of the same people pick up a radio....heaven forbid a UV5-R, and think they can just do anything they want. I make the analogy that you can buy a Mustang that goes 150 Mph...but you aren't allowed to do that on the Highway.
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Most of them use FRS Channel 1 Tone 1 and believe they are on a completely "private" channel.
- ratkin and OffRoaderX
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Any Columbia, SC GMRS users?
in General Discussion
Posted
Hi Jason. I don't want to repeat the previous reply, but I'll support his response.
Midland has told me they intend to "update" the product line this year and that the Micro Mobiles will be wideband capable. They basically screwed the pooch. and didn't mean to, on those, with the oversight being that wideband GMRS repeaters (which are 99% of them) don't play nice with narrowband only radios. The split PL thing has never been a big deal to me, as in 30 years of working with radio commercially, and being a GMRS licensee for 25, I have never used or setup any repeater in any service with split PL's. I see the reason why someone would, but I have not.
I own a good many mobiles and portables, and a MTR2000 repeater...all have a "M" on them, so I am spoiled.
I have a couple of Boafeng 888's that I kind of play with on a secondary repeater, and a UV5R, they all have their place. It's all about expectations.