mbrun

Not sure if there is a mechanism for renewal of an expired GMRS license. After mine expired I applied for new license, new callsign. Perhaps someone else will have additional insight. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Try putting 50’ or so of separation between the two radios to see if it makes a difference as wayoverthere suggested. If there is not difference, cut your distance to the repeater by 50% and try again. At my home I am on the fringe of a number of repeaters when I am using my HT with rubber duck. I will experience the same symptoms you describe until I reduce the distance between my HT and repeater or switch over to a higher-gain mobile antenna. I have no issue opening up the repeater, there will just be no usable audio. Sometimes just closing the distance from 26 to 25 miles is enough to get it to work. BTW propagation was great last week. I had two days in a row where I could get into the repeater with nearly full quieting using the HT with rubber duck. Third day, nada, back to normal. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

For what is worth, the Wouxun KG-UV9P that I own has an FCC ID of WVTWOUXUN12, despite it being listed as electrically identical on the KG-805G documents in question. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The FCC does not explicitly limit the power of the handheld to 5w across the board. The 5w limits in the GMRS rules apply to all radios permitted to use some of the itinerant frequencies. But while the rules do not expressly limit it, the power is implicitly limited because handheld radios must comply with RF radiation exposure limits called “Specific Absorption Rate” limits. If it were somehow possible to manufacturer a higher power unit and achieve SARs compliance I suspect you would see higher power units available. Don’t hold your breath. https://www.fcc.gov/general/radio-frequency-safety-0 Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

It would be nice to get some side-by-side objective comparisons between your existing radio and this new one, especially using the same antenna and at the same test locations. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Technically, the answer is ‘Yes’ you can use two radios with a single antenna. Whether it is practical and cost-effective is a completely separate matter. If the two radios operate on separate frequency bands, and the frequencies of concern are sufficiently separated, and you use a diplexer or duplexer of appropriate specifications then yes it is possible. A duplexer is what is used with repeaters that need to receive on one frequency and transmit on another simultaneously. A diplexer provides commonly for a splitting of frequencies (think low range and high range). In the later you may image a single wide-band or dual band antenna being split into say VHF and UHF frequency ranges and then connected to separate VHF and UHF radios. Splitting the band for dual Rx purposes is one thing. Being able to receive on one while transmitting on the the other is another matter. Different specifications are required to prevent one radio from adversely affecting the other. Research diplexer and duplexer on the net and you should get an education. Putting a switch in that will route the antenna to the radio you want to use may be an appropriate and affordable option. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Without a doubt, GMRS and FRS radios could and would be used in an emergency. As has already been stated, many CERT organizations use them. More importantly, they will be most useful to you and your family if you and your family know how to use them, know how you will use them, and you are prepared to use them on zero notice (which means having them with you and having ample power source (aka batteries) available. Knowing how to use them goes beyond powering up and setting channel. GMRS and FRS provide for good short-distance comms. GMRS may give you greater effective range in an emergency, but only if the local repeaters you are accustomed to use remain in service. The more local repeaters you know about and have programmed into your radio the more longer range options might be available to you. This is also true of amateur radio comms. The distinct advance amateur radio has over GMRS and FRS is the wide variety of equipment types and frequency bands available to them. Many amateurs practice on the radio weekly, and many daily. I fall into that later. Preparing means know what you options are and how to take advantage of them. Although it is a bit late, there have been a couple of recent YouTube videos published regarding how GMRS is now being deployed and used in places like California in the wake of the Paradise fire. But remember, prepping is always to late after the emergency situation has arrived. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

There is nothing wrong with verifying tuning is still in acceptable range when using on both vehicles, but I do not expect it to be something that will require any recurring action on your part. No, you do not need to retune an antenna when you switch the radio you use. Tuning is a function of the frequency of operation and the physical installation of the antenna. As long as the antenna is used with only GMRS frequencies you can use whatever radio you want. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

It does seem that the FCC is trying to ensure radios are made for specific services with zero cross-over. Perhaps it is easier for them to manage. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I was doing some looking into the FCC ID ‘WVTWOUXUN08’ and it appears to be used in 2012 by an early attempt at a GMRS radio. Model KG-833. Here is a link to the FCC site where a variety of exhibits can be viewed: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=XoiQvROpmh5jYQobT9xwkw%3D%3D&fcc_id=WVTWOUXUN08 As can be seen in the photos they have a similar appearance but no front panel LCD or front panel buttons. Here is a link to the FCC ID ‘WVTWOUXUN16’ and its exhibits: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=BWRElos6j3AMthgYUFsLOA%3D%3D&fcc_id=WVTWOUXUN16 All documents for this one are dated 2020 and the primary product reference is the KG-805G. I do find it interesting in what appears to be an outright lie in the following document where they assert to the FCC that “all the models are electrically identical” that are listed after the KG-805G. What a load of crapolla. https://apps.fcc.gov/eas/GetApplicationAttachment.html?id=4695702 I happen to own one of those that is asserted electronically identical. It has true dual receive, 10 watts of output power, Rx coverage in 7 bands (not 1) and transmits in 2 bands(not 1) and has features out the ying-yang, including full keypad that IMO make it far from electrically identical. The TDR capability alone I suspect would disqualify it from being ‘electronically identical’ to the KG-805G unless behind the scenes it too is a TDR (7) band transceiver. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The Lake Cumberland Amateur Radio Association as just published the first of what is expected to be a 3-Part series on getting a GMRS repeater on the air. The first one is pretty good. I have high hopes to the remaining in the series. Enjoy. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

If you are using the web browser, try selecting your photo in your file system, then click copy (Ctrl+C in Windows), then try paste (Ctrl+V) in your new post to see it that works. In my case, I use the TapaTalk app via my iPad. A button exists in the app for inserting it directly. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Here is the one I purchased. http://www.randl.com/shop/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=75145&osCsid=5rv7mbuk44l0u3n3o0er7si8p5 This instrument is not for the technical faint of heart and it will require a pretty good learning investment. Good news is there are loads of YouTube videos, some are incredibly good, some are not worth your time. There will be no manual that comes with the product and there is no big company standing behind the product that you can call for help. If you have a Kindle reader (or an iPad or other computer with Kindle software) there is a manual written by a couple of lay folks that is definitely worth purchasing (IMO) from Amazon. You might consider purchasing the kindle book and reading it first before you decide to spend the money on the product. If you are technically inclined and love tinkering with electronics and antennas, this product is too value packed to be missing from your electronics tool kit (IMO). Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Nice job Randy!!! Thanks for the wonderful comments on behalf of the GMRS community. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I have and use the NanoVNA H4. For the radio neophyte it has a steep learning curve but there is so much you can learn with this instrument once you understand the technology. I would have a hard time going back to traditional SWR meter. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I experienced the same thing. I performed a password reset and tried with success to reuse the same password as before. All good now. Not sure wha the issue is/was. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The new fee is not a big deal for me. I have 9-1/2 years to go on my current 10 year license. My first two license were $90 +/- for each of my first two five-year licenses, so the current $70 was a welcome change. My luck it will be $500 in 2030 when I am up for renewal again. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The way you need to go about it can very by radio model in my experience. First off, you asked about tone, then you list an example that has to do with frequency. Two separate things. My answer is based on you using Chirp and a radio that it supports. I also strongly recommend you review the information available on the Chirp website. Here is a link that provides the official explanation of the fields in the memory grid. https://chirp.danplanet.com/projects/chirp/wiki/MemoryEditorColumns With regards to frequency. When entering frequencies, with some radios you can enter the Rx frequency, offset direction and value. In other cases you must enter the Rx frequency and Tx frequency explicitly. You can find the official explanation on the same link included above. Hopefully this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Good Day MacJack. I do agree with you, hence my comment regarding the fox watching the hen house. While the fox may not be the manufacturer directly, I doubt the testing company is going to report defects (liberties if you will) that their client took when they are being paid by them (the manufacturer) and their scope of service is limited to making and reporting measurements results in a standard way per FCC requirements. Verifying things the FCC does not require them to verify is outside their scope. It is sort of like a defense lawyer that is expected to defend the client paying their bill in accordance with the law the way it is written, even if they question the integrity of their client. If the FCC were doing some of their own testing they would certainly identify for themselves what defects exist in their rules and procedures and I would expect them to make the necessary modifications to close the loop-holes. Of course all of this is conjecture. The FCC may want it just this way, so who am I to say. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Happy New Year to you all. May 2021 be much better for you than 2020. 73 to all. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Acknowledged. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

JeepCrawler, good job catching this. You are doing your homework. You ask some very good questions, questions that perhaps a legal scholar may need to answer. I do believe the FCC, just like the FAA in regards to the Boeing 737 Max plane, has fallen short. The way they are doing things is like the fox guarding the hen house. I do not believe they are validating the information submitted, let alone putting their hands on equipment and performing any of what was submitted. While I do like this radio, and the FCC did certify it, I do not believe it complies with their own rules (my opinion of course). I have already confirmed that this radio can do things, without hacking, that it should not be capable of doing and at power levels it is not authorized to do it at. At a minimum, I hope BTWR is reading MyGMRS posts and at least taking silent action to remedy the situation. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Thanks for posting. Here is another thread on the same subject. FCC Report & Order - GMRS License Fee Lowered to $35 https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=112680&share_tid=2339&share_pid=21283&url=https://forums.mygmrs.com/index.php?/topic/2339-FCC-Report-%26-Order---GMRS-License-Fee-Lowered-to-%2435/page__view__findpost__p__21283&share_type=t&link_source=app Happy New Year Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Take a look in the document for the following: Let us know if you concur that the fee will be lowered to $35 or if you interpret no change. BTW, I agree that new fees are not in effect. I have not seen yet a date they go live. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Welcome to GMRS Bob. You will find lots of good information here in the forum. Enjoy. I encourage to you stay legal with whatever radio choice you make. Look for radios that are FCC Type 95e certified if you are purchasing a new radio. And follow the rules when using it. I personally use the Wouxun KG-805G handheld. I use one in my vehicle with an external antenna and I also carry one. I have owned them for about six months and would purchase them again. It is a great easy to use starter radio and is more flexible than others on the market. I will step up when and if a new and better product emerges on the market that is 95e certified. BTW, I just completed a 45 minute chat session with 5 other folks just before seeing your message. I was using my handheld with a Nagoya 771G antenna. I was 26 miles from a local high-profile repeater. Currently there are a limited radio choices on the market that comply with the new regulations. Consequently, some folks operate illegally. Some folks choose to purchase used but much higher quality and better performing commercial LMR radios. Midland sells mobile radios for vehicles that can do simplex and repeater communications. They do not however offer a repeater-capable handheld for some reason. BTech sells one handheld and one mobile model that are certified. They have some gross programming limitations however which has been a problem for some. I imagine you will receive a variety of information from folks here. Enjoy GMRS. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM