JAF27

Yes, good point. In simple terms, Morse Code on GMRS is never transmitted with an oscillator in the form of “Continuous/Carrier Wave” embedded into the signal, but rather in the form of audio being transmitted on FM.

Where I am, one user uses the 154.6 frequency on FM for about one hour each morning (7 AM). I have scanned for miles in other areas, and that’s about it.

Solid points. I’d much rather DMR be integrated into MURS than GMRS considering it is a radio service that is nearly dead in many places, with only a few using it. Allocating 2-3 MURS channels for DMR wouldn’t do much harm. It would be extremely hard to police DMR on GMRS. Analog users can’t interpret their signals, and if anyone went out of bounds just once, it could be a nightmare for analog users who would be unable to trace the signal’s origin.

Certainly. He is just mentioning that many people want to make GMRS another version of HAM, part of that being the move towards DMR. And yes, it is true. Many view GMRS as the easier and study-free way to use radio, but HAM was created for the sole purpose of radio enthusiasm and interest.

I’m not against DMR use for repeaters - it’s a great resource and works tremendously well! My issue is handling the limited bandwidth of GMRS for both analog and DMR users. HAM has so much space that analog and DMR repeaters can coexist peacefully. However, GMRS only has a few repeater channels, and for analog users, DMR would likely flood their repeaters with the annoying sound of that buzzing! I have had numerous illegal DMR users transmit on the output channel of my repeater. Even squelching them out with PL tones doesn’t work, and the interference is incredibly frustrating.

You’re absolutely right. GMRS, as a modern radio service, has to address modern radio solutions like DMR. The unfortunate fact is, adding DMR in such a large implementation would simply disrupt the millions of consumer analog radios that rely on the FRS/GMRS bands for communications. I’m tired of illegal DMR users flooding my repeater channels and making life a living hell. I frankly believe that DMR should be applicable on only non-repeater channels, particularly channels 8-14 where power is limited to 0.5 watts. This way, users can experience its superior abilities while not disrupting other analog users.

As a person based in New York City, we get a lot of it. I mean A LOT. Sometimes, DMR users will entirely occupy repeater output channels for hours while we are completely unable to hear our repeaters, even when using RX tones. Cheap Chinese devices like baby monitors also sometimes use digital signals on GMRS frequencies illegally. Rarely do I see use of the legal, short digital messages being used.

Hello, I am based in New York City and am hearing a GMRS repeater transmit a Morse Code Identification as WROP628 on 462.725 MHz. I see that the license holder lives in Maywood, NJ. Does anyone know anything about this repeater or has heard it as well? Attached to this post is the recording of the transmission (Warning: Loud Squelch Sound at the Start) Thanks WROP628 - 462.725.m4a

As you mentioned, the Broadnet is a great option. They are linked through GMRS Live and have a very lively community. That said, Their non-REACT repeaters are only in the Bronx, although one appears to be in midtown according to their website and MyGMRS, but I haven’t heard it on the airwaves yet. Thus, range is limited. If you’re in Manhattan or can’t get line of sight while being out of the Bronx, it will likely be difficult to connect. NYC has quite a dense number of GMRS users and repeaters by area, but unfortunately large obstacles make relaying signals difficult.

Thanks!

Hello all, Does anyone know of repeaters or popular frequencies/talk groups on GMRS in Helena, Montana? Thanks

Hey All, For those in NYC, I recently heard people using the Manhattan 675 (KAG0353) repeater. From my knowledge, I thought it had been taken down due to interference in 2017. Even so, the people using it last night were complaining about interference as well. I tried to direct message KAG0353 the owner, but it wouldn't work. Any ideas on the repeater? Thanks

Yeah, I don't mind interference too much! Thanks for the help and have a great day!

Do you have any idea how I could reach them through radio? Or is this just me having too high of expectations?

Alright. I talked from land to sea the other day and reached a guy all the way near Atlantic City, but thanks for the suggestion.