WQBI410

I'd like to see NXDN or P25 Phase 1 allowed. NXDN is 6.25kHz (which seems to be the way the FCC is heading anyway), and P25 sounds good. I don't see the attraction for DMR, so that, to me, is out.

Agreed about the “channels” as my Icom IC-F21GM has the channels laid out more logically: 1-8 are the repeater pairs, & 9-15 are the interstitials (there are no FRS 467MHz frequencies). I would people would go back to saying frequency instead of the illogical channel numbers.

I would go with 462.6375 as it is exactly middle of the band.

As it turns out, my friend’s wide-area private repeater sits on 462.575! I’m thinking we’ll have to use it more on weekends!

First: an Icom IC-F21GM. Now: Icom IC-F4021 & 4161D.

I think Ritron is made in the U.S.A.. Their website is ritron.com

I think any experimental licenses would show up in the ERS/Part 5 database.

Years ago the PRSG recommended FRS Channel 1 at 462.5625. I would rather see 462.6375 become it as it is the exact center of the 462 band (462.55-462.725).

I would suggest 462.6375MHz, as like CB Channel 19 at 27.185MHz, it is the midway point of the band ranging from 462.55-462.725MHz.

I've seen that on a GMRS repeater. The radio was my Icom IC-F4161DS. I'm not sure how to make it go for all radios, however.

eBay is where I’ve gotten my gear used for under $100, & it’s more rugged than new CCRs, so there is that route. I bought my latest radio, a P25 HT for 136-174 MHz, for $115 less tax. I love the audio quality & robustness of P25, and the frequency economy of NXDN! I am not familiar with the Kenwood line (I’ve been buying Icom gear), but hopefully you can soon program up your 340 & 820 for GMRS & NXDN!

I’ll have to try that on my P25 radios since they’re TDMA as well! Going back to the DMR on GMRS idea, I don’t think that would work leagally at present because of the rules. As far as I know, inputs have to be in the 467 range, at present. That being said, I’d have no problem with NXDN & P25 being authorized on GMRS!

I agree about FRS being moved to a different portion of the spectrum, but not about DMR. I prefer NXDN because it is a true 6.25kHz signal, as opposed to being 12.5kHz wide. We can fit in 4x the frequencies into a 25kHz allocation whereas with DMR it would be only 2x.

I see it as a matter of pride: I’m proud of my callsign! There’s nothing special about it other than it’s mine, and that’s good enough for me!!!

My Icom IC-F21GM from 2004 has GMRS in what I think of as their natural channel assignments, whereas most radios now follow an FRS-centric numbering pattern. For instance, if your “17” is 462.6MHz, that shows up on 3 on my IC-F21GM. The high-powered GMRS frequencies are first, then come the 7 lower-powered (5w max) follow. So, if your “4” is 462.6375MHz (which, to me, should be akin to CB19 as it is the middle frequency on the band), that would show up as “12” on my ’GM. Plus, that radio has a button to switch the repeater channels to simplex mode whereas on a midland, the repeater channels come after the simplex channels (15 vs. 15RP, for example). This is why the frequency makes more sense to use, & I wish displays would give the frequency instead of the channel. I have another radio that is a commercial radio that has everything mixed together, so “600” (462.6 MHz) may precede a repeater on “550” (462.55 MHz). I’ll usually label it by city: “600” becomes “Kingston”, and “700” becomes “Plymouth”. Anyway, the FRS-centric channel numbering is confusing because it is non-intuitive, unless you’re using a strictly FRS radio. IC-F21GM channeling: 1: 462.55+ 2: 462.575+ 3: 462.6+ 4: 462.625+ 5: 462.65+ 6: 462.675+ 7: 462.7+ 8: 462.725+ 9: 462.5625 10: 462.5875 11: 462.6125 12: 462.6375 13: 462.6625 14: 462.6875 15: 462.7125 16: scan.

I use mine per FCC regulations. If others don’t, that’s on them. There are bad habits on GMRS (CB lingo, ham lingo, use of “channel” numbers instead of frequencies, not properly identifying) that should just go away. Use plain English (not cutesy “radio” vernacular); ID at the beginning & end of transmission, plus every 15 minutes therein; and make it as close to normal speech as possible. Not difficult!

What is repeater 17? I didn’t know that they are numbered. Or, do you mean “channel” 17, which is pointless because not all radios follow the same pattern. What frequency are you talking about?!

Right, because that's what GMRS is: a scanner town crier! Seriously, I wish that the scanner fans would do what the PCFN has done & get Part 90 licenses & talk over there.

What’s 17? Route 17? I don’t know of any Route 17 in R.I..