weaverrm

Not to many in this area.  Tabb repeater over in the Newport News ares works good with a pretty good coverage area too.  I’ve hit that repeater a few times when over in that area. Nothing over here on the south side.  I noticed a listing for a repeater popped up in the Chesapeake area but it quickly disappeared.  I’m in Virginia Beach and have been thinking about messing around with the idea one day. Just haven’t got there yet I guess. LOL. 

Not to many in this area.  Tabb repeater over in the Newport News ares works good with a pretty good coverage area too.  I’ve hit that repeater a few times when over in that area. Nothing over here on the south side.  I noticed a listing for a repeater popped up in the Chesapeake area but it quickly disappeared.  I’m in Virginia Beach and have been thinking about messing around with the idea one day. Just haven’t got there yet I guess. LOL. 

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

Some of the stuff I hear on CB these days makes me wonder how the guys figure out how to put the keys in the ignition switch.  Maybe they have keyless fobs and push button starting on their trucks. 

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

My feeling is that the GMRS band is FIRST AND FOREMOST… for individuals and their families for those kinds of activities.  It is not, again, in my opinion, for “primary emergency use.”  Having said that, (some) groups are formed, or otherwise exist, for the purpose of some sort of an (community or area wide) emergency response.   The problem is… the logistics involved with reliable point-to-point, mobile and/or hand-held communications is simply way too much for [some “rag-tag” bunch of fireman want-a-bees] an organization, both administratively and cost, to acquire, install and manage.  Therefore, rather than do it correctly (by setting up a “local government affiliated emergency response organization” that can access “official emergency comms”, groups form and jump on GMRS and over-run it in the process.  
 
Not trying to bash anyone here… just attempting to point out that… before even getting to the issue of ‘comms requirements’ in those organizations, the purpose and/or point of and/or function, of the organization might outta be looked at first.   Bottom line is… GMRS is not, and was not… set up to be an emergency services band.  Now, how much trouble do you think I got myself into by saying this????

Looking at your first link referenced item….  All the military comm gear I’ve ever used, repaired, deployed with, etc. was all quite wide with respect to it’s operational spectrum capabilities.  Both fixed site and tactical stuff…. Even the ‘fixed frequency’ stuff such as Air Traffic Control equipment could be easily re-tuned (involved procedures) to any frequency in a band that is quite wide when compared to GMRS and/or ham bands.
As for the main topic question, I’d like to say NO!!  No government agency, at any level of government, has a “need” for it.  Their needs can be met through other methods (other nets / frequencies).  In any and/or all instances to which someone knows of an agency that is doing such; I simply suggest that would be an agency staffed with personnel that lack the knowledge and understanding required to establish their required or necessary wireless communications capabilities… or… they are looking for a “quick fix” short-cut to an “aggravating problem” of some kind.
Look, I’ve been there, done that, and wore the t-shirt.  In my day using military equipment, I could step on just about any frequency I needed to in order to get the mission done.  BUT!!!  AIN’T NO WAY I WOULD HAVE EVER DONE THAT!!!!…because my capabilities were sufficiently robust such that there wasn’t (never would be) a ‘real need’ to do such a thing.  But, in the world of ‘local governments’ there just happens to be people that don’t know, or understand, such stuff as radio frequency communications systems and the various resources that are allocated to people, groups, organizations, businesses, governments, etc. or how to make effective use thereof.  So, wether they know it or not, there are separate sandboxes for those folks to play in.  GMRS ain’t it.?
Hope I didn’t hurt anyone's feeling here by shooting off my pie hole…??  

Looking at your first link referenced item….  All the military comm gear I’ve ever used, repaired, deployed with, etc. was all quite wide with respect to it’s operational spectrum capabilities.  Both fixed site and tactical stuff…. Even the ‘fixed frequency’ stuff such as Air Traffic Control equipment could be easily re-tuned (involved procedures) to any frequency in a band that is quite wide when compared to GMRS and/or ham bands.
As for the main topic question, I’d like to say NO!!  No government agency, at any level of government, has a “need” for it.  Their needs can be met through other methods (other nets / frequencies).  In any and/or all instances to which someone knows of an agency that is doing such; I simply suggest that would be an agency staffed with personnel that lack the knowledge and understanding required to establish their required or necessary wireless communications capabilities… or… they are looking for a “quick fix” short-cut to an “aggravating problem” of some kind.
Look, I’ve been there, done that, and wore the t-shirt.  In my day using military equipment, I could step on just about any frequency I needed to in order to get the mission done.  BUT!!!  AIN’T NO WAY I WOULD HAVE EVER DONE THAT!!!!…because my capabilities were sufficiently robust such that there wasn’t (never would be) a ‘real need’ to do such a thing.  But, in the world of ‘local governments’ there just happens to be people that don’t know, or understand, such stuff as radio frequency communications systems and the various resources that are allocated to people, groups, organizations, businesses, governments, etc. or how to make effective use thereof.  So, wether they know it or not, there are separate sandboxes for those folks to play in.  GMRS ain’t it.?
Hope I didn’t hurt anyone's feeling here by shooting off my pie hole…??  

FFS, are you still arguing over this?  4 pages of trying to prove who's smarter over something that the FCC (based on their history of action) doesn't even care about? ..."some people" .... Need to go outside more often...
Just sayin...

3 pages of arguing over a control station, fixed station....yet we help guys use non certified radios for use......im baffled...
 

I totally understand the specific language used by the FCC.  I tend to want to zoom-in on the, “…voluntary provision of assistance to the public during…”.  It’s that ‘provision’-ing thing that tells me, …
…“hey dude, don’t make this your primary means for reliance on emergency communications…but, if crap hits the fan and it winds-up being the only method available that isn’t otherwise knocked-out for whatever reason… then, by all means, use it for your/the emergency at hand.”…
Now, as an old retired dude that has had a career in communications-electronics and all of it’s associated complicated electrical do-dad stuff, they HAIN’T NOT NO WAY (??) I’d pick a band or frequency for even back-up emergency comms that would / could possibly be busy with a bunch of young-ens playing on a bunch of walkie-talkies.  Remember, it’s them kids’ pappy that has the GMRS license and he didn’t activate that ‘busy channel lockout’ feature on the dozen or so walkie-talkies he has for them to play with while they are visiting him and playing on the dirt bikes and four-wheelers all over his 100 or so acres…
At least, that’s the way I put it when someone suggest (planning on) using GMRS for anything even remotely associated with an emergency.  It’s the “planning” thing, see…  To make GMRS a component of your “plan” (if / when formulating any kind of emergency response) is the mistake.  But, in the event that ALL OTHER planned methods failed first, then, and only then, should someone in an emergency response role consider GMRS.  
Now, that’s my [(retired) comms professional] interpretation of that language used by the FCC.  Does that get me into any trouble with any of y’all.???

My feeling is that the GMRS band is FIRST AND FOREMOST… for individuals and their families for those kinds of activities.  It is not, again, in my opinion, for “primary emergency use.”  Having said that, (some) groups are formed, or otherwise exist, for the purpose of some sort of an (community or area wide) emergency response.   The problem is… the logistics involved with reliable point-to-point, mobile and/or hand-held communications is simply way too much for [some “rag-tag” bunch of fireman want-a-bees] an organization, both administratively and cost, to acquire, install and manage.  Therefore, rather than do it correctly (by setting up a “local government affiliated emergency response organization” that can access “official emergency comms”, groups form and jump on GMRS and over-run it in the process.  
 
Not trying to bash anyone here… just attempting to point out that… before even getting to the issue of ‘comms requirements’ in those organizations, the purpose and/or point of and/or function, of the organization might outta be looked at first.   Bottom line is… GMRS is not, and was not… set up to be an emergency services band.  Now, how much trouble do you think I got myself into by saying this????

Wow, three of y'all new folks with new KG935g's, IP66 rated radios.   You make this "newbie to this forum" blush with my two little $40 Radioddity GM-30s, which are not IP66 rated and melt like the wicked-witch-of-the-west in rain.  Those are great radios (according the Youtube Reviews I've listened to); hope you enjoy 'em!   

JB-weld a mag mount to the top of the vehicle
 

Because Trump will need a project at his low-security incarceration.

I think with todays technology most anyone with the desire could get a label printed up (or sticker) with a callsign and attach it inside the back window.

Bullshit. That’s a cheap shot that paints all of us with the same brush.
Yes, there are those that simply memorize enough to pass the Technicians test, but they don’t hang around long.  There are still many who work within clubs to help provide backup long distance communications.  There are hams helping out during every tornado, flood, and hurricane. 

Because many years ago, when technology wasn't what it is now, Amateur radio was a vital part of communications when things went south.  Having an Amateur Radio license indicated that you had worked hard and studied electronic theory, laws and regulations and were somewhat proficient in communicating with Morse Code. 
The real question is why are they STILL a thing. 
Because having a Ham license now means you bought a book with all the answers to the questions, read it for 3 hours and took a test so you could get on the air with your 30 dollar radio that makes all sorts of beeps and crap and irritate the guys that did it right back in the day. 
Just sayin.

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

Point well taken. Before going off the rails assuming illegal operation one might have stumbled on a perfectly legal grandfathered system. If it bothers somebody do some research before jumping to conclusions.
Even in the Ham world we have to be careful since Hams only have secondary status on the 70cm band, we share it with the primary user, government. I remember doing a frequency search a while back and stumbled across some public safety frequencies between 420 MHz and 430 MHz. The US Ham band officially runs from 420 MHz to 450 MHz depending on how close you are to Canada, Line-A. The 70cm band is a mine field of various users, technical requirements and restrictions.
 https://www.ntia.doc.gov/files/ntia/publications/compendium/0420.00-0450.00_01MAR14.pdf    
https://www.chp.ca.gov/find-an-office/central-division/offices/(420)-bakersfield
https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf00049.html
 

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

I agree for the most part, but I think it’s worth also pointing out that with only eight main 462 channels shared by repeater and simplex users neither  repeater owners nor simplex users have the right to expect exclusive use of the channels. A person doesn’t have the right to use someone else’s repeater without permission, but they do have the right to use the same 462 MHz frequencies. Otherwise eight “access for pay” repeaters could completely control access for all of the main channels. 

I had this exact same questions / thoughts…. But, I also like being a cheap-skate too. Thought I’d try out the Anytone AT-779. Ordered it as a GMRS radio (but it was marked for ham 2M & 70cm when it arrived) and had to “fix” it.  There is a good YouTube video on how to get to the “boot up” menu in that radio.

Got a cheap CB as well.  It’s all a “1-Bolt” installation to the front left passenger seat mounting bolt using a single piece of flat steel stock, bent at 90 degrees in two places and twisted so the radios face the driver.  On the antenna… the near antenna (in the pic) is the generic VHF/UHF antenna that I spent a little time tweaking to an acceptable VSWR across the frequencies I have been messing around on.
yea…yea…I know…CB…??? but it works! …and works well when I want / need it.?. Ain’t no sad ham here!!  Can’t disappoint Randy!!

My feeling is that the GMRS band is FIRST AND FOREMOST… for individuals and their families for those kinds of activities.  It is not, again, in my opinion, for “primary emergency use.”  Having said that, (some) groups are formed, or otherwise exist, for the purpose of some sort of an (community or area wide) emergency response.   The problem is… the logistics involved with reliable point-to-point, mobile and/or hand-held communications is simply way too much for [some “rag-tag” bunch of fireman want-a-bees] an organization, both administratively and cost, to acquire, install and manage.  Therefore, rather than do it correctly (by setting up a “local government affiliated emergency response organization” that can access “official emergency comms”, groups form and jump on GMRS and over-run it in the process.  
 
Not trying to bash anyone here… just attempting to point out that… before even getting to the issue of ‘comms requirements’ in those organizations, the purpose and/or point of and/or function, of the organization might outta be looked at first.   Bottom line is… GMRS is not, and was not… set up to be an emergency services band.  Now, how much trouble do you think I got myself into by saying this????