wrci350

That is not correct. The receive frequencies on 23-30 are the same as on 15-22. If a nearby FRS user is on 15-22 you will hear them. The difference between 15-22 and 23-30 is that on 23-30 you are transmitting 5MHz up from the receive frequency so you can go through a repeater. The GMRS regulations explicitly prohibit the use of the 467 inputs as simplex channels: 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz.

467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5625, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz. These are the .5 watt FRS/GMRS channels (8-14). Note that GMRS mobiles are not allowed to use them at any power level. You can listen, of course, but not transmit. But as @Sshannon said, you can use 5 watts on channels 1-7 (and FRS can use 2 watts).

Don't hate on me folks for posting those pics! These were done with a NanoVNA, which is certainly not a precision instrument but is close enough for hobbyist use!

Larsen 150/450/800

Comet CA-2x4SR

I just posted the results of doing SWR sweeps on both the CA-2x4SR and a Larsen 150/450/800 on my truck yesterday in that other thread. I also have two triband base antennas on my house and I swept them as well. Here are the max SWR values on each band: Antenna 2m 1.25m 70cm GMRS MURS 6m Diamond V2000A 1.3 4.1 1.42 1.43 3.1 2.55 Comet CX-333 1.4 1.1 1.76 2.2 4.6 The CX-333 is a 2m/1.25m/70cm antenna and does well on all three of those bands. The SWR is above 2:1 at 151 MHz and well over 3:1 on 154 MHz, so not usable for MURS. SWR is between 2:1 and 2.2:1 at both 462 and 467 MHz so not great for GMRS but probably OK for limited use. The V2000A is 6m/2m/70cm. On 6m SWR starts at 2.55:1 at 50 MHz but is under 2:1 from about 50.65 through 54. I have mine tuned so the lowest SWR (1.12:1) is around 53 MHz. SWR is good on GMRS simplex and repeater inputs and is under 2:1 on 151 MHz but up around 3:1 on 154 so would be usable on some of the MURS frequencies. As others have stated, you are not going to find one antenna that will do "6m, 10m, 11m (CB), 2m (including MURS), 1.25m, 70m (including GMRS frequencies)". You also have to keep in mind that 2m doesnt "include MURS" nor does 70cm "include GMRS"; the frequencies are enough different that an antenna resonant for the ham bands may perform very poorly on MURS/GMRS. There are a number of local hams who use the IMAX-2000 (which is a CB antenna) for 10m so that would be an option for those. Diamond also makes a 6m/10m vertical. One unrelated comment ... you must not be using "LID" the way I understand it to mean. Hopefully you aren't one! ?

So I swept both of my mobile antennas yesterday. The SWR readings on the Larsen are actually better than on the Comet which doesn't really surprise me since it's designed to be a wide bandwidth antenna (you trade gain for bandwidth). Here are the max SWR readings on five different bands. Either one would be just fine for 2m/70cm ham, MURS, or GMRS. I found it very interesting that the Comet also had very low SWR on 220. Antenna 2m 1.25m 70cm GMRS MURS Larsen 150/450/800 1.35 4.1 1.8 1.6 1.25 Comet CA-2x4SR 1.15 1.23 2.15 1.68 1.46 On 70cm, the Comet SWR starts at just under 2.15 at 430 MHz, dips to 1.5 at 435, back up to 1.95 at 443 and down to 1.55 at 450. Not optimal, but under 2:1 from 431 to 450 MHz. I can post the graphs if anyone is interested.

Comet CA 2X4SR It's advertised as "140-160/435-465 MHz" but I just went out to my truck and swept mine and the SWR is about 1.75:1 on the 467 MHz repeater inputs, which is certainly acceptable. It's a gain antenna, but it's kind of ugly and 40" high, which pretty much rules out drive-thrus for sure! Larsen 150/450/800 I also sometimes use the Larsen 150/450/800 commercial antenna on my truck. I'm probably going to switch to it later this week so I'll sweep it if I get a chance, but it should be fine on 2m/70cm/GMRS too. It's unity gain but it's also only 16.5" high.

That's the programming cable. I believe there is a cover on the right side of the radio that must be removed (or loosened) for it to attach to the radio.

@Adamdajkeeps AGREEING with you, yet you continue to argue. Who's confused, @WRWR462? He says, "I really can see why parents don't want allow their children to have cell phones" and you turn around and explain to him why parents don't want their kids to have cell phones?? BTW ... your last statement is totally wrong. In perfect conditions, range expands with the square root of the increase in power. So going to 2 to 4 watts you *might* get 1.4 times the range, not double. In the real world, where there are things like trees and buildings and hills? You probably won't even notice the difference between 2 and 4 watts.

You're transmitting out of the designed frequency range yet you are complaining because it doesn't work as well?

LOL. No apology neccesary! I can see how I could have done the same thing very easily!! ?

And your point is what? That wasn't the question. The question was "are we limited to .5W if we are using both FRS and GMRS radios". And the answer is still NO. On channels 8-14? Yes. So pick a different channel.

Yes, you misunderstood my point. ? The OP asked Now that FRS devices are no longer limited to 0.5 watts on some channels, is it still correct that we must limit power to 0.5 watts when a conversation involves both licensed GMRS users and unlicensed FRS users? The answer is NO, you aren't limited to .5 watts. Didn't I say that?

I will give the representative the benefit of the doubt and go with "looking at old information". ? Here are the answers to your questions: 1) No. Nowhere in the CURRENT rules does it say that. FRS can use up to 2 watts (depending on the channel). GMRS can use 5 or 50, but in the situation you are describing you're probably better off sticking with 2 or 5 since it probably doesn't do you any good if the FRS users can hear the GMRS users but not talk to them! 2) No idea where "compatible" came from. Out of the box, GMRS radios and FRS radios have the same 22 channels programmed in them. Other than power levels and narrow vs wideband the only difference is that GMRS radios have the repeater channels programmed too (and FRS radios cannot do the offset needed to use a repeater). 3) This one is actually YES. ? Channels 8-14 are limited to .5 watt and in the GMRS world to HT (hand-held) radios only. So just use 1-7 or 15-22 instead. As far as IDing? The rules do seem to say that the licensed GMRS users need to ID. An easy solution? Grab an FRS radio and use that instead. I have never read any FRS rule that says you have to ID on FRS if you have a GMRS license!

Hahahahahahahahaha. Yeah, no.

Just curious ... what would you consider entry-level? I did a quick check and the FTM-6000R is on sale for $270 right now and there are a couple other options between $300 and $350 or so. If you are content to just have 2 meters, then there are at least four options for $200 or less. If someone is looking to spend less than that, you are correct, they aren't going to find a new "big 3" radio at that price point and your options are Anytone/TYT/Radioddity/Retevis/etc.

My preferred vendor is The Antenna Farm (theantennafarm.com). They will sell you standard lengths or you can custom-order the exact length you need.

@WRWH734An easier (I won't say better) option might be a Wouxun KG-805G. I am saying "might" only because I have a KG-805M (MURS version) but not the GMRS version. In the programming software it is possible to delete all but one channel. You can also disable the menu and reset as well as enable auto key lock. Even if you unlock the radio it's fixed to that one frequency. (Spin the dial and ... nothing.) I tested this with my KG-805M and it works the way you want. I was also able to create a codeplug in the KG-805G software with just one repeater channel but of course I cannot test it. Maybe someone else has one and can give it a try. I know many would call this a "CCR" but $100 isn't cheap in my book. You'd also need a programming cable if you don't have one. That would seem to be a cousin-proof configuration. ? I'm sure the several other suggestions are better radios, but if it were *me*, I would just go on the website and order one and have it in a couple days rather than mess with trying to find a used radio on the Internet (that might or might not work). But that's just me.

The FCC also has a zoomable map here: https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/frequency-coordination-canada/

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-E/section-95.1705 Any individual who holds an individual license may allow his or her immediate family members to operate his or her GMRS station or stations. Immediate family members are the licensee's spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. There is nothing in Part 95 E about where these folks live.

Everyone does it so it's OK, right? I *do* hear worksites on the "GMRS" frequencies. They are almost certainly using bubble-pack FRS radios, and they definitely are NOT using a repeater. Business use on FRS is fine.

Hmm. Nothing "technically" about it, eh?

Sounds like commercial use of GMRS to me.

Apparently The Antenna Farm is going by cable diameter. In any event, they list LMR-400UF under RG8. Right or wrong; that's where it is.