wilbilt62

Yes, I see that now. Unfortunately, where I live in rural Nor Cal, you can't swing a dead cat around without hitting somebody's "private" repeater. Often on the same frequencies and tones. Might as well shut my radios down and throw them away. A shame that "public" frequencies aren't "public".

Fair enough. I have read the part 95 GMRS regs over and over and I don't see it. Maybe someone else can clarify.

If no rules or laws have been broken, what would be the basis of the complaint? A serious question.

Sure. But as a licensed GMRS user, I can transmit on any public GMRS frequency, using any public tone, without breaking any rules or laws. Legally, what can you do about it?

Thanks for that. It seems that some think it is OK to charge money to transmit on public frequencies and others don't.

I see many repeaters listed stating they require a paid subscription. I have questions about this. All licensed GMRS users may transmit on any authorized GMRS frequency using any available tone, providing they are not breaking any FCC regulations. I understand that setting up a repeater requires time and resources (i.e., $$$$), but anyone setting up a GMRS repeater is essentially putting it out in the public domain. Tones are not some super-secret thing. How is charging people money to use public frequencies not illegal?

I worked as a mechanic for many years and went round and round with Customs and the FTC regarding country of origin labeling on hand tools. Many manufacturers were offshoring production and doing their best to hide this fact from their customers. In most cases, the product of origin label can be on a tag or on the packaging containing the item, but it must be easy to find and clearly legible (not in microscopic print hidden on the back of the packaging). Certain items must be permanently marked on the item itself, by stamping, etching, engraving, etc. These include pliers, nippers, wire cutters and others. Many manufacturers, including the biggest names in the tool business, blatantly ignored the requirements (and still do). People would buy tools based on the brand name believing they were only buying 'Made in USA'. I contacted Customs Enforcement and was directed to the FTC. During correspondence, I provided many examples of these products that were manufactured 'elsewhere' yet had no labeling whatsoever indicating that fact. FTC couldn't understand why I was concerned and said they would take my examples 'under advisement'. Title 19, Part 134 of the CFR details country of origin labeling requirements. Scroll down to 134.43 for a list of items that must be permanently so marked. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-19/chapter-I/part-134

Very nice. Thank you for sharing that!