SteveH

I haven't posted here in quite a while but I'm in the process of dusting off my GMRS equipment and have just added a Midland MXT400 to the mix. (This radio looks to be the same hardware as my TYT TH-9000 UHF.) One of the things I've done in the interim is to have become a hub station in the Digital Traffic Network part of Radio Relay International. The network is a recent offshoot of the digital component of the National Traffic System. I've been handling formal traffic (i.e. radiograms) for Maine since mid-2014 and am affiliated with both RRI and NTS. RRI very recently adopted the National SOS Radio Network, a neighborhood radio watch system that was created post-Katrina. The system was based on the use of FRS radios. NSRN suspended a while ago but RRI saw it as what could be a component in a tiered system with FRS at the bottom for local community communications. Above that would be GMRS and then the ham operators. Hams could pass along messages to, for example, the local or county emergency management agencies or pass 3rd party messages into the traffic system. The system would also collect SITREPs from citizens and pass them along to the appropriate agencies. There are pieces of some other pre-existing elements that are also being thrown into the mix, e.g. Neighborhood HamWatch. I'm in the process of working to update our county program (see http://ballyhac.com/) that was put in place in 2015, after we had a fairly significant ice storm. (Of course, we've had no such storms since but it's only a matter of time until we get something equivalent to the one in 1998.) The goal will be to align with the national program. The most current information on the RRI-NSRN program is in the most recent issue of the QNI newsletter. See https://qninewsletterdotnet.files.wordpress.com/2017/05/qni-2017-5.pdf RRI's main page is at http://radio-relay.org/

In 2013 I purchased a RadioWerx GU-16 GMRS HT. It was a Wouxun 16 channel pre-programmed radio, part 95. It could be reprogrammed for repeaters, etc. with software provided by Radiowerx. The radio became unavailable a few months ago so I wrote to Radiowerx to see if they were discontinued or on back order. I was told that in early 2015 they will introduce a new part 95 MURS/GMRS radio made by TERA, another Chinese supplier. Powerwerx already has several TERA HTs in their catalog (see http://www.powerwerx.com/two-way-radios/tera-handheld-radios/) and I'd assume that this one is based on the 16 channel commercial radio TR-500. As far as I know, this would be the only part 95 combo MURS/GMRS radio out there. Merry Christmas! Steve

AHA! The Cobra MicroTalk manual actually has details: This two-way radio operates on GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) frequencies which require an FCC (Federal Communications Commission) license. A user must be licensed prior to operating on Channels 1 through 7 on high power or 15 through 22, which comprise the GMRS channels of this radio. Serious penalties could result for unlicensed use of GMRS channels, in violation of FCC rules. Operation of this radio is subject to additional rules specified in 47 C.F.R. Part 95. Licensed users will be issued a call sign by the FCC, which should be used for station identification when operating this radio. GMRS users should also cooperate by engaging in permissible transmissions only, avoiding channel interference with other GMRS users, and being prudent with the length of their transmission time. Operation Channel 1 through 7 on low power and channels 8 through 14 comprise the FRS (Family Radio Service). No license is required to operate on the FRS.

That makes sense. The Midland radio that I have has not power spec. I looked at the manual for the Motorola Talkabout MT350R and it does not say that any channels are excluded from non license operation with the exception that you have to have a license to use GMRS channels. They do provide a power spec (0.5 standard and 1.5 with "boost.") so perhaps this radio would be ok on 1-7 provided that the boost isn't turned on. Unfortunately they don't provide any specifics. Maybe the manufacturers are ambiguous because the rules are confusing - don't say anything that's incorrect but don't be too explicit.

In looking through the rules, I can't see anything about that. Just that GMRS on channels 1-7 requires <5 watts ERP and that the FRS channels (95.627) are 1-14. Is there some language somewhere that I'm missing? Steve

I've been away from this forum for too long. I did take down my GMRS (Ballyhac) repeater as, after a year, it's had no users or local interest. Oh well. We are working on a neighborhood support project in our county. This would involve ARES/RACES hams. One thing under consideration is monitoring a FRS frequency as many people have bubble pack radios and, if they don't, it's easy enough to get them. Also, a number of people in the group have GMRS licenses. I have a pair of virtually unused Midland X-Tra Talk radios. In looking at the manual, in the FCC Licensing section it says that you cannot use the radios on the interstial frequencies without a GMRS license. On this radio that would be channels 1-7 and the frequencies start with 462.5625. Channels 15 up are GMRS only (yup) which then implies that 8-14 are the only license free FRS channels. This seems to fly in the face of 47 CFR Ch. 1, 95.627 where the frequencies of Channels 1-7are noted as FRS along with 8-14. In 95.29 (GMRS Channels Available) under (f) it cites the same intersticial frequencies as being usable by a GMRS individually licensed "small base station" (fixed, 5 watts ERP max, etc.). My conclusion is that the manual is in error with regard to shared Channels 1-7. Is my reading correct? It would also imply that I can monitor any of those channels and, if someone within range calls me on e.g. Channel 1, I can then talk to them since these are shared GMRS/FRS channels. The neighbor with the bubble pack radio and no license would be legal as would I, as I have a GMRS license. Thanks, Steve

I've been away from the board for a bit (well, a few months). Not much has changed. The repeater is still running 24x7 but no users have been active except for my wife and myself. I have registered a couple of individuals who visit the area from time to time but the people I was hoping would use it haven't shown any inclination. A couple families could really benefit from it and one even has a license and radios all set and programmed. Horse - water -

OK guys - I'm convinced. Now to paint that white antenna olive drab A few weeks ago I tuned my Yaesu to the CB band. I haven't ever really monitored that service and I was amazed (appalled) at what I heard there. If GMRS ever began to sound like that, it would be a total loss. Steve

You certainly raise valid points. For one thing, I would never disclose freq or PL tones w/o vetting someone. Then again, how do you properly vet someone who's responding to a public posting? That'd be the killer and that's of course my fear. The last thing I want is something like UHF CB. Yes, probably best to stick to word of mouth amongst a small circle and bring in any new members slowly and cautiously. Steve

My "Ballyhac" GMRS repeater has been in operation now for about a month. There are no real regular users at this point but my neighbor is getting set up to use it to communicate with his daughter's family 2 towns over and my brother in law is getting a couple of GMRS radios for his family's use. Even when they get going, that won't amount to a whole lot of use. I am wondering about how best to get some new users. Word of mouth will net a few more I'm sure but probably not a whole lot. Since most people really don't know anything about GMRS and, if they do, they usually put it in the same category as FRS, education is essential. If they don't know what GMRS is, then it's doubtful that they'll self-discover mygmrs.com or similar sites. I've given some thought to setting up a special email address with a prepared informational note and posting a little blurb with the email address at the local post office and a couple of nearby variety stores. I'd like to hear any success or disaster stories about getting the public to use GMRS and GMRS repeaters. Steve

Hi PG, I think that's one real value for the "opened up" Chinese Part 90 radios. In a valid emergency you can communicate with services outside of what you are authorized to operate on. On my Wouxun, Beofang and TYT rigs I have ham, GMRS, MURS, marine and public safety frequencies programmed in. Steve

By "portable" I presume you meant the HT which can be powered down to 1 watt. For the Chinese Part 90 radios that can crossband repeat, you can crossband VHF/UHF ham or (when working with a local public safety agency) you can crossband repeat on appropriate public safety frequencies. Our RACES group has ham and public safety crossband set ups. Steve

My Wouxun's low power setting is 1 watt which is within the 2 watt max allowed on MURS. You can't directly relay to other services. Steve

A few months ago I purchased a TYT TH-9000 UHF mobile radio from Main Trading Co. in Texas. I settled on this model as I wanted a Part 90 radio covering the 70 cm ham band plus the GMRS and public safety frequencies. So far I am quite happy with it: the sensitivity seems good, power output (45 watts max) is good, audio (TX and RX) is fine, etc. The instruction manual is much better than the manuals for some other Chinese radios but a few of the instructions are a bit incomplete and require some trial and error. (Keep a notepad handy for writing down what you really have to do.) Programming with the cable and TYT software is quite straightforward. I had considered getting one of the dual banders that are now out but I've been concerned about the mixed reviews plus I really don't need another daul bander - I already have two Kenwood D710s. The one thing I don't like about this, and the other Chinese mobiles, is that there's no data port. While not an issue for GMRS, I do a lot of datamodes. There is a tipoff that the radio might be almost digital ready - there's a taped over DB9 connector hole at the rear of the radio, just like the Alinco mobiles have (except that the Alincos actually have the connector). I did some digging and stumbled on some information about an internal connector on the main board. This resides at http://www.slvrc.org/220band.htm and is attributed to VA3OT. Here are the pin assignments: Pin Function 1 Ground 2 Tx Audio 3 COS 4 Rcv Audio 5 PTT 6 + 5 Vdc A mating plug with wires attached can be purchased from Digikey , Part # A100196-ND for $1. 39. I purchased a few plug assemblies (the plug comes with 8 inches of wire) and opened the radio with a #9 Torx driver. As it turns out, the plug has a couple of tabs that have to be sheared off with a pen knife but otherwise it fits fine. I've yet to wire it up for digital but it's good to know that I'll be able to. Also, the connections would also make it easy to wire up two radios in a repeater configuration. Does anyone else here have a TH-9000? Steve

I can't say that my repeater has gotten a lot of exercising but an 80mm fan mounted directly on the heatsink seems to work ok so far. The GM300 pair came with the fan connected to the power leads, i.e. always on. That's unnecessary and noisy. I picked up an inexpensive temperature controller on ebay for under $20. This is a WillHi WH7016. It's a panel mount 12 volt unit with digital display and set point adjustment. It comes with the sensing element. An internal 5 amp relay controls the load. I stuck the sensor on the GM300's heatsink and wired the fan to the power supply via the relay. Works great. It also gives me the actual heatsink temperature. The repeater is still in my 2nd floor no A/C shack but will soon be moved to the basement where the temperature is lower and more uniform. Steve

Thanks for the report. Was there a reason you decided to set it up with the split frequency? I've run my simplex repeater on 2 meters from time to time and I did check with the New England coordinator to see if it should be coordinated should I run it full time. The answer was "no - just find a simplex frequency with little activity." Steve

The forum with my WinXP desktop with Firefox acts pretty normal with this forum but it is just a tad slow. That's nothing unusual as we are out in the sticks with a 900 MHz internet link that isn't always too fast. However, this forum sometimes takes forever to load on my Linux laptop, also running Firefox. Go figure. Steve

I was really interested in the Wouxun and Anytone dual bander radios until I saw the mixed reports continuing after they officially released the products. I purchased a TYT TH-9000 UHF rig instead for UHF ham and GMRS. It's a part 90 radio, narrow band compliant (for those who need it), covers 400-490 MHz with a max output of 45 watts. This past week I added the VHF version. Price from Main Trading was $169 with shipping. Some other places have them for $150 plus shipping. I'm quite happy with it. Steve

One of the fellows here suggested that a good use would be for group gatherings (he was thinking more in terms of ham 2m and ARES) for sending out informational announcements. For GMRS use, anyone with a bubble pack radio could hear the announcements as long as they were within range. Might be useful at a campsite or similar. Steve

I like the idea of having the "GMRS requires a license" message - clever no matter what the FCC thinks. Hey, just helping with education. I've got a dozen ham friends that are within or almost within 2 meter simplex distance from me. I put an announcement on the repeater that can be retrieved by using some DTMF key presses. It's just a familiarization thing - can you retrieve the message? For the guys that have marginal paths, the more ambitious are raising their antennas or trying out a yagi. What does work well is to place and retrieve digital messages on the repeater. We're using 5 and 10 carrier PSK125R which send at about 440 and 1100 words/minute respectively. All of that said, still trying to find a real practical use for the thing besides radio checks. Steve

I did find a great use for the simplex repeater. I had been checking my repeater's coverage by driving around and having my wife at home with a HT. I'd call and she'd give me a reception report. Not her favorite activity. To relieve her of that duty I attached my simplex repeater to a GM300 and my repeater antenna. Now I can drive around and check for poor coverage areas without her having to be involved. She's happier now (not a radio person but does very well on the radio). Argent Data Systems has a nice adapter for the GM300 that plugs into the 16 pin connector. It can be found at https://www.argentdata.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=169. The output is a 6 pin mini-DIN connector. They also have a cable that goes from that connector to the repeater's connector but that's not in the catalog yet. Steve

About 3 years ago I purchased an Argent simplex repeater. Seemed like a neat thing to have. Played with it off and on and found out it could handle digital transmissions as well as voice. The Argent info page is at: http://www.argentdata.com/products/repeater.html I've messed with it a bit as has a friend of mine. The repeater has the following general functions: Store and forward: receives a voice or digital transmission and then replays it over the air. This is the basic "parrot" function.Mailbox: You can leave a message on the repeater for someone to pick up later.Announcements: Can send out a prerecorded message on a schedule or upon request.The programming, mailbox and message functions are actuated by DTMF. Some functions can be password protected so unauthorized people can't mess with the repeater. Since the messages are stored in memory, there is limited capacity. Mine has been upgraded and can record about 13 minutes of audio. Not bad. Using the basic repeater function, it can be confusing to a first time user since the transmission from the repeater follows the initial transmission. Watching people use one for the first time can be amusing. Where these things seem to be of the most value are as a simple way to set up a temporary repeater in the field and as a device to play pre-recorded announcements either on demand or at intervals. You only need a radio, the $100 repeater box and an antenna - no second radio or duplexer. I am aware of a couple of permanent simplex 2 meter ham repeaters in Maine (one is operated by a GMRS repeater owner) as well as a few others out of state. One, in PA, is used for ARES for voice and digital. I was wondering if anyone here is either using or has used a simplex repeater (for ham or GMRS), has considered using one or has any great ideas on what useful purpose one can provide in the GMRS world. Steve

Not really an option - the attic of our place isn't accessible except by a little hatch that's above a closet with shelving. The other advantage of the basement is that the repeater will be next to one of our two 12 volt battery banks. The other is in the shack.

Hi John, Good to meet another Mainiac. It's been a long time since I was up your way. My father-in-law was born in Caribou and we'd go up there on occasion with him and my M-I-L as they liked to stay in touch with some of the people there. I was poking through my piles of boxes in the basement and I happened on a small cache of aluminum mast sections. I use them with 1-1/2" pipe clamps on the back of the shed to make what is essentially a push up mast for my 6m yagi and rotator. I have a set of clamps on the end (the hidden end) of the house that used to support an ocf dipole. Heck - that will make a perfect support for the GMRS antenna. I should be able to get the antenna base up about 40 ft or more easily - it's a lot lighter than the 6m assembly. Best of all I won't even have to get on the roof (ours is a 45 degree pitched roof - not old guy friendly). It's on the far end of the house from the shack so I figure I'll just put the repeater in the basement by the base of the mast. (In the upstairs guest bedroom would be far better but my wife does set some limits on me ) Steve

Thanks PastorG, I'll do that. Yup, there's no urgency. Steve