PACNWComms

I received a GM-30 model GMRS handheld radios as part of a package deal when I purchased my Radioddity DB20-G mobile. One of the first things I noticed was the issue with the customizable channels.....and the issue with the drivers for the programming cable. In my case, I have a lot of radios, and a lot of laptop programming computers. So, I end up labelling them with which CPs is on each computer, which cable to use for each radio. I charged the GM-30 and tried to program it a few times, and then went back to my Motorola XPR6550 that requires a hex edit for my use in the GMRS band, and my Anytone 878. The GM-30 has been sitting in a box for a few months unused. Sitting, the battery is still charged, but I have yet to really use the radio. To everyone posting here (thank you), I may dig it out and see if I can add customized repeater channels as well. Probably good to have it in use instead of inside a random box, doing nothing.

There is "amateur radio world" and then real world, with the two often being far apart. As MichaelLAX mentioned, things have changed. As for radio gear in commercial vehicles, there are other restrictions, like not being able to use radio scanners, radar detectors, and laser jamming equipment as well. Drive truck for a while and you will find that the State Patrol adds enhancements for all kinds of things that may fall under the FCC for regulation, but law enforcement for when they connect with commercial transportation. It is similar to maritime law, and the use of RF emitting equipment. Do you thin the FCC enforces licensing for marine operators of radio/radar? No, it is usually the U.S. Coast Guard that boards the vessel and checks ship and operator licenses. In my ten years offshore, I never had an FCC official check a license, it was always the Coast Guard.

I have had a Yaesu FT-817ND for many years for this exact purpose. This series of radio has been great over the years. Although, I am also looking at a Yaesu FT-991A for a QRM rig, and have several friends that have bought them in the past year.

I still hear some of these in some parts of the country. Usually Texas to Mississippi on the highways east to west. Often at truck stops, a few even brag about having linear amplifiers. Lots of people have had gear confiscated in that crowd, but often after being stopped for something else. In oil spill response related emergency communications, our truck drivers only got away with having scanners in the cab because of the nature of that division of the company, and towing mobile communications suites or related support trailers. State Patrol often wondered why these tractors had several Motorola mobiles (VHF, UHF, and 800MHz) and a VHF marine radio installed. Luckily, we had documentation that mentioned what was being transported and why, with FEMA documents to add credibility for the driver. Although, many drivers did not even know how to operate anything besides the AM 40 channel CB radio. In the ten years I was in that industry, there was only one truck driver that was fined for supposed unlicensed radio use, but then the ticket was thrown out in court. The ticket was based on the thought that one of those radios had to be an illegal 10m CB.

I am on a grandfathered plan that includes time, which gets used, then I pay additional if going over.....do not recall the amount of time included. May have to see if getting a new account can save some money.

For those that venture into the wilderness of Washington State or Oregon, there are many people that carry FRS/GMRS radios (pre-2017), or GMRS only radios. This also includes Coast Guard and military that may have been issued Garmin Rino's of several different models. Along the Olympic Peninsula, Garmin Rino's are carried by many Search and Rescue Team personnel, with some non public safety (volunteers) using Motorola Trbo series radios. This allows for two types of radio, that both have the capability of GPS function (Rino built in as radio/GPS, and Trbo radio sending data location on one time slot and voice on the other to a Trbonet dispatch console). For FRS use, Channel 1 is most often monitored, with remote listening posts receiving everything above the noise floor, wth the exception of ISM band 900MHz frequency hopping radios. If I were going into rural ares of these two states, I would have a FRS/GMRS radio set to FRS Channel 1 if I got into trouble and lacked cell phone coverage. Amateur radio and a list of local repeaters would also be include.....but after the satphones and Garmin InReach tethered to my cell phone.

Iridium is about $50 per month while Globalstar is about $30 per month. Each had its problems at different times, with government assistance for both, earlier for Iridium, and later for Globalstar, so Globalstar is still a little cheaper as a result. My accounts have been active since 2005, so new accounts may be more now. As others mentioned Garmin is $15 per month, I use one of those too. I spent ten years providing emergency communications for floors, hurricanes, and oil spill, which included hurricanes: Katrina, Rita, and Wilma in 2005, and the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010. Being in so many incidents, I spend a lot of time in rural areas that lack cell phone and often public safety radio service, hence the satphones and tethered device (Garmin).

If this is the Trbo Ion radio that is being talked about as the replacement for the XPR7550e, it at least appears to be much like the APX Next, and I have been told it also may have the program via network while logged into MOL account. Which means for my current employer, that will not work, and the touchscreen will not function for firefighters. But, I have only put hands on the APX Next, not the XPR Trbo based Ion yet. As for the Aeroflex, the one shown was bought when I had my own business, which I may start back up. Bought as part of a group buy.....and my current employer allows me to get software upgrades tacked onto corporate orders. They know I am not in competition with them, and any side work I do only keeps me proficient.

I just added options 440/441/640 to an Aeroflex 3920 for NXDN/Kenwood NXDN/Autotest II NXDN respectively, for an oddball science project for a customer. Viavi/Aeroflex messed up the license files between five test sets, but one was correct. I cringe as a former engineer for Zetron when it was part of the JVC/Kenwood Group, as NXDN and 5000 series Kenwood radios always had issues (hired too many Microsoft transplants) with many software bug fixes and patches being necessary (more so than Motorola at least). If you buy Kenwood, order what you need as adding features or unlocking them with a license may become a problem at a future date....see Microsoft part of comment. As for the XPR7550e, great little radios, but there is a Hex problem in every version of CPS 2.0 which requires some changes in either: the radio programming and/or Provisioning Manager if you use aliasing, or in one version you must skip any hex ID that contains the letter "E"

I currently use two personal satellite phones, a Globalstar and an Iridium, two different networks, as I am still active in the maritime community, even though I administer land based radios networks now. Satellite phones and beacons that tether to cellular phones are a lot cheaper, reliable, and available now. If you live or frequent areas that lack cell phone coverage, I highly recommend them. This could be vast areas of desert or maritime use.....I go through and to both. Radio and satellite is the only thing that works in many cases. One of my pictures in the gallery shows some of my UHF satellite equipment, when I expect to spend some time out in the middle of nowhere. Much of the rural united States even lacks adequate first response radio coverage, in which case some fedgov equipment may be the only thing that "hears" your cries for help.

My only issue with the 3-3-3 plan is that it, like the push for FRS Channel 1 proposal is not regulation or procedure. Both are just suggestions, and whom determines which is better or more useful, the end users and those that wish to participate in that plan. The plan that goes by three has become popular due to the three percenters, which may turn off some people if they understand the political push and influence. There is no regulation or rule driving it, which was what ended the push for FRS Channel 1 a decade earlier. The reason radio silent clocks exist is due to maritime regulation, which has a historical precedence, but does not necessarily apply to FRS/GMRS/MURS. Having a plan is better than not having one, as long as there is agreement to which plan to use. If you end up on the Oregon or Washington coastline (I do not know if all of California followed suit, but Crescent City, CA and Brookings, Oregon have an agreement), maritime precedent applies with the Coast Guard (radio silent clock method). The listening posts equipped with radio direction finding equipment expanded capabilities as the infrastructure was developed for maritime use, but added spectrum bands as software defined multi-band receiving equipment was installed at the sites.

I know of a couple of cases where this was definitely used as an argument. Had the person tested for an amateur or commercial license, or paid for a GMRS license, they would have had the radio issue enforced as an enhancement to the crime they were being prosecuted for. This is also why many police squad cars still have a version of (mostly Uniden models in my area) scanner mounted in their console or dash alongside their public safety radio. I also once had a detective ask me if he should carry his own FRS/GMRS (pre-2017) radio as many perps he dealt with were found with them. This led to the purchase of near field receivers, Optoelectronics and others that have been used for decades to detect strong RF signals during law enforcement investigations.

Before the 2017 FRS/GMRS radio changes, there was a push to use FRS Channel 1 as a calling/emergency channel by many, old RadioReference forum threads mention this, and along the Washington northwest coastline, there was some traction on this. Especially when my situation took place. Another aspect in my case was the merchant marine community, and the use of radio silence clocks. This helped preserve the battery in my Garmin Rino, and a remote listening station with direction finding capability provided a vector. The helo flew that vector and when my Rino was in range of their Rino radio (Search and Rescue had a lot of them), my location began to show up on their map display. Attached is a screen shot f a radio silence clock, and description.....many of these of different look and manufacture are on board vessels used in commercial shipping and Coast Guard vessels.

I had to prove to some people about a few years ago that a Trbo based radio in digital mode was selective enough to not desense when a similar Trbo radio was transmitting in analog mode right next to it and their antennas being colocated (within maybe a foot apart). This test was with 25 watt radios, but was later repeated with 40 watt UHF versions (XPR4550's), both with SW102 Surecom wattmeters installed in line to see that they were putting out the wattage they were spec'ed for. Some people were amazed at the selectivity of each. Now Trbo XPR4550's are the bare minimum for mobiles, with XPR5550e's being the more expensive option. Bang for the buck, the best money you can spend on a mobile.

I'm still using my CDM1550LS+, and need to get a good antenna connected to my XPR5550e. Assembled it with a power supply, but still only using a cheap Lair magnet mount 1/4 wave antenna. Does receive well though, it is considered the best for receive (XPR5550e), and they work well alongside other radios in their selectivity. +1 on encouraging people to get a XPR5550e if they can afford it, and CPS, programming cable, etc.

I know of several instances where FRS/GMRS radios helped find lost hikers/campers in the Olympic National Forest in Washington State. This is a large rural area, but there are also Coast Guard stations in Port Angeles and Neah Bay, with listening stations that monitor for radio traffic. Other government entities and oil response requirements meant that remote monitoring gear be placed around the coastline. Response to hikers calling on FRS channel 1 became so common that the helo pilots and search and rescue began to carry Garmin Rino GPS/radios. There are lots of calls for people running out of fuel or getting lost in the forest that gets called in via FRS channel 1, as cell phone coverage is spotty. My own case was a little different. While working for the oil industry, I needed to place a portable repeater at the lighthouse at Dungeness Spit, which is only accessible at low tide with an off road or at least larger truck/SUV or from the water for a future on-water drill. I left the Port Angeles pier on a 9 meter RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat), which eventually got swamped near the spit. All of our corporate radios, Motorola PR1500's got wet, or went overboard. As did the handheld GPS. These RHIB's had very old Furuno VHF Marine radios and when attempts were made to contact the Coast Guard, the battery went dead. Then the engine died. The tide started to take us away from shore. The only thing that worked was using FRS channel 1 on a Garmin Rino 120 (this was about 2005 time frame). Coast Guard coordinated a tow, and had my location via the Rino GPS sending my updated location. It only made the local news, as a line item for assistance for the Coast Guard station, but made changes to the RHIB maintenance schedule. Newer radios, a mounted GPS, more batteries and water resistance connections were made to the RHIB. More people were given chest holsters for the PR1500 radios. Some additional Rino radios were bought as a backup for each RHIB, each crew had at least one. As of 2018 the Coast Guard and local Search and Rescue still carried a versions of Garmin Rino, monitoring channel 1. I know many people do indeed think that they just need to buy something and then never use it. They may even get it out and turn it on, but then do not use it, or take it with them. However, I also know many other cases where it is recommended that people have at least an FRS radio (post 2017 and the whole FRS/GMRS changes being made). Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) in my area recommends the purchase of a compatible radio and then trains with it. As for use in an emergency, in the United States, I have experienced many more incidents on the inland waterways and open ocean where radios have been used, but this is marine VHF and GMDSS systems. Satellite phones and tethered satellite beacons/trackers seem to be more common now, in my rural part of the Pacific Northwest. But, i still see lots of Motorola TalkAbout radios and various models of Baofeng's with who knows what in them.

When I was stationed at Joint Base Lewis McChord, we were issued Pionjar (gas and electric versions), Rock Breaker Hammers for pounding four foot copper ground rods (two connected to make one eight foot rod) into the ground. These devices were part of the loadout for Raytheon satellite communications terminals and troposcatter terminals. We had to put four ground rod sets in the ground, two for the terminal and two more for the antenna system. After decades of training in the same areas, we got off easy, as many units had left their rods in the ground, and we would just clip into the existing grounding rods, moving our comms terminals a few feet to get in the right position between them. These can be rented from many construction and home improvement centers.....unless you want to buy your own. https://www.amazon.com/YN27-Pionjar-Breaker-Hammer-Gasoline/dp/B01I3TKIZ6 This part of the country is in the terminal moraine of glaciers, where all the rocks and debris form at the leading edge. The glacier melts and miles of rock are strewn everywhere, making farming and pounding ground rods a huge chore. Obviously,be sure you are clear of underground cables, gas lines, and sewer pipes first. Then, use a method that works for your type of soil. Good luck, my days of pounding ground rods with hammers is gone. If it takes more than a few hits with a 15 pound sledgehammer or fence post hammer, I'll go with electric/gas tools.

Nice setup there. I may have to do something like that as well. Thank you for posting the picture of the end result.

I recall seeing this a few times, and it seems to come out en masse before a scheduled political speech, demonstration, or public protest. Some agencies spam this via email as well to their departments, trickling down to as many end users as possible. The Beofeng crowd as it is called in my part of the country, as they tend to use them as pointing devices when talking to the media. Local police do often confiscate FRS and FRS/GMRS radios as well as scanners from perps committing crimes though, so it is a valid warning. Sometimes batches are sold off cheap at auction.

So true, this made me laugh....because it is an endless cycle. I am now the old engineer that used to be military comms, being invited back to teach the "next generation" how to interop with local elements (shilling the NIFOG), while other former members of my crew work for FEMA and other fedgov agencies also in the mix, and currently running fire radios for many stations across the country (private fire stations-they do exist). Hang in there and stay the course.

I still have an old Cobra 2000 GTL base station, but sadly, there are very few users using AM CB in 2021-2022. My employer still has to put AM CB in tractor's for their licensed transportation drivers, part of their union contract, to have something besides corporate FM (Trunked P25) Motorola radios and cell phones. That is all I tend to hear when monitoring. GMRS has become so popular and the price of admission has come down for hardware. With repeaters, many can get out much further than they could with handhelds, so more to listen to and more to chat with if you are up for it. Good luck on GMRS, there is a lot of good information here, and some that like to "stir the pot" a bit. welcome to the site.