SteveShannon

That’s certainly possible, but that could be done with a setting; it doesn’t require a regulation.

Without knowing why the rule exists, I would absolutely be in favor of a regulatory change allowing a type 95E certified radio to be used for ham radio as well. Maybe I would change my mind if someone explained the reason for the regulations.

The fact that a radio can be opened up to operate on multiple bands with one configuration doesn’t mean such operations are compliant with the regulations, so if you do so you’re potentially exposing yourself to enforcement. Such enforcement has been noticeably absent in recent years, but in the past few months that has been changing. At the very least don’t announce it on a public forum.

I saved the codeplug for the GMRS configuration before resetting the radio. Then I made a new codeplug that included the 70 cm and 2 meter channels I needed. The GMRS antenna I use (Midland MXTA26) is worthless for 2 meters (not a complaint; it’s not advertised for 2 meters) so my 4Runner usually has a Comet SBB 5 and the ham band DB20G and the pickup usually has the original GMRS configuration radio and antenna.

I did on one of them, but I don’t use that one for GMRS, just ham radio.

I have two of the DB20G radios. It’s not as simple as loading a different codeplug, as least on mine. First you must reset the radio with a two finger key press while powering it on. That wipes the memory of all existing channels. You also must choose which frequency ranges where you want your radio to operate. In my opinion if you were to ask the FCC if this nullifies the certification I believe they would tell you that it does, but I have not asked them. I would not ask. The regulations are clear.

The frequency column refers to the receive frequency. Then the Duplex column has a plus (+) in it and the Offset column shows that the offset is 5 MHz. Taken together that means the offset is +5 MHz. You add the offset to the frequency to know what the transmit frequency is.

Program your channel to transmit on 467.725 and receive on 462.725.

Did you read the paragraph you’re questioning. No person shall modify any Personal Radio Service transmitter in a way that changes or affects the technical functioning of that transmitter such that operation of the modified transmitter results in a violation of the rules in this part. This includes any modification to provide for additional transmit frequencies, increased modulation level, a different form of modulation, or increased transmitter output power (either mean power or peak envelope power or both). Any such modification voids the certified status of the modified transmitter and renders it unauthorized for use in the Personal Radio Services. Also, no person shall operate any Personal Radio Service transmitter that has been so modified.

Here’s the language referring to exceptions for LMR equipment used for PRS: a)Exceptions.Under certain exceptions, non-certified Personal Radio Service transmitters, or transmitters certified for use in the land mobile radio services may be operated. Any such exceptions applicable to stations in a Personal Radio Service are set forth in the subpart governing that specific service. See e.g.,§§ 95.735and 95.1735.

Look for the word ”transmitter” in that paragraph, but also the paragraph earlier about certification refers to transmitters.

It says nothing about monitoring another frequency. It applies to transmitters. And you must also read all of the regulations in the context of the general rules regarding personal radio services. For instance: § 95.337 Operation of impermissibly modified equipment prohibited. No person shall modify any Personal Radio Service transmitter in a way that changes or affects the technical functioning of that transmitter such that operation of the modified transmitter results in a violation of the rules in this part. This includes any modification to provide for additional transmit frequencies, increased modulation level, a different form of modulation, or increased transmitter output power (either mean power or peak envelope power or both). Any such modification voids the certified status of the modified transmitter and renders it unauthorized for use in the Personal Radio Services. Also, no person shall operate any Personal Radio Service transmitter that has been so modified. As for repeaters I’ll copy and paste a regulation that allows for devices certified for other uses in a few minutes.

Nope - still doesn’t work that way. I understand what you mean. You’re just changing the configuration and there’s no reason that doing so should affect the certification, but the regulations say something different. c)No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.

It doesn’t work that way. You cannot “modify” a radio into certification.

Once you modify if, it is no longer certified for use on GMRS.

Here’s the index to all the “Parts” including amateur radio: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D

I agree that carrying two identical radios simultaneously is illogical. If Tidradio can do it so can Yaesu, Icom, Kenwood, and Alinco. The FCC does respond to petitions; that sometimes works in our favor and sometimes not so much.

You really aren’t. You’re lecturing people and whining about what you perceive as a problem caused by “old hams”. Get off your butt and petition the FCC.

None of those is an attempt to conceal or disguise meaning.

What are you doing about it?

Absolutely none of the educational experience you gained was as a result of burning out a piece of Teflon. Burning out the insert was a distraction, taking you away from all those other things which are interesting. Solving a problem by spending money might be boring, but doing the same thing three times and getting the same results isn’t any better. You’ve encountered a technical limitation of some kind and rather than trying reducing power, you did exactly the same thing with exactly the same results. You did try a 3D printed replacement, which would be a low temperature replacement, and it failed immediately, so the next thing to try would be a material that’s unaffected by heat. Buy a phenolic or Bakelite rod and have some inserts machined at a local machine shop. Also, reduce power, even if only temporarily. The assumption is that this problem is power related. If you halve your output power and the failures are repeated, then it might not actually be your power output.

That’s a good point. Maybe the issue isn’t the RF power, but something else, such as static discharge or a ground loop current.

Are the three beeps received from the repeater or are they generated by the Midland MXT500 radio? Have you tried speaking into the microphone? Does anyone answer?

There have been a few tri-band radios. The Yaesu VX6 is an excellent example of a hardened tri-band handheld for just $30 more. The addition of 6 meters to the Wouxun is an interesting twist, but the need to change the antenna could be confusing in actual use. I wouldn’t mind trying it, but without knowing more, if given the choice I would buy the Yaesu VX6.

My dad used to say “Why did the man keep pounding his head against the wall? Because it felt so good when he stopped.” This seems to be a similar situation. By saying “besides reducing transmitter power” you drastically limit the options. It’s obvious that the duplexer you continue to use cannot withstand operation as you wish. Your choices are really the following: Reduce the power (you might be surprised how little that affects the range), Buy a better duplexer, Contact the customer service department for the duplexer you continue to use and subscribe to the “insert of the month/week/whatever club”, Consult with a technical ceramics company to see if they can make you some custom ceramic inserts. They would withstand the heat, but eventually the heat might affect a nearby portion of the duplexer, shifting the failure elsewhere. Yes, that would cost some money, but so does repeatedly buying a duplexer that doesn’t operate at the level at which you have chosen to operate. It’s obvious (thricely reinforced) that the duplexer in question simply isn’t designed for what you’re trying to do at the power output you insist on using, even if the manual or specifications differ. Saying “but it works so well while it works” simply doesn’t make good sense except as a temporary installation while researching a permanent solution. Regarding choice #3 above, if you cannot contact customer service for the duplexer you like, that’s another reason to switch. I wish you well in your quixotic quest. Please do let us know what you eventually decide to do.