SteveShannon

Funny, the song “Let’s all go to the lobby” popped into my head.

You must load the driver that services the cable before ever plugging in the cable. If you don’t Windows will attempt to load a driver, which might not work. It’s the driver that creates the virtual serial port that Chirp or any other CPS software uses. In Device Manager you should be able to see the virtual serial port created when the cable is plugged into your computer. Then you can specify to Chirp which port to use rather than hoping it finds the right one.

Correct, but that requires putting GMRS communications onto a network, which is what is prohibited.

Do you feel like pidgin English is the language of this thread?

Lincoln (city/town) has the Bagley Mtn 625 repeater which is open access, no permission required to use.

Hi Rob, I am not familiar with Maine or the location of Lincoln County, but there are 45 GMRS repeaters listed for Maine in the database: https://mygmrs.com/repeaters Seems like some of them ought to be nearby.

I agree. Clearly the FCC doesn’t approve of carrying GMRS communications on the telephone network or any other network. Yet that’s exactly what this does. Cogent would need to produce a letter from the fcc saying that it’s okay to connect GMRS repeaters in this manner before I would consider it.

This page in the fcc website explains the rationale they expressed when clarifying their rules: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs Most notably, the language here (any other network) would seem to indicate that the FCC would not approve this scheme either: A GMRS user can expect a communications range of one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain, and repeater use. GMRS stations cannot be interconnected with the public switched telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations.

Based on my experience with this forum, there is a greater number of people in GMRS who feel that ham wannabes are taking over GMRS, than hams who feel that GMRS is a pseudo-ham service. There are some people who try to enjoy GMRS by doing activities that are similar to ham radio, but I see nothing wrong with that. I don’t attribute it to either laziness or stupidity. I think some people are either test-shy or feel too busy to study or resent the fact that the government makes them take a test after a life spent working on radio’s. I think some of them they’re afraid they cannot pass the test or intimidated by the math. A free tool like HamStudy.org is a simple (and free!) way to find out.

Hi Lee, Although I have a GT-5R for ham radio, I don’t really know if you can unlock it to program in GMRS channels. I’ve never tried to unlock mine. One of the radios that has been designed to be a GMRS radio would be slightly easier to use. Whichever way you go, I also recommend getting a radio that uses Chirp (freely available) or RT Systems if you ever want to download and program the frequencies of nearby repeaters, public services, and other important transmissions. Welcome!

And 8-14 are limited to 0.5 watts erp for both GMRS and FRS.

There are NMO mounts that only require a 3/8 inch hole. That’s what I would use.

One of the changes to the regulations in 2017 was to prohibit the future certification of those combination GMRS/FRS radios. 95.1761 d) Effective December 27, 2017, the Commission will no longer issue a grant of equipment authorization for hand-held portable unit transmitter types under both this subpart (GMRS) and subpart B of this part (FRS).

That’s how I took it also. He has the repeater programmed into his radio and has been able to use it.

QRZ.com is also available, but you have to sign up.

That’s available to anyone at the fcc website.

socalgmrs’s GMRS callsign is WRXP381. Here’s a website that will tell you whether a GMRS licensee is also a ham: https://gmrs.app Feel free to try it with my call signs: WROM258 is my GMRS call sign. AI7KS is my ham sign. Virgo is my astrology sign.

There are no FRS channels that are not also GMRS channels. GMRS and FRS use exactly the same first 22 channels. There are also eight channels, referred to as the 467 MHz Main Channels in the regulations, which are available in GMRS only to transmit to a repeater.

There’s nothing wrong with you talking to people using your GMRS radio. Have fun and welcome to the forum.

What are you talking about? If you’re using an FRS radio you don’t need to use a call sign. If you’re using a GMRS radio you are required to. There are no FRS only frequencies.

Power has nothing to do with the ability to transmit and receive on different frequencies. That’s strictly programming. I don’t know why the GXT100s are incapable of transmitting and receiving on different frequencies.

If you don’t have many channels to add the free software is okay. Unfortunately it doesn’t allow import, export, or copy/cut and paste. Starting with the factory software makes sense. You will know if you outgrow it. Maybe by then Chirp will include it.

Page 32 of the manual tells which menus to use to set the transmitting CTCSS or DCS. Menu 8 or 9, depending on which you need.

I’m seriously curious. Obviously you’re not here to ask for help, you inject negativity into the threads started by people who actually do help, and you make zero effort to get along with people socially. So, why are you here, Devin? Do you actually like the negative attention you receive? Is it somehow better than no attention at all?

Excellent post!!! Maybe the best first post by a new member! Welcome to the forums!