SteveShannon

You could not make up a story like this...  I sign up for USPS Informed Delivery a free service if available in your area: https://informeddelivery.usps.com/box/pages/intro/start.action
 

Fixed Stations by definition cannot communicate through a repeater. Fixed Stations communicate with other Fixed Stations.

I think that’s probably correct, telemetry stations with grandfathered licenses for the fixed stations rather than the individual licenses that are issued for GMRS users.

Yes, if your radio's CPS software allows for input by say, comma-separated values (csv); for example: CHIRP, do this:
1) Filter the repeaters on myGMRS as needed for your area (Advanced Search);
2) Slide your mouse across the first repeater selected and down to the last repeater selected (with the button pushed down) to Select All the filtered repeaters; 
3) Do a Control-C copy (Windows or Command-C for Mac);
4) Open a text editor or word processor and in a new-blank document, do a Control-V paste (Windows or Command-V for Mac);
5) Save this document as something like "MyRepeaters.csv"
6) Follow the directions in How to use CSV files in CHIRP
This is not exactly "plug and play" but once you get the hang of it, you can save you some time vs. manually typing them in, especially if there are many filtered repeaters:
 
 

The rule for Line A is required of the FCC by a treaty between the USA and Canada, not by lack of motivation by the FCC.  Until Canada and the USA amend the treaty the FCC cannot change the rule. 

Hi Scott,
 
Welcome! Once you get your GMRS license it will take another 24-48 hours for our website to see it (unfortunately a delay caused by the FCC). So be sure to come back and register as soon as you're able!
 
GMRS repeater linking traditionally has been a contentious issue because the Part 95 rules were not clear on it. The rules were written before linking via the Internet was even a thing, so there were old rules which covered interconnection to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to prevent autopatch use on GMRS. Rules referenced other rule parts that no longer existed, for example, it was a real mess. Everyone had been confused for many years and the FCC did not provide any clarification until the recent rule changes in 2017.
 
Now, network connection (but still not via the PSTN) is permissible. There are blanket restrictions in Part 95 against linking, but there are overriding rules in Part 95 Subpart E which covers GMRS. This is much clearer than what we had in the past, and opens up repeater linking. There are still other rules to be mindful of, like not causing interference, making sure unlicensed users cannot transmit, cooperative channel use, etc.
 
I have started the myGMRS Network, which uses a customized version of AllstarLink software running on Raspberry Pi computers (although you can also use 32-bit or 64-bit x86 computers as well). These run Linux and use a radio interface to connect to the repeater itself. Right now we have over 50 repeaters on the system across the US, and it's the system we use to run the National GMRS Net every Sunday.
 
Anyone with a real repeater (no simplex nodes running at someone's house) are allowed to join the network. We sell linking bundle kits which give you everything you need except an interface cable to your repeater (and we may even be able to build a custom cable for you, depending on the repeater model). 
 
Currently there is no membership cost to join the network. Your repeaters would not need to be connected to any of our other repeaters, it's up to each owner to decide who they connect to and when. You'll see on our linking map that most repeaters are linked regionally most of the time but on Sundays they all link to our National Hub (Node 100) for the weekly net, and then disconnect to go back to being regional systems. The idea here was to have one unified system that is interoperable, but we're not forcing people to link. It's better than every group having their own setup and no common technology.
 
myGMRS Network Map (red lines show which nodes are currently connected, red dots are currently receiving RF traffic, blue dots are offline)
myGMRS Repeater Linking Bundle

You will probably find that just getting a Wouxun 805G for $80 is a lot cheaper than trying to find some special triple band radio.
Many commercial radios (I think) can only be programmed with a computer. 
 
I'm also a long time ham and bought a pair of 805G's so I can use with the wife and fishing friends etc.
It just worked out best that way.
 
You will find that your 440/70cm antennas work well though.
Also, Wouxun works with some Kenwood accessories like speaker mics.
 
Vince

Well, not knowing the gear I own (and didn't mention) I can understand the skepticism.  The spectrum analyzers on my bench were calibrated about three months ago, and I have a 10MHz Rubidium standard driving all three of them. My favorite is my IFR/Aeroflex 1200S Super. The other two are a CT Systems 3000B and a Shenzhen AT-5011. All three have tracking generators.
I used my XPR5550 and XPR7550 as "benchmarks" and any of my Chinese/Malaysian/Japanese made radios that generated spurs were taken out of service. The only ones that failed were several early release UV-5Rs, and a TYT MD-2017.

A little history on CB, the reason truckers picked 19 as their channel is 100% technology driven.  CB radios go from channel 1 on 26.965 MHz, to channel 40 on 27.405 MHz.  CB radio's and antennas are covering 440 KHz, which is actually a very large swath of spectrum. 
 
Because the frequency range is so large, its not affordable to make a CB perform equally on all frequencies.  So, the radio and antenna is tuned for maximum performance in the frequency range center, which is 27.185 MHz... aka channel 19.
 
A common issue with the CB is, you can get close to full legal power limit (4 watts am, 12.5 watts SSB) on the center frequency, but on channel 1 and channel 40, your power will be low and SWR will tend to be higher, causing more losses.  Also, over the many decades of servicing CB's, I have seen as little as 1.5 watts on AM and 2.5 watts on SSB with a 2.5:1 SWR.
 
Well, no such thing as repeaters for CB and if you wanted to get the maximum mobile to mobile range, you would pick the center frequency for the full 4w/12.5w and 1:1 SWR.  That is literally the only reason why 19 became so popular for truckers.

Cool!

This doesn’t directly answer how it was chosen, but it gives some of the history:
Originally, there were only 23 CB channels in the U.S.; 40-channel radios did not come along until 1977. In the 1960s, channels 1-8 and 15-22 were reserved for "intrastation" communications among units under the same license, while the other channels (9-14 and 23) could be used for "interstation" calls to other licenses.

In the early 1970s, channel 9 became reserved for emergency use. Channel 10 was used for highway communications, and channel 11 was used as a general calling channel. Later, channel 19 became the preferred highway channel in most areas as it did not have the adjacent-channel interference problems with channel 9.
https://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/threads/history-of-channel-19.82602/

So you asked a question about something unsettled.  You didn't know.  I don't think its a big deal.
I also don't think everyone has to agree in order to be considered playing well with others.  In fact, I think society in general has come to believe that disagreement is hostile.  That's the real sad state of affairs.  I think we can all disagree and still enjoy discussion.  A forum is for discussion.  I've never read anywhere that there was a requirement for agreement.  In fact, I think there is far less growth when there is no disagreement.  I think it is healthy, on the whole.
I don't think anyone has crossed the lines and gotten intentionally personal or nasty.   But that's just my opinion, (which I'm sure many around here would agree is worth 2 cents.  A few seem very scared it is worth much more than that, though.  Lol.)
This is one thread in a forum full of many topics. Folks who disagree on this topic probably agree on many others.  And most threads don't really involve any disagreement.
I'd just advise not taking any of it too seriously.  If someone gets feelings hurt around here, they probably need to take a break and regain perspective.  I know some disagree with me a great deal right here in this thread, and with some good support for it.  I'm fine with that and still would consider each of them friends with more in common than not.  Some might be surprised to know that my opinion can be changed sometimes, too.  It might take some work to get me there, though. ?

gman1971 we are all very aware of your opinion of any radio other than some professional part 90 radio. The problem with your opinion, is that if we all took that route, companies would stop manufacturing new Part 95 radios. Yes, I am very aware of what Superheterodyne is. I grew up in a radio shop, it was my dad's business. The point is though, the radio in question is not a radio on chip radio. That is all I said. 
 
The attitude of some on this site is getting to be as bad as the other radio site. It is a shame. All that is accomplished by this type of attitude is to drive new users off. Some people's needs can be very easily met using some of the radios you deem junk. Use what you want, and I am not saying you are wrong when you use a Part 90 radio from Motorola, or Kenwood, they are great radios, I know. Some people however want and nice off the shelf solution, and Midland, Wouxun, and others will fit their needs nicely. The Wouxun radio in question would be great for me, due to its detachable faceplate, which would make mounting in my car possible. I don't have room for a Motorola in my car, there is no good way to mount it. If I can take the largest part and mount it under the seat, then that would work nicely. 
 
Too many people here spout off about a radio without ever actually using it, seeing it, or even reading its specs. It's ridiculous and counterproductive. Not everyone needs, or desires, a Part 90 professional radio. 

The Wouxun KG 1000g uses a superheterodyne receiver. It is not a radio on a chip design. People need to actually learn about the radios they dismiss. If people keep maligning new GMRS radios online, without actually understanding the specs, manufacturers will stop producing new GMRS radios. I, for one, am happy to see companies actually producing GMRS radios. Sorry, but if we are relegated to only buying old radios that are not Part 95 certified, but Part 90 certified, eventually we will have no radios available for use, and no new GMRS radios. 

Well I'll be darned, that Wikipedia article lists "Chanel 20" as:
(7) National GMRS calling channel (CTCSS tone 141.3 Hz).
How about that?  ?

And again, you missed it.  He was being funny.  Watch the video.  Did you not see the crown?  He's a funny dude and does not take himself or the subject too seriously, except for helping others.  He works very hard at that and does a great job of it.

It’s more organic to spread the word via GMRS. ?
I really think that by the time any outreach and consensus process is completed (and who’s to say when it’s complete without first formally recognizing the validity of such a process?) the decision will have been made by people simply tuning to the unofficial official royally decreed travel channel.  By that time anything the formal group says or does had better simply ratify whatever has become the de facto travel channel.

It’s more organic to spread the word via GMRS. ?
I really think that by the time any outreach and consensus process is completed (and who’s to say when it’s complete without first formally recognizing the validity of such a process?) the decision will have been made by people simply tuning to the unofficial official royally decreed travel channel.  By that time anything the formal group says or does had better simply ratify whatever has become the de facto travel channel.

GOT IT volume to low.

I hear you loud and clear and appreciate your perspective. My concern is that outside of this forum and a YouTube channel, no one else will have the foggiest idea that there is a travel channel much less which one it is. That's why I'm suggesting some sort of outreach. Yes, it will be hard work and frustrating, no doubt. And I can imagine some would take exception to an outsider coming in and even making the suggestion. Even here in this forum there are some that believe GMRS is only for talking to family.
I don't know the history of how channel 19 on the CB became the truckers channel but I would wager a guess that it propagated from the truck stops and informal agreements that would be the channel they would hang out on. That was their social network of that period. For us, we have the internet to get the word out.

Eh, I am a bit of an oddball and use duck duck go as my search engine.
Google serves notarubicon’s video as the top video result and this forum as the top web result.
Reddit is a mixed bag, just like this thread.
————-
Seems like notarubicon gets scoffed a little around here. I guess I can see why as a lot of what he says “calls out” radio enthusiasts. I just want to point out that I am exactly the metaphorical “regular guy” that he alludes to in his videos. Everything he says makes logical sense to me. My guess is there are lot more people like me out there than there are HAM lights (did I get that right?). 
Consider this: When vetting search results one of the first things I check is the date of a publication, especially with emerging tech, which I would include GMRS in (I know it’s been around for decades). Notarubicon has not only the most definitive answer, but he also has the most current stance on the issue. Posts on reddit are a year or more old. Most of the post on this website regarding the issue are a year, or several years old. See where I’m going with this?

In theory consensus is great, but takes a long time and frequently results in frustration.  Having someone simply say out-loud something that makes sense to a lot of people is just fine.
Personally, I would have preferred channel 20.  It’s next in order, denoting an incremental progression over CB’s channel 19; it’s unaffected by Line A (some of us do travel along the high line, where that’s a concern); and it reflects the notion the GMRS is CB 2.0.
But the simple fact is that a lot of people already think of channel 19 as “The Travel Channel”.  It just works.
Sometimes it just takes one person to make a decision instead of a bunch of people milling around expecting someone else to do something. I can live with it.

Damned right!  I am just doing that this morning while try to determine why the bottom button hole in my new shirt is horizontal and sewed in red thread.  It was never that way all my life of 70 years!  But I see on the internet now that all bottom button holes are done this way, so now I'm confused.  Well, I just saw it on the internet so, IT MUST BE TRUE, right?
After checking all my shirts and button down coats, It's Hogwash I tell ya and that is my experience!  If you're not a Jeeper, your mileage might vary, IJS... stuck on channel 16 (actually I use the SCAN button on my Midland MXT 400 and get all the conversations along with all the PTT pushers).
 
 
 

In theory consensus is great, but takes a long time and frequently results in frustration.  Having someone simply say out-loud something that makes sense to a lot of people is just fine.
Personally, I would have preferred channel 20.  It’s next in order, denoting an incremental progression over CB’s channel 19; it’s unaffected by Line A (some of us do travel along the high line, where that’s a concern); and it reflects the notion the GMRS is CB 2.0.
But the simple fact is that a lot of people already think of channel 19 as “The Travel Channel”.  It just works.
Sometimes it just takes one person to make a decision instead of a bunch of people milling around expecting someone else to do something. I can live with it.

Proclaiming something on a YouTube channel is adoring. If you were truly interested in the travel channel initiative then you would form a nationwide commission and reach out to the thousands of GMRS operators for a consensus. That's a lot of work and effort. Are you willing to do that? I'm afraid that no one has heard you outside of your YouTube fiefdom. So crow about it all you want. It accomplishes nothing. Oh by the way, take a minute to use your favorite web browser to look up the term "GMRS Travel Channel". Outside this discussion, the preponderance of results will point you towards this --->
Ignore it all you want, I'm sure you will.