jwilkers

There has been an issues with repeaters that automatically ID.  There have been situations where NOVs were issued for violation of this rule:
95.7 Channel sharing.(a) Channels or channel pairs are available to GMRS systems only on a sharedbasis and will not be assigned for the exclusive use of any licensee. Allstation operators and GMRS system licensees must cooperate in the selectionand use of channels to reduce interference and to make the most effective useof the facilities.A term: "channel camping" was created to refer to those who would send an ID automatically.  Supposedly, this would deprive other users use of the frequency.  Since an ID is not required, it could constitute a way to show "ownership" of a frequency.
 
Just putting that out there.... No worries here either way.

The weight doesn't come off. I can verify this. I did, however, only start gaining weight after I renewed my license. Odd.

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There's a firmware update that allows pl tones to be changed.

From what I understand, under chirp, the option to switch to wide is greyed out and so is the pl tone selection. Perhaps an owner of said radio could chime in. 
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I certainly wouldn't announce in a public forum that I plan to break federal laws.
 
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I agree with your comment about accepting responsibility for the consequences of our words [and actions] while keeping in mind the 1st amendment to the US Constitution applies specifically to the government:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
 
Courts have held the term Congress to apply to government in general. However, private enterprises and citizens are not bound by this amendment. So, whatever freedom of expression we have on this forum is limited to that which the owners and operators allow us.  Fortunately, on this forum we have been given a fairly broad latitude in this respect. However, along with that privilege of expression comes the responsibility to use it thoughtfully and not abuse it.

This is spec’ed for the Ham Bands only.
 
 https://mfjenterprises.com/products/bd-35
 
For wide band use you will likely be stuck using a mono-band amplifier. Some cheap ones are found here.
https://baofengtech.com/product-category/amplifier/
 
You can use a couple of VHF/UHF diplexers, one on the inputs and one on the outputs, to build effectively a dual band amplifier.
 
https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-916b
 
If you’re worried about drawing too much current from an accessory plug just turn the HT’s power output down to limit the amplifier’s output power and thus the current draw.
 
Oh, the amplifiers are not “linear” since most Ham communications on VHF and UHF along with GMRS/FRS uses FM modulation so the amplifiers are designed for “class - C” operation, which is nothing close to linear. This is done to get higher efficiency.
https://www.electronics-tutorials.ws/amplifier/amplifier-classes.html

I think you have this backwards.  UHF performs better in urban areas. Better penetration through buildings. NYPD remains on UHF for this reason.  VHF is better in wooded, hilly terrain.    
 
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2008/09/uhf_or_vhf_which_is_right_for_you.html

Well....GMRS isn't a hobby. GMRS is a utility service. Most users use it for functional communications with family or a small, exclusive group. It isn't amateur radio, which *IS* a hobby.
 
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GMRS is a utility service. Typically, users only wish to communicate with others of their group. Amateur radio is a hobby service, where users wish to communicate with everyone.  
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GMRS is a utility service. Typically, users only wish to communicate with others of their group. Amateur radio is a hobby service, where users wish to communicate with everyone.  
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GMRS is a utility service. Typically, users only wish to communicate with others of their group. Amateur radio is a hobby service, where users wish to communicate with everyone.  
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Sounds like he found a self appointed and knowledge lacking radio cop. 
 
I have been in radio for close to 30 years, had GMRS forever, worked in commercial service, just got my HAM license a couple weeks ago. I've been in no hurry to chat, but I did ask the local radio club President, whom I personally know, about "closed" repeaters, or any special courtesies, etc. He said if the repeater is listed (online as such...Repeater Book, etc) then it is open, and that locally things were cooperative and normal. They are trying to get more Hams licensed and build up the hobby. 
 
I did remember what a Ham told me years ago...out of courtesy, if you are going to use a club repeater much, join the club because repeaters and electricity aren't free. 
 
As far as remembering call signs...I applied for a vanity because I'll be lucky to remember my own! And, I have listened alot, and now and then someone comes on, ID's and asks if "xyz" is on...or simply by first name...and usually says "I can't remember your call". I know no rule or manner that suggests that is wrong. 
 
I agree though, if that is an individuals repeater, don't use it. Maybe eventually no one will talk to him. Get with the club and put up your own. 

Perhpas it is a minor point, but the FCC changed the Subpart from A to E when they did the 2017 rewrite of the rules. Thus, Part 95E refers to GMRS.

Well, people were whining to release it...so they did. Firmware isn't ironed out yet. Expect a lot more updates.
 
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Well, people were whining to release it...so they did. Firmware isn't ironed out yet. Expect a lot more updates.
 
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I think it would be best if members of this forum kept their political views to themselves and stuck to the topics this board was created to support.

No. These frequencies are not legal for simplex comms.
 
AntiSquid Disclaimer: All comments are personal opinion only and may not indicate a claim of actual fact.

Some require an application be filled out and a fee paid, also.
 
AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.

This has to be one of the biggest appeals of GMRS for me. We use the service for a mixture of these types of communication each and every day. Five nights a week, my adult son gets off of 2nd shift work in a distant town. We talk each night on his way home on a local GMRS repeater that has a huge coverage area. We discuss dinner plans for the night (usually fast food because we both hate to cook our own food). We briefly discuss his day in a public communication appropriate manner. I re-route him via Google Maps if there is heavy traffic. Some locals have taken to listen in of an evening to these conversations and occasionally throw out a howdy. That is the way we like GMRS. It fits our usage perfectly. When we had our family farm, it was so very useful for over more than 20 years. Even if members of my family eventually get Amateur Radio licenses, we could never properly use that service in the manner that best serves us. Amateur Radio satisfies my itch to experiment and allows me to hone my on air radio technique. GMRS is where our family actually does its daily radio work.
 
ETA: A few minutes ago, I heard a grandfather and adult grandson using GMRS on another local large footprint repeater in the same way as we do. It was almost 2 am. The grandson was on the road and the grandfather was keeping him company on the air. I had to smile.

Bear in mind, both those radios mentioned are not part 95 certified and therefore are illegal to be used on gmrs. 
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Just for clarification, the FCC didn't cite the Baofeng company or any manufacturer of Baofeng radios.  This action applies to one specific distributor, Amcrest Industries LLC d.b.a. Baofengradio.us.  All they have to do is stop selling this radio within 30 days of the notice and they will face no monetary fine.  I think this matter will unfortunately not have an appreciable impact on the availability of Baofeng and other related radios here in the US, but I am glad to see any action taken at all around this issue.  It's definitely a step in the right direction.

IMHO, They dropped it to be compliant with their FCC grant. They only got part 95 certification for a 2 watt radio. 
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IMHO, They dropped it to be compliant with their FCC grant. They only got part 95 certification for a 2 watt radio. 
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The only ones who are excluded are the "outlaws..." <snicker!>