UncleYoda

If they do change the rules, I think they should place some restrictions on private repeaters.

That is for you controlling your own radio. Anyway, remote control is a false path to pursue regarding repeater linking. What we need is an official statement on whether internet linking is covered by the prohibited network clause.

Yes, but operate/use is not "control". We control our radios but not someone else's repeater.

This part: I don't want to break it down word by word since that isn't the actual wording of the regs. But the part I bolded is the main objection. I don't see any point in further debate on this word salad however.

No, wrong argument for this point. I was referring to different sentences in the same subsection of Part 95, 95-1749 as quoted above by Marc. Doesn't matter, this gets us nowhere.

@SteveShannon Look at the wording; they clearly separate remote control from just use. That's all you need to know there is a difference. Going back to an earlier point, to me the comment from the FCC meeting is saying exactly the same thing as the reg. Different wording, same meaning.

@marcspaz We all have opinions and our own view of what the rules mean, and our views often contradict each other. So I don't know if it's worth even posting such interpretations here. But I will for what it's worth. I disagree with your synopsis view of remote control. To understand what remote control means we need to go to Part 97 Amateur Radio. And yes it's a different service but the concept is identical. It was even a test question on the HAM exams (Tech probably and maybe General). Remote control is NOT! just using a repeater, it is controlling it, doing things like shutting a malfunctioning repeater off, changing the tones. That meaning to me, because of my HAM experience, is not disputable. The fact that it isn't clearly spelled out for GMRS is not surprising (the GMRS regs are lacking in many ways). I mostly agree with your last part about PTSN and that's what I mean in my earlier post about whether it was still meaningful. I can hardly recognize the old system in what we have today. And the Internet is the largest network in the world so it seems like they would at least mention if or how it can be used.

The phone system has changed so much I don't know how the old terms apply anymore. Both my phone and internet are through my cell phone. So how can you say internet is a different system? My provider tries to distinguish between data and wifi sometimes, like when talking to tech support; but for billing the wifi usage is data when it goes through my phone, but not when it connects to public wifi. All this wireless computing and phone stuff is obscure to me. I started using the internet in the BBS days when I had to dial up the university library to use gopher. I understood modems well, but they have lost me with all the changes. And one thing I don't do is phone calls and video over internet protocol. I have however used Echolink and repeaters that use Allstar links. And there is no clear distinction in all this to me. So, since phones are at least partially wireless (i.e., radio frequency), I'm wondering if the old term PSTN is even meaningful anymore. At the very least, I think FCC needs to explain this stuff better in view of all the technology changes.

Yes, you're thinking right. Ignore the people on here who try to limit it to what they want. It's a licensed radio service for you to use however you want within the rules. If I have neighbors within simplex range, I'd prefer to make contact now before before a crisis.

Channels 31 and above are receive only. It's described that way on the Amazon page, and it's the same for my UV5G. Typically for these GMRS radios YOU JUST ENTER TONES ON THE PRE-PROGRAMMED CHANNELS (1-22 simplex, 23-30 repeater).

What are you trying to do? Are you able to get into any repeaters? Orangeburg is about 35 miles from Columbia, so which one is your location? If you have a question, ask.

I have a Baofeng K5+; don't know what the difference is. I know nothing about firmware updates for it, if any. But I would not trust firmware from any source other than the manufacturer.

Some repeaters have a courtesy tone that you hear when you or the other person let go of the PTT button. The purpose of the courtesy tone is so you don't have to let the repeater drop every time before speaking.

Talking through repeaters doesn't make you a control station. A control station controls operation. A repeater user is a control station only for his own radio(s) not the repeater. This is not in question at all; it is well established and clearly stated by FCC. A base station is not a fixed station, even though it is at a fixed location. Asking FCC to clarify/interpret the rules is pointless unless you have some special access to the guy in charge. It's amazing that so many members here can post so much stupid crap.

Even though Amateur has 420-450 officially, the practical use part is 441-449. One good reason for HAMs to use GMRS is communicating with non-HAMs. I recommend the owner rename this forum to HAM-HATE-FORUM.

It might help us help you if you explain what you're doing in detail. Adding or changing tones should be easy. What do you mean by a radio with all the keys? The Baofeng UV-5G has the number keys and the typical extra keys. Can you post a picture of the radio you have?

Check the Part 95E regs -- base stations not allowed to use repeaters (as others here will say, you can likely get away with it).

But that should have happened in the 2017 revamp. I don't see FCC doing it now.

No. 000.500 is1/2MHz = 500KHz. You need 005.000 (5 before decimal) Yes, but look again at what he wrote.

I almost bought one. I cancelled because there were no accessories for it. Secondary concern was company owner is on the liberal left side politically.

I agree but I got over the anger years ago.

Linking has similar issues on HAM too, except there we can usually switch to other repeaters. For HAM temporary, user-initiated linking is an alternative. I don't know if that is feasible with GMRS linking systems, but if so, would be better than permanent, full-time linking. Linking just at scheduled times is another option.

I can only refer to how mine works, but AFAIK others should be the same. Ch. 40-500 are RX only; it's hard coded in the firmware - it's part of their approach to get GMRS certification. Of course, I'm referring to the default GMRS mode as shipped, not the possible unlocked mode which breaks certification. I can't follow some of what you're asking because you are not giving enough detail. And I don't know the intended use of the extra PL, PH, VFO channels (manual is useless).

Channels above 39 are RX only. 31-38 (on mine) can only be programmed using the software; 39 can be programmed for simplex from the radio but need software to program a repeater transmit.

I've been trying for over a decade to do that mostly with 2m HAM, but with more focus on statewide than national. The only reason it won't work is the attitude of the HAMs. I hate the answer that HF is necessary; it is only if people are to stubborn to cooperate on another approach. HF is faster for long distance but there's a possibility that conditions won't be good for propagation. We should be practicing using all the options available. What I plan on doing with GMRS is a neighborhood radio watch. My GMRS base station can reach those FRS users around me who don't have HAM or GMRS. I can give them info even if they can't talk back, arrange meetings, call for reinforcements, etc. What most of them do is volunteer to work with agencies. They don't seem to want to work with individuals. So after 10 years in ARES, I quit and I'm following my own plan.