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wqxq281

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Posts posted by wqxq281

  4. Jeeps & Radios

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 4/21/2021 at 10:28 PM, OffRoaderX said:

    I've got 2 Jeeps -

    In my 2012 JKU "NotARubicon" I have a Wouxun KG-1000G ..

    In the wife's 2006 LJ "IsARubicon" I put in a BTech GMRS 50X1 ..

    Happy with both, but the Wouxun is a far better radio.

     

    Perhaps you can share your thoughts on the UV5R? ?

    For those running GMRS plus any other un-named VHF band, I just used a Diamond NR73BNMO dualband (2 meter and 440 MHz mobile antenna) on a road trip from RI to FL (I am entirely too lazy to install multiple antennas and radios). The SWR was 2/1 or less throughout amateur and GMRS bands.

    Wife had a Midland MXT275 with the included shorty magnet mount.  We had excellent, quality comms the whole trip. 

    I bought a UV5R as a backup radio.  It is a competent, inexpensive handheld. 

     

  5. GMRS for RV community?

    in Guest Forum

    Posted

    As of last Sunday, total GMRS licences was 98,309... 

     

    In 2011 that number was 38,169. Is that enough growth?  ;)

     

    No, there's never enough growth.  Midland and JJ teaming up is new.  I'd like to see a graph showing the growth year over year.  Midland marketing made a genius move by forming that partnership.  

  6. GMRS preference over HAM ? (for those holding both licenses)

    in Guest Forum

    Posted

    I've had a ham ticket since 1992.  Over the years I've drifted in and out of the hobby.  I obtained my GMRS license as I saw increased interest in the band, and am always interested in increased comms ability.  My wife has zero interest in obtaining a ham license, but she's not shy about using marine radio on the boat, and FRS/GMRS when we travel or tow an RV.  So it serves a purpose for me.

     

    In my area, there is VERY little GMRS activity outside of kids, landscapers, and some occasional hikers.  On the other hand, the Amateur community is thriving and active.

     

    The increased popularity of GMRS is good for the radio hobby, as I believe many will seek to get their ham ticket (nobody who experiences UHF/FM comms is going back to using a CB).  Midland and Jeep Jamboree are bringing in a lot of new users, and I would expect increased, informal "standardization" of channnel use as time progresses.

  9. Call signs

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I like being able to interface with my kid's when they use their Pokemon bubble pack radios. And all FRS/GMRS freqs are the same now except for the repeater input freqs. If you don't want to hear FRS, I suggest using a tone. As you yourself said, there usually isn't a ton of traffic on GMRS. If people are worried kids on FRS are going to "ruin" GMRS for everyone else, they might be more suited to ham as a hobby. GMRS has no test and is easy for the public to access for a reason.

     

    That's a pretty good summation.  FRS/GMRS might be all you need.  Some get a taste, and move on to Amateur radio.  I've been an Amateur since 1992, but I was/am excited to see the popularity of GMRS taking off.  Once you're used to VHF/UFH FM, it's hard to accept crappy AM (CB) radio communications.  Like I said, a wide spectrum of society likes "Jeeping" and off-roading.  Midland's marketing to that niche group will expand the use of the band as they discover uses for GMRS off the trail.  It's all good.

     

    I have the abilty to transmit and receive across the VHF/UHF spectrum here at home.  I don't really mind hearing the kids playing around on there (except for that non-stop call "ring").  That's what the bubble packs are for.  It's a good way to spark an interest in electronics and communications.

  13. How to deal with malicious and criminal interference

    in FCC Rules Discussion

    Posted

    Apparently the FCC does not need a warrant to perform a search of a radio users equipment. This youtube video I came across explains how it works. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4AeX7fsd6E

     

    Well, if the FCC has that authority, I can't find an example of them using it.  Here's a quote from a story about recent action against a pirate station on the broadcast FM band:

     

    "The seizure of transmitter equipment from the St. Nicholas Avenue building occurred April 10 but was only made public by the FCC on Tuesday. The name of the alleged operator of “Rumba FM” and other details of the radio station have not yet been released. But the FCC said it had in the past sent “multiple warnings” to the station’s operators. After those letters failed to convince the pirate to power down, the FCC worked with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York to secure a federal court order allowing them to seize the station’s equipment."

     

    So, I think it's reasonable to assume, right or wrong, that the FCC is not going to waste their time with the typical violations found on low power FRS or GMRS transmissions.  Like I said earlier, there are amateur kilowatt power stations on the ham band, cursing, broadcasting music, and purposefully interfering...Nightly...For years...with no action.

  16. Call signs

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I really don't expect to hear it (call sign) on simplex.  Lots of kids and those annoying roger beeps, landscape companies, campgrounds, etc.  I DO expect to hear it on a repeater.  If you purchased a repeater capable radio and learned how and why to apply a repeater tone to access it, then it's reasonable to assume you know you're supposed to have a license, and are willing to part with $35 for a no-test license for 10 years.  After all, you are now transmitting a WIDE ranging signal over several dozen to several hundred square miles.

     

    Unlike most Amateur repeaters, many GMRS repeater owners require you to obtain permission to use their repeater, with the obvious requirement that you provide your call sign.  It's fairly easy to figure out the PL tone and get on the machine without permission, but that operator will likely be shunned, which is the most effective solution to that problem.

  17. How to deal with malicious and criminal interference

    in FCC Rules Discussion

    Posted

    If you, or one of your children, can state you heard the conversation then call the local PD and talk to someone in their vice section. They will probably come ot and interview the people that heard the conversation and then take action. They will bring in Federal assistance from the FCC and possibly the FBI. The FCC involvement is unique in that they do not require a warrant to inspect a building looking for radio equipment.

     

    Retired LEO here.  That is not a likely scenario.  Your local PD/SO might take a report, but they're probably not taking any action other than forwarding it to the FCC.  Your local law enforcement agency probably lacks the resources and knowledge to address it.  The FBI has bigger fish to fry.  The FCC is not searching any residences without a warrant.  There is a history of long operating pirate radio stations and obnoxious interference from both licensed and non-licensed  operators that have taken years to be addressed by the FCC.  Google "FCC Enforcement Action" and you will see that the process involved to stop illegal/unlawful transmission is long and cumbersome.

     

    Tuning around the amateur bands will reveal the same operators, night after night, interfering, cursing, and being a general nuisance.  If the FCC had no-warrant search ability, these high power offenders would be the first to go, since they are heard nationwide, and in some cases, worldwide.  Some obnoxious dude on FRS/GMRS is way down the list for enforcement.

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