Interesting comments being filed with the fcc on unused 46Mhz/49Mhz pairs

[Blaise]

Maybe instead of thinking of this as a "One band can't do both those frequency ranges"  *problem*, it should be looked at as a "maybe GMRS should have cross-band repeaters, and maybe they could be used to build networks of repeaters with "not public network" connections..." *opportunity*.

[marcspaz]

@Lscott I tested my screwdriver with a field strength meter and compared it to my dipole and my dedicated whips. On 80m, I only had a 1.8% efficiency rate. On 40m, it was about 30%, and on 20m it was about 50%.

 

I switched over to Diamond mono band 86.6" whips and retested. The dedicated whip was still less that 2% efficiency rate on 80m. However, on 40m, it was 50%+ and 20m was almost 90%.

[WRTC928]

TBH, I can't imagine hams making much use of the 46/49 MHz band. It has the same disadvantages as 6 meters, and hams hardly use that band. OTOH, if it was added to GMRS, I can imagine lots of people putting it to practical use. Hams (mostly) are all about the distance, and that band doesn't open up for long-distance communication very often. However, it does reliably provide more distance than UHF, and lots of GMRS folks could find a use for that. As I commented above, I doubt there would be an explosion of VHF/UHF GMRS radios, but I suspect the majority of GMRS users have a single use in mind. 46/49 would be excellent for situations where communication is mostly from one base unit to another, or where an HT isn't necessary (think ranches where a vehicle-mounted unit would be perfectly adequate). Heck, with cross-band repeat, you could even use an HT in those situations. If I had a 46/49 MHz radio with AM capability and 50-100 watts, I could talk to my friends in several nearby towns that I can't reach with UHF. I could probably reach the family farm several miles west of my hometown. 

[FishinGary]

There are 6m repeaters, too. There are a few in my area. Like any repeaters, they get used. Just not 24/7/365.

[WRYZ926]

GMRS users would be secondary to the US military on 46/49 MHz just like amateur radio is secondary on the 6m band. The US military still uses 30 MHz through 88 MHz for VHF FM radios such as the SINCGARS radios. 

I can see 46/49 MHz being used to link GMRS repeaters. I know its common to use 1.25m/220 MHz repeaters to link 2m repeaters. 

[WRQI583]

On 5/26/2025 at 12:14 AM, Jaay said:

Guess what ?? 6 meters was open yesterday and Today !! I made 11 new contacts on usb , and 4 on fm @ 50 watts !

The bands have been dead in my area except for night time where 160-20 come alive. 6m is always dead quiet every time I have gotten on there.

[Lscott]

2 hours ago, marcspaz said:

@Lscott I tested my screwdriver with a field strength meter and compared it to my dipole and my dedicated whips. On 80m, I only had a 1.8% efficiency rate. On 40m, it was about 30%, and on 20m it was about 50%.

 

I switched over to Diamond mono band 86.6" whips and retested. The dedicated whip was still less that 2% efficiency rate on 80m. However, on 40m, it was 50%+ and 20m was almost 90%.

Yuck!! That's even worse than my guess on 75/80. It would fair to say using those antennas would be equivalent to a QRP radio with a full sized dipole. The testing you did should be impressed on Hams operating mobile. Some spend a fortune on those antennas to operate on the HF low bands.

[WRYZ926]

The HF bands have been bad for the last few weeks, especially 10m and 12m. 

I've only used 6m on SSB and digital modes as my antenna is not resonant in the FM portion of the band. There is only one 6m FM repeater in Missouri and its status is in limbo right now. 

[Lscott]

28 minutes ago, WRQI583 said:

The bands have been dead in my area except for night time where 160-20 come alive. 6m is always dead quiet every time I have gotten on there.

That's why it's called the "Magic Band." If it's open it wakes up from the dead.

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, WRTC928 said:

OTOH, if it was added to GMRS, I can imagine lots of people putting it to practical use. Hams (mostly) are all about the distance, and that band doesn't open up for long-distance communication very often.

So when the 6m band is open propagation is likely the same on 46/49 MHz and people will flock to it just to shoot skip. I've heard stories where Hams see distance TV stations on the old analog channel 2 and knew the 6m band was open and dashed for the shack to rack up a few more QSL cards.

[Lscott]

2 hours ago, Blaise said:

Maybe instead of thinking of this as a "One band can't do both those frequency ranges"  *problem*, it should be looked at as a "maybe GMRS should have cross-band repeaters, and maybe they could be used to build networks or repeaters with not "public network" connections..." *opportunity*.

That will get shot dead by some. Beginning to sound more like Ham Lite.

[marcspaz]

30 minutes ago, Lscott said:

Yuck!! That's even worse than my guess on 75/80. It would fair to say using those antennas would be equivalent to a QRP radio with a full sized dipole. The testing you did should be impressed on Hams operating mobile. Some spend a fortune on those antennas to operate on the HF low bands.

 

I agree for sure.  Anything under 20m is very hard to get communications out of while mobile.  80m and 100% equal to QRP, for sure.  100w in for less than 2w out.  If you are actually moving, that makes it even harder.  I have seen some guys spend $2,500 or more for some of these high-power screwdriver antennas, but it's pointless unless they have a mobile 1,000w amp.  Even then, the 1,000w to the antenna on 80m would be like 150w-180w to a proper vertical antenna (not even a dipole).  That antenna would be hot enough to cook on.  LOL

[Blaise]

3 hours ago, Lscott said:

That will get shot dead by some. Beginning to sound more like Ham Lite.

I mean, isn't that practically the definition of GMRS?  We already have repeaters.   Having some that can talk to each other on a more distance-friendly band isn't exactly a stretch...

Imagine FEMA or some disaster-relief group being able to set up a small network of these things such that one or more GMRS channels are connected and reachable across a three county disaster area.  Not for emergency responders, but for moms to figure out where their kids are, and churches and community Centers to tell neighborhood members they are open and receiving displaced/hungry/cold people!  Three devices set up atop a few important hills would be a trivially cheap investment, and because the network is cross-band, even kiddie radios could have access in an emergency.  Then you just hand out boxes of sub $10 radios to anyone who needs them.

Or in normal use, local groups who want to be able to connect/coordinate over fairly large areas, like hunting/camping/search parties/storm watchers/etc. could set up a couple/three and stay in touch over tens of miles, rather than just miles.  And no worry about people who don't want/need to get ham licenses, because now, they only have to spend 3-5 hours finding some forms to fill out at the FCC and some cash.

 

[WSHH887]

We really don't need or in my case particularly want an agency like FEMA having any easier time dispensing questionable information during a disaster.  I've started setting up a small network of folks in my neighborhood so we can communicate should something happen.  I can't say I came up with the idea.  A, sadly now deceased gentleman set up a phone tree in this area before I moved in 46 years ago.  He was a HAM (started as a WWII Marine radioman).  It sort of died as a lot of folks did as well.  Now I'm the old guy, just using newer technology.  

By the way this was motivated by a home invasion where a neighbor and kid sat in terror as individuals broke in and ransacked the house.  The 911 operator who kept promising the police would arrive soon convinced her to stay on the phone so she couldn't call anyone else for help.