Simplex listing?

[WSAQ296]

On 8/9/2025 at 3:29 PM, UncleYoda said:

Throw in the rule (for now) that GMRS base stations aren't allowed to use repeaters and most of the repeater craze evaporates.

Huh?

[SteveShannon]

42 minutes ago, WSAQ296 said:

Huh?

Here’s the rule. Different people interpret it differently. Some say that a base station becomes a “control station” when it transmits to a repeater. I am unsure of that, but it’s not important to me:

467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, WSAQ296 said:

Huh?

Yea, shocking ain't it that so many people are clueless.  It is the FCC's interpretation of the existing wording of the regs.  (I posted a topic on this months ago called Base Stations Can't Use Repeaters.)

As far as all the nutty explanations people make up to justify what they want it to be, I'll wait for FCC to offer one of those explanations as an official clarification (never gonna happen IMO) or change the rule (I understand now why it exists).

[amaff]

4 hours ago, WSAQ296 said:

Huh?

This kind of thing is why for some people...

 

[WSDE760]

You have probably seen this but for what it's worth, I passed this info around my contacts

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/shtf-survivalist-radio-frequency-list/

[UncleYoda]

Yep, had most of that for a long time.  I don't agree on some of the survivalist/prepper frequencies - we have to work that out for ourselves and our locale.   I can see somebody misreading that and getting up at 3AM to use the CB.

[SteveShannon]

10 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Yep, had most of that for a long time.  I don't agree on some of the survivalist/prepper frequencies - we have to work that out for ourselves and our locale.   I can see somebody misreading that and getting up at 3AM to use the CB.

If I get up at 3 am it’s to use the WC. 

[WRUE951]

On 9/8/2025 at 3:47 PM, SteveShannon said:

Here’s the rule. Different people interpret it differently. Some say that a base station becomes a “control station” when it transmits to a repeater. I am unsure of that, but it’s not important to me:

467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels. Mobile, hand-held portable and control stations may transmit on these channels only when communicating through a repeater station or making brief test transmissions in accordance with § 95.319(c). The channel center frequencies are: 467.5500, 467.5750, 467.6000, 467.6250, 467.6500, 467.6750, 467.7000, and 467.7250 MHz

A rule soooo vague..   you just do what you think and you be safe,   But only if your are concerened anyway... The older i get the less concerned i get  

[SteveShannon]

22 minutes ago, WRUE951 said:

A rule soooo vague..   you just do what you think and you be safe,   But only if your are concerened anyway... The older i get the less concerned i get  

What’s vague about it?  Base stations are not listed as being permitted to transmit on the 467 main channels. That’s pretty clear.

[amaff]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

What’s vague about it?  Base stations are not listed as being permitted to transmit on the 467 main channels. That’s pretty clear.

It says that clearly. But why should there be a difference between a 'mobile' radio talking through a repeater, and the exact same radio used as a 'base station,' bolted to my desk or whatever with an antenna on the roof, talking through a repeater? That's the part that doesn't make any sense to me.

I don't do that. I'm not the 'hop on the wednesday night net' type and have little use for a radio that's not in a vehicle or backpack. But I don't get why putting the radio in a fixed location should change anything about its legality.

 

[WRUE951]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

What’s vague about it?  Base stations are not listed as being permitted to transmit on the 467 main channels. That’s pretty clear.

but a fixed station is

[wrci350]

2 hours ago, amaff said:

It says that clearly. But why should there be a difference between a 'mobile' radio talking through a repeater, and the exact same radio used as a 'base station,' bolted to my desk or whatever with an antenna on the roof, talking through a repeater? That's the part that doesn't make any sense to me.

Because that radio, bolted to your desk with a power supply and a big antenna on your roof becomes a "control station" if you are talking through a repeater.  That's clearly defined in Part 95.  I know at least one or two people are going to loudly disagree with me but they are already on my ignore list.

I think this is probably thread number 7.5 debating this in the last two years.  If folks "interpret" the rules differently (which means they don't understand them) that's nice for them.  Doesn't affect me or the 1000s of other folks with GMRS "control stations".  

[SteveShannon]

50 minutes ago, wrci350 said:

Because that radio, bolted to your desk with a power supply and a big antenna on your roof becomes a "control station" if you are talking through a repeater.  That's clearly defined in Part 95.  I know at least one or two people are going to loudly disagree with me but they are already on my ignore list.

I think this is probably thread number 7.5 debating this in the last two years.  If folks "interpret" the rules differently (which means they don't understand them) that's nice for them.  Doesn't affect me or the 1000s of other folks with GMRS "control stations".  

Isn’t every radio a Control Station then?  

And I absolutely agree that I don’t think it makes sense to exclude base stations. 

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

And I absolutely agree that I don’t think it makes sense to exclude base stations. 

The explanation was in their reply: to extend the range of mobile and handheld portable stations.  What is happening now with base stations using wide coverage repeaters makes FCC's position make sense.  But then we're back to the old problem of lack of enforcement.

4 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

but a fixed station is

only direct to another fixed station, not through a repeater

 

2 hours ago, wrci350 said:

Doesn't affect me or the 1000s of other folks with GMRS "control stations".  

Yet you feel the need to jump in and try to have the last word.  If you think you're right, take your interpretation to the FCC and see if they agree.  Otherwise, opinions are worthless.

[SteveShannon]

4 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

The explanation was in their reply: to extend the range of mobile and handheld portable stations.  What is happening now with base stations using wide coverage repeaters makes FCC's position make sense.  But then we're back to the old problem of lack of enforcement.

How does a base station using a “wide coverage repeater” exceed the range of a mobile radio or even a handheld radio using the same repeater?

[wrci350]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

Isn’t every radio a Control Station then?  

And I absolutely agree that I don’t think it makes sense to exclude base stations. 

Nope.  Come now Steve, I'm sure you've read at least one or two of the other six 1/2 threads!  

Part 95A (which applies to all other parts of 95, including 95E)  makes a distinction based on usage, not equipment.  Why?  I'm not an FCC lawyer, so I don't know.

Base station. A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations.

Control station. A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations.

[SteveShannon]

Just now, wrci350 said:

Nope.  Come now Steve, I'm sure you've read at least one or two of the other six 1/2 threads!  

Part 95A (which applies to all other parts of 95, including 95E)  makes a distinction based on usage, not equipment.  Why?  I'm not an FCC lawyer, so I don't know.

Base station. A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations.

Control station. A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations.

So it’s possible for a station at a fixed location to change from a base station to a control station strictly based on usage, and back again on the next transmission?

So could that same station at a fixed location become a Fixed Station on the next transmission?

[wrci350]

45 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

So it’s possible for a station at a fixed location to change from a base station to a control station strictly based on usage, and back again on the next transmission?

So could that same station at a fixed location become a Fixed Station on the next transmission?

No one knows what a fixed station is.  No one.  

My best explanation is, "If you are asking if you have a 'fixed station' you don't."

As far as the first question, according to Part 95, yes.

Simplex?  Base

Through a repeater?  Control

Makes sense?  Most likely not.

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

How does a base station using a “wide coverage repeater” exceed the range of a mobile radio or even a handheld radio using the same repeater?

Really?  You're the electrical engineer.  If putting an antenna up high didn't help then nobody would.  Yes, a car could drive up to another mountain top to get similar or greater distance.  But the inconvenience of doing so would limit that type of use.

[WSAQ296]

On 9/8/2025 at 10:31 PM, amaff said:

This kind of thing is why for some people...

 

Yeah, I spent an hour the other night slowly spelling out an email to a '50 year ham' (I spelled slow so he could read it slowly) that rules change.  It was in regards to another now defunct GMRS 'rule'.   

[amaff]

3 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

So it’s possible for a station at a fixed location to change from a base station to a control station strictly based on usage, and back again on the next transmission?

So could that same station at a fixed location become a Fixed Station on the next transmission?

My mobile radio turns into a base station any time I'm stopped at a red light. It's terribly inconvenient.

[HHD1]

It's always fun to see how these threads evolve.  From setting up a neighborhood watch listing on this sight, to what exactly a base station is.    You guys are great!! By the way, it it's grid down, SHTF...  GMRS won't be my choice.  Most likely a number of pre programmed random frequencies and a good set of AR-5RM's.  If you want to set something up for your neighborhood, I think it's best to do it in person. But, then again, I've never tried it.  But now that I've read this whole thread, Me thinks me will.  Thanks for the inspiration @UncleYoda

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, HHD1 said:

grid down, SHTF...  GMRS won't be my choice.

Think about it... a lot of people have FRS radios and GMRS uses those frequencies too but with more power.  Your communication options with hams will be much more limited.

Quote

for your neighborhood, I think it's best to do it in person.

It seems that way, but the reality is people won't stay interested.  Some won't use or even keep their radios charged.  They will pay more attention when they need it.  My approach is coordinate with people already interested in radio for now and wait to go knock on doors (or do flyers/signs) until the dark times when people will see the benefit.

[HHD1]

Good points