8 GMRS Repeater Channels

[WRTC928]

10 hours ago, WRUU653 said:

 I get what you’re saying but it is fairly common (really common) for people who are new to GMRS to not realize they are in fact different and try and change all their settings to make the simplex channels talk to a repeaters when they’re not grasping the concept. I think @SteveShannon is just trying to avoid putting out info that is confusing and point out what may be obvious to some to those that don’t know. 

 

10 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

It might seem pedantic, but if you’re on channel 19 on a 95E certified radios, you can’t transmit to the repeater.  If you can’t transmit to the repeater it’s not a repeater channel. 

Okay, I can see why using channel 19 and the repeater channel (however the manufacturer has labeled it) interchangeably could be confusing to some people.

[WRTC928]

46 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

What?  It's a simplex channel because transmit and receive are the same frequency (no offset). Normal repeaters require the offset but there is a thing called simplex repeater too.  And there's nothing in the regs that prevents fixed stations from transmitting on 467 simplex if your radio lets you.

That's interesting. It doesn't mention fixed stations. Not that it means anything for most of us, because we're unlikely to be operating a station that communicates only with other fixed stations.

§ 95.1763 GMRS channels.

The GMRS is allotted 30 channels—16 main channels and 14 interstitial channels. GMRS stations may transmit on any of the channels as indicated below.

(c) 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.

Out of curiosity, has anyone here seen a true fixed station in operation? What was its purpose?

[UncleYoda]

Nope!  This is what my copy says:

(c) 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.

 

Notice that fixed is not included in the restriction to repeater use.  (Fixed stations aren't allowed to use repeaters so that makes sense.)

[WRTC928]

2 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Nope!  This is what my copy says:

(c) 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.

 

Notice that fixed is not included in the restriction to repeater use.  (Fixed stations aren't allowed to use repeaters so that makes sense.)

You're right. I skipped right over the part where you were only talking about fixed stations.

[SteveShannon]

18 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

Out of curiosity, has anyone here seen a true fixed station in operation? What was its purpose?

Search for threads with Fixed Station in the title.  There are a couple and they are multiple pages trying to address this.  

[Lscott]

Read section C. These are the repeater main 467 channels. Fixed stations I believe are primarily for equipment control and not for normal  communications. This would make sense since the 467 main channel frequencies are the repeater inputs, which can also receive control commands from a fixed station.

47 CFR § 95.1763 - GMRS channels. | Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute

[RoadApple]

2 hours ago, UncleYoda said:

And there's nothing in the regs that prevents fixed stations from transmitting on 467 simplex if your radio lets you.

I'm not sure about that.  I believe I recall reading that the 467Mhz frequencies are for repeater input only and simplex use is not allowed.

[SteveShannon]

Just now, RoadApple said:

I'm not sure about that.  I believe I recall reading (Part 95 sub E ) that the 467Mhz frequencies are for repeater input only and simplex use is not allowed.

There’s nothing in the regulations that prohibits simplex use on the 467 MHz main channels.  They are limited to use for either repeater input, short term testing,  OR Fixed Stations, with no mention of simplex or duplex. Others have already posted the regulation, but here it is anyway:

Quote

 

(c) 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.

 

 

[WRXL702]

FCC Part 95 Subpart A - 95.303 Definitions:

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

[LeoG]

22 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

There’s nothing in the regulations that prohibits simplex use on the 467 MHz main channels.  They are limited to use for either repeater input, short term testing,  OR Fixed Stations, with no mention of simplex or duplex. Others have already posted the regulation, but here it is anyway:

 

So what about talk around?  I use that a lot.  On the other side of the river where my repeater doesn't reach my home station does.  So I just switch into talk around to communicate with the little lady.

[RoadApple]

20 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

There’s nothing in the regulations that prohibits simplex use on the 467 MHz main channels.  They are limited to use for either repeater input, short term testing,  OR Fixed Stations, with no mention of simplex or duplex.

Oh, I see it now.  Thanks!  Interesting carve out for "Fixed Stations".  Was there a specific reason for this exception to the repeater input clause or was it simply an omission in the text?