New to GMRS

[WRKH870]

I am new to the GMRS world so I have more questions than answers. I became involved in ham recently to better help my family survive if things go bad. I first bought two Baofeng UV 5R hand-held radios then a BTECH GMRS 50X1 50 Watt radio for my truck. Then acquired my GMRS license. 

I have been able to get my two hand-helds to communicate with each other but haven’t been able to communicate between the two hh’s and car radio. I input the exact same FRS frequency into both radios and I’m getting nothing but crickets. Can anyone help?  I’d greatly appreciate it.
 
WRKH870

[WRAK968]

Likely do not have the correct frequency's in, or have them in the wrong order. There are also privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) which could be in play. Without having the code plugs for the radios I couldnt tell you where the issue is.

Also, just a side note, the UV5R is NOT GMRS compliant and some users have said they had issues with those radios in the past when used outside the ham frequencies.

[WRKH870]

Thanks for replying. Aren’t CTCSS/DCS tones for using repeaters? I’m just sitting in my truck holding one radio and trying to communicate with the radio installed in that truck over an FRS frequency. 
 

As far as my radios not being GMRS compliant...the BTECH GMRS 50X1 radio in my truck has the FRS, GMRS, and those frequencies outside GMRS licensing. And where I am able to hear transmissions on those “unlicensed” channels, it will not allow me to broadcast on those channels. As far as the Baofeng UV 5R, from everything I have read and listened to as long as I don’t broadcast on the “unlicensed” channels I am not breaking any laws. 

[GuySagi]

I have a 50x1 and it will not transmit on firs frequencies. Yours might be different though. Part of the certification by fcc, I surmise due to what I understand is a rule that firs radios are not supposed to be able to connect to an external antenna. Obviously the radio in your truck can attach to an external. You should be able to hear the hts though. If not go to the menu on that channel and turn off Ctcss and dcs on that frequency (on the truck radio). If that fails you might be so close that the signal is overloading the receiver. Have someone try from a distance away. Also turn down the power in the handheld. The squelch in the 50x1 might also be dialed way up. That is adjusted in the menu too. I apologize for the typos. I’m stuck on my iPad and miss my real keyboard. Let me know if you figure it out. There’s a lot more expertise here and I suspect they’ll chime in soon. 

[mbrun]

Thanks for replying. Aren’t CTCSS/DCS tones for using repeaters? I’m just sitting in my truck holding one radio and trying to communicate with the radio installed in that truck over an FRS frequency.

 

As far as my radios not being GMRS compliant...the BTECH GMRS 50X1 radio in my truck has the FRS, GMRS, and those frequencies outside GMRS licensing. And where I am able to hear transmissions on those “unlicensed” channels, it will not allow me to broadcast on those channels. As far as the Baofeng UV 5R, from everything I have read and listened to as long as I don’t broadcast on the “unlicensed” channels I am not breaking any laws.

CTCSS/DCS Codes are used with and without repeaters. They are the same “privacy codes” used by the bubble pack FRS radios you buy at Walmart. Two radios operating on the same frequency and that share the same CTCSS/DCS codes will typically operate together.

 

Non-HT radios are not legally permitted to transmit on GRMS/FRS channels 8-14, so even the 50X1 should not allow communication on those channels. Non-HT radios are only permitted to listen on those channels.

 

UV5R is not legally permitted for use on GMRS or FRS.

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[WRKH870]

Ok, I checked to make sure the CTCSS/DCS were turned off. I then tried another FRS frequency and saved them both to channel 40. Then turned both radios to channel 40 and the hand held will transmit to the car radio but the car radio is not communicating with the hand held. 

[WRKH870]

Btw, I appreciate you guys taking time out of your day to respond. I know these are probably dumb questions to most of you but I really am trying to study, research, and learn as much as I can. 

[mbrun]

Ok, I checked to make sure the CTCSS/DCS were turned off. I then tried another FRS frequency and saved them both to channel 40. Then turned both radios to channel 40 and the hand held will transmit to the car radio but the car radio is not communicating with the hand held.

I do not own any BaoFeng/BTech equipment so I cannot give you model specific assistance. What I have gathered however from reading posts of those that use the Part 95e certified BTech models is that there are only select memories (aka channels) that can actually be used for transmitting, effectively the same as the midlands.

 

My current understanding (and I solicit correction if I am wrong) is that only select memories can be used for transmit. While you can configure many memories to receive additional frequencies, the memory that it is assigned to is a factor in whether it can transmit. I will have to let those that own the model you’re referring to provide additional assistance with this one.

 

Regards,

 

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[WRKH870]

Thanks Michael

[wayoverthere]

your understanding is correct.  The 50x1 will only transmit on low power on 1-7, and your choice of level on 15-22 and the 15-22 repeater inputs (gmrs 15-22 and Rept15-Rept22)channels.  everything else, including 8-14 are receive only.

 

 

What I have gathered however from reading posts of those that use the Part 95e certified BTech models is that there are only select memories (aka channels) that can actually be used for transmitting, effectively the same as the midlands.

My current understanding (and I solicit correction if I am wrong) is that only select memories can be used for transmit. While you can configure many memories to receive additional frequencies, the memory that it is assigned to is a factor in whether it can transmit. I will have to let those that own the model you’re referring to provide additional assistance with this one.

Regards,


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

 

[ken07734]

Some menu items in the Bofangs to make sure are set off.

 

13 T-CTCS - off

11 R-CTCS - off

25 SHIFT- off

26 OFFSET- 000.000

 

This makes sure the radio is set to use simplex only with the frequencies you are using.

 

As for the Truck Radio, I have no idea what the menu settings are for that.

 

 

[Shadow471]

Lets stick to actual Freqs.

The 50x1 will not TX on the .05WATT channels/Freqs

 

FRS 8 467.5625 FRS 9 467.5875 FRS 10 467.6125 FRS 11 467.6375 FRS 12 467.6625 FRS 13 467.6875 FRS 14 467.7125