Linking GMRS resources

[WRTE806]

They have before.  Probably none of them wish to rehash this:
 

Thanks for sharing the link.

I really appreciate solid answers.

73


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[SteveShannon]

21 minutes ago, WRTE806 said:

Thanks for sharing the link.

I really appreciate solid answers.

73


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I don’t know that you’ll get solid answers. 

[SteveShannon]

If you want to see several of the different threads about this topic, search the forums for “95.1749”

[WQXB278]

FYI
Below is a link to a ARRL lunch discussion with the FCC held on Jan 25, 2024.  At 1:12:45 the question about linking GMRS repeaters is asked.  The response is no and they cite 95.1749 and 95.349 - they said that telephone and "public switched network" includes any kind of network.  The exception is to control the repeater, i.e., turn off or on.

I was told by a third party that some repeater owners in PA have been warned fairly recently but I don't know who.

Here's the link to the video of the luncheon 

§ 95.1749 GMRS network connection.

Operation of a GMRS station with a telephone connection is prohibited, as in § 95.349. GMRS repeater, base and fixed stations, however, may be connected to the public switched network or other networks for the sole purpose of operation by remote control pursuant to § 95.1745.

 

§ 95.349 Network connection.

Operation of Personal Radio Services stations connected with the public switched network is prohibited, unless otherwise allowed for a particular Personal Radio Service by rules in the subpart governing that specific service. See e.g., §§ 95.949 and 95.2749.

[gortex2]

As soon as you included ARRL and GMRS the post is useless. 

[SteveShannon]

3 hours ago, gortex2 said:

As soon as you included ARRL and GMRS the post is useless. 

Wow

[intermod]

Linking repeaters through the Internet, or via a private broadband connection (private point-to-point microwave radio, like using Ubiquity radios) is not prohibited by the rules.   The FCC rep's opinion in the video is “hearsay” and is not considered authoritative.  The female rep even notes this earlier.       

Here is a brief tutorial on this matter. 

§ 95.349 Network connection.

Operation of Personal Radio Services stations connected with the public switched network is prohibited, unless otherwise allowed for a particular Personal Radio Service by rules in the subpart governing that specific service. See e.g., §§ 95.949 and 95.2749.

Fact 1:  The Internet is not a “public switched network”.

§ 47CFR § 9.3 - Definitions.

Public Switched Network. Any common carrier switched network, whether by wire or radio, including local exchange carriers, interexchange carriers, and mobile service providers, that uses the North American Numbering Plan in connection with the provision of switched services.

Fact 2: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are not considered a “Common Carriers”.  They were between 2015-2017, when Net Neutrality was in place.  Net Neutrality was eliminated in 2017.

§ 95.1749 GMRS network connection.

Operation of a GMRS station with a telephone connection is prohibited, as in § 95.349. GMRS repeater, base and fixed stations, however, may be connected to the public switched network or other networks for the sole purpose of operation by remote control pursuant to § 95.1745.

§ 95.303 Definitions.

Remote control. Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from a location that is not in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter. Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from any location on the premises, vehicle or craft where the transmitter is located is not considered to be remote control.

§ 95.1745 GMRS remote control.

Notwithstanding the prohibition in § 95.345, GMRS repeater, base and fixed stations may be operated by remote control.

Fact 3: While “control” or “remote control” normally refers to the act of enabling or disabling the ability of a transmitter to “activate”, the term “operation by remote control” refers to people using the repeater remotely. 

 

Conclusion:  Linking GMRS repeaters through the Internet is not prohibited.  Linking through a private connection (not routing through the internet) is certainly fine as well.  Just don't install an autopatch on GMRS.   

If anyone is aware of a formal case where a licensee received a formal NOV for linking after 2017, please let us know.  I suspect one does not exist.   

What typically occurs is that an NOV is issued for harmful or destructive interference (IX).  For example, if I operate a repeater in Boston, which activates a repeater in California, and the California repeater walks on top of another local repeater, then we have harmful IX.  This is a violation.  Not the linking.