Fixed Station vs Base Station?

[WSHH887]

A couple of things about every forum I participated in. You have to have thick skin or your precious ego will be destroyed. Everyone has and is entitled to, even if they don't share mine and are wrong, opinions. And sweating the small stuff is not only fun but educational. 
 

Life is full of mystery and controversy. Embrace them. 

[Hoppyjr]

So why do you come here?  I’ve noticed that a significant portion of your comments are actually about other people’s questions or comments and frequently negative, not actually contributing to the conversation.

If you don’t like my posts there is an ignore function you’re free to use.

[AdmiralCochrane]

7 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

So why do you come here?  I’ve noticed that a significant portion of your comments are actually about other people’s questions or comments and frequently negative, not actually contributing to the conversation.

Some just like to type and hit enter even when it is irrelevant to the conversation.  It may be due something they need to have fulfilled.

I do agree, the ignore function works to eliminate material that shouldn't be present to begin with.

[UncleYoda]

Official response (won't say answer) is expected tomorrow.  I did not phrase the question the same as the title of this topic, but it should be good enough to settle it if they provide real answers (if they just quote the regs we'll gain nothing).  Unfortunately this is not the environment for sharing real information so I do not know if or where I would share it.

[WRKC935]

On 4/29/2025 at 3:18 PM, marcspaz said:

 

Bickering implies that a counter position is taken because I care about the other persons opinion and how it reflects on me and my initial position.... which definitely is not the case. LoL

 

/wordsalad

Oh, he's just trying to start another argument with me. 

I swear if I said he was intelligent and handsome he would figure out a way to protest the statement.  But he ain't and and I wouldn't, so we will miss at least THAT discussion.

[rdunajewski]

This is a warning to everyone in this thread that Rule #7 forbids the discussion of weapons including firearms on this forum. I just removed about 20 posts in violation of this rule. 

Beyond that, it was also completely off-topic for this post and GMRS in general. 

[SteveShannon]

Sorry, Rich. 

[marcspaz]

I apologize. I didn't realize we had a rule against it.

[WRKC935]

9 hours ago, rdunajewski said:

This is a warning to everyone in this thread that Rule #7 forbids the discussion of weapons including firearms on this forum. I just removed about 20 posts in violation of this rule. 

Beyond that, it was also completely off-topic for this post and GMRS in general. 

Yep, understood.  Went back and read your rules.  Obviously I am NOT welcome. 

[UncleYoda]

The official response is not very informative.  Besides again quoting the definition in the regs, this is it with only slightly different wording:

Fixed Stations are any stations at a fixed location that communicate with other stations at a fixed location.

As far as I can tell, that could mean base to base for normal conversation, however that limits power to 15W where a base can do up to 50.  The only benefit I can see is fixed stations are allowed to use 467 MHz main channels in simplex mode.

I'll address repeater use in another topic.

[marcspaz]

1 hour ago, UncleYoda said:

The only benefit I can see is fixed stations are allowed to use 467 MHz main channels in simplex mode.

 

I don't know if that is the only benefit, but is sure is a good one.  Most people don't monitor those frequencies since they are most commonly used for repeater inputs.  You end up with a much less crowed channel.

 

Now that you mention it... is there an OTC type approved radio that is configured to transmit simplex on the 467 mains (maybe a KG-1000?), or do we have to use reconfigured LMR radios?

[WSHH887]

Maybe I am too green to understand, but it doesn't seem all that complicated based on stations talk to mobile units. Fixed stations talk to stationary units that by virtue of being stationary are fixed stations. 
 

 

[UncleYoda]

Stationary unit is not a  defined term.  Station at a fixed location is the language used.  Base stations traditionally fill that role for routine usage.  Fixed station still does not have enough defined parameters to clearly distinguish it except who you talk to.  It's a bad way to write regulations but it is all we got.  For your "stationary unit" term, are you including a parked car?  a person with a handheld who sits in a chair?

[The219]

Where is that michael jackson eating popcorn gif when i need it....

 

Found something close enough

 

Edited 17 hours ago by The219
I found mike, kind of

[LeoG]

Certainly not Michael Jackson....

 

[WRYZ926]

[UncleYoda]

4 hours ago, marcspaz said:

Now that you mention it... is there an OTC type approved radio that is configured to transmit simplex on the 467 mains (maybe a KG-1000?), or do we have to use reconfigured LMR radios?

DB20-G, GMRS mode, with ch. 39 programmed for simplex, ch 39 can be programmed from the mic for 467 mains with or without tone

[WSHH887]

1 hour ago, UncleYoda said:

Stationary unit is not a  defined term.  Station at a fixed location is the language used.  Base stations traditionally fill that role for routine usage.  Fixed station still does not have enough defined parameters to clearly distinguish it except who you talk to.  It's a bad way to write regulations but it is all we got.  For your "stationary unit" term, are you including a parked car?  a person with a handheld who sits in a chair?

I used the term stationary to differentiate between a unit that doesn't move as opposed to a mobile unit that moves. 
 

Nobody argues about mobile, regardless of how it moves. But stationary (not moving) seems to be confusing.  Seems pretty simple. A stationary unit( not moving communicating with another stationary unit ( not moving) both units are fixed. If a stationary unit communicates with a mobile unit it's then a base. 
 

Do I understand correctly. 

[BoxCar]

10 minutes ago, WSHH887 said:

I used the term stationary to differentiate between a unit that doesn't move as opposed to a mobile unit that moves. 
 

Nobody argues about mobile, regardless of how it moves. But stationary (not moving) seems to be confusing.  Seems pretty simple. A stationary unit( not moving communicating with another stationary unit ( not moving) both units are fixed. If a stationary unit communicates with a mobile unit it's then a base. 
 

Do I understand correctly. 

As has been stated many times on this forum, it's all about how the transmitter is being used. Two stationary units only exchange signals between themselves. They are not used to contact repeaters or mobile stations nor; do they contact other base stations that communicate to either other base or mobile stations. Perhaps the best example of a fixed station communicating to another fixed station are microwave links. they don't contact repeaters or any mobile or other base stations. they only talk to one other station at a fixed location.

[UncleYoda]

9 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

 Perhaps the best example of a fixed station communicating to another fixed station are microwave links.

No microwave frequencies in GMRS.  And data as far as I know is limited to handheld and short duration transmissions.  The official response made no mention of any special transmission modes.

[UncleYoda]

33 minutes ago, WSHH887 said:

Do I understand correctly. 

No.  You seem to be joking / playing dumb.  A car that is stopped is still mobile.  One I always wondered about is my car, parked at home - is that mobile enough?  Or do I have to drive up and down the driveway while transmitting?

[WRXB215]

Speaking of which, why do we park on the driveway and drive on the parkway?

[SteveShannon]

The regulations tell us exactly what is required of a Fixed Station and what a Fixed Station may do. They just don’t provide an example of how it might be used, and that’s good, because it leaves it up to the imagination of the user. 
1. A Fixed Stations may only communicate with other Fixed Stations. The regulations do not limit it to just one other Fixed Station. This implies a connection to a dedicated system, such as telemetry or part of an intercom system, where the Fixed Stations have a single purpose.

2. A Fixed Station is limited to 15 watts. This makes sense for a system of dedicated radios in fixed locations where the distances and directions never change, such as two or more points in an intercom or telemetry system. It also reduces the likelihood of interference with other stations, especially if a person uses high gain directional antennas, such as parabolic dishes or Yagi antennas.

3. Fixed Stations may transmit on both the 467 MHz and 462 MHz main channels.  Although simplex isn’t prohibited, this unique carve-out in the regulations makes it possible to operate full duplex between two Fixed Stations, transmitting and receiving simultaneously, which allows for very natural speech on an intercom system and is ideal for transmitting data and controls on a telemetry or SCADA system.

So, for a family business (or a business which has a grandfathered license that covers their employees) Fixed Stations could be used for a wireless intercom. A farmer could use Fixed Stations to turn irrigation systems on or off several miles away. 
 

With the exception of the ability to operate in full duplex, which is made possible by being granted access to the 467 MHz main channels, all of these examples could be done as well or better with portable, mobile, or base stations. But for a system which is dedicated to a particular purpose between two or more fixed locations, such as telemetry or an intercom, where full duplex would a distinct advantage, using Fixed Stations would be a reasonable solution.

[BoxCar]

9 hours ago, UncleYoda said:

No microwave frequencies in GMRS.  And data as far as I know is limited to handheld and short duration transmissions.  The official response made no mention of any special transmission modes.

Shame on me! I thought even the south end of a north bound horse would realize the example of microwave stations were just that, examples of fixed stations.

[UncleYoda]

27 minutes ago, BoxCar said:

microwave stations were just that, examples of fixed stations.

Has no relevance.  Ham doesn't have the fixed station type and GMRS doesn't have microwave, and you can't mix services.