Batboard

This may be a silly observation, but I've noticed an awful lot of radios advertised now that list FRS & GMRS frequencies in the same radio...

Isn't that going to just turn GMRS into a nightmare like CB? (Unless of course everyone reads the directions that say FCC license required & completes the paperwork) ha ha

Yeah, I've seen a lot ob combo models too. I now hear so much talk on our 462.675 repeaters that are for traveler assistance and emergencys. They don't care about the license. I think that is a bad idea for radio companies to do. GMRS is starting to sound like a high power FRS.

Ha Ha Ha. They make the print about this fact sooooooooo small that you need a magnifying glass to see it. Furthermore, the idiots selling these 'bubble pack' radios fail to mention it either.

The fact is, the FCC is selling out to big business like Motorola and Audiovox, etc. They allow the stupidest features that nobody really needs integrated (like GPS, 'transponder', and Weather)...making the radios for the service look like crap- tempting the public into buying it because they like one feature or the other (especially that 5-mile range BS). The FCC also is allowing all 14 FRS frequencies in with the GMRS frequencies, some new ones (like the Mot t7200) allowing even repeater capabaility.

What's worse many of these toys cost less for a pair than the GMRS license does (which is currently set at $75).

Some FRS (FR-aSs) manufacturers even consider GMRS as an integration of GMRS into FRS, with proclaimed "22 channel FRS radios). The public is being misled far too much. GMRS piracy has gone through the roof. These crappy bubble pack toys are the culprit.

If anyone can remember a long time ago, before FRS and MURS, GMRS was considered the best way for the general public to be able to communicate with eachother using COMMERCIAL GRADE equipment and repeaters). These cheap pieces of crap being shoved into the face of the public, and selling off the shelves will, and is turning the service from something great into a haven of piracy and malicious interference.

Many GMRS operaters such as myself and others, are well aware of this- and so (hopfully) is the FCC. There is much discussion of these topics at the bulletin board found at http://www.popularwireless.com there is a wealth of GMRS specific information there, with numerous threads addressing piracy and bubble-pack toys alone!


-Josh
WPTP753

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Josh on 2002-03-26 16:33 ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Josh on 2002-03-31 13:43 ]</font>

As a GMRS repeater operator (KAF4211), I am painfully aware of the FRS incursion. Let's not forget, that all 14 FRS frequencies are interstitial and are limited to 2.5 kHz deviation. GMRS licensees are permitted to use the 7 FRS frequencies that fall between the 8 GMRS 5 kHz base-station channels, but only with 2.5 kHz deviation and low power. I used to get a little interference from cheap FRS units, but switching to DPL cured that. I agree that combining GMRS and FRS capability in the same radio is bad news.

Are you saying that FRS radios are not DPL capable? I ask as I am investigating putting up a GMRS repeater using DPL. Are all DPL codes exclusive from FRS,or, just some?

I believe the lawyers for Radio Shack/Tandy had a lot to do with FRS and probably MURS. I don't agree with license free and licensed users trying to share the same frequencies. FRS use of GMRS repeater inputs should have never been approved.
The entire spectrum is in shambles after the policies of the last administration. Anybody remember Reid Hundt? As head of the FCC he did great damage in a short time. (just my opinions)

Thanks JOSH

Great Site u posted.

Raymond from Canada

While we are stuck with what the FCC is allowing the S*it Shacks and others to do to GMRSS,(something I find totally distastful and would be subject to a tirade from me) I have found a better solution to keep out the rif-raf from my GMRSS repeaters. I have gone LTR! I doubt that the S*it Shacks and the others who manufacute these type radios are going to put LTR format in their radios.
Jim

I don't want to be an ass, but why would anyone want to use GMRS, when they could use the 70cm ham band with less restrictions on power, and equipment?

Probably because they don't want to have to go through the hassle of getting a license... It's much easier to go to WalMart and say "look mommy- can we get these to play with?" If you use a ham band or other licensed band (ie public safety bands) without a license you can get in serious trouble.... but it appears as though the FCC doesn't really care about GMRS anymore....

Let's all face it, the FCC is afraid of their own shadow. They can not control the GMRS problems now, and are NOT willing to go after anyone except the licensed users because they (FCC) can get us (Licensed users) anytime. They just looks us up in the data base and send us a threatning letter.

The FCC can not even take care of the Public Safty or even Industrial/Business bands.

I wouldn't hold my breath either waiting for the FCC to act. Recently, I had been in contact with them throught their website for some regulations. Between the time it took for them to respond,and, the responses I received; I get the distinct impression that in the responder's other job, they have to ask questions like "Would you like to supersize that?"

the only ones who come down on non ham on ham are other hams.

depending on where i am and what I am going to be using or going frs/gmrs dont allow the distance that a ham can and short 5 sec trans dont do squat on a nonactive channel.

Astro_Saber, I am just curious, do you have a ham License?? I really can't beleive if you did that you would post something like that.

Frank Drake
AD4XE

why wouldnt I?

Just because I believe the govt has there hands in to much and should go away.

its just a tool the govt uses to get more money to waste on things.

anyone can buy a ham radio.

I agree with what most all you are saying, most Licensed GMRS users see it the same. Our repeater is slowley but shurely becomming more crowded. We are now moving it to a different freq and we are also moving to the biggest hill in our region, we are aware that we will probably experiance more traffic. We dont mind traffic, but when you get these obnoxious people, and the annyoing different tones. it becomes very frusturating, we have considerd ham but no offensie to the ham guys, it just seems to suck, I mean to repeat ur call sign so often is just not worth it for a casual conversation. But back to GMRS, if u want a easy fix for the FRS problome, swith to DPL, and since the FCC screwed us over, by allowing use of FRS freqs, I wouldnt have any regrets for using a Voice inversion board in our radios. they are pretty cheap if u have some of the moto's , WEll just a few of my thhoughts. Jon

KC8RYW wrote:I don't want to be an ass, but why would anyone want to use GMRS, when they could use the 70cm ham band with less restrictions on power, and equipment?

Because your whole family might not be able to get their license, while GMRS covers your entire family without a test. Also, family business can occur on GMRS, while it can't on Ham. For instance, if a family owned plumbing company wants to use a radio system, this is a great way to do it. It's a family business. Each has its ups and downs. I am licensed for both, but tend to use GMRS much more often since I can call anyone in the family. After putting up our repeater, it's become an integral part of our family communication.

Jack

Astro_Saber wrote:the only ones who come down on non ham on ham are other hams.

depending on where i am and what I am going to be using or going frs/gmrs dont allow the distance that a ham can and short 5 sec trans dont do squat on a nonactive channel.

Can you say that in English? I thought you said something about GMRS not being able to have the range of the ham bands. Well, that depends on the application. Our GMRS repeater will go about 40-50 miles from the antenna depending on the conditions, and the weather etc. Mostly though, it's about 30 miles consistent. I would say that's plenty of range wouldn't you? What's your callsign?

Jack
WA0ERX
WPQT431

So far our repeater hasn't been catching a lot of interference on the inputs. I'm a bit worried about when the State Fair comes to town though, I might have to shut it down temporarily. We have also been thinking about going DPL or using some kind of burst to access the machine. right now though, that wouldn't do it since many of our radios don't have that capability.

The other day a friend of mine and I were working on the repeater and we were doing test transmissions. I kept hearing kids on the output frequency cussing us out and telling us to shut up. They were playing cops and robbers and I guess we were messing up their game. Every time we'd talk, they would cuss us out and say f this and f that. These kids couldn't have been more than 10-12 years old. At least they sounded young.

Anyway, one check of the service monitor and I KNEW they were on GMRS, not FRS. So this to me is a sign that in a few years, GMRS will be license by rule and we'll have no choice but to replace our systems and go LTR, or find some way like using MDC to access the repeaters.

Jack

First of all before I get into reply posting just to let you know I am a Ham and I am also a Field Service Technician for public safety and personal radio services.

GMRS was designed by the government with the following purpose: To design a radio media that would allow a mom, dad, family, friends, etc.. to talk to each other over a larger area that CB can cover and also provide a more reliable freq. band then CB. ( Any CB user knows that you could talk across town one night and the next hit the town 20 miles away, but not talk across town ) In addition to also provide a more safer, strong, and secure communications that people could use in a disaster to even chat with local law enforcement, and fire agencies. Thus why they put it in the UHF Band, in addition to making a (at once a long time ago ) and emergency only traveler assisted channel.
So you had to then go and get a license and also go and get basically public safety grade equipment, which could do repeater splits, etc... ( Thus why ONE of the reason that almost all UHF, except for federal govt., has a perfect 5mhz split. )

Now ass the goverment in there all mighty wisdom went and blew most all private communications and to many people said well I need something better then CB and I do not want have to buy a license: BOOM "Let's make a radio service for people who want to play radio user but do not want to pay for it" (maybe it was an FCC quote, would it not be funny if it was????) Anyways.... Let there be FRS.

Now if you look at any FRS freq. layout you will see that all GMRS freqs are the first channels of FRS. Why???? Two reasons money/convience, and to make the FCC look good. Now Bob and the gang can use there GMRS equipment, and if Sue and the gang want to talk they can be cause of co-location of GMRS, and FRS freqs sharing the same.

Now GMRS can go and have more effective P.E.P. (power out) due to license regulations and abilities of the radio most people were/are using. Thus you need the license, but FRS is only allowed to be at about a half a watt to about 1/6th of a watt. Therefore in the government eyes a little 1/2watt radio should not interfer with a 5, 10 25, etc.. watt radio and should not cause problem. But what the government overlooked was GMRS repeaters.

Now most FRS heads do not realize that when talking in on CH. # 1, you could be going into a repeater that powers you up and spits you out on CH. # 2, thus it causes problems.

And the final thing people need to remember which they do not is that GMRS is not suppose to be used in anyway shape or form for business just family or chit chat or emergency and FRS is for the cheaper side.

Just my $0.02 and hope to help clear up confusion.

-Cell God

Actually, GMRS CAN be used for business. It can be used for family communications, family businesses and normal business if every operator decides to get a license. If I worked for a plumbing company and we all had our own licenses, then it's perfectly legal.

There is no emergency channel on GMRS. The FCC had thought about making 675 an emergency channel but decided against it when petitioned by the PRSG. Their reasons? Many people would have to move their repeaters to other frequencies, thereby REDUCING the effectiveness of a "designated" emergency channel. There wouldn't be as many people listening if normal repeaters and comms weren't allow to be on it. Basically 675 is a "gentlemans agreement" type emergency channel with no official designation or set of rules.

GMRS used to be all business until the FCC turned it into the Class A cb band. Back then, you could only be licensed for one frequency, and your repeater had to be licensed as well. Now the GMRS license covers all frequencies and there is no need for coordination or for repeater licensing. The only logical step for them to take next is license by rule. That will suck, but I believe it's true.