[bars] GMRS

Adam Smith asmith at netspace.org
Fri Oct 11 07:39:28 CDT 2024 

There have been a couple of changes over a decade or two, to the FRS and
GMRS rules.

I believe that at this point FRS handhelds are limited to 2 watts (the
table shared earlier being from an earlier version when they were 0.5W) and
GMRS handhelds are limited to 5W.  Both are required to have a fixed
antenna (at least nominally, as noted) and to come out of the box with
channels preprogrammed. The GMRS 50W applies to base/mobile style units, I
think, which would include repeaters.  One idea is that you could have a
higher power unit at a campsite or in a vehicle, which could be a repeater
too(?).  Not sure how much coordination there is for repeaters.

I have a TIDRADIO TD-H3, purchased as a ham unit and it enforces
appropriate band edges (2m, 70cm).  It has FCC certification.  The firmware
can be reloaded into GMRS mode, but then must be reconfigured (or an
unlocked mode, which is called NORMAL, tellingly).  Operating it on GMRS is
probably at the edge of legality/technicalities of the rules but they do
sell a GMRS version which seems to be just the software config changed.  I
am not a communications lawyer ;).  Since it is 5W and I don't think FRS
certified, I would say you need a GMRS license at least.  I believe GMRS
stations can interact with FRS on the shared freqs, but presumably must
still identify etc.

The TD-H3 (ham version) is a neat little unit.  I had to send one back
which didn't have good output power, but second one (Amazon free
replacement including shipping) works.  It is USB-C chargeable and
programmable with CHIRP over USB-C.  You can clone wirelessly between
units.  It receives FM broadcast and Airband.  You can catch them on sale
for under $35.

73,
Adam / AA1N

On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 6:50 PM Juan Jiménez <k1cpr at bd5.com> wrote:

> HA! I I found a better solution! Menu 28, "Voice" turn to OFF. :)
>
> 73,
> K1CPR
> Juan
>
>
> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 6:45 PM Juan Jiménez <k1cpr at bd5.com> wrote:
>
>> I just wish I could find out how to change the silly voice on the radio
>> of the young chinese girl trying to speak english with a heavy accent. Not
>> giving voice options like Garmin does was a bad idea.
>>
>> 73,
>> K1CPR
>> Juan
>>
>>
>> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024 at 6:06 PM cprestia <cprestia at comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>>> Come to think of it I think I paid the 70 bucks.  It was changing
>>> literally within days of their departure, but I couldn't wait because they
>>> were leaving.
>>>
>>> No matter, it was worth it to us.
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Charlie
>>> W1CEP
>>>
>>> -------- Original message --------
>>> From: Christopher Lennon <kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>
>>> Date: 10/10/24 13:42 (GMT-05:00)
>>> To: Juan Jiménez <k1cpr at bd5.com>
>>> Cc: BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
>>> Subject: Re: [bars] GMRS
>>>
>>> I have thought about getting a GMRS radio, and figured that if I did I
>>> would buy two.  One for me and one for my unlicensed cousin to use when we
>>> were doing stuff together.
>>>
>>> Chris W2BPL
>>> Sent from my phone.
>>>
>>> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 12:57 PM Juan Jiménez <k1cpr at bd5.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I got the Wouxon KG-935G because it has high reviews on eHam. It is
>>>> heavier than my QRZ-1 HT and comes with two antennas. So far I think it
>>>> will become the black sheep of my herd, useful only in special occasions.
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 12:09 geoffreyf--- via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I did get a pair of radio oddity GM-30 GMRS HT's.  These have all
>>>>> channels which include the ones which do 5 watts and therefore require the
>>>>> license which I also got.  I was curious.  They are physically lighter in
>>>>> weight compared to Ham HT's and less well built physically than even a
>>>>> Baofeng.  Supposedly you are not allowed to change antennas from the rubber
>>>>> ducky that comes with it. However, and on the ones, I got, with a small
>>>>> Allen wrench you can unlock the provided antenna to discover that it works
>>>>> with a male SMA antenna.  In fact, it works similarly on the 5-watt
>>>>> channels.  For simply calling another radio simplex, it is pretty good.
>>>>>
>>>>>   We can argue if it's just as good.  I'll offer that it probably
>>>>> isn't, but my testing was superficial. I do think radios should be
>>>>> evaluated in the context of what they cost.   If you go on a trip with
>>>>> unlicensed friends or family, it might actually be useful.   While driving
>>>>> home, they can read the tech license manual.
>>>>>
>>>>> Geoff W1GCF
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>> *From:* bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Bill Poulin <
>>>>> billpoulin01913 at gmail.com>
>>>>> *Sent:* Thursday, October 10, 2024 11:44 AM
>>>>> *To:* cprestia <cprestia at comcast.net>
>>>>> *Cc:* BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [bars] GMRS
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I have not applied for a GMRS License nor have I ever thought of
>>>>> buying a radio for GMRS operations.
>>>>>
>>>>> I do know some families that have for hunting and backpacking. I have
>>>>> even given them ham radio license manuals.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 10:01 AM cprestia via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Ok, 35 bucks.  I stand corrected.
>>>>>
>>>>> TY
>>>>>
>>>>> -------- Original message --------
>>>>> From: Stephen Crook <scrook at comcast.net>
>>>>> Date: 10/10/24 09:17 (GMT-05:00)
>>>>> To: cprestia <cprestia at comcast.net>
>>>>> Cc: John Schulman <john.schulman at comcast.net>, Christopher Lennon <
>>>>> kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>, BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [bars] GMRS
>>>>>
>>>>> It is (as of 2017) now only $35 and is good for 10 years.
>>>>>
>>>>> You must be 18 or older to apply, but family members (licensee's
>>>>> spouse, children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents,
>>>>> stepparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and
>>>>> in-laws), regardless of age, can operate stations within the licensed
>>>>> system.
>>>>>
>>>>> Could be an easy, useful method of local family communication and
>>>>> superior to unlicensed FRS.
>>>>>
>>>>>         = Steve — KB1LKR =
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 8:38 AM, cprestia via bars <bars at w1hh.org> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> I think the license is/was 70 Clams and covered the fam for 10 years
>>>>> if I'm not mistaken.  We'll worth it if you have peeps that don't want to
>>>>> pursue amateur radio level comes.
>>>>>
>>>>> Oh yeah, hello neighbor NIECC
>>>>>
>>>>> 73 PEEPS!
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Charlie
>>>>> W1CEP
>>>>>
>>>>> -------- Original message --------
>>>>> From: John Schulman via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> Date: 10/10/24 08:27 (GMT-05:00)
>>>>> To: Christopher Lennon <kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>
>>>>> Cc: BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> Subject: Re: [bars] GMRS
>>>>>
>>>>> I paid for the license online and bought a couple radios for camp.
>>>>> GMRS is 50W.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> John
>>>>> W1MVD
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 10, 2024, at 2:17 AM, Christopher Lennon <kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>
>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> 
>>>>> The low end aren’t super expensive.  I don’t know the details of the
>>>>> licensing, but I think if they were using them in a group with you, only
>>>>> you would need to be licensed.
>>>>>
>>>>> Chris W2BPL
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:45 PM Christopher Wood <
>>>>> christopher.wood at firelinkllc.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> That is my proposed use case, although I have not yet implemented it
>>>>> (GMRS) .. To have a radio with which to communicate with my grandchildren a
>>>>> couple of miles away.
>>>>>
>>>>> No licensing test, so we can each get a license and then I can get
>>>>> them a radio and have a radio here at home. I think that might be fun and
>>>>> maybe interest them in future radio development and moving forward to other
>>>>> projects like ham radio balloon tracking or tracking satellite beacons, etc.
>>>>>
>>>>> Maybe I'll try to do this for Christmas?
>>>>>
>>>>> 73
>>>>> Christopher
>>>>> KC1GHR
>>>>>
>>>>> ------------------------------
>>>>> *From:* bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Verhulst via bars <
>>>>> bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 9, 2024 10:23 PM
>>>>> *To:* BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
>>>>> *Subject:* Re: [bars] GMRS
>>>>>
>>>>> Good question. I bought one thinking that it might be something like
>>>>> VHF/UHF but there's nobody on that I can find. Repeaters near me
>>>>> (Tewksbury) are not to be found. There's one in Wilmington but never heard
>>>>> anything there. If you have a group of people and all have GMRS, that would
>>>>> be useful - but so would CB.
>>>>>
>>>>> 73s
>>>>> Tony
>>>>> W1DYS
>>>>> WRXD549
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 10/1/2024 8:21 AM, Juan Jiménez wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> Looking at the specs for GMRS radios, it seems like it's a fancier
>>>>> version of FRS with a little more power, ability to use repeaters and need
>>>>> to get a license without any tests involved. For what purpose do people use
>>>>> these radios?
>>>>>
>>>>> 73,
>>>>> K1CPR
>>>>> Juan
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> bars mailing list
>>>>> bars at w1hh.org
>>>>> http://mail.w1hh.org/mailman/listinfo/bars_w1hh.org
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> bars mailing list
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>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
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