ONSC standardized comms (1 Viewer)

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emorth said:
I still don't understand...

If you don't want to."program the exact same frequency in a radio multiple times with different "channel numbers"".
Then why do you want to. "program the chirp compatible radios with the standard gmrs frequencies and CLCC repeater frequencies" ?

The CLCC repeater freqs are the same as the GMRS repeater freqs. If we add the CLCC repeater freqs to the standard GMRS freqs, that is, "exact same frequency in a radio multiple times with different "channel numbers""

Sorry. I'm confused.

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The chirp compatible radios like baofengs don't come with any predefined channels. You punch in each frequency, which is annoying for the layman. Didn't realize "15R" is a std gmrs channel, so even better, it gets programmed in with the rest.

The fix for that is to program the gmrs channels into the baofengs as channel numbers so you can just click through to "gmrs 15".

Have you ever used a baofeng out of the box? The manual config can be daunting for people, even though I think it's simple. Can't tell you how many times I've configured radios for people on the trail. "hey Johnny you know how this works?" "hey Johnny I sat on it and clicked something can you fix it?"

This is the best plan. Simple and consistent for us, no need to program both gmrs channels and "clcc channels" into our radios, and y'all Motorola guys have the correlation map to go from your "clcc channels" to std gmrs channels.

This seemingly complicated joint band plan is reduced to just using standard gmrs channels. We on the same page now?
 
GLTHFJ60 said:
The chirp compatible radios like baofengs don't come with any predefined channels. You punch in each frequency, which is annoying for the layman. Didn't realize "15R" is a std gmrs channel, so even better, it gets programmed in with the rest.

The fix for that is to program the gmrs channels into the baofengs as channel numbers so you can just click through to "gmrs 15".

Have you ever used a baofeng out of the box? The manual config can be daunting for people, even though I think it's simple. Can't tell you how many times I've configured radios for people on the trail. "hey Johnny you know how this works?" "hey Johnny I sat on it and clicked something can you fix it?"

This is the best plan. Simple and consistent for us, no need to program both gmrs channels and "clcc channels" into our radios, and y'all Motorola guys have the correlation map to go from your "clcc channels" to std gmrs channels.

This seemingly complicated joint band plan is reduced to just using standard gmrs channels. We on the same page now?
Click to expand...

Comment: "You punch in each frequency, which is annoying for the layman." I think it is just annoying for everyone. ;)
Yes, the Baofeng out of the box is intimidating & confusing to most users.
Yes, don't sit on it, drop it, grab it the wrong way. Make sure people know how to lock the keypad.

I agree with having a CHIRP file with a basic, simple format (the older I get the simpler it needs to get :( ) with just the GMRS simplex and repeater freqs. Makes the B'feng the equivalent of a blister pack GMRS radio. The second option, for those who know comms and the inner workings of the radio, might be to have a CHIRP file with the duplicate freqs with GMRS & CLCC names for those who want to avoid using the chart and/or maybe add the MURS, ham and weather freqs too???? The user can then customize the file as needed. The B'fengs have over 200 channels so space is not a concern. Plus, I'm sure the hams will want to customize theirs to include the local and Moab ham repeater freqs, as well.

The blister pack GMRS radios can only do simplex or repeater on any of the 8 channels. The user has to select if the channel is to operate as a repeater or simplex channel. So a total of 8 channels. I agree, the programmable B'feng type radios should get programmed with the simplex channels and the repeater channels for a total of 16 channels (8 simplex and 8 repeater). Going into the menu of the B'feng to change from simplex to a repeater offset freq is a royal pain. It is much easier to just switch channels from 15 to 15R.

gmrs repeater ch.jpg


Thoughts?
Ed
 
Yup, I like it. This is the best and simplest plan for non ham bands IMHO.

Thanks for bearing with me, and I apologize if I wasn't explaining myself properly at first :)
 
iptman said:
If our goal is to encourage Ham adoption (or better yet, DIScourage CB use) I think we should change our freqs to what the commercial GMRS radios are using. Make it easier for others to join the party. It will definitely be an undertaking to switch over all our radios but it's not like we don't have the capability to do that. How long does it take to reprogram the Motorolas Ed? Assuming we had 50 out there is this a 2 hour exercise or 20?
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Concur...conform to GMRS standards
 
iptman said:
If our goal is to encourage Ham adoption (or better yet, DIScourage CB use) I think we should change our freqs to what the commercial GMRS radios are using. Make it easier for others to join the party. It will definitely be an undertaking to switch over all our radios but it's not like we don't have the capability to do that. How long does it take to reprogram the Motorolas Ed? Assuming we had 50 out there is this a 2 hour exercise or 20?
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Each Motorla will take approximately 15-20 minutes to reprogram, and there are only two individuals who are set-up to program these radios, but that isn't the real issue.

CLCC Motorolas and Midland radios are already programmed to use the same GMRS Freqs and Codes as specified in Ed's table. Only the channel numbers vary between manufacturers so no need to reprogram Motorolas unless we are going to standardize on a different set of GMRS frequencies and/or codes. Keep in mind that Motorola HTs are limited to Channels 1 thru 16 so you are proposing that we standardize on Midland channels 1-16 for all radios. That creates a problem for the Motorola owners because there is no repeater "mode" option selectable by radio controls. Motorolas require a dedicated talkaround/repeater channel.

If we were to go that route, we will likely lose the use of the repeaters for all but one channel (15R) because the expensive parts of the repeater are limited to a narrow range of frequencies. This is why we only have repeater pairs for 3 channels (2-4-6) operating off the same repeater. We would have to fund and field more repeaters to cover the proposed spectrum if we standardized on the Midland channels.

Bottomline: If you want to use Midland's preprogrammed GMRS channels exclusively to avoid reading a sticker mounted to your radio, go buy a new GMRS radio.

With regards to Motorola users, if you like your radio, you can keep your radio. That's a promise that will be kept.
 
Remember, we started with the Motorola radios because:
1 - They were available at lower cost than the consumer GMRS radios in both HT and mobile formats
2 - Significantly better sound quality and reception for the cost
3 - Significantly better durability at any price
4 - Could all be programmed to the same specs to make them stupid simple and nearly idiot proof for most users
5 - Compatibility with the expensive repeaters
 
2x what John said!
 
Post #99 over in the ONSC thread explains some things getting ready for Relic Run. After lots of help from @emorth I think we have a chirp file and plan with all the radios playing nice.

Priority was for new off the shelf GMRS radios and Baofengs to work and the Motorola's should play along just fine.

forum.ih8mud.com

Standardized comms

There's a chart on Midland's website that lists the standard GMRS channels since 2017 that will be getting more popular. https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/why-gmrs-for-two-way-radio-communication We're working on a Chirp (progaming software) file right now for anyone who wants to load that...
forum.ih8mud.com forum.ih8mud.com
 
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Just in case anyone thought we had it bad for comms.
defence-blog.com

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The Russian military has used civilian mobile phones and radios for their communications, including Chinese-made civilian handheld radio, during the ongoing Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine. According to the Defense Express magazine, the Russian military is using the BaoFeng UV-82HP radios for...
defence-blog.com defence-blog.com
 

Amateur and GMRS license fees change to $35 on April 19, 2022​


www.buytwowayradios.com

Amateur and GMRS license fees change to $35 on April 19, 2022

In March 2021 we speculated on the question as to when the FCC would begin implementation of the new application fees on radio licenses, particularly those for the GMRS and amateur radio services. Well here it is. The new fees become effective
www.buytwowayradios.com www.buytwowayradios.com
 
Diff Kraken said:

Amateur and GMRS license fees change to $35 on April 19, 2022​


www.buytwowayradios.com

Amateur and GMRS license fees change to $35 on April 19, 2022

In March 2021 we speculated on the question as to when the FCC would begin implementation of the new application fees on radio licenses, particularly those for the GMRS and amateur radio services. Well here it is. The new fees become effective
www.buytwowayradios.com www.buytwowayradios.com
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so that's $35 for each, and for Amateur upgrades too? Currently, Amateur is $0 and GMRS is $70? So for a guy like me with zero licenses, but intends to get legal on both, I'm looking at a $5 increase if I drag my heels. I've been studying on my own for Amateur but not sure I can test up before the April date and save $35.
 
jht3 said:
so that's $35 for each, and for Amateur upgrades too? Currently, Amateur is $0 and GMRS is $70? So for a guy like me with zero licenses, but intends to get legal on both, I'm looking at a $5 increase if I drag my heels. I've been studying on my own for Amateur but not sure I can test up before the April date and save $35.
Click to expand...
Go to AARL And go through the study guides. If you can do that you will be fine.
 
1MOA said:
Go to AARL And go through the study guides. If you can do that you will be fine.
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i've been using study guides, but not that one. added to my study materials. the AARL site is down for maintenance until tomorrow but i found a copy elsewhere. but that is making it a challenge to search for local testing sites.

it seems some VEC's offer online testing, but most in-person. scheduling this is the hardest with my severe lack of free time. anyone have personal experience with online testing?
 
jht3 said:
i've been using study guides, but not that one. added to my study materials. the AARL site is down for maintenance until tomorrow but i found a copy elsewhere. but that is making it a challenge to search for local testing sites.

it seems some VEC's offer online testing, but most in-person. scheduling this is the hardest with my severe lack of free time. anyone have personal experience with online testing?
Click to expand...
I took the test online. During the exam, I had to share my screen with the proctors and used the laptop built in camera. I also had to show them video of my room prior to the exam including the ceiling and standing in front of a mirror so they could see I didn’t have any sticky notes attached to the laptop, walls, ceiling. I passed and chatted with the three proctors after the exam. Nice guys.
 
prharper said:
I took the test online. During the exam, I had to share my screen with the proctors and used the laptop built in camera. I also had to show them video of my room prior to the exam including the ceiling and standing in front of a mirror so they could see I didn’t have any sticky notes attached to the laptop, walls, ceiling. I passed and chatted with the three proctors after the exam. Nice guys.
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which group did the testing? what was the price?
 
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