Has anybody configured either a DVmega or Zumspot hotspot for GMRS?

[rick25s]

Has anybody configured either a DVmega or Zumspot hotspot for GMRS?
I am a ham operator, but use GMRS often, like when at campgrounds, so I can stay connected to my small herd of daughters running all over the place. I know the two hotspots I listed are set up for ham, but I'm thinking they (at least the DV) can run the GMRSlive software, to connect my private node to the national (or whatever) node. Has anybody heard of this being done?

 

[dwh367]

MMDVM boards will not work on FM unless interfaced to a repeater or a simplex radio.

 

[rick25s]

MMDVM boards will not work on FM unless interfaced to a repeater or a simplex radio.

Ok. Thanks

 

[rick25s]

I have Hytera DMR radios. PD782. Does that change anything?

 

[K3YGX]

Ham Radio and GMRS are different services, keep them separate.....I wish people would quit forcing ham radio standards to
GMRS. I am an amateur radio op and don't like it, I imagine non hams don't like it either.

 

[rick25s]

Ham Radio and GMRS are different services, keep them separate.....I wish people would quit forcing ham radio standards to
GMRS. I am an amateur radio op and don't like it, I imagine non hams don't like it either.

Don't like it as much as you want. I don't give a flaming crap, about your incorrect assumptions, and where your bitterness brings you. MY POINT IS, I am keeping them separate. 100% separate, that the goal here. I am a ham operator and use it appropriately. I also have a GMRS callsign that covers my entire family, that I use keep all my daughters safe when they are running around the woods at home, campgrounds, on their ATV's, etc. I have several hotspots. Because I have the equipment already, and don't want to buy an RF only hotspot this year, I would like to keep one configured to HAM (YSF), and retool the others for the GMRSlive network. I can handle the reprogramming the RaspberryPi to the GMRSlive network, but my question is concerning the DMR digital receiver'a ability to receive and transmit in the 462 GMRS frequency range. I didn't limit my question to just that, because any other information from the more knowledgeable and kind operators on this forum is highly appreciated.

Thank you, in advance, to all the friendly and production operators out there who help so often, and thank to all who have helped me in the past. I appreciate it.

Rick

 

[K3YGX]

You might try decaf there......not talking to you personally.
And if you think I even give a crap about little rant GFY and I stand by my first post --- consider yourself ignored

 

[jeepsandradios]

So you want to use digital dmr on GMRS ? Thats not authorized. All the hotspots on the market are digital. I know of one guy that built a "hotspot" using a mobile radio and some pi add on board but never made it work great. So to anser your question no no one has made it work as its not authorized.

 

[rick25s]

You might try decaf there......not talking to you personally.
And if you think I even give a crap about little rant GFY and I stand by my first post --- consider yourself ignored

Why didn't you just ignore me the first time? There would have been way more virtue in that.

 

[kb1fua]

FWIW....
For the most part, digital voice modes aren't permitted on GMRS. However, there are a few GMRS repeaters that have received temporary test licenses by the FCC permitting DMR and perhaps other digital modes.

Digital audio on GMRS band | RadioReference.com Forums​

forums.radioreference.com/threads/digital-audio-on-gmrs-band.392935/

 

[jeepsandradios]

To my knowledge there was only 2 licesnes. The last one expired and when it was tried to be renewed it was denied. If there are still active licenses for that I'd like to see the call sign.

 

[kb1fua]

To my knowledge there was only 2 licesnes. The last one expired and when it was tried to be renewed it was denied. If there are still active licenses for that I'd like to see the call sign.

None that I know of either.
I just know that there were experimental licenses issued.
Just passing the info along. The OP must not have searched for the topic, because I found it and I just copied and pasted from another thread here on RR.

 

[dwh367]

Has anybody configured either a DVmega or Zumspot hotspot for GMRS?
I am a ham operator, but use GMRS often, like when at campgrounds, so I can stay connected to my small herd of daughters running all over the place. I know the two hotspots I listed are set up for ham, but I'm thinking they (at least the DV) can run the GMRSlive software, to connect my private node to the national (or whatever) node. Has anybody heard of this being done?

If you are wanting to extend your communications range this is the defacto legal way of doing it: GMRS Repeater

 

[rick25s]

So you want to use digital dmr on GMRS ? Thats not authorized. All the hotspots on the market are digital. I know of one guy that built a "hotspot" using a mobile radio and some pi add on board but never made it work great. So to anser your question no no one has made it work as its not authorized.

My radios are GMRS DMR radios. Freq range 450MHz-470MHz. All the CC and Slot setting are there, and only between that operating range. My radios are not modified, or hacked in any way.

Could it be because my radios are commercial, as opposed to retail? They are set up for both direct digital communication and trunking.

There are pure analog RF hot spots boards out there.The two that I know about, one is perfect, and the other less expensive and highly used by people all over the place is also highly illegal. It is a Chinese made electronic cluster-f***, with operating ranges waaaay outside of FCC allowed operations. I probably know 2 dozen people that use that all day, every day. Not for me, I stay between the lines. (They are both raspberry pi with an HF hat)

FWIW....
For the most part, digital voice modes aren't permitted on GMRS. However, there are a few GMRS repeaters that have received temporary test licenses by the FCC permitting DMR and perhaps other digital modes.

Digital audio on GMRS band | RadioReference.com Forums​

View attachment 161072
forums.radioreference.com/threads/digital-audio-on-gmrs-band.392935/

I'll have to dive into the FCC regulation further.

To my knowledge there was only 2 licesnes. The last one expired and when it was tried to be renewed it was denied. If there are still active licenses for that I'd like to see the call sign.

None that I know of either.
I just know that there were experimental licenses issued.
Just passing the info along. The OP must not have searched for the topic, because I found it and I just copied and pasted from another thread here on RR.

I did search the topic and found so much conflicting information, so I posted here to clear things. You guys on this forum have a lot more accurate knowledge than I've found anywhere else.

I'll have to do a better deep dive into the regulations before going any further.

Thank you, both of you.


Rick

 

[rick25s]

If you are wanting to extend your communications range this is the defacto way of doing it: GMRS Repeater

That's a good plan, but I was just looking to do something using equipment I already own. Knowing what I know now, I may have to go that route.

Thank you.

 

[jeepsandradios]

My radios are GMRS DMR radios. Freq range 450MHz-470MHz. All the CC and Slot setting are there, and only between that operating range. My radios are not modified, or hacked in any way.

I'll have to dive into the FCC regulation further.

There is no such thing as a DMR GMRS Radio. All Part 95 radios are analog. You most likely have a Part 90 certified radio. While that radio would be useable on analog it is not permitted on DMR on GMRS. There has been alot of discussion of digital emmisions on GMRS and in the end the FCC still lsays no.

There are 100's of reasons why digital is not a good idea on GMRS and you can read tons of threads here and on the GMRS forums about that.

My guess is you find not alot on hotspots on GMRs is becasue thats primarily a ham thing. As another stated many folks are trying to make GMRS a ham lite of some sort. Its 2 different services. The idea of GMRS is what you said you use it for. Its to talk to family friends while in the wood, 4 wheeling, picking up eggs on way homes etc. Adding more of this ham stuff into the service is just casuing more and more confusion. Sorry I've used GMRS for 25+ years and have used it for what it was intended for. Enjoy the service the way it is and keep it less complicated.

 

[dwh367]

There's also Simplex Repeaters that are very portable but they can also be annoying. When you say something you hear it repeated back to you as does the person on the other end of the conversation when they talk. That being said they're cheap and they can be useful at times. It can probably use a radio you already own.

 

[rick25s]

There is no such thing as a DMR GMRS Radio. All Part 95 radios are analog. You most likely have a Part 90 certified radio. While that radio would be useable on analog it is not permitted on DMR on GMRS. There has been alot of discussion of digital emmisions on GMRS and in the end the FCC still lsays no.

There are 100's of reasons why digital is not a good idea on GMRS and you can read tons of threads here and on the GMRS forums about that.

My guess is you find not alot on hotspots on GMRs is becasue thats primarily a ham thing. As another stated many folks are trying to make GMRS a ham lite of some sort. Its 2 different services. The idea of GMRS is what you said you use it for. Its to talk to family friends while in the wood, 4 wheeling, picking up eggs on way homes etc. Adding more of this ham stuff into the service is just casuing more and more confusion. Sorry I've used GMRS for 25+ years and have used it for what it was intended for. Enjoy the service the way it is and keep it less complicated.

GMRS is far from HAM lite. Its 'use case' is worlds apart. The use case you're saying about GMRS is actually FRS, very different except for the frequency. If we required all this GMRS traffic to HAM bands, It would drive all us HAM operators out of our minds. Try using simplex radio technology in the solid granite New England terrain, when doing trail system work, vulnerable adult or lost child searches, or just keeping track of your children. It's impossible. Often, 300 yards is out of range. A hilltop repeater connects us all, saves lives, and gets work done, all without interfering with HAM operation. Would any of us like our favorite HAM repeater clogged up for a week at a time, listening to guys clearing downed trees and wash outs from trail systems after a storm several times a year? Hell no. My conversations on HAM and GMRS are completely different. Two different playgrounds, two different use cases.

I'm not here to debate anything. I'm simply asking a question about an idea that would save me money. If it's possible and legal, I'll do it. If not, I'll figure something else out. It's the American way. Please, let's keep things in perspective.

 

[jeepsandradios]

GMRS not Ham Lite ?

-Weekly nets on all 4 repeaters I can hear from my house
-linked repeaters
-GMRS users calling CQ on the repeater

I agree GMRS and FRS should not be ham lite but many are tying to rationalize it as that. All 4 repeaters I can hear at my house have the same conversationso n them in the afternoon I hear in the morning on the 2meter repeater. Not saying its like this all over the US but there is alot of this mess out there.

I agree 100% with your use case and what GMRS or FRS is used for. Sadly many do not.

 

[rick25s]

Yeah. I can’t speak for your area. I believe what you’re saying. It’s different in my area. The conversations are very different, which is the only area I’ve been since being licensed, so that’s all I know

The GMRS conversations here are mostly production type stuff, or searching for someone. The ham usage here is more general conversation or organized event like emergency ham operator stations for weather event, out of cell service marathons/cycling or other events, like that last eclipse, where so many people came up here, it took some people 15 full hours to travel back home where it normally took 3 hours. The ham operators were all over the place calling for emergency services when needed and relaying information.

The biggest thing in common they both have is public service. It’s amazing how people come together.