HELP! On legal GMRS/FRS Base Station!

[nvanw27]

I'm going to providing Radio Communications for an upcoming event using my collection of GMRS/FRS Walkie Talkies, and i'm being the'dispatcher' from a central point on the grounds, but I don't want to have to carry a handheld radio or lose it at my station, i'm wondering what the best Base Station for GMRS/FRS that complies with the standards and is cheap would be. If it makes a difference, I use Channel No. 21.

Thanks for any help I can get,

NVanW27

 

[ko6jw_2]

Midland makes mobile/base GMRS radios. FRS rules limit power output, must have fixed antennas etc. GMRS requires a license. Can run up to 50 watts and use repeaters. Older FRS radios can operate on GMRS frequencies, but it is my understanding that those radios are not sold anymore. Still require a license. B Tech makes some fairly nice GMRS HT's, type accepted and repeater capable. Up to 5 watts and have detachable antennas.

Other suggestion: Contact a local ham club or ARES group. We provide event communications for non-profits and have real radios. They might be happy to help. Just finished an event locally that involves 3000+ bike riders.

 

[bill4long]

Older FRS radios can operate on GMRS frequencies, but it is my understanding that those radios are not sold anymore. Still require a license. B Tech makes some fairly nice GMRS HT's, type accepted and repeater capable. Up to 5 watts and have detachable antennas.

As of the recent rule changes, all FRS radios are now legal to transmit on the GMRS frequencies. In fact, the FCC bumped the legal power to 2 watts on GMRS frequencies for these radios. No license required. This list is accurate:

Family Radio Service - Wikipedia

 

[nd5y]

The 2017 rule change doesn't affect formerly FRS-only 1/2 watt (or less), 14 (or fewer) channel radios. They can still be manufactured and sold and new models can get FCC certification.

 

[bill4long]

The 2017 rule change doesn't affect formerly FRS-only 1/2 watt (or less), 14 (or fewer) channel radios. They can still be manufactured and sold and new models can get FCC certification.

What do you mean it doesn't affect them? Anyone with the dual band bubble pack FRS/GMRS radios can now legally transmit on channels 15 thru 22 provided they are 1/2 watt and no removable antenna. Before the rule change, a license was required to transmit on those channels regardless of power level.

 

[bill4long]

"If you operate a radio that has been approved for both FRS and GMRS, and if you limit your operations to the FRS channels with a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power and an integral antenna, you are not required to have a license."

FCC Advisory: General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

 

[nd5y]

What do you mean it doesn't affect them? Anyone with the dual band bubble pack FRS/GMRS radios can now legally transmit on channels 15 thru 22

You can't transmit on channels 15-22 if you have an older 14 channel radio that doesn't have channels 15-22.
The rule change didn't ban those radios.

 

[spongella]

Only company I can think of that makes a GMRS radio that's not a handheld is Midland. For best results use an outdoor antenna and one designed for GMRS. I guess you could also look at Motorola commercial radios but not sure if you have to have them programmed by a dealer still. In my old job I used Motorola mobiles as base stations that were programmed for a GMRS repeater and also for "talkaround" and they worked well, but had to be programmed by a technician. You'll also need a power supply.

 

[DylanMadigan]

Depending on how much effort your willing to put in, you can get a programmable UHF radio that covers 462mhz (commercial or ham) and program that for your channel. Personally i use used Motorola CDM1550s and MCS2000s, but their still a few bucks. There's cheaper companies like Retevis that makes pretty cheap but fairly nice equipment including mobile radios that can easily be programmed for GMRS (as well as anything else). If you go this route, for the love of [insert deity] make sure you do not key up on the wrong frequency (which it would tell you on the screen or when programming).

Just keep in mind if you do get a mobile style radio, you also need the mic, power cable, antenna, and you need to make sure your antenna has the proper connection (or get an adapter). You can get a cheap magnetic antenna or get an NMO antenna and mount if you want to do something a little more permanent.

I'm still in the process of setting up a fairly advanced GMRS system for my family and friends, but I have looked around at quite a few radios and their features, as well as used allot of programming software at this point. If you need help with anything feel free to ask.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

"If you operate a radio that has been approved for both FRS and GMRS, and if you limit your operations to the FRS channels with a maximum power of ½ watt effective radiated power and an integral antenna, you are not required to have a license."

FCC Advisory: General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

§95.1767 GMRS transmitting power limits.


(b) 462 MHz interstitial channels. The effective radiated power (ERP) of mobile, hand-held portable and base stations transmitting on the 462 MHz interstitial channels must not exceed 5 Watts.

A licensed GMRS station can freely communicate with any unlicensed FRS station and per the above rules, you can set up a station with 5 watts ERP on a lower 462 MHz FRS/GMRS shared channel perfectly legally. So this can be a 5 watt handheld with integral antenna or a unity gain antenna or low gain antenna offset by cable loss. If you have a small mobile that you can set to 10 watts or lower, the feedline (RG58/AU will use up some of the power and a unity gain can get you the height and stay within parameters. But honestly, nobody is going to be checking with a micrometer or mlliwattmeter!

 

[bill4long]

Only company I can think of that makes a GMRS radio that's not a handheld is Midland.

Yeah. It's this one. 40 watts and handles the repeater splits. It's a modified TYT-9000. And for those interested in making a repeater, this radio has the control pins on a header on the motherboard, easily brought out to a DB9 connector in the back.

Midland Micro Mobile Mount-Base GMRS 65-Mile Range, 40 Watts, Model# MXT400 | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[iMONITOR]

Unless you spend a lot of money and have a high gained antenna mounted 40'+ high you'll be very disappointed with the outcome.

 

[nvanw27]

Update here, ended up not getting a base station but i'm using Bubble Packs. This Thursday (5/9) i'm going to be tying up GMRS/FRS channels 21 and 4 from 8:20 to about 2:50 in Kingsley, so in case you're hearing interference on there it's me. I can change channels if absolutely necessary though.

 

[Hans13]

Update here, ended up not getting a base station but i'm using Bubble Packs. This Thursday (5/9) i'm going to be tying up GMRS/FRS channels 21 and 4 from 8:20 to about 2:50 in Kingsley, so in case you're hearing interference on there it's me. I can change channels if absolutely necessary though.

You are the type of considerate GMRS/FRS operators we like having on the air. Thank you and hope your event goes well.

 

[DylanMadigan]

You are the type of considerate GMRS/FRS operators we like having on the air. Thank you and hope your event goes well.

Agreed

Some people just hop on whatever channel they please and often interrupt communications at the highest power possible. It's especially frustrating when they don't have a license in the first place. It's like someone random walking into your house, kicking your dog, they sleeping on your couch for a few days and you don't even know them. Personally, I actually hooked up a scanner to our tower to find the least used GMRS frequency before we set the repeater up, and put it on the map.

Thank you

 

[nvanw27]

Just doing my job as a responsible radio user. Glad i'm making a good impression

 

[nvanw27]

Update, the event went well and all the radios performed spectacularly. I had 15 bubble packs, 4 Garmin Rino GPS radios, and my UV-5R which I was using as a dual-frequency monitor and a speaker. Thanks for the help

 

[mmisk]

Yeah. It's this one. 40 watts and handles the repeater splits. It's a modified TYT-9000. Etc
[/QUOTE)

I have to laugh at the 65 mile range claims.

 

[prcguy]

You might look at the old Bendix/King EMV series mobile radios with a power supply. These were 40W radios of excellent quality and you could field program them with an optional keypad mic. I have a pile of them here and you can find them on Ebay sometimes in the $50-$75 range used. These were FCC part 95 radios legal for GMRS.