People don't understand the concept of allowing digital versus mandating digital. If the FCC were to allow digital on GMRS, no one has to buy new equipment, no one has to switch to digital, and most users will continue to use analog.
Choice is a good thing, it's nice to know that I can use D-STAR, P25, NXDN, MotoTRBO, or any other digital format that doesn't violate Part 97 rules on Ham. Why should GMRS be any different? Digital is no longer "experimental", it's available in existing radios and is used heavily on Part 90 radio services. We're not talking RTTY, PSK31, or Fax modems on GMRS, just digital voice. When the rules were written, digital voice didn't exist in the commercial/consumer market, so it was to keep data off the service.
Ideally the FCC should permit digital users (if they ever allow digital) to split the primary 25 kHz channels into four 6.25 kHz channels. NXDN uses 6.25 kHz channels which can increase the number of conversations available in the same slice of spectrum. To program those channels, you'd have to program offset frequencies (you're not dead on 462.550 for example, you're slightly above or below it). FCC rules require to you follow the channel plan, and be dead on a frequency not "in between" or "offset" from channel centers. That should be changed as well.
If you want to be freq agile, stay with the Ham Radio.
Leave GMRS Alone. It's bad enough with the bubble pack and FRS Radios.
If you have multi-mode allowed, how can you track [other than DF] your interference source, unless you have 5+ different radios.
Keep the experimentation on the Amateur bands.
PS, are you going to pay me to change out my gear, so I don't get interference from your P25 / MTRBO etc? I didn't think so. And the FCC won't send me a check either.
Interference from a digital transmitter is no different than interference from an analog transmitter. Both will wipe out your ability to communicate while the source is present.
If you have a source of interference, DF it. It doesn't require million dollar equipment. True, if you have an analog signal source you can listen for identifiable information, but unless you have a location of the transmitter site, the FCC doesn't want to even read your complaint. Not that they'd read it anyway, but have a much better chance if you hand them every last bit of information.
So you consider a signal to be interference, only if your radio isn't capable of monitoring? Does that mean you track down D-STAR users on Ham.. because you don't have a D-STAR radio and they're "interfering" with you? The only difference between analog and digital radio is the modulation. Some digital formats occupy less spectrum than others, but digital isn't so radical that it breaks all the rules of RF. It's all just FM..
Bubblepack and FRS radios are such a small problem on GMRS. Sure, there's millions of the damn things out there causing simplex interference, but that doesn't last for more than a mile or two on a good day. The real problem is unlicensed users with commercial equipment, repeaters, etc. When they act up, they can wipe out 30 miles or more if their site is decent. GMRS is not a self-policing band like Ham, so there's really no reason for other licensees to be able to monitor transmissions. The only exception is that you can't use encryption, but you can use scramblers. GMRS is a much more private service whereby my system is none of your business unless I'm causing harmful interference to you.
Sorry, but you can't just 'add' 6.25 KHz channels. You have to convert ALL users to make usable interstitial channels, since 'old' users are still wideband, and wipe out those interstitials, while the 'new' users will interfere with the 'old' wider channel users, as well.
Given the huge number of unlicensed, uncontrolled bubble pack users, it's not likely to happen any time soon. If the FCC makes any changes (and so far, they seem to have ZERO interest in GMRS, the current rules are a total, hashed up, inconsistant mess), it will be a complete rewrite to shift to digital, narrowband. (narrower, that is)
I wouldn't bet against them deciding to REMOVE repeaters, and turn all the inputs into more simplex channels, actually. The FCC seems to consider GMRS to be a family, SHORT range service, for local use, not longer range as repeater use creates, these days.
If you want to be freq agile, stay with the Ham Radio.
Leave GMRS Alone. It's bad enough with the bubble pack and FRS Radios.
If you have multi-mode allowed, how can you track [other than DF] your interference source, unless you have 5+ different radios.
Keep the experimentation on the Amateur bands.
PS, are you going to pay me to change out my gear, so I don't get interference from your P25 / MTRBO etc? I didn't think so. And the FCC won't send me a check either.
I didn't say that I was in favor of removing GMRS repeaters, I said it wouldn't suprise me if the FCC decided to do so, to 'free up' more channels for the use they currently seem to intend to be the primary use, namely simplex.
The GMRS unit may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS unit. Digital data transmissions must be initiated by a manual action or command of the user. However, a GMRS unit receiving an interrogation request may automatically respond with its location. Digital data transmissions shall not exceed I second, and shall be limited to one transmission within a 30-second period. However, a GMRS unit may automatically respond to more than one interrogation request received within a 30-second period.
Hi Everyone,
I sent an inquiry to the FCC about GMRS and the possibility of being able to use digital in the future. The answer I received is that there are currently no plans in place at this time to allow digital or make any rule changes for digital. As of right now GMRS will be staying the way it is.