Btech GMRS V1 (alternative?)

[DY2_TTY]

Just received this today and it's going back!

Number one issue I have is I can't transmit on saved GMRS frequencies in other channels. I can only transmit if I modify the pre programmed channels.

I have Midland GMRS handy talkies and they have up to 50 channels. I was able to copy those channels and save them to my UV5R. I tried to save those same channels on the BTech and no go! I can only listen but not transmit.

Is there any (legal) alternative that will do what I want but not break the bank ???

Thanks

 

[Delta33]

Just received this today and it's going back!

Number one issue I have is I can't transmit on saved GMRS frequencies in other channels. I can only transmit if I modify the pre programmed channels.

I have Midland GMRS handy talkies and they have up to 50 channels. I was able to copy those channels and save them to my UV5R. I tried to save those same channels on the BTech and no go! I can only listen but not transmit.

Is there any (legal) alternative that will do what I want but not break the bank ???

Thanks

Well for starters, your UV5R is Not legal to transmit on GMRS with, and I without knowing the configuration that your chinese or Midland radios are programmed for , I would suggest Dumping the memories and starting Fresh so they will coincide with each other ?

 

[jonwienke]

More Midland radios.

The additional channels had to be RX-only to get FCC type acceptance because they can be set to non-GMRS/FRS frequencies.

Or you could forgo type acceptance and program the FRS/GMRS channels into UV-5Rs set to low power and narrowband TX. If your TX matches the defined emission rules (at least within a few dB of TX power), it's pretty unlikely anyone monitoring will psychically divine that you are not using type-accepted radios. No one is going to care, unless you use the radios to commit some form of douchebaggery that results in complaints to the FCC, or you are arrested while using the radios in the commission of some other crime.

 

[nd5y]

The additional channels had to be RX-only to get FCC type acceptance because they can be set to non-GMRS/FRS frequencies.

He probably means these "extra channels"

 

[DY2_TTY]

He probably means these "extra channels"

No I think he meant the "additional" channel banks on the Btech ... from channel 23 to 100+

 

[jonwienke]

No I think he meant the "additional" channel banks on the Btech ... from channel 23 to 100+

Correct. Because they can be set to non-FRS/GMRS frequencies, the firmware has to inhibit TX in order for the radio to be type accepted.

A smarter way to handle it would have been to conditionally inhibit TX if not a FRS or GMRS frequency, so you could replicate the Midland fake "extra channels" frequency, CTCSS, and DCS settings, but that probably would have been too difficult for the FCC to figure out and approve.

 

[DY2_TTY]

Correct. Because they can be set to non-FRS/GMRS frequencies, the firmware has to inhibit TX in order for the radio to be type accepted.

A smarter way to handle it would have been to conditionally inhibit TX if not a FRS or GMRS frequency, so you could replicate the Midland fake "extra channels" frequency, CTCSS, and DCS settings, but that probably would have been too difficult for the FCC to figure out and approve.

That's what they should have done. Just allow Tx on GMRS frequencies regardless of channel used.

Can CHIRP do that? I have not tried it yet, it does not work on my Windows 10 PC.

 

[jonwienke]

It works on mine.

And with most radios you can disable TX on any channel in CHIRP, regardless of frequency.

 

[DY2_TTY]

It works on mine.

And with most radios you can disable TX on any channel in CHIRP, regardless of frequency.

Do you mean I can use CHIRP to enable transmit on GMRS frequencies saved on other memory channel with the BTech?

 

[jonwienke]

No. I mean that you can disable transmit on individual channels with CHIRP on most other radios. So if you wanted to configure receive-only channels on a UV-5R, you can.

 

[DY2_TTY]

No. I mean that you can disable transmit on individual channels with CHIRP on most other radios. So if you wanted to configure receive-only channels on a UV-5R, you can.

Yes Sir, that's what I'm trying to figure out (with my old PC), but I can't find "disable" Tx anywhere. But I have configured the Police freqs with duplex that will transmit to a GMRS channel in case I accidentally push the ptt.

 

[jonwienke]

Set Duplex to NONE.

 

[nd5y]

Set Duplex to NONE.

If you want to disable transmit you set Duplex to Off.
Setting Duplex to None only removes the offset and makes the channel simplex.

 

[jonwienke]

Sorry, ND5Y is correct.

 

[SOTAcria]

Possible workaround

That is a major limitation, especially if you have repeaters available on same frequency.

How many of the "extra" Midland channels do you want to use? You could memorize or tape a cheat sheet on the radio with a handfull of channel's PLs and program them on the fly from the handset. To save time I would keep the RX tone set to off and just use the high power GMRS only freqs. Something like this:
Mid BTECH
46 07 462.5500 71.9
47 09 462.6000 241.8
48 11 462.6500 218.1
49 13 462.7000 192.8


Not the most elegant solution but if you need the VHF and loads of "scanner" channels to monitor, the BTech is hard to beat (for now.)

Otherwise, a classic part 95 approved UHF HT on Ebay is your best bet. I like Kenwoods and Ritrons.

 

[DY2_TTY]

Got it now, thanks guys!!!!