Midland got their waiver

[mmckenna]

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-23-633A1.pdf

I know this will annoy the krap out of a lot of people.
It's an interesting use of the radio service. I can see the benefits. Not sure I agree with the need for 50 watts and such frequent updates, but I'm interested to see what sort of product they release.

 

[vagrant]

knee jerk reaction guy here

"...automatically transmit digital data more than once within a 30-second period..." - Nuts!

Absolutely no one wants to know nor receive a signal, unwanted or otherwise, every thirty seconds or more of someone's location data. That is ridiculous. Clearly there are fools requesting and fools allowing this.

"Midland also requests a waiver...arguing that allowing transmissions every 5 to 10 seconds will ensure that GMRS users have the ability to better guard against serious or catastrophic accidents in remote areas". - ughh....say what? - hahaha - Guard against? - Nuts!

There is some slight sanity in 5 where it stipulates that the location signals should cease after certain criteria, but seriously...once every 60 seconds is definitely more than enough. Anyways, blasting 50W every 5-10 seconds will run down a battery. Reducing power would be prudent as well as reducing transmission frequency.

I enjoy using APRS, but I am wise enough to use a Garmin InReach product with a satellite plan when I am back in the middle of wherever. If anyone feels the Garmin InReach devices and or the plan is too costly, there is also the Motorola Defy satellite device which costs $150 and has a monthly plan of $5. I may even purchase the Defy and give it a whirl due to the low cost and have it as secondary. motorola defy satellite link - Motorola

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The FCC has opened the door for Midland and the others to clog the band with digital intereference. it's bad enough to put up with annoying Rodger beeps at the national parks.

"Midland has stated that it intends to develop a smart device
application for off-road enthusiasts that connects via Bluetooth to a GMRS mobile radio to allow voice/text communications........"

 

[KevinC]

I blame Motorola.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

knee jerk reaction guy here

"...automatically transmit digital data more than once within a 30-second period..." - Nuts!

Absolutely no one wants to know nor receive a signal, unwanted or otherwise, every thirty seconds or more of someone's location data. That is ridiculous. Clearly there are fools requesting and fools allowing this.

"Midland also requests a waiver...arguing that allowing transmissions every 5 to 10 seconds will ensure that GMRS users have the ability to better guard against serious or catastrophic accidents in remote areas". - ughh....say what? - hahaha - Guard against? - Nuts!

There is some slight sanity in 5 where it stipulates that the location signals should cease after certain criteria, but seriously...once every 60 seconds is definitely more than enough. Anyways, blasting 50W every 5-10 seconds will run down a battery. Reducing power would be prudent as well as reducing transmission frequency.

I enjoy using APRS, but I am wise enough to use a Garmin InReach product with a satellite plan when I am back in the middle of wherever. If anyone feels the Garmin InReach devices and or the plan is too costly, there is also the Motorola Defy satellite device which costs $150 and has a monthly plan of $5. I may even purchase the Defy and give it a whirl due to the low cost and have it as secondary. motorola defy satellite link - Motorola

At least with APRS , hams were smart enough to put those in their own non voice channels.

I blame Motorola.

I almost did,

 

[mmckenna]

I blame Motorola.

I blame the new Uniden Scanner.

 

[mmckenna]

I enjoy using APRS, but I am wise enough to use a Garmin InReach product with a satellite plan when I am back in the middle of wherever. If anyone feels the Garmin InReach devices and or the plan is too costly, there is also the Motorola Defy satellite device which costs $150 and has a monthly plan of $5. I may even purchase the Defy and give it a whirl due to the low cost and have it as secondary. motorola defy satellite link - Motorola

I've got a Garmin InReach I'm happy with. Iridium coverage is pretty well proven.
Motorola's coverage looks pretty iffy in some areas. Looking at their disclaimers concerns me. Also looks like it uses at least some non-satellite coverage.

I might be interested, but I'll let you go first.

 

[vagrant]

So, the Defy can/will use WiFi or cell via BT, but it will use the further out satellites vs. the LEO Iridium. The SOS button needs a cover and requires a five second press. That no button cover will have me rigging something over that.

Anyways I could loan it out if I am with others, or whatnot and we split up. Although rare, sitting in camp a cat/bear might jump you etc. Additionally, I like my friends so happy to loan it to them even if I am not going with them.

 

[jeepsandradios]

I'm waiting to see what Midland comes up with. I can see some benefit but I dont want to listen to GPS bursts all day on every channel. I found it interesting that they had this note in it -

The transmitting unit must use real time GPS data to confirm that the device is in a rural county or census tract i.e., with a population density of 100 or fewer persons per square mile. (Page 6)

Curios to see if that's done in the radio or an "app"

 

[nd5y]

Curios to see if that's done in the radio or an "app"

Maybe the radio won't do GPS data without the app. It says it only works when part of a group.

 

[mmckenna]

…until someone finds a hack, jumper to remove, diode to clip, button press combination, bootlegged/modified firmware, etc…..

 

[DeeEx]

…until someone finds a hack, jumper to remove, diode to clip, button press combination, bootlegged/modified firmware, etc…..

Where there’s a will to protect the radio’s ability, there’s probably a way to do so.

Didn’t RS/Uniden(?) manage to successfully lock down the HTX10 and HTX100? Of course, the only two exceptions to the norm that I know of.

 

[ENGINEERCARL1]

Didn’t RS/Uniden(?) manage to successfully lock down the HTX10 and HTX100? Of course, the only two exceptions to the norm that I know of.

The HTX mobiles also had a *fantastic* receiver for what they were. I loved that radio...simple, to the point, great ears.

EC

 

[Project25_MASTR]

…until someone finds a hack, jumper to remove, diode to clip, button press combination, bootlegged/modified firmware, etc…..

The modern equivalent to the golden screwdriver...the golden fingers.

 

[K5MPH]

Maybe for some kind of SOS beacon when needed .....

 

[IAmSixNine]

I blame the new Uniden Scanner.

I blame 1 ply toilet paper.

 

[techman210]

Well, they don't seem to mention modulation or bit rate in the Waiver.

But it does mention that the data bursts will be no more than 50 ms in duration, so it looks like it will sound more than a 9600 bps "Pfffft" rather than a 1200 bps AFSK "BRRRaaaaaap" that would be really annoying. Hopefully, it will be limited to one channel only, and not a user-selectable channel.

In hindsight, it would probably be more utilitarian to develop a dual-band radio, and the data would be sent at that power on a MURS channel, and all the voice traffic would be limited to the GMRS/FRS band only.

 

[ladn]

n hindsight, it would probably be more utilitarian to develop a dual-band radio, and the data would be sent at that power on a MURS channel,

We MURS users would not be amused.

 

[mmckenna]

Well, they don't seem to mention modulation or bit rate in the Waiver.

But it does mention that the data bursts will be no more than 50 ms in duration, so it looks like it will sound more than a 9600 bps "Pfffft" rather than a 1200 bps AFSK "BRRRaaaaaap" that would be really annoying. Hopefully, it will be limited to one channel only, and not a user-selectable channel.

Maybe it'll teach people about CTCSS/DCS.

From what I'm gathering it'll be on the same channel as the voice. I doubt they'd tie voice to a single channel. Trying to decode data if having to scan two channels wouldn't work out so well, especially with 50ms bursts.

In hindsight, it would probably be more utilitarian to develop a dual-band radio, and the data would be sent at that power on a MURS channel, and all the voice traffic would be limited to the GMRS/FRS band only.

Garmin has a MURS radio that does GPS location and Voice. But it's not 50 watts, so that'll turn the uneducated off. Running GMRS and MURS in the same radio isn't currently permitted by rule and would add to the burden to get waivers. Unlikely that would stop them. Probably Midland trying to avoid the complexities of a dual receive setup.

While I know many are concerned about this on GMRS, looking at the prices on the Garmin MURS version, this is going to be a niche product for those that have a lot of money. Your average neighborhood 7 year old isn't going to be sporting one of these.
And we know that most people have zero understanding about antennas, and will happily spend $1500 on a radio that will do all this, but insist on installing the "low profile" antenna mounted in some really awful location, all while boasting about 50 watts of glorious RF power.

In other words, probably no more annoying than "roger beeps".

 

[ladn]

nstalling the "low profile" antenna mounted in some really awful location, all while boasting about 50 watts of glorious RF power.

Mount the radio on top of the dash and the low profile antenna on a magnet mount stuck to the radio case! Plenty of power in the cigarette lighter power port.