Midland petitions FCC for waiver to allow data Tx from non-handheld GMRS radios

[n1das]

Found this interesting item in today's FCC Daily Digest:

Released: 2021-10-12. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REQUEST BY MIDLAND RADIO CORPORATION FOR WAIVER OF CERTAIN GENERAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE RULES. (DA No. 21-1269). (Dkt No 21-388). Comments Due: 2021-11-12. Reply Comments Due: 2021-11-26. WTB. Contact: Thomas Derenge at (202) 418-2451, email: Thomas.Derenge@fcc.gov. DA-21-1269A1.docx DA-21-1269A1.pdf DA-21-1269A1.txt

 

[spongella]

Good idea.

 

[NC1]

I do not see anything that will benefit the majority of licensees.
While it may be useful to a few niche groups in certain instances, there are other existing services for which this is more suited.
Getting an amateur radio license is a very simple process, they are easy and cheap to get. You can do data all you want.

 

[DeoVindice]

The interval specified is unnecessary and unlikely to provide a better user experience than the existing 30-second interval. Other than that, this looks like a good idea.

Amateur is neat but GMRS licensing is a better fit for a family group.

 

[K5MPH]

This will be very interesting to see what comes from the request from Midland........

 

[nd5y]

Good idea.

Only if you want GMRS channels filled with 50 mS data bursts every 5 to 10 seconds multiplied by the number of radios using that feature.

 

[iMONITOR]

GARMIN was granted permission by the FCC sometime ago to transmit GPS location data on their RINO hand-held radios.

 

[W8UU]

Call me old fashioned, but the growing trend to make GMRS more than a basic wideband analog voice service brings back the need for specific channel licensing and some kind of a basic band plan. Reserve one frequency for the chirps, data bursts, selective calls, and whatever else in the non-voice world may come along in the future. Standardize a call channel that everyone can use. Reserve a frequency pair for DMR or MotoTrbo (and you KNOW it's coming) and leave the rest of them analog for now. All of that could be done without disrupting any licensed GMRS operator.

This current "do what you want" on frequency use is counterproductive and flies in the face of responsible spectrum management. Manufacturers will continue to petition for incompatible bells and whistles on GMRS wideband analog UHF channels. Given the current trajectory that started with the FRS bubble pack radios, we aren't far from License By Rule which equates to a CB radio style free-for-all and zero FCC enforcement. A planned approach with the future in mind would allow for new technical innovations while maintaining legacy analog wideband systems.

I'm sure there will be arguments against this, but it's just my $0.02.

 

[n1das]

Found this interesting item in today's FCC Daily Digest:

Released: 2021-10-12. WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS BUREAU SEEKS COMMENT ON REQUEST BY MIDLAND RADIO CORPORATION FOR WAIVER OF CERTAIN GENERAL MOBILE RADIO SERVICE RULES. (DA No. 21-1269). (Dkt No 21-388). Comments Due: 2021-11-12. Reply Comments Due: 2021-11-26. WTB. Contact: Thomas Derenge at (202) 418-2451, email: Thomas.Derenge@fcc.gov. DA-21-1269A1.docx DA-21-1269A1.pdf DA-21-1269A1.txt

File your public comments folks!

Comments Due: 2021-11-12
Reply Comments Due: 2021-11-26

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

Only if you want GMRS channels filled with 50 mS data bursts every 5 to 10 seconds multiplied by the number of radios using that feature.

Yes exactly. You wont see this sort of nonsense in Public Safety services.

 

[NC1]

Yes exactly. You wont see this sort of nonsense in Public Safety services.

Probably because it renders the service useless to everybody else not using the data, and it interferes with the original intent of VOICE communication. Having a constant recurring annoyance (data bursts) will drive away the average person who paid to use the service and they will not be renewing their license, so the FCC could kiss millions of dollars goodbye.

 

[Citywide173]

Only if you want GMRS channels filled with 50 mS data bursts every 5 to 10 seconds multiplied by the number of radios using that feature.

I scan the GMRS/FRS channels as part of my regular programming. Other than an unlicensed repeater at the middle school around the corner from my house, I hardly hear any traffic. That includes my suburban neighborhood, the 45 mile drive to and from work and my desk in the middle of Boston. I know it can vary geographically, but I think the perceived annoyance that this would cause is overstated.

 

[NC1]

I scan the GMRS/FRS channels as part of my regular programming. Other than an unlicensed repeater at the middle school around the corner from my house, I hardly hear any traffic. That includes my suburban neighborhood, the 45 mile drive to and from work and my desk in the middle of Boston. I know it can vary geographically, but I think the perceived annoyance that this would cause is overstated.

There are 8 repeaters around here which are active, some more than others, and I can probably hear another 5 that are way out in the distance. Like you, I do scan through quite often. I live ridge top and my TX/RX distance is quite amazing, so with a bunch of constant data bursts from radios from within (conservatively) a 75 mile radius it would be extremely annoying to the point I probably would not even bother with it any more. There are many who live in active areas who would find the annoyance just plain offensive. Would you bother renewing a license for something you find frustrating?
For the argument of family and friends that don't want to get their ham ticket, then I would have to wonder, if they are so tech savvy and oriented, why they don't just get their Technician license? It's not that hard or time consuming. People put more time and effort into what Kim Kardashian is doing than learning something new and bettering themselves in the process. Obviously they are somewhat intelligent, but if you can't pass the technician exam (or don't want to) then maybe they should stick to cell phones.

 

[K6GBW]

They did this with MURS and now I can't use a single MURS channel here in Los Angeles. Nothing but an endless stream of data bursts that will drive you crazy. This is not a good idea at all.

 

[vagrant]

I emailed my comment about it.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

I scan the GMRS/FRS channels as part of my regular programming. Other than an unlicensed repeater at the middle school around the corner from my house, I hardly hear any traffic. That includes my suburban neighborhood, the 45 mile drive to and from work and my desk in the middle of Boston. I know it can vary geographically, but I think the perceived annoyance that this would cause is overstated.

Try using FRS/GMRS in Manhattan or Yellowstone Park. The channels are jammed. In Yellowstone it was constant "rodger beeps" .

 

[K6GBW]

Do I comment by replying to that email address? I can't seem to find this document on the FCC's website.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

The data will discourage radio users from openly monitoring channels in wilderness areas reducing livelihood that emergency voice calls will be heard.

Note there is no wilderness protocol to select a given channel or squelch code.

 

[K6GBW]

Does anyone know the correct way to comment on these things? I don't generally bother but on this particular matter I'd like to chime in. I visited the FCC website and spent some time but it's not immediately obvious how to do this.

 

[nd5y]

How to Comment on FCC Proceedings

Gathering and analyzing comments from the public is an important part of the FCC's rulemaking process, and it allows the public to participate in developing rules and polices that affect telecommunications and broadcast issues.

www.fcc.gov

ECFS

Federal Communication Commission Electronic Comment Filing System

www.fcc.gov