Motorcycle Communications using FRS GMRS frequencies

[Darth_vader]

"repeaters are private property and usually require permission from the owner(s) before use or out of courtesy."

Sometimes, not "usually". Depends on the choices and preferences of the operator. There are many GMRS repeaters that are open for public use.

The number of open systems listed on MYGMRS is nearly parallel that of systems requiring permission (274 versus 295, respectively), of course that doesn't take into account new systems in either category that aren't listed yet or old ones that have gone off the air but are still listed.

 

[WQRY843]

weird it says that is it part 95 certified...but your saying its not..i very confused by all of this

Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio
GMRS handheld, ideal for family/personal radio communications. Preprogrammed with 16 GMRS channels (8 handheld to handheld and 8 repeater channels). Upgraded (16 hour) 1700mAH Li-ion battery, desk charger, antenna and belt clip. FCC Part 95 GMRS certified

Read more: Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio [GU-16 GMRS] - $99.99

 

[WQRY843]

Rado's

The radios will probably work, but they just aren't certified. Out of curiosity, what radios did you get?

the ones that i returned where the Boafeng bf-888's they have a fcc stamp but are apparently not part 95 certified. so in looking around i found this which according to the add are part 95 certified..

Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio
GMRS handheld, ideal for family/personal radio communications. Preprogrammed with 16 GMRS channels (8 handheld to handheld and 8 repeater channels). Upgraded (16 hour) 1700mAH Li-ion battery, desk charger, antenna and belt clip. FCC Part 95 GMRS certified

Read more: Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio [GU-16 GMRS] - $99.99

 

[WQRY843]

so both of those are certified?

 

[Project25_MASTR]

the ones that i returned where the Boafeng bf-888's they have a fcc stamp but are apparently not part 95 certified. so in looking around i found this which according to the add are part 95 certified..

Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio
GMRS handheld, ideal for family/personal radio communications. Preprogrammed with 16 GMRS channels (8 handheld to handheld and 8 repeater channels). Upgraded (16 hour) 1700mAH Li-ion battery, desk charger, antenna and belt clip. FCC Part 95 GMRS certified

Read more: Powerwerx GU-16 GMRS Handheld Radio [GU-16 GMRS] - $99.99

I know of them. It's the Wouxun KG-833 rebranded (with a $20 markup). Personally, I wouldn't get the GU-16 GMRS radio and would instead get the regular GU-16 (it's the same radio but meets current 2.5kHz requirements for commercial). Either way you have the ability to program the radios with free software. The simplex channels are maxed out a 1W might I add…
1 x WOUXUN KG-833 UHF handheld two way FM radio - 409SHOP LIMITED (HK) Radio Wholesale å°è¬›æ©ŸOEM製造商

 

[SCPD]

so both of those are certified?

No Sir,

Baofeng radios are not part 95 certified

 

[SCPD]

"repeaters are private property and usually require permission from the owner(s) before use or out of courtesy."

Sometimes, not "usually". Depends on the choices and preferences of the operator. There are many GMRS repeaters that are open for public use.

The number of open systems listed on MYGMRS is nearly parallel that of systems requiring permission (274 versus 295, respectively), of course that doesn't take into account new systems in either category that aren't listed yet or old ones that have gone off the air but are still listed.

Repeaters are private property whether closed or open,they are owned either by a group or individual.It is up to whomever controls that repeater to decide that...

 

[Logan005]

I also wonder about motorcycle helmet 2 way radios, are there any that are part 95 cert? If not, I assume both riders would have to have a HAM license to use them? or do they use a different frequency?

 

[mformby]

Wirelessly posted (Opera/9.80 (BREW; Opera Mini/6.0.3/27.2338; U; en) Presto/2.8.119 320X240 LG VN530)

I'm not familiar with your radio. I can say, however, that any power greater than 0.5 watts ERP (transmitter power output - coax cable losses + antenna gain = ERP) on channels 1-7 requires a GMRS license.
A license will allow you to use up to 5 watts ERP on channels 1-7. (To my knowledge, UHF handhelds top out at 4 watts transmitted power output. I'm not aware of any UHF handheld model that does 5 watts TPO. Attaching it to an antenna other than the stock duckie, may affect the ERP.)
Any power greater than 0.5 watts ERP on channels 8-14 is prohibited, regardless of license.
Lastly, if everyone acquired their own license and used the GMRS channels, you would most likely find your range and clarity to be greater than any of the bubble packs provide.

If you are transmitting 4 watts and the others are transmitting .5 watts then there will be times when they can hear you but you can't hear them respond. This probably will make them mad wondering why you won't talk back to them. You need a balanced system with everyone using the same RF power and antenna system (if possible). It doesn't matter how loud you yell if the other person is deaf. Understand?

 

[mformby]

Motorcycle antenna

A motorcycle does not have a ground plane like a car/truck has so you need a special antenna requiring no ground plane. They make them for boats, since most of them are wood or fiberglass. Some police motorcycle radios have a box on the rear that a regular antenna is mounted on, but the underside of the lid is covered with aluminum tape to help reflect the radio signal. I put one on the rear of my ATV years ago. I believe it was made by Shakespeare.

Thanks to all for the input. Very helpful ! I will pass the info along to my friends, especially the info regarding the license requirements.and the group license There are now 4 of us with the Icom F21 radio. That unit is a pretty rock steady radio available at a reasonable price . It is capable of 4 watts of output so and appears to fit the bill for us. .The group will have them programmed by an Icom dealer so that we can be assured of the most efficient and legal usage of this radio.

Also the info on antenna was helpful
Most likely will be back with a few more ?'s

Thanks
Alan

 

[Project25_MASTR]

A motorcycle does not have a ground plane like a car/truck has so you need a special antenna requiring no ground plane. They make them for boats, since most of them are wood or fiberglass. Some police motorcycle radios have a box on the rear that a regular antenna is mounted on, but the underside of the lid is covered with aluminum tape to help reflect the radio signal. I put one on the rear of my ATV years ago. I believe it was made by Shakespeare.

For the most part, a Motorcycle will have enough ground plane for anything above 140MHz. Now, physically grounding it out will be the challenge. Had a friend do the aluminum tape thing on a fiberglass trunk with a NMO mount.

 

[RandyKnowles]

Another factor to consider is that FRS ("bubble-pack") radios transmit with lower deviation than GMRS radios. This means that GMRS radios listening to FRS transmissions will find the audio to be low, which in your application on motorcycles is important.

If you use a GMRs main channel (462.550 - 462.725) then you could talk through an available repeater simply by pushing the "talk-around" / "simplex" / "direct" button without changing channels. That means that you could still hear other members of your group who are still transitting on direct (not on the repeater) because you are still listening to the same receive frequency (assuming the repeater is not transmitting).

You receive on the same frequency whether you are transmitting through a repeater ("repeat mode") or not (direct mode"). The only thing that changes is the frequency you transmit on.

Hope this helps. Randy Knowles, KAA 8142