New GMRS User Questions

[bill4long]

Thank you. I would set up the radios on one channel, with a locked security code, then keypad lock the radios to volume, transmit, and recieve. Is that right? If we want to the GMRS channels, each would have to register with FCC, but FRS channels (lower power transmit) we would be fine. I am learning and would be very happy if someone could link protocol and how to make sure we don't cause problems for others.

Thanks again.
Steve

You said 1500 feet is the typical range at site. FRS can do 2 watts on channels 1 thru 7 and 15 thru 22, which would be more than sufficient on relatively flat terrain.

Channel chart here:

General Mobile Radio Service - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

MURS is a good choice too. Two watts on five channels. With external antennas legal if desired.

Multi-Use Radio Service - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[KF0NYL]

MURS works as long as you don't have any Walmarts or other businesses near by. I know the Walmarts here in mid Missouri all use MURS radios.

MURS will get you a little better coverage compared to FRS. VHF generally does better than UHF when all things are equal.

 

[Wrightsrockets]

I have tested my handhelds inside a tacoma, outside tacoma, ground level and standing on tailgate. Able to communicate H-set to H-set @ .8 mile hilly terrain, 1.1 mile out of the truck on tailgate. Almost 3 miles in the truck with the 15 watt MXT115 broadcasting from the rocket trailer.

I think this is more than adequate for what we are doing in gentle rolling hill farm land where you can see almost a mile in every direction.

 

[mmckenna]

That sounds about like what I'd expect from these radios.

If they do what you want/need, and you already own them, there's zero reason to upgrade. More power/different bands isn't going to make a huge difference, and the investment may never be recouped.

 

[ladn]

The antenna I ordered is the midland ghost Midland MXTA25 3dB Gain Ghost Antenna | Midland Radio

It comes in the bundle with mount. The battery for the trailer is grounded directly to the frame with soldered copper ends on the cable, and also to a ground distribution block, (positive straight it's own distribution block heavy inline fuse)

Does that type of antenna require a ground plane, and will the aluminum roof work. It is screwed to the steel frame.

This antenna isn't a very good choice for your application.
I'd go with something like this: Larsen NMO4503CS UHF 450-470MHz 5/8 Wave 3db Gain Mobile Antenna NMO Mount

This antenna requires a ground plane (your aluminum trailer will be fine). You'll also need to order an NMO mount.

Here's a "no ground plane" version: Laird TE Connectivity B4502N UHF GMRS No Ground Plane 450-470 MHz Antenna 2.4db.

While a ground plane isn't required, the antenna will be more efficient with a ground plane. You'll also need an NMO mount.

Here's a link for a 3/4 NMO mount: 3/4" NMO Hole Mount 17' RG58/U, PL-259 Connector Uninstalled 0-1000 MHz

The items I listed are commercial grade, high quality, products.

Another antenna option for your application is a dedicated base antenna, mounted on a pole (metal or fiberglass): UHF GMRS 460-470MHz Base Antenna 3db Gain 3.66' TE Connectivity FG4603.

With GMRS antennas, height=range. You could easily mount the antenna pole to the side of your trailer and remove it for travel. This antenna does not need a ground plane, but you will need to order coax with connectors that match (Type N, male for the antenna end and <I think> PL 259 for the radio end). LMR-200 would be the minimum, but LMR-400 would be better, especially for longer runs :Custom Coax Cable Assemblies - 50ohm Radio | Antenna Farm.

An option that is worth considering is to NOT use GMRS and, instead, get licensed for several UHF Part 90 itinerant frequencies. The l licensing application is fairly simple and frequency coordination isn't required. The advantages are that anyone in your group can use the radios, and handhelds can be full power (5W). Downside is that radios themselves will be more expensive.

 

[bill4long]

MURS works as long as you don't have any Walmarts or other businesses near by. I know the Walmarts here in mid Missouri all use MURS radios.

MURS will get you a little better coverage compared to FRS. VHF generally does better than UHF when all things are equal.

Walmart never uses channels 1 thru 3. Just FYI.

 

[KF0NYL]

Walmart never uses channels 1 thru 3. Just FYI.

And for good reasons since Channel 1 is the calling channel, Ch 2 is the safety channel and Ch 3 is the emergency channel.

 

[bill4long]

And for good reasons since Channel 1 is the calling channel, Ch 2 is the safety channel and Ch 3 is the emergency channel.

Who told you that?

 

[KF0NYL]

Who told you that?

Maybe Better Safe Radios is wrong but that is how they list MURS channels.
MURS (Multi-Use Radio Service) Band Info

From MURS - HFUnderground

MURS Channel 1	MURS-1	151.820 MHz	11.25 kHz	Unofficial MURS calling channel
MURS Channel 2	MURS-2	151.880 MHz	11.25 kHz	Recommended simplex repeater/crossband repeater channel (156.7 Hz CTCSS tone) and SAFETY channel - TX 210.7 Hz CTCSS 210.7 PL
MURS Channel 3	MURS-3	151.940 MHz	11.25 kHz	Recommended prepper/emergency management/disaster response calling/working channel - TX 88.5 Hz CTCSS or 141.3 Hz CTCSS 141.3 PL
MURS Channel 4	MURS-4 Blue Dot	154.570 MHz	20.00 kHz	Old Business Radio Service frequency, heavily used by stores, construction sites, etc.
MURS Channel 5	MURS-5 Green Dot	154.600 MHz	20.00 kHz	Old Business Radio Service frequency, heavily used by stores, construction sites, etc.

I'm not saying either site is right or wrong in their information. But that is what they list.

 

[mmckenna]

I'm not saying either site is right or wrong in their information. But that is what they list.

Well, there's your problem. Anytime you see a "Prepper Channel", you know it's something that some group randomly made up to serve their own needs.
To add to it "Crossband Repeater Channel" is another indication. since cross banding to MURS is specifically not permitted.

 

[KF0NYL]

Well, there's your problem. Anytime you see a "Prepper Channel", you know it's something that some group randomly made up to serve their own needs.
To add to it "Crossband Repeater Channel" is another indication. since cross banding to MURS is specifically not permitted.

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

 

[nd5y]

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

I wouldn't.

 

[bill4long]

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

They are not.

Here's the relevant section of Part 95, if you want to read it.

eCFR :: 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart J -- Multi-Use Radio Service

BTW, that "HF Underground" makes at least two legally false statements regarding MURS. Digital voice is not legal on MURS. No radios that have digital voice have ever been type accepted for MURS (because DV is not a legal emission for MURS.) And Baofengs are not a "gray area." As the case with any radio, a given model of Baofeng radio is not legal on MURS unless it is explicitly certified for MURS.

 

[mmckenna]

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

Why?

To be fair, I know nothing about them, but what I often see is specific groups try and develop bandplans for these radio services. Self appointed groups attempt to do this in a vacuum and then publish it to the internet. People have been trying to do this for years, way back when FRS first came out there were groups that assigned channels to specific use. Obviously that was ignored.
What gets kind of silly is when they assign "Emergency" channels….

FCC says they are all shared use channels:
"Five VHF channels are allotted for shared use in the MURS"

Anytime I see the term "Prepper" used in any radio service, it triggers my internal B.S. warning system.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Walmart never uses channels 1 thru 3. Just FYI.

In my area Walmart frequently uses ch.3 151.940, and ch.4 154.570

 

[KK4JUG]

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

It's no more correct than my Better Safe Brain Surgery website.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I wouldn't.

Me either, I think that's open to interpretation and where you're located in the u.s.

 

[bill4long]

In my area Walmart frequently uses ch.3 151.940, and ch.4 154.570

I stand corrected.

 

[rf_patriot200]

I stand corrected.

I talked to the cart pushers , just for kicks on .940, while the rest of the store was on .570 I got the drift that the store doesn't want them to go channel hopping, even though they had all the murs channels in their radios.

 

[K9KLC]

One would think that websites like Better Safe Radios would be correct.

One who? One who's read the rules and understands some of what they post is wrong? As has been stated, they're not.