While not directly related to our Part 15 activities -- this shows FCC does make changes with the times (however slowly) and thi may affect some of us.
TIB
the one positive i see is they will now allow 2 watts on the 462 MHz FRS channels up from 0.5 W previous power restriciton. this will make FRS an actual useful service vs. just a toy.
2 watts with a decent antenna will give 3 to 10 mile range before you would only get 1/2 to 1.5 mile
Appreciate Tim the news about these refinements to what, as I recall, were rules previously scattered in different parts with no cross-reference.
In addition to Part15 Engineer's comment, which is definitely a gain for users, I hope that this effort at uniformity is going to be applied sometime to the Part 15 section as regards intentional radiators.
One glaring example of non-uniformity is a comparison between 15.219, which is useful for hobbyists, and 15.239 which is entirely different with no means for the average person to navigate, especially as demonstrated by Tim's expose of the messed-up state of "certified" FM transmitters.
Lots of GMRS license holders (myself included) have some concern that this may lead to more interference issues. Already when you buy the cheap "blister-pack" FRS/GMRS radios, users are basically on the honor system to not transmit on the GMRS-only channels included on some of those radios until they apply for and receive a GMRS license. FRS is allowed on some of the GMRS channels but not all of them.
I have not read the whole document yet but in another forum I've read that with the changes, the new 2 watt FRS radios must come with non-removable antennas; you'll be limited to the almost useless little rubber duck.. If true, that's a positive change.
The concerns of licensed GMRS users re interference are not unlike the concerns of licensed broadcast stations re Part 15 broadcasting.
if if this new change works out for the FRS walkie talkies I think it won't be long until FM radio broadcasting will be equal to AM broadcasting as far as part 15 and the legal range.
There could be designated frequencies allocated for this I'm sure. It all will come together in some way shape or form.
Did anyone take note on the part that there was already transmitter being sold to the masses that had both the gmrs/frs frequencies in them and this is why some of these changes are being made into effect?
Now look at that reasoning compared to my reasoning of the fact that there are already those 5 watt FM transmitters and 1 watt FM transmitters already available to the masses. As I've said before they will eventually have no choice but to allocate certain frequencies for individual broadcasting purposes. So this breaking news could eventually have an effect on part 15 AM and FM broadcasting.
The only reference in the pdf I saw to permanently attached antennas was in the case of digital transmittions:
"
Moreover, GMRS transmitters capable of digital data transmissions: must have integrated (i.e., non-detachable) antennas; and may make digital data transmissions only on the
462 MHz GMRS channels and the new 467 MHz interstitial GMRS channels shared with the FRS. In addition to these requirements, we limit the occupied emission bandwidth of digital data transmissions to 12.5 kilohertz on the 462 MHz and 467 MHz interstitial channels, but allow up to 20 kHz on the 462 MHz main GMRS channels to be consistent with other GMRS emissions that may be using those channels. While Garmin requested that GMRS portables with these data capabilities be permitted to use detachable antennas,92 we decline to allow detachable antennas for these devices at this time. Our decision not to permit detachable antennas for GMRS portable units is based upon a concern that an in- line amplifier from a detachable antenna port could allow 467 MHz interstitial operations greatly exceeding the 0.5 Watt power limit and could interfere with repeater operations. We believe that the equipment requirements set forth above are sufficient to ensure robust digital applications with minimal hindrance to voice communications and we add them to the GMRS technical rules so they will be equipment authorization requirements for GMRS transmitters that have location and text message digital data transmission capability."
I have no experience with these radios, so I can't comment.
As for rubber duck antennas being useless (and I know this is a completely different band, etc..) When at our cabin 45 miles away as the crow flies from our ham club repeater I can hit that repeater and have perfectly clear conversations using a Radio Shack HTX-202 2 meter hand held with it's stock rubber duck antenna, at the low power setting (one watt). Now, it may just be some sort of miracle perfect condition that makes this happen regularly. But I'm standing in the woods 45 miles away from the repeater. Although I must say, the repeater antenna is on a 300 foot tower, on a hill, I don't remember how high above average terrain, so that's clearly a factor, but still the 1 watt signal travels the distance.
TIB
I played around with these FRS Radios at Lions World Services For The Blind while I was on the second floor next to a window and my friends Adam and Chuck were staying in a hotel on the top floor which was 2 miles away.
I could carry a QSO with them and if I stood just right was almost Full Quieting. Height has all the difference in range. If we both were on the ground you may hit 1/2 to 1 mile if there was no or little obstructions.
Here we go again...
Now that's a blast from the past. 🙂
Well I have seen FRS/GMRS HTs that are set for 0.5 watts on the FRS channels but for the GMRS only and GMRS/FRS shared channels they can be set for 0.5 - 5 watts. My GMRS HTs are programmable that way but they are higher end Powerwerx (Wouxun) radios. My mobile unit can be programmed for up to 40 watts.
Incidentally and somewhat off-topic I do have a pair of Uniden GMR1048-2CK "blister pack" HTs which were recalled very soon after they hit the market. The reason? These units support scrambling! I'm not talking about privacy or PLC codes, BUT REAL LIVE SCRAMBLING, which is illegal on these bands. I did not return them but neither do I use them. My other HTs are higher quality and higher power, and I figure the Unidens might eventually become collector items.
TIB, I exaggerated in stating the included rubber ducks were useless, but I HAVE noticed that replacing them with inexpensive 12" fiberglass whips have greatly improved performance, range, and QSO reliability!
I have great memories of CB and still have a few
very old CB sets in my radio collection. (Ham
radio took over after a while, though.)
I was always curious about the old 155 mile rule
in Part 95.
5 watts on 27 MHz might skip 1000 miles once
in a while, but 100 or 150 mile contacts with that power
and even gain antennas seems unlikely.
I know that some of you guys are still active
on CB. Have any of you experienced 100 mile
skywave (?) contacts with only 5 watts? CB groundwave
would not go that far, right? Hmmm. ???
Brooce, Part 15 Hartford