Mobile GMRS radios have become increasingly popular during the last few years. The concept of a mobile or base station radio that operates on the GMRS and is fully compatible with a traditional handheld GMRS transceiver is of great interest to many licensed GMRS operators. Considering that the General Mobile Radio Service includes 22 standard simplex channels, it is naturally assumed that a GMRS mobile will transmit on them all, just like a portable handheld model. But that isn't the case. Why?
Our customers ask us why their mobile GMRS radio cannot access channels 8-14, or can only receive on them. For instance, the Wouxun KG-1000G can receive on those channels, but cannot transmit on them. In the case of Midland's MicroMobiles, channels 8-14 are missing entirely. It isn't just a FAQ from our customers. This is also an item of speculation on GMRS forums and in the comments section of many Youtube videos.
So, what gives? Why are these channels fully accessible on a portable handheld GMRS walkie talkie, but not available for transmit on Part 95 type accepted, FCC approved GMRS mobile or base station radios?
The popular answer provided in these venues commonly focuses on the wattage limitation imposed by the FCC on these channels. The typical line of reasoning is that these channels have a one half watt transmit limit, and high powered mobile radios simply can't reduce their power to such a low level, so therefore they can't transmit on those channels legally. While the wattage theory does make some sense, and the inability to go below one watt may indeed be the case with some mobile radios, this answer is not actually correct.
The real reason can be easily found within the FCC rules for GMRS. Specifically, the rule in Part 95, Subpart E which limits the frequencies commonly assigned to channels 8-14 to hand-held radios only. Here is the applicable section (from § 95.1763 GMRS channels):
(d) 467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5675, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.
Those channel center frequencies are the seven frequencies assigned to GMRS channels 8-14.
In other words, only handheld GMRS radios can transmit on channels 8-14 because, well, you can only transmit on channels 8-14 with a handheld GMRS radio.
Yep, because the FCC said so. That's all it is. And there you go.
So this article got linked on Facebook and the discussion got started about whether or not handhelds can have detachable antennas. The folks that say “no” reference the rule that’s under the “digital data” section. So can we get clarification on whether detachable antennas are in fact allowed on regular gmrs radios?
But your GMRS license renewal fee was cut in half. Where's the love?
That explains why both of my two (2) older KG1000G work on these channels. But the new one, I just bought for a base station. Just beeps when TX on these channels. Should have figured the government was causing it. But at least China, still lets us easy drop on them.
I use slots 8-14 on my Midland MXT-400 for my local repeater stations. That leaves the 8 repeater channels open for travelling. I use Midland's software and cable to program them in from my PC
The Government giveth and the Government taketh away!
You could have ended the article with Paul Harvey’’s famous line. “AND NOW YOU KNOW, THE REST OF THE STORY”.