How much power does a GMRS repeater owner have to control free speech? In an area where one GMRS repeater dominates others on a channel, does that repeater owner have the final word as to what can and can't be said on the air? Is it time for the FCC to update the rules for GMRS?
In this full video edition of the award nominated The Two Way Radio Show Podcast, we discuss the question of how much control a GMRS repeater operator can have over the use of their private repeater on a GMRS repeater channel. We’ll also take some of your comments and questions from our blog and our Two Way Radio Forum.
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Is it established rule that you can’t run a repeater on any frequency within the gmrs range? Or are the repeaters only able to use the set channels that come preprogrammed?
There are only 8 channels that are designated by the FCC for repeater use on the GMRS. If you want to set up a repeater, you need to use one of those 8 channels.
You own and set up the repeater., you and only you have control of who uses it and how they respect it
A repeater owner has and should forever have 100% authority over all operation on their private property.
They own the repeater so they make the rules. Deal with it.
I made it to about 11 minutes and that was all I could stand. I am trustee for a half dozen or so VHF/UHF analog and digital repeaters in this area of north central Texas and I assure you that there are protocols (not "rules", per se) to follow that are not listed in Part 97 or 95. If those protocols are ignored or disregarded or flaunted, you can bet the repeater will be shut down. It is our repeater, it is our equipment, meaning the club organization that funds it, maintains it and insures that it meets regulatory compliance. We are the repeater gods, if you will and one either complies or is banned. It's a very simple concept except to marxists, who don't understand private ownership of anything. If one does not agree, they can go get their own frequency allocation, then put their own repeater on the air and allow whatever conduct they so choose. As for the guy's English only rule, think of it this way: if you are not fluent in Spanish (or any other language), then you have no idea if that conversation is violating any of the FCC rules or, for that matter, anything that might bring Homeland Security down on the repeater trustee for allowing said violation to occur and continue. It is wonderful that we live in a country where you are free to have a blog that expresses opinions, no matter how misguided they might be.