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 forum.
Intro :00
Billboard 1:09
Censorship on GMRS Repeaters? 1:24
Recently I overheard an exchange on a local GMRS repeater between the owner of the repeater and a newly licensed GMRS operator who was using it. Although the new operator did not violate any of the FCC rules, he apparently did break one set by the owner of the repeater as a condition for using it. The question is, How much power does a GMRS repeater owner have to control free speech?
Questions and Answers 40:00
Comments and questions from our blog and members of the Two Way Radio Forum. Check out and join the forum! It's free!
Wrap up and Close 45:08
Send in your comments and questions for Danny, Anthony and Rick to show[at]buytwowayradios.com. Feedback on this and other topics will be read by the hosts and included in future episodes of the show. If we read your comment about this episode on a future episode, we may send you a free t-shirt or some swag! Visit us at www.twowayradioshow.com!
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I own a private repeater. I as well have a requirement to speak English. I don't feel that it's discriminatory as I'm responsible for what goes on, on the repeater. I don't speak other languages and need to be able to understand everything that is said so as to not violate the FCC rules. If necessary I will shut it down for a brief time to stop the conversation. As mentioned before it's a "private" repeater. I'm not going to just kick people off for using it, however, I have repeater rules so I can ensure FCC compliance.
Thanks for the show!
Tim
Their equipment, their money, their rules.
That's why most repeater owners are listing their GMRS repeater as a "closed" repeaters and not listing the PL code.
One I used to use had a PL tone for tx, and a DCS for rx. He didn't list the info.
That's one of many reasons why I left the GMRS behind. I'm back to my ham radios, and MURS.
Here's a question for a future episode. Obviously you can't comment on future product plans, but do you ever see Wouxon competing against the MXT-275 or MXT-575? It's a small niche but a high wattage mobile radio with extreme mounting flexibility due to all the controls being in the speaker mic is extremely appealing to me, such that I own both of the Midland radios. But, I'd love to stay in the Wouxun family. The biggest key item for me on the Midland radios is having the ability to use a headset easily. I mount these radios in convertible sports cars where the wind noise can make an external speaker inaudible.
Their repeater their rules, if they do not want you on the repeater they are not violating your right to be on the air they are just telling you you can't use their equipment. You can find another repeater or put up your own with a different tone, since there is no coordination you can have several repeaters with the same pair but using different tones.
I'm not a repeater owner, but I have been involved in establishing a repeater in the area where I live. I donated a sum of money towards the purchase of a repeater to a friend of mine who also solicited donations from his church. The primary purpose of the repeater was to provide backup communications to members of his church in the event of a cell service blackout. The repeater was listed on mygmrs website with this information plainly stated. Even so, a certain individual felt that the rules didn't apply to him. So, he scanned for the tones and programmed his radio to transmit on this privately owned (closed) repeater. On two occasions, he got on and started talking only to have the repeater shut off while he was talking. He was sent emails warning him to stay off the repeater. Even so, he got on a third time and made fun of the warnings that he was sent. He has since recently gotten on and just thrown out his callsign, as if he hasn't been told repeatedly to STAY OFF! This is the kind of CB mentality nonsense that we are up against with a person who is retired and has a long established history of inappropriate and quirky behavior. I'm to the point where I'm very reluctant to even use the repeater that I helped to establish. Many people falsely believe that if they have a radio and a license, they can do whatever they want. This one individual has virtually ruined my ability to enjoy GMRS or even ham radio because he has a license there as well. Because of him, I'm now pursuing alternate interests. What a mess!