2025-05-02 - 200 (+) Issues of Zero Retries, What’s New With DLARC - May 2025, IP400 Ichiban - The Big Reveal, ZR Digital Conf 2025 Update, LinuxFest Northwest 2025, Introducing Project mini-shack
I at least skimmed almost all the comments and reply comments on 25-133 and yes people are very angry about the GMRS linking thing. I didn't feel it was the right place (that would be a separate NPRM), but I am among those not in favor of GMRS linking. If this makes it to its own NPRM I'll be commenting against it.
Some commenters seem to think GMRS is some kind of "ham radio lite" and are asking for the ability to "experiment" with DMR (in a notice called Delete, Delete, Delete no less). In an age where ham radio exams can be taken online, the Tech license just isn't a real barrier.
It's clear the FCC sees it as highly local which it should be.
Justin - I can see their argument, kind of... that they would like a wide area system that's beyond the ability of any single repeater. But that kind of goes beyond the scope of what the FCC intends for GMRS - friends and family and casual interaction. The GMRS folks make the case for EMCOM, but that's not in the FCC's scope for GMRS.
On the other hand, with repeater pairs so limited in GMRS, tying up multiple repeaters with a single conversation doesn't make sense.
Gven the evolution of mobile carriers and the multitude of PTT services over mobile, I suspect that there's a lot less demand for commercial trunked radio systems and traffic. Thus there are probably good deals to be made with commercial trunked radio services for large groups. And no limitations to friends and family and individual licenses either.
re: My FCC GN Docket 25-133 Reply Comments Submitted
Excellent comment, Steve. Very well written, and you cover the most important issues.
Thanks Paul. I appreciate your support.
https://ctr2.lynovation.com/ makes a great series of knobs for SDR. And some SDR software supports MIDI knobs and controllers.
John - Thanks for that. Marked for possible inclusion in Zero Retries. I wasn't previously aware of Lynovation!
Congratulations Steve on the 200+ issue milestone. Here is to another 200+ milestone.
Sandip - Thanks! Fate willing, and with continuing support, I'll keep going.
I at least skimmed almost all the comments and reply comments on 25-133 and yes people are very angry about the GMRS linking thing. I didn't feel it was the right place (that would be a separate NPRM), but I am among those not in favor of GMRS linking. If this makes it to its own NPRM I'll be commenting against it.
Some commenters seem to think GMRS is some kind of "ham radio lite" and are asking for the ability to "experiment" with DMR (in a notice called Delete, Delete, Delete no less). In an age where ham radio exams can be taken online, the Tech license just isn't a real barrier.
It's clear the FCC sees it as highly local which it should be.
Justin - I can see their argument, kind of... that they would like a wide area system that's beyond the ability of any single repeater. But that kind of goes beyond the scope of what the FCC intends for GMRS - friends and family and casual interaction. The GMRS folks make the case for EMCOM, but that's not in the FCC's scope for GMRS.
On the other hand, with repeater pairs so limited in GMRS, tying up multiple repeaters with a single conversation doesn't make sense.
Gven the evolution of mobile carriers and the multitude of PTT services over mobile, I suspect that there's a lot less demand for commercial trunked radio systems and traffic. Thus there are probably good deals to be made with commercial trunked radio services for large groups. And no limitations to friends and family and individual licenses either.
Regarding emcomm - I thought that was outside the GMRS purview as well and then I looked at Part 95 and there it was! So they're not wrong about that.
However I don't think the FCC really sees it as an emergency service and probably won't be swayed by those arguments.
Congrats issue 200!