KS6DAY
Club Member
It's been a while since I contributed anything here, but considered this issue was the last thing I was involved in at the last meeting I attended, I thought it appropriate to close the loop and complete the task. At that meeting Lee Young was once again pushing to use the 2nd club GMRS repeater for his California GMRS Network linked repeater system. I objected on the grounds that internet linked GMRS repeaters were not permitted under Part 95. Lee disagreed and I committed to look into it. It's a year or so overdue but here is the correct answer from the FCC as of this week on their official website:
"A GMRS user can expect a communications range of one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain, and repeater use. GMRS stations cannot be interconnected with the public switched telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations. In other words, repeaters may not be linked via the internet—an example of an “other network” in the rules—to extend the range of the communications across a large geographic area. Linking multiple repeaters to enable a repeater outside the communications range of the handheld or mobile device to retransmit messages violates sections 95.1733(a)(8) and 95.1749 of the Commission’s rules, and potentially other rules in 47 C.F.R. Repeaters may be connected to the telephone network or other networks only for purposes of remote control of a GMRS station, not for carrying communication signals.
In addition to violating Commission rules, linking repeaters is not in the public interest. Because GMRS spectrum is limited and used on a shared “commons” basis, the service only works well on a localized basis when users can hear each other and cooperate in the sharing of channels. Linking repeaters not only increases the potential for interference, but also uses up a limited spectrum resource over much larger areas than intended, limiting localized availability of the repeater channels."
So, GMRS networks linked over the internet are an officially prohibited activity. It's meant for local comms only and that's that. Thought this might be useful for the next time he appeals to the club on this issue.
www.fcc.gov
"A GMRS user can expect a communications range of one to twenty-five miles depending on station class, terrain, and repeater use. GMRS stations cannot be interconnected with the public switched telephone network or any other network for the purpose of carrying GMRS communications, but these networks can be used for remote control of repeater stations. In other words, repeaters may not be linked via the internet—an example of an “other network” in the rules—to extend the range of the communications across a large geographic area. Linking multiple repeaters to enable a repeater outside the communications range of the handheld or mobile device to retransmit messages violates sections 95.1733(a)(8) and 95.1749 of the Commission’s rules, and potentially other rules in 47 C.F.R. Repeaters may be connected to the telephone network or other networks only for purposes of remote control of a GMRS station, not for carrying communication signals.
In addition to violating Commission rules, linking repeaters is not in the public interest. Because GMRS spectrum is limited and used on a shared “commons” basis, the service only works well on a localized basis when users can hear each other and cooperate in the sharing of channels. Linking repeaters not only increases the potential for interference, but also uses up a limited spectrum resource over much larger areas than intended, limiting localized availability of the repeater channels."
So, GMRS networks linked over the internet are an officially prohibited activity. It's meant for local comms only and that's that. Thought this might be useful for the next time he appeals to the club on this issue.
General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)
AboutRule Part47 C.F.R, Part 95 Subpart ERadio Service Code(s)ZA - GMRS