Episode 193 of The Two Way Radio Show Podcast is out! We discuss a recent clarification from the FCC on the rule about linking GMRS repeaters. Can GMRS repeaters be linked? Or is it against the rules? The more interesting question is, did the rule really need to be clarified in the first place?
TWRS-193 - Can GMRS Repeaters be Linked?
Show Notes:
TWRS-193 - Can GMRS Repeaters be Linked? (buytwowayradios.com)
Well, you guys went and did it now!
I’m old, so when I read the regulation regarding linking GMRS repeaters I understood it to mean no linking over a wired network meaning phone lines. Having said that I do understand how the regulations could seem ambiguous to some people. A lot of government writings can seem that way. Either way ignorance to a regulation is not an excuse to violate it.
I don’t use any linked networks on GMRS or Amateur Radio so I really can’t speak to some of the crowding issues I see brought up. I have run across some linked repeaters when travelling and wondered if it was “legal”. As it stands right now, with the present frequency spectrum allocations for GMRS I would prefer for there to be no leaking. In a larger metro type area you could use up the eight pairs of frequencies pretty quickly if there were too many linked repeaters.
I like your idea that GMRS could use more frequencies and perhaps a couple set aside for linking. I don’t see that happening because, as you pointed out, those new frequencies would have be taken from some other service. The same goes for digital in my opinion.
I think this recent clarification may have been added because someone realized the regulation wording could have been vague due to technologies over pacing the verbiage used. Who knows, it could have come about because of complaints.
I am no fan of government intervention. In my opinion our government is way to large and bloated now, but I also can imagine what the airwaves would be like without some rules.
Thanks for another great podcast,
Sean
This will mean a death blow to all the linked repeaters in south Fl and many others. A lot of time and money has been spent on setting up an emergency GMRS linked system. Along with others around the country, these have been in operation for several years. I guess the interpretation of the language wasn’t as clear cut to many out there.
I’m sure it won’t be resolved without a lot more money spent on lawyers.
It was always a little bit of a gray area. I think the users always thought the FCC would look the other way. CB radio is a good example. But it does seem now they won’t be messing around anymore. If I had a system linked I would remove it. I wouldn’t wait to hear from the FCC. Time to get your Ham Radio license.
I was going to leave a comment about the linking but your crazy comment screen does not allow me to index it up on my screen so I can see what I am typing. My keyboard (Galaxy S22 using Chrome) covers it up. 
Thats down to your device, works fine on all of my phones, pads, tablets and pcs.
If you prefer to watch, the video version of the podcast is below.
