Sadly some of these “ham clubs” have retuned Amateur Radio repeaters from 440 to the commercial spectrum and have brought with them poor operating practices, non type accepted equipment, and perhaps even unlicensed operation.

There are reports from California of Hams using call signs they were “told to use” by friends, of Ham type operation including tone CW operation (QSO’s) over GMRS repeaters, and interference to licensed GMRS repeaters.

Hams may not realize it but their childish behaviors may be helping the FCC bring GMRS repeater operation to an untimely end. Ham clubs that have moved their 440 repeaters to GMRS ought to think twice.  American families use GMRS to stay in touch. Hams have THOUSANDS of radio frequencies and many different bands to accomplish their activities. Hams do NOT need to be bringing Ham activity to GMRS.

I for one question whether Amateur Radio is still setting an example. My family has used GMRS since 1995 and since that time Hams we have encountered have been the source of most of the unlicensed operation, interference, and poor operating behaviors. Since the Hams lost 440 it seems to be getting much worse.

Hams, get your Ham gear off GMRS. If you want to put your families on GMRS read the rules and do it the right way. Need a club repeater? Use your own frequencies.

via Apple shrugs to iPad Wi-Fi problems • The Register.

(Wasn’t that the point? Isn’t the iPAD supposed to be good on wi-fi? What good is it if you cannot reliably make an Internet connection?  What has been your personal experience?)

via Wireless signals to be jammed in Canada for G8 summit • The Register.

(Interesting. Demonstrations from the socialist left cause the disruption of  the freedoms of others.  Sad but tru.)

via Verizon Wireless ranked highest in business customer satisfaction | Managing Mobile Devices News | Mobility Management News and Blogs.

(Are you a customer? How do you feel about this rating?)

via Churches have to replace wireless microphones | Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Sarasota | WTSP.com 10 Connects.

(Best check your wireless mic frequencies. You may be in conflict with the new 700 MHz public safety frequencies.)

via New Zealand Refers Google’s Wireless Data-Gathering to Police – BusinessWeek.

(What do you suppose was really going on? I drove eight miles to the grocery store and back (total 16) and logged over 100 private and commercial wi-fi networks. I even discovered my local McDonalds has free wi-fi.  It just doesn’t make any sense that Google would actually stop and try to monitor wireless traffic. To what end?)

The arrogance of a progressive government bureaucracy and the greed of foreign bubblepack manufacturers has finally caught up with GMRS.

The NORCAL GMRS User Group brought this latest FCC rule making notice to our attention. It appears concerned licensees have until July 7 to file comments.  SO if you have an interest now is the time to start writing your comments.

The day the FCC allowed license free and licensed channels in the same radio is the day that the FCC declared license by rule without a rule making. This latest action is just a sham to make it real.

GMRS as we know it just may be done.

Richmond TImes-Dispatch business columnist “Staff Reports” (sic) wrote this article on GMRS licensing on Tuesday March 16, 2010.  This is typical of the kind of deleterious press that contributes to the unlicensed clutter in the GMRS.

The columnist, whomever he/she is, could have done some research to discover the history of the GMRS bubble-pack radios, but no, they have to say this:

You have to register for a frequency license with the FCC (http://www.fcc.gov). It gets worse. You have to pay $85 to do so. I know — now I tell you. You could’ve stopped reading a while back. But there is good news.

Most of these radios from Cobra (http://www.cobra.com), Motorola (http://www.motorola.com/walkie-talkie), Midland (http://www.midlandradio.com) and others also transmit on the Family Radio Service band. This FRS band does not require a license, but it uses less transmission power. That probably means a range of about a mile or so.

Now, in practice, it’s obvious that most of the folks who buy these things don’t register them but use the GMRS band anyway. I am clearly not suggesting you should break the law, just letting you know why these things are flying off the shelves.

I’m sorry but the suggestion is in fact clearly made.

The other thing the author may have learned is that the bubble packs are notoriously advertised with fictional range specifications and generally have worse performance and a shorter life than, what we call the REAL GMRS radio for which you might pay over $200. The author also missed the utility and benefit a licensed system has. We’ll leave it up to the author to discover it on his/her own.

There is nothing businesslike about the article.  You can sure see who does their homework who doesn’t in today’s newspapers.

The Personal Radio Association never pursued 501c3 status because I was unable to bear the cost after losing my job last year. My new situation was insufficient to allow any spending on the PRA. Out my own pocket I paid for an annual PO Box at which we receive no mail, a telephone number at which we receive no calls, and hours and hours of time completing and organizing reports the FCC, and hours and hours trying to build licensee awareness of shipping piuracy on GMRS inputs with virtually no response.

All we were able to accomplish was a small enforcement effort championed by a few very concerned licensees. Our connection to the FCC was severed when RIlery Hollingsworth retired. Licensees that have enforcement issues were directed then to send complaints to FCCHAM@FCC.GOV.

There is simply no reason to pursue other than an ad-hoc effort beyond this point since we cannot collect money (and we have not collected a cent.) I explained to the Board two years ago that I would not pursue this effort alone or fund it alone. I cannot afford to. My thanks to Doug and Ray for standing with me on this and stepping up to do their part. We can’t do it with three people and a lack of interest nationwide.

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There is the $34.07 Surcharges and Fees, Verizon Wireless Surcharges – “Includes charges to recover or help defray costs of taxes and of governmental charges and fees imposed on us by the government. Other Charges and Credits – includes charges for products and services, and credits owing.”

There is the $6.11 government surcharge and tax.

There is the “Voice” charge of $7.45 “The “Voice” section of your bill Includes charges for voice calls, including calls that exceed your Plan’s minute allowances, 411 Search, Long Distance and other calls.” They claimed seven minutes of share time used and 77 minutes total out of our 400 minutes authorized but we still have an inadequately explained $7.45 minute charge. It doesn’t appear we did anything to deserve this, ah except maybe 411 charges. Yes that’s it.. We don’t even use 100 minutes of a 400 minute allowance during the month. It’s not like we are a challengingly abusive customer that taxes the system! We are taxed to death like everyone else earning much less than $250K per year. Excuse me politicians are you reading this? Hello! But I digress.

There is a data charge of .40 cents but we use no data.

Had we used text messages each one would have cost .20 cents each sent and received. We don’t text.

There is the State of Maryland 911 surcharge of 25 cents and the Calvert County surcharge of 75 cents. Oh and this will really get you thinking. Because cellular service in and around my home has always been poor any calls that do connect go to towers across the Chesapeake Bay and we are connected with 911 centers outside of our area who must transfer our calls to Calvert County 911. Needless to say, we have learned not to count on our telephones for 911 service.

So the real price of a two cellular family plan is $109 and some cents. It may be time to re-evaluate our service. Have you looked at your cellular bill recently? What are the mystery fees and surcharges like with your cellular carrier?