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Hi all, I wanted to ask why it appears to be common practice to require a valid GMRS user to seek permission before using a GMRS repeater. When I obtained my Amateur Radio license, I was surprised that virtually all Amateur radio repeaters were open to properly licensed ham operators. On several occasions I have requested permission and have never heard back from the repeater operator. I don't use the repeater of course, but that experience makes me wonder why the person required someone to seek permission if they were not going to reply back. If an owner/operator has posted their information on www.myGMRS.com, then isn't implied they want to have their system used. It would be really nice to be able to look up and use a GMRS repeater without obtaining permission. I could then give my family GMRS radios to be able to communicate instead of cell phones. My family is not licensed Amateur Radio operators, so that is not an option for us. One GMRS repeater in my area --- BART-R1, published on myGMRS, lists in the comment section: "As long as you have a valid GMRS license and ID every 15 minutes as required, you may use the system." This is good! I wonder if making GMRS repeaters "open-systems" to licensed GMRS holders would help the GMRS community grow? Would a diminishing community cause the FCC to possibly put a target on the GMRS frequencies as a potential for reallocation? There is such a grab for spectrum these days, I wouldn't doubt it! I know there are a lot of non-licensed GMRS frequency users out there and I am in no way defending or supporting their illegal use of the frequencies. A non-licensed user wouldn't even know they were supposed to seek permission or probably wouldn't even care! Thank you for reading my post and any reply you might have. WQSE362 KK6ILT

Hello all, Twenty-something new father and a newly licensed GMRS user here in eastern Mass. I'm in the process now of selling off some unused radio and other various electronic equipment to fund a repeater setup. I've been monitoring the repeater channels... there isn't much repeater use in my area and I've only heard a couple of other users that appear to be using simplex only. I've used CB for many years growing up and I'm an avid scannerist and commercial radio user for my two public safety jobs. Just looking to learn as much as I possibly can about repeaters, radio etiquette and pretty much just the lay of the land before I expand my radio usage to amateur... hoping to take my tech in the spring. That's pretty much it. Feel free to say hello, especially if you're local to me. -Greg

Hi all. Randy in Washington Pennsylvania here. Just renewed my gmrs license and looking for a net to use while I try and get a repeater system up. Just looking to talk with like minded people interested in gmrs and maybe getting my amateur tech license.

Hello and Happy Holidays to everyone: I just opened an account here. I look forward corresponding with everyone and hope to catch you on the radio someday. I live in Palm Desert, CA, and am retired (as of February 2014). I have been involved in RF communications for many years as a ham. Enjoy portable HF and making antennas out of odd stuff.

One of the reasons that owners request permission of licensed users is to actually verify IF the license is active and to log the mailing address of the new user in case there are "issues" in the future. Another reason that goes along with this, is to provide a checks and balances system to keep private access code data private so it doesn't end up on the net where unlicensed hackers can get to it and create chaos,

If you look, there are open repeaters on the database. Many people leave 675 open nationwide with a 141.3 PL as it's a fairly common standard and open repeater. You're also not thinking about closed systems that get posted simply to show the pair is currently in use. It's a courtesy to those building repeaters in the area and shows them what splits and PL's they should avoid with their own repeaters.

` ` ` Just finished decorating.... and in keeping with the Season, as an honorary 'Redneck', we are calling this - "A Cartridge in a bare tree"... http://mybirdie.ca/files/page0_blog_entry13220-cartridgepeartree.jpg

Hello, I am not new to radio but new to GMRS -- I found myself with a couple of 'bubble pack' radios for 20 bucks each along with a 'base camp' radio. But when I read that I would need a license to operate the radio at full power on the GMRS frequencies, I decided to get a license. I have been an amateur radio op since 1967 I also have a General Radio Operator License issued in 1994 I am currently studying for the radar endorsement (I am a retired telephone service tech) for a personal achievement challenge. I also want to get the 2nd Class Radiotelegraph License (it is nearly impossible to get a 1st class now) I can copy code at very hight speeds. I wanted the FRS/GMRS radio equipment for CERT use and family use too, I also have a 40 channel CB unit though it is not attached to an antenna at this time. I found this site by a link from another site and found the topics here interesting enough to register. I look forward to posting on topics that I can be of help in Lew