Leaderboard

If you want to talk to strangers you need a repeater-capable radio. But here is Bay Area repeaters are closed/private anyway, so maybe it's moot. Only open repeater I'm aware of is BARN-R1, and it's far and behind the mountain ridge. I can't open it from Livermore with handheld, although I can open it with my mobile radio, but signal reports are not great. Airwaives are busy, though, especially on weekends. Somebody always talking on GMRS around lake Del Valle, where there is no cell service. Rancher kids, hiking buddies, fishermen on water, etc. That's how I use my radios: family communications on camping/hiking trips. GMRS is mostly used as utility tool, and if you want to be able to make random contacts get your HAM ticket. There are number of popular busy HAM repeaters around this area.

Can't believe I'm actually saying this but....the radio you seek would violate even the modest interpretation of the present and new rules. Just because there is an earthquake doesn't mean a government entity can endorse this. Stick to frs 2 watt radios in about 90 days. John Q Public should not have access to frequencies they are not. Allowed on. This post seems to bring out a term I've known about along time. WACKERS! Got a vest to go with it? Sorry I know all about bending the rules and helped write the book but......just my opinion as a retired fire chief/ ems/ cert/hazmat/ incident commander/instructor for all of that.....