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Hello GMRS "gang",
After a few postings and reflection, it is clear that GMRS owners need to make an orientation video, and/or hold a group zoom for new users before allowing access. This will be my approach 100%. In this meeting or video, politely addressing operational guidelines and expectations up front would really help! Because new users have no idea what to do, and seasoned and fresh "hammy's" are already going down the wrong path, sound mentorship is the answer. Not a rigorous military drill set, but a practical and open discussion. New users WANT to know what to do, and many "hams" think they know what to do. It is an unhealthy combo for sure. It's about getting along, sharing the resource, and not making the repeater owner want to get two sticks and gouge their eardrums out...

Bingo!!!! In an effort to link and expand coverage? This unwittingly expands the impact of non-utility behavior issues. North Georgia GMRS I used and subscribed until the linking started. The utility user numbers crashed, and the ham type numbers went up. It's a paid service so there goes the neighborhood. That was the catalyst for starting to acquire decent hardware to run my own cooker.

If I had 10 thumbs to give you 10 thumbs up at age 32 for attacking this? I would do it! ???
And yes, EIT 4 years until ready to take PE exam is the norm...

Sure thing! I had just reflected on the significance of the larger picture and thought I better reposition. There is no way you could know my perspective, yet let me give you some detail and reason I had to do some back peddling. For 9 years and 9 months, I personally knew and had to deal with about 300 engineers of two kinds. I know how hard they worked to get through the program. For about 3%, it's not too stressful, for most it's very stressful. The university (Georgia Tech) I worked for (and none of them really) ever publish the mental effects of this stress (including suicides) that happen every year. I can can still see many of the faces in those programs. I just can't bring myself to diminish their struggles with the system (including my own), by throwing the "engineer" word around like that. I mentioned my brother, well I could also see all the others too. The word engineer, has at its implication a responsibility to the public based on a disciplined foundation built on years of structured and continually tested outcomes.

Yeah, there is some truth in what you said... I agree on the task being accomplished vs. some type of title. Yet, where it no longer applies is in liability. If there is a question, investors, insurance underwriters, lenders, risk management, and all... When this "thing" was done, did the person doing it have all bases covered with the current knowledge  at the time? What did they know and not know? That is where the road can lead. It is indeed impressive that you have this title on the federal payroll. I have had some government jobs, and while I'm not an "engineer", they always fully vetted me beforehand. I expect it, and would not have it any other way. There is a large amount of fraud out there as usual also so that is part of the problem too. Ability, talent, formal training, can all be independent or unified.
On the other subject of national frequency coordination, according to the coordinator I'm working with (and what Gortex said), it is normal and common. The only caveat is that some locations we may hear each other, yet that likely will not be an issue. National coordination will really help! It will make things 100% legit and I can issue temp operation to anyone I need to... way overdue!

Thanks Sshannon! Wow! I was thinking "South Asia"... Glad I asked as it seemed a super weird thing to say as the context was not clear on this. lol

Well... Yes. That one would never have occurred to me as rock bands are not on my radar at all. There are a few other codes used on this site I have no idea what they mean, and when I see them again I will ask. I had seen the CCR code enough that I used a google query with "radio" and "hobby radio" and that is how I found it.

Yeah, this plot is not very good... However, it was into a 50 Ohm load. A better measure in practice would be to do the same plot using the HT factory antenna, and measuring the same parameters using the off air antenna on the service monitor. A/B more complete characterization. Performance my be worse at 2nd or 3rd..., or could be better. Best I have ever heard is these radios are exactly what you pay for. They do have a giant upside though as people get in cheap with little downside $ risk. Oh, and was the one test sample random? How many were there? Just one won't do. Perhaps some are made that perform better?

OK yes this may indeed work. I talked to a coordinator about an hour ago and told him what I have, the 6 or more locations thus far that I need to use it. Two repeater channels and a simplex... I will forge ahead next week as this would allow me to 100% bail out on GMRS. I will update on this and NO I did not know that repeater assignments where available for this so thanks!

Well done on all that! We are not islands on this planet... I was curious what you were using all this hardware for. thanks!

OK yes this may indeed work. I talked to a coordinator about an hour ago and told him what I have, the 6 or more locations thus far that I need to use it. Two repeater channels and a simplex... I will forge ahead next week as this would allow me to 100% bail out on GMRS. I will update on this and NO I did not know that repeater assignments where available for this so thanks!

OK yes this may indeed work. I talked to a coordinator about an hour ago and told him what I have, the 6 or more locations thus far that I need to use it. Two repeater channels and a simplex... I will forge ahead next week as this would allow me to 100% bail out on GMRS. I will update on this and NO I did not know that repeater assignments where available for this so thanks!

Back to the language issues again... I do not want rules on this. I was advocating for personal restraint in some operating habits that I observe have been creeping into GMRS. That is all. Pragmatism, reason, and being mindful of a shared resource. We have enough rules. Thank you for the comments!

Hello GMRS "gang",
After a few postings and reflection, it is clear that GMRS owners need to make an orientation video, and/or hold a group zoom for new users before allowing access. This will be my approach 100%. In this meeting or video, politely addressing operational guidelines and expectations up front would really help! Because new users have no idea what to do, and seasoned and fresh "hammy's" are already going down the wrong path, sound mentorship is the answer. Not a rigorous military drill set, but a practical and open discussion. New users WANT to know what to do, and many "hams" think they know what to do. It is an unhealthy combo for sure. It's about getting along, sharing the resource, and not making the repeater owner want to get two sticks and gouge their eardrums out...

Thanks for the reminder of my signature. I did remove it and had forgot it was there. Did not want to insult you, as if I did it would be done directly only. You had posted some thoughtful comments that I appreciated. My radio friend and I have known each other since age 11, and we have called it this since that time and referred to CB as "chicken band" at the same time. One time we saw a guy pull a spiral cut ham out of the fridge, jam an upside down coat hanger into the top, and then a microphone into the front and key the mic, develop an intense stare, push his hat back on is head and say, "CQCQCQ"... We just don't take ourselves that serious. Alas, can't please everyone.

Hello GMRS "gang",
After a few postings and reflection, it is clear that GMRS owners need to make an orientation video, and/or hold a group zoom for new users before allowing access. This will be my approach 100%. In this meeting or video, politely addressing operational guidelines and expectations up front would really help! Because new users have no idea what to do, and seasoned and fresh "hammy's" are already going down the wrong path, sound mentorship is the answer. Not a rigorous military drill set, but a practical and open discussion. New users WANT to know what to do, and many "hams" think they know what to do. It is an unhealthy combo for sure. It's about getting along, sharing the resource, and not making the repeater owner want to get two sticks and gouge their eardrums out...

Thanks for the reminder of my signature. I did remove it and had forgot it was there. Did not want to insult you, as if I did it would be done directly only. You had posted some thoughtful comments that I appreciated. My radio friend and I have known each other since age 11, and we have called it this since that time and referred to CB as "chicken band" at the same time. One time we saw a guy pull a spiral cut ham out of the fridge, jam an upside down coat hanger into the top, and then a microphone into the front and key the mic, develop an intense stare, push his hat back on is head and say, "CQCQCQ"... We just don't take ourselves that serious. Alas, can't please everyone.

LOL... Too funny... OK why not. This is all repeater related. This is a watered down version
1.) Think before you xmit, if you can't think of anything to say avoid the PTT button.
2.) Q codes (thanks to group poster for that reminder)
3.) Weather, Arthritis, Space fillers (see #1). This situation is caused by user boredom, and can be cured by primary productive activities.
4.) Keep it short... Think "utility". (probably get hollered at for putting it in quotes)
OK teaser done.
Gotta go, I will check back in here next week unless banned already. All is OK no matter what and I mean that! Thanks!
P.S. On the thought of language use, A friend of mine once told a couple coworkers they "sure looked homely". They were not happy. He is from Ireland, and it was in fact very much a complement. Damn hubris! It seems the world is out to get everyone....lol

Yes, use them in the field! They are VERY handy. More safe and durable than a phone anyway. Wow 3 repeaters! that is a task!

Hello Marc,
I was seriously considering offering my one fixed repeater as "open access" and have been searching for the best answer on this. The issues with the Cincinnati system and several others coupled with things I have observed with the North Georgia system, have helped me make this decision. I have the fixed unit, one portable repeater system, 6 mobiles, and 14 portables. I normally use simplex, yet there are times for portable repeater use in rural Georgia, Idaho, or Dakota's. Still a lot of places where cell signals are weak or don't exist yet. In spite of some strange postings, this was the goal. It has been reached. My fixed unit reaches up to 40 miles in some directions so coverage is good. I just decided to keep life as simple as I can. Thank you for the thoughtful posts along the way!
Joseph

Hello GMRS "gang",
After a few postings and reflection, it is clear that GMRS owners need to make an orientation video, and/or hold a group zoom for new users before allowing access. This will be my approach 100%. In this meeting or video, politely addressing operational guidelines and expectations up front would really help! Because new users have no idea what to do, and seasoned and fresh "hammy's" are already going down the wrong path, sound mentorship is the answer. Not a rigorous military drill set, but a practical and open discussion. New users WANT to know what to do, and many "hams" think they know what to do. It is an unhealthy combo for sure. It's about getting along, sharing the resource, and not making the repeater owner want to get two sticks and gouge their eardrums out...

LOL... Too funny... OK why not. This is all repeater related. This is a watered down version
1.) Think before you xmit, if you can't think of anything to say avoid the PTT button.
2.) Q codes (thanks to group poster for that reminder)
3.) Weather, Arthritis, Space fillers (see #1). This situation is caused by user boredom, and can be cured by primary productive activities.
4.) Keep it short... Think "utility". (probably get hollered at for putting it in quotes)
OK teaser done.
Gotta go, I will check back in here next week unless banned already. All is OK no matter what and I mean that! Thanks!
P.S. On the thought of language use, A friend of mine once told a couple coworkers they "sure looked homely". They were not happy. He is from Ireland, and it was in fact very much a complement. Damn hubris! It seems the world is out to get everyone....lol

OK... I am amazed by this really... I had no idea this was an issue. It is slang after all in English?, and I will refrain from using it. I will address it as amateur radio. That is not slang. Please don't be offended, English culture is every bit as amazing as others. I had no clue quotes were sneers! I have seen a few things on this forum that I had not a clue what it even meant. I could not tell if it was a compliment, insult, or what... Yeah, that is how true it is.

Excellent point. If we don our reality glasses looking at this scenario, we see that extensively linked networks are those requiring fees. So this becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. I read all the comments thus far. Thanks to all for those. 

Well, Logged in after not having been on here a while, and saw this thread. Thanks to Marc for taking the time! I shudder at the thought though of "ham" style culture becoming the "norm" for GMRS. Please refrain from emotional reactions, but I promise everyone that if this "cultural" situation of "hammy style" becomes the norm? GMRS will be in trouble. Using CW lingo/shorthand for voice modes is one of the operating habits of hams that are not the best. How many times have you heard the propane delivery guy using ham lingo when on the radio? Aircraft? EMS? Timber crews? Pipline? Railroad? Marine SSB (not ham but actual maritime SSB), Coast Guard, I can go on and on!! The phonetic alphabet is essential at times, and important to learn. Utility use is "inclusive" and using ham lingo is "exclusive"...