WRXY704

Hello Steve, Thanks for all that information. i think, I have all I need in order to take the right steps to make this happen. Thanks also for the purchase options. That I have to check. We got a set of Midland X-Tracker in the house, which seem to be also CHIRP compatible, so that I can program them accordingly with privacy tones and see, how they work for us as a start. Have a wonderful day. WRXY704 Mark

Hi Lscott, GMRS HT radios are not so expensive. For communication a Baofeng 9f or a Radioddity radio work perfectly fine. If you spend under $80 for license and radio together it should be fine. FRS radio, like the mentioned Motorola one in this conversation here, costs nearly the same. WRXY704 Mark

Thanks, In our case it is more crime than weather/disaster issues... WRXY704 Mark

Hi Steve, that means a license for that group would work...just answer with a 'heart'...lol WRXY704 Mark

Hi WRXE944, Thanks for this information. In our community, that's at least what I have researched, there is barely anybody with a GMRS device. I don't know, if they don't have FRS radios...registered GMRS users maybe 4 - if that is accurate... We wouldn't need a transceiver, as we would be in 1 mile range. And if there would be issues, we will have to create anyway a chain, so in case there is a transmission issue, someone else can take the role of a 'human repeater' and repeat the last information to others. At least, that would be the ideal way instead of having to purchase equipment, which has to be also taken care of. We could surely do that also via WhatsApp Communities or just using Zello, but it would be good to have radios stored in a HQ which will be handed out during shift of volunteers on duty and returned to be charged/stored back in a HQ. That keeps cell phones available for calling 911 or other options. ----->Additional question: If GMRS, can that be 1 business license/call sign for the entire Neighborhood Watch community? That would make it easy for all.

Hi, As previously already mentioned, we are working on a Neighborhood Watch program in our community. Since some of them might not want to use their phones and also in order to communicate between active/on duty people, I am thinking about what the best way of communication would be. That was no question in the beginning: GMRS! But the second thoughts are regarding license and radio equipment. Since the neighborhood isn't more than 1 mile diameter, FRS with 2W output power should do the job. But then I was checking on Amazon regarding FRS radios and I am just baffled, how those are... I mean, you surely have looked at those descriptions and information provided... Craziest thing I have seen: High power (25W) walkie-talkie with 4000mAh battery. First of all: it doesn't compute, as 25W/4.5V (usually) = over 5000mA which is more than the battery has Secondly: You cannot use 25W on a handheld device And the reviews are accordingly: "Not going even 1 mile!" and "Battery didn't last long" Even the high named brands (I don't name them here), which cost more than $40 a piece, are bad. Using AA batteries (which might be fine, if you stick to 0.5W), but other than that, they usually have battery or range issues. Some even died after a few months of usage. How many people are out there buying HAM radios without license??? I mean, I saw a HAM radio without even mentioning the necessary license and showing a picture of a hotel staff, security guard, construction worker and delivery guy using that thing... I didn't know, that you can use HAM radio for a business without being licensed... I am not judging Amazon, don't get me wrong, but when I look for a FRS radio I scroll through all the devices and just cannot find ANY decent radio, which would be considerable. Now i understand, why GMRS is the key...I mean, the most expensive FRS radio uses 3x AA 700mAh NiMH batteries??? Does anyone use FRS radio for a group of people? I mean, a 2W radio which comes with at least 2000mAh battery pack? Thanks. WRXY704

As I am new to the GMRS community I might be still thinking differently than others. The most important question (what I can see on the internet) is 'How to connect to repeaters'. I get it, but, and I am open to learn, I am still looking for a usage within range. Our community isn't bonded, so I still hoping that something different than using the internet might be interesting. I am also thinking about the regularity. Maybe I can get retired people in the area to stay connected and in case of helping each other. I'm just thinking out loud...

That's the reason why I took this route over reaching out over the forum. I would NEVER use the option of using the database. I only used it to find out IF and how many licensed users are in my area. Just to have a rough idea, if there is anyone out there who has maybe a GMRS radio.

@WRHS218 Thank you for the information. It seems like, I am in the same situation as it seems like there is nobody around me. The FCC website allows me to search for people with ZA (GMRS) license and I have found at least 30 with their addresses even posted. But I cannot reach out to them. I was hoping, that posting it on this platform would make it easy for them to reach out and respond to me in order to create a community where we could utilize the license to our benefit. I don't know how far my device can reach, as I am in the basement of our house. But it should reach at least 1 mile, which would be more than enough in diameter to create a chain of people to contact in case of an emergency.

Hi everyone, I am new to the GMRS community and using a HT TIDRADIO GM-5R, so nothing big yet. Just wanted to reach out as I was hoping in the Denver/Aurora-border area in CO are some GMRS users whom I can connect to. I was hoping also to maybe create a GMRS radio community watch in order to maybe be aware of some suspicious activities in the area. I know, there is also NEXTDOOR, but until you get a notification, it might be already too late. Let me know, if there is someone nearby. As mentioned, I have only the HT and would only go and install a base station, if really necessary. I was using CB radio long time ago, but wanted to join the GMRS-community as you are just more serious and also more professional, due to the license and the quite low amount of available channels. Looking forward to hearing from you.