shaine

In an earlier comment (way back at the start of this thread), I mentioned the possibility of the local repeater owner not wanting traffic on his equipment. It happened. A local operator was using it to coordinate daily commutes with his family. The owner asked the club to limit use of the repeater to emergency traffic only. So, we have curtailed use of it. Fortunately, another operator and I chipped in to buy a used Motorola GR1225, which has a built in duplexer. It's very plug and play once you have it programmed. We set it up at the fire station on a 100 ft tower using donated coax and antenna. Our repeater coverage isn't the same as the other repeater. However, it covers all of our city and allows me to reach over that hump between home and where the Mrs. works the next town over. In all, I think we spent about $1000 between the purchase and donations. The repeater reaches out about 10 miles. The only trouble I have is that my mobile is only 15 watts. I have trouble reaching back on the fringes. Long-term, we are thinking of buying a backup repeater to swap out if this one goes bad.

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I have similar radios. Fortunately, the local repeater is 400 ft up on a tower. We can reach it from several miles away. We get even further with mobile equipment. These radios are adequate for repeater use if you have a repeater high enough. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

A local family here will give the call sign and then “green fox this is chicken fox. Come in green fox.” The other daughters are little fox and baby fox. I like the idea of using phonetic initials, although it would not work for my brother and me. We have the same initials. In that case we might be Sierra 1 and Sierra 2. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just discovered that Wouxon has GMRS radios that are repeater capable. I think they are on the higher end of Chinese radios. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-805g.html?___SID=U

I think one cannot base one’s opinion of GMRS on repeater use. I drive around with my mobile radio set to scan. After more than a year, I’ve discovered different areas where GMRS/FRS are used daily. Bubble pack radios have low power, which allows more people to use the limited channels with limited interference, if they are separated by some distance. The more popular channels in my area are 1, 7, 15, 20, 22. I don’t understand why people prefer those channels. As I drive around, I’ll hear conversations on the same channels, separated only by distance. Channel 18 is not used much around here because there is a GMRS repeater that covers the entire county. The repeater will routinely step on any conversations using channel 18. I do hear the occasional chat on 18 simplex when the repeater is silent. In short, I think GMRS is popular. Much of it is unlicensed. Even among the licensed, I don’t think many are aware of or understand how to use repeaters. After all, you can’t find bubble pack radios that are repeater capable. Most of us licensed, regulars are buying ham equipment to access repeaters, with the exception of mobile radios that come repeater capable. I believe without evidence that there are many more households with GMRS/FRS radios stashed away in drawers. Some are ready to use for the occasional outdoor or family activity. Others are only for emergencies. I think the vast majority are for simplex use. AND FRS is Family Radio Service, which is how most people use GMRS on bubble pack HTs. GMRS is General Mobile Radio Service, emphasis on Mobile. I don’t think most users are buying mobile radios. There is a world of difference between a 2 W HT and a 50 W mobile. In that aspect I would agree that GMRS is less popular. Fewer people are taking advantage of the higher power options and the availability of repeaters on GMRS. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have a slim Jim for GMRS/MURS in the attic. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have no problem with NWI. I hop on from time to time. My only problem is having free time to devote to the hobby. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I would only opine that there is no magic that comes with a Technician license over GMRS. It's practically the same physics at play. I'm facing a different problem, but also physics related. I live in a dip that breaks LOS in the direction that I need coverage. GMRS focuses my solutions to the GMRS band, whereas the amateur solution spreads me over several bands, which equal more $ The only exception would be HF, which would do a better job at distance. Otherwise, I'm focused on doing GMRS really well as I can tune everything to be excellent at those frequencies.

I got my ham license in December. I'm mostly geared up for GMRS with mobile radios in the cars and at home. Plus, the local GMRS repeater is a beast. Compared to the ham analog repeaters, GMRS and DMR are proving to be my favorites. I have the best quality traffic on both. I think having antennas tuned to GMRS may contribute to that, although with DMR I'm using HT antennas. For amateur radio, I'm dependent on a Baofeng UV-5R and a Retevis RT3S, both portables. Waiting on my wallet to cool off before buying mobile units for amateur radio. Although, DMR might just keep me on HT. I enjoy that there is no picket fencing as I'm driving around like I hear on my mobile.

Roger that. GMRS-Chat has more traffic, although it's not restricted to licensed users and doesn't go out on RF. I find that at times the NWI GMRS Repeater channel gets really busy. And it's restricted to licensed users.

There's also a Texas GMRS Network channel on Zello. That one is a little more particular on how you join the group. Those repeaters are mostly around Houston and Dallas. There is a GMRS repeater where I live. It covers the entire county. However, there isn't a lot of traffic on it and it's not on any network. I use Zello to reach other GMRS groups for the sake of conversation. As a newly licensed Amateur operator, I don't see too much difference using Zello rather than Echolink, Peanut, Dstar, DMR, YSF, or even Wires-X. Particularly in the GMRS and Ham channels of which I'm a member, a license is needed. I've been playing with Echolink, which I find a little wonky. Zello offers a more stable app and smoother experience.

I spend time on NWI and on GMRS-Chat. Both have nets every Sunday. GMRS-Chat does not go over repeaters and accepts unlicensed users. Despite that, we still observe regular radio practices. The thinking is that it gives interested people practice before getting their GMRS license. GMRS-Repeaters does link to repeaters, as does NWI, so users do have to be licensed.

I used to set up a trailer with 40 ft crank up tower, solar panels, and outriggers. We used it for oilfield PTP communications and also for MotoTRBO demos. All we needed was an S-10 pickup with a hitch ball to drag it around. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Two active users are you and your employee . . . and your families. My local amateur radio club has a repeater that my wife and I mostly use. Once in a while, another operator will hop on. I will be setting up the rest of my family as budget permits. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk