WRQI663

Amateur Radio and GMRS.......They are separate services, I'd like to see it stay that way......Why usurp another radio service and ruin it????? GMRS+ is a load of crap - It is the last sheet on a roll of TP, worthless. The whole idea is NO EXAMS to use GMRS. Just because "we" hams can do it, doesn't mean we should on GMRS - experimental use? Aren't our amateur bands underused as it is? Policing??? "Self Policing" simply means YOU are policing YOUR OWN operation, not anyone elses. Channel cops?, Lets get them kids using their radios illegally --- That'l teach 'em -- we can hold their parents liable. It's ridiculous Get real.

What does H.A.M. mean? Have another margarita? It never meant Amateur Radio to me or any I know????

I have the same ht.....when I got it, channel 15 would not transmit (no matter what I did in chirp) I was sent a firmware update that made everything work. I never tried to program alternate channel configs until I read this thread. I just tried programming an alternate ctcss input for (rptr 2). Radioditty uv5g on chirp and it worked just fine.......I still have the zip file of that firmware upgrade. Enter the channel frequency , set duplex to "+" and offset to 5.0, uploaded to the ht and it works fine. Now I'm playing with the GM21 - I don't think I have a use for 999 memory channels though.

Again, if you don't like the conversation you are listening to ---- this is not the spark gap world.......TURN THE DIAL to another channel (or frequency) Wait until you get those 'ailments' -- Oh, don't wait.....they'll be coming to you weather you like it or not. Should I laugh or complain about you? Know what bothers me? I am also an amateur radio operator, but I really hate GMRS becoming "ham" radio lite......quit using it like it is. Go back to CB

WRQC527 what do you care if we talk about what ails us???? Some day you will be the one complaining. We don't care if you don't like it either so why don't you get out your crayons and draw your mommie another picture.

I could take one repeater being linked, but I have heard (unconfirmed story) from a friend where all 8 repeaters were linked to one machine -- the same conversation on all repeaters with some moron "channel king" hogging up the band. I think that "wall to wall, tree top tall" mentality might be coming to GMRS. Maybe that 90 dollar 5 year license wasn't so bad after all. Cheaper license now, even cheaper radios, more people on the air.

I just received mine (GM21) Friday.....I was curious about the keypad being "normal" with a zero on the bottom with # and * on each side. It came with a standard duckie and one of those 771s which I don't like. It seems rugged and heavy compared to the uv5G You need to screw in the battery (and belt clip to the battery) at the back which is made of metal. So far I have only tested it using another ht to listen to the audio quality It scans pretty slow, and with win7 I can't use the latest version of chirp so I don't know if I can program any memory channels other than manually. The display shows only the ch number and frequency in channel mode. I seriously doubt I will use 999 memory slots. The audio is ok (like any bo fung you need to duplex to find the sweet spot for the mic.) I used my BNC adaptor for an old business band ht's duckie and the gm21 antenna is on the uv5g Here is what they look side by side

I have heard some usage where I am, some people using CH 18 for business. Other than that, a couple of surveyers, a few builders, some kids (Can you hear me?), and several spanish speaking users - none of them use any call sign. I usually hear a "roger beep" with them which is pretty anoying to listen to. I'm pretty much retired so when I have nothing going on I just leave one radio on scan just to listen. I have no outside antennas so except for the repeaters, what I hear is very local near Wash. DC. Our CERT team has members who have GMRS/FRS radios. We have talked about doing some drills. We have our monthly net on 2 meters but we would like to try out how we can inter operate in case we need to. The repeater on CH 18 gets a few kerchunks other than the business use which never identifies. The other repeaters are 'react.' I'm not sure just what 'react' does and why they would want to tie up a channel with a repeater since no one can lay claim to any frequency. I always thought it was a CB thing.

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