[New To GMRS Need Advice]

2 hours ago, MacJack said:

Welcome Droopy... Just read all the posts, ask questions on the forum or in a private message PM...  Any way you see it this forum has many interest and the biggest think is to pick a radio based on your needs...  So pick what is best for you and your family needs first...  I did purchased from https://www.buytwowayradios.com as I was looking for a Part 95 certified radio.  Our family is having so much fun and connected to the best private local repeater.  Who we have connected with personally and he encouraged me and my grand daughter to get our Ham license which we are Hams for the last month.  I learned a lot as we made our family local repeater for our neighborhood in our valley which helped my 12 yo grand daughter how it all works so we pass the test.  A lot of info here so ask us on this forum as we all where Newbies which I was in Nov 2020... Look at me now as a Ham...

MacJack 

Thank you sir for your reply. I too eventually want to get into Ham someday and this is the first step for me to try something new. I know nothing about the GMRS but do on the ole CB. Will look into getting one of those good radios you spoke of that is repeater capable. Thanks again.

[New To GMRS Need Advice]

4 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

Welcome Droopy!  

There isn't any special GMRS lingo, no 10-4, no 73's etc.  Like ham operation, you are required to USE your call sign. The main thing to know about GMRS is that its in the UHF band and signal propagation is nearly exclusively line of sight.  If you are over the horizon without an elevated antenna location there will be no tranmission beyond 20 miles under any conditions. Buildings, trees, hills count as nearly 100% signal blockers. Repeaters are the big advantage of the GMRS band as licensed in the US.  If you are lucky enough to be in an area with many GMRS repeaters (very much like ham and police emergency service repeaters) you may be able to work thru them for dramatically extended range beyond the 1, 2 or 3 mile normal local transmissions. Some examples:  I can hear but not get into a particular repeater about 15 miles away, I can easily get into one about 2 ½ miles away and another repeater 18 miles away very well placed high up a hill and on a high tower. The repeater at 18 miles lets me communicate with others within a 25 mile radius of the repeater itself in all directions potentially 40 miles from me in that direction.  Some GMRS frequencies are inhabited by legacy business licensees and are nearly useless in the immediate area of the business. Repeaters are privately owned, some require permission for use, others only ask that you operate legally.

I only have experience with Wouxon and Motorola GMRS units.  Not 100% certain I would buy another Motorola, but definitely would buy another Wouxon.  I have a few Baofeng hand helds, but probably wouldn't replace with same if they failed. 

 

4 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Home or mobile or transportable equipment?  Urban or Rural? Repeaters in your area?

I don't know to be honest. Never used a hand held unit or repeater. Live in the out skirts of a city and like to go fishing down on the bay. Don't really know anything about them. Only used a CB all my life. Wanted to try something new.

[Got my GMRS License]

On 8/4/2021 at 8:33 AM, Guest Greg said:

This is really not a question per say more like a greeting type of a post and to say hi to all the GMSR users.

I applied for my GMRS license late last night and just got granted my call sign which is WRNP596 only took 11 hours to get that email. I ordered my GMRS radio last night as well and should be getting here on friday unless the FedEx OR UPS ends up running slow.   Will be my first time using anything more advanced then a old CB radio. 

 

 

Howdy Neighbor. I am in the same boat as you are. Wanting to get a good radio for my GMRS as well. Been using a CB all my life and now a retired truck driver of 38 years. Was just issued my number yesterday. Been using the ole CB back when they issued a license for a Class D Radio many moons ago. Call sign WRNP631 now. You must of just received your number before mine. I go by Droopy. Any suggestions on a good radio?. Thanks and 73's your way.

 

[New To GMRS Need Advice]

Hello Everyone. Looking for some advise. I just recently received my NEW LICENSE for GMRS Radio Services. I am a old retired truck driver of 38 years and used a CB all my life even before I starting my driving career. Back in the day they (The FCC) issued a license for a Class D Radio for the CB and then dropped the license requirement years down the road. Well to this day I still use my base station to make daily contact with our locals to chat daily and have a meet and greet about once every three to four months before the pandemic hit and unfortunately seems to be coming back. My questions are is there any special requirements to start using the GMRS Services like using certain lingo or back in the day and I do mean way back used to have to give out our call sign and I am interested in purchasing some new LEGAL equipment and not the cheep stuff with no range from any of the box stores. Would like some good decent equipment that anyone of you have and would recommend with likes and dislikes as well as any lingo or other things I should know. Thanks for your time and help. 73's your way. Droopy