WRPG537

Minnesota - While it is interesting to see all the FCC Licensed GMRS People/Families and their locations, if you were to try and chat up or try and start a conversation on GMRS like you would Amateur (Ham) Radio, you would probably be met with the following comment: "Get OFF Our Channel!". I've actually heard a few amateur radio operators I know of here in the Twin Cities area, that tried to bring their ham radio operating ways, over to the folks on GMRS. To say it was not well received, was an understatement. Afterwards, the well known Hams left GMRS with their tail dragging between their legs. A few days later, these very same ham operators were on all the local amateur radio forums writing about how GMRS Sucks and the people there are like CB'ers. They berated GMRS. GMRS is not, Ham Radio Lite. Most people get a GMRS radio to communicate with: Family, Friends, or Groups they are involved with. Not, conversation with random strangers. Although, that can sometimes happen, but not very frequently. GMRS and Amateur Radio are two completely different radio services, which may be a very big disappointment to some who want to turn GMRS into HamLite. On our Trail Patrols, Ski Patrols, and Event First Aid Stations, we never come up and chat with random people unless we can Hear Distress or the word Emergency spoken. Then we pop up on their GMRS radio channel, identify ourselves and ask if they need assistance. If the person doesn't need assistance, we immediately wish them good luck, sign-off with our FCC callsign and no longer talk. People can get extremely territorial on GMRS, especially if there are family members or club members involved in conversation on the radio. It's rare that strangers are welcomed into an existing conversation. So, we tread lightly and are respectful when popping up on someone else's channel. So, if you want to chat with someone you've never met before on GMRS, my advice is: be polite and extremely respectful when busting into an existing radio conversation 462.675 / Channel #20. Calling/Travel/Motorist. No CTCSS/Tone. Simplex. In Minnesota. For those people also in Minnesota, especially the Twin Cities. Try tossing your FCC Callsign out on Channel #20, Simplex. You might be pleasantly surprised if or when someone comes back to answer your call Hope to hear you On-The-Air. WRPG537, Dan.

We hear people using the MURS Frequencies all the time at ski areas that I work at. Families, groups, etc., use that radio service quite a bit. We have a scanner at several ski patrol offices (base), which has those frequencies programmed into it a long with; FRS, GMRS, Amateur radio 146.520 and 446.000 calling frequencies, plus the 146.580 North America Adventure Frequency. Comes in handy at times.

As an avid skier and also on ski and trail patrol, I've been noticing a huge increase in people using FRS/GMRS radio channels. A few popular ski areas in the back country, have now started posting the FRS Channels to use on their Trail Maps. Even here in the State of Minnesota, many of us have started carrying FRS/GMRS Radios in addition to our ski patrol radios, as it's a good way to interface with the public if they need assistance. This winter, if your out skiing or snowboarding, don't forget to bring your FRS or GMRS radio a long with you. Maybe we'll chat. Note; Check out some of the backpack or fanny pack radios with a remote speaker mic with control buttons that are sold for outdoorsy type people. It's not just handheld type radios any more.