Propper radio etiquette

[WSDA629]

18 hours ago, wilhelm said:

WSDA629, I'm one state over, near Saratoga, NY... I'm pretty sure there isn't an east overshoe vt.  Wherebouts are you in VT?  In my area I have only found one repeater that I can use, out of Troy.  My son and I use it sometimes, just for the thrill of being miles from each other and can talk, which just means we're still kids using two tin cans with a string.  We also play with fire and laugh when someone says Lake Titicaca.

It's a tiny town near Smugglers Notch 

[Davichko5650]

On 4/27/2025 at 8:09 PM, WSDA629 said:

 That was one of the other questions I had. How often to ID. 

Every 15 minutes and at the end of your conversation. 

 

As far as the other etiquette issues, pretty much what the previous replies have noted. As far as calling other users, Callsign or name or nickname, whatever gets their attention if they're listening.  Some areas have active simplex and repeaters in use, but for the most part GMRS is a "bring your own" type of service. In my case it's my wife and son using it when up north away from cell phone service, around the large city lot at home and with a small number of friends near home we chat with occasionally. I rarely use repeaters.

Have fun however you use it, and don't overthink it or take too much umbrage if some self appointed radio cop gives you grief if you do "something wrong."

[Davichko5650]

On 4/27/2025 at 7:03 PM, OffRoaderX said:

This ^  .. the etiquette is, there is no etiquette..

GMRS etiquette - almost as prevalent as FCC enforcement!

[WRTC928]

21 hours ago, Davichko5650 said:

GMRS etiquette - almost as prevalent as FCC enforcement!

TBH, in my area, most GMRS users are very polite and respectful.

[SteveShannon]

7 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

TBH, in my area, most GMRS users are very polite and respectful.

That’s how they are here as well, but there are only a handful of us who actually have licenses.  The vast majority of GMRS just buy the radios and use them miles away from populated areas. Honestly, that doesn’t bother me a bit.  Maybe there shouldn’t be GMRS licensing for handheld use or lower than some wattage level.  

[WRUE951]

26 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

TBH, in my area, most GMRS users are very polite and respectful.

for the most part and in most areas i agree, GMRS users are generally polite, however in the areas if have traveled in in the last two three years (in this order) i find Los Angles, Sacramento, Dallas, parts of Arizona and parts of Washington to be complete jerks.  Los Angeles i just turn the radio off..   

[WRTC928]

25 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

Maybe there shouldn’t be GMRS licensing for handheld use or lower than some wattage level.  

I think that's called FRS. 

[SteveShannon]

2 minutes ago, WRTC928 said:

I think that's called FRS. 

Ha!  Except they’re using GMRS radios.  

[Davichko5650]

2 hours ago, WRTC928 said:

TBH, in my area, most GMRS users are very polite and respectful.

Pretty much how it is here. Of course since it's mostly me and mine, how can it not be?  Other than a small group of friends nearby that I talk with occasionally at home, I don't use GMRS unless I'm out of town up where there's no cell service.