Over use of call sign announcements on GMRS

[TerriKennedy]

When I'm conducting tests (on air and not into dummy loads) I announce my call sign and "Testing" and when done, my call sign and "Clear". That way if I'm interfering with someone they can specifically refer to me by call sign to get my attention.

If I hear a request for a radio check I'll reply with my call sign "copies you 5 by 5" or whatever reception quality I think I'm receiving.

There's a couple of guys who rag-chew for several hours on .700 simplex every evening without ever IDing. Most boring conversation imaginable.

My repeater ID's every 15 minutes if continually up, then 15 minutes after the last transmission and then goes silent until somebody keys it up again. There are some near me that ID every 15 minutes in both Morse and voice and announce the (incorrect) time regardless of traffic (and I've never heard any traffic other than the automated announcements).

 

[WSHH887]

I'm sure glad I made popcorn for this. 

[LeoG]

Make more.  It's not going to end soon.

[SteveShannon]

1 minute ago, LeoG said:

Make more.  It's not going to end soon.

That is correct. There are several other threads that started with someone pontificating about how others use GMRS incorrectly. None of them settled anything. This is one place where GMRS is similar to ham radio; someone thinks their way is “the only right way” even though the regulations don’t support that. 

[WRYZ926]

That's why I made my comment about people needing to eat a Snickers Bar as they seem to be very hangry over stuff that doe not matter.

In the end it doesn't really matter how you use GMRS as long as you follow the FCC regulations and guidelines. Same goes for amateur radio too.

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, WRYZ926 said:

...very hangry over stuff that doe not matter.

...as long as you follow the FCC regulations and guidelines.

Doesn't following the regs matter?  Many, maybe most, are not.  I'm also curious how we are supposed to detect who is an FRS user.

[WRUE951]

4 hours ago, WSHH887 said:

I'm sure glad I made popcorn for this. 

i mixed a barch with caramel..  May as well enjoy irt  

[WRYZ926]

53 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Doesn't following the regs matter?  Many, maybe most, are not.  I'm also curious how we are supposed to detect who is an FRS user.

Yes following the regs does matter and why I stated the following:

2 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:

In the end it doesn't really matter how you use GMRS as long as you follow the FCC regulations and guidelines.

One really can't tell if someone is on a FRS radio or GMRS radio when using simplex channels as the FCC messed up when they allowed both services on the same channels. 

Obviously you won't ever hear a FRS radio on the GMRS repeater channels.

Again. GO with what works for you on how often you say you call sign as long as you are at a minimum giving it every 15 minutes and at the end of your conversation.

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, WRYZ926 said:

Obviously you won't ever hear a FRS radio on the GMRS repeater channels.

Please explain this one to us...

[WRYZ926]

Just now, OffRoaderX said:

Please explain this one to us...

EASY PEASY that even a lowly Private can understand. Legal FRS radios can't transmit on the GMRS repeater channels.

All bets are off if someone is using an unlocked radio.

[OffRoaderX]

7 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

EASY PEASY that even a lowly Private can understand. Legal FRS radios can't transmit on the GMRS repeater channels.

All bets are off if someone is using an unlocked radio.

Uh huh.. Then... Why do I hear FRS radios every time I'm on any of the GMRS repeater channels?  and, why can I hear all of my locked/legal FRS radios on the GMRS repeater channels ?

I am very confused.

[UncleYoda]

6 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

All bets are off if someone is using an unlocked radio.

That, or what I suspect I'm hearing, GMRS radios being used as FRS radios with no ID.

[LeoG]

15 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

EASY PEASY that even a lowly Private can understand. Legal FRS radios can't transmit on the GMRS repeater channels.

All bets are off if someone is using an unlocked radio.

Can't transmit into a repeater.  Can absolutely transmit on ch 550-725

[WRYZ926]

Just now, LeoG said:

Can't transmit into a repeater.  Can absolutely transmit on ch 550-725

I should have been more precise in my statement by saying that a FRS radio can't transmit on GMRS repeater channels. 

I never know when a simple answer or a precise answer is needed around here.

[OffRoaderX]

8 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

I never know when a simple answer or a precise answer is needed around here

Always write to the lowest common denominator.

[LeoG]

So you are here talking to a bunch of tech radio dorks and you think it's OK to be vague.

OK.

[SvenMarbles]

On 7/14/2025 at 7:23 PM, SteveShannon said:

This doesn’t sound “utilitarian”.  In fact it sounds pretty social. 

§ 95.1731 Permissible GMRS uses.

The operator of a GMRS station may use that station for two-way plain language voice communications with other GMRS stations and with FRS units concerning personal or business activities.

 

Well it’s right there.. Personal and business activities. Concerned parties. 
 

Not “making contacts” across licenses.

[LeoG]

Define personal activities.

[OffRoaderX]

3 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Define personal activities.

"Making contacts" with anonymous men certainly counts as a personal activity... Very.. very personal..

[SteveShannon]

35 minutes ago, SvenMarbles said:

Well it’s right there.. Personal and business activities. Concerned parties. 
 

Not “making contacts” across licenses.

Sven, I think you’ve lost your marbles,

That’s exactly why you have call signs and why you’re required to use them: to identify yourself to others and have a way to look them up when you engage in the personal or business activities of “making contact”.   
Although it’s not explicitly encouraged like ham radio it’s absolutely not discouraged in any way, explicitly or implicitly.