Very new to the GMRS World

[WSJE500]

Hello All,

I just recently received my call sign, (WSJE500), and my two new Boafeng G11S radios should hopefully arrive today, or maybe tomorrow.  I have zero experience with GMRS.  The catalyst for embarking on this endeavour, was a hunting trip that I take annually.  Cell phones do not work in that area, and my cheap FRS radios, sound like I'm talking to a deranged popcorn popper.  In addition, I find this subject interesting.  

• I understand that the G11S isn't waterproof, but I very rarely hunt in inclement weather and always carry a good supply of ziplock bags.  
• I know it is only 3W, but they were only $40. 

Anyway, we will see where this takes me.  It'll be me and my two adult sons, all on the same side of a ridge.  The only available repeater is 15 miles away on the opposite side on an adjacent ridge.  We will be down in the hollow.  I have very low hopes of ever being able to hit that repeater.   I will be ordering two additional radios, four total.  These additional two will also be G11S as long as I am happy with the first two.  This decision in based on the simplicity of the radios and the lack of experience that anyone in this party had with radios.

One quick question:

• If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes?  It appears that channels 1-7 are all FRS/GMRS and 5-watt, of which I only have 3 watts available.

WSJE500 in Manchester, Tennessee - Out.  :)

[OffRoaderX]

9 minutes ago, WSJE500 said:

If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes? 

• According to the FCCs, if you are using a GMRS radio, no matter what channel you are on, the answer is YES..
• In the real world, and knowing that nobody listening cares, the FCCs dont care, and nobody will know what kind of radio you are using, the answer is NO.

[SteveShannon]

If you’re using a GMRS radio the regulations require you to identify every 15 minutes when talking and when you stop talking. For most people that really only requires you to say your call sign once at the end of the conversation.

There are no FRS channels that are not also GMRS channels. 

[amaff]

21 minutes ago, WSJE500 said:

 

• If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes?  It appears that channels 1-7 are all FRS/GMRS and 5-watt, of which I only have 3 watts available.

 

All 22 non-repeater channels are shared GMRS / FRS. "Need" is a strong word. Like @OffRoaderX said, no one knows you're not using FRS radios, which don't require call signs. Especially when you're out in the woods in a hollow where no one else is going to be listening in.

Basically no one I'm out and about with 'doing stuff' (and using radios for comms) with is a 'radio person' and we basically use them like FRS radios.