Does GMRS keep you young?

[RoadApple]

Old Man's Hobby

A while ago I attended an amateur radio club meeting.  The club is over 100 years old, and I wanted to see what it was about.  There were about 30 guys there and I was surprised at the average age.  I'm 62 and I was probably the youngest one in the room!   One guy said he joined the club 60 years ago and another volunteered that he had received his amateur license in 1953!  They tended to say things that illustrated their years.  A lot of "I remember when...", "we used to...", "in the ol' days" etc. etc.  This seemed to be presented as if somehow, in spite of the evolution of the technology, mere longevity was sort of prima facia evidence of expertise.  Likewise, nobody there suggested that they use their radio for any specific activity or purpose other than radio for the sake of (QSO, QSO) radio itself.  It was interesting to observe.  Nice guys, but true radio dorks and gadget fanatics. One guy was carrying a portable spectrum analyzer in his pocket!  (Not that there is anything wrong with that!! ).  To me, this all seemed to lend credibility to the stereotype that radio is an old man's hobby.  When I listen to amateur nets it is often the same; old guys talking mostly about radio.

But this does not seem to be the case with GMRS.  We have young people! 

Since we share frequencies with unlicensed FRS, while traveling, I hear many young voices (mostly kids playing).  At the beach and on the lake, I hear chatter from boaters and people fishing.   GMRS is used by some businesses, so I periodically hear people at work.  In the area where I live, GMRS is actually fairly quiet, but I do sometimes hear farm workers and people going about their daily activities and doing "stuff".  I hear folks living life.  It is not just old guys blustering and jabber-jawing about radio or nothing in particular.  That said, I do not share the misconception that GMRS is only for specific activities.  GMRS can be for any activity desired even if that activity is just random chats with strangers.

So, what about GMRS radio clubs...

I don't have any GMRS radio clubs around me, but for those of you who do, what is the average age of the members within the club? And since it is specifically a GMRS Radio Club, do they view GMRS radio itself as the activity or as a tool for other random activities?     

[WRUE951]

I don't think it keeps you young but i think Amateur Radio including GMRS becomes more popular as you age.  I've had my Ham Lic for over 20 years and never really started using it until the last 5 years after i retired.  Although i use to HAM quite a bit, i now spend most my radio time on GMRS... Way more comfortable over here where on the HAM side you always have someone breathing down your neck..  

[SteveShannon]

I’ve been flying high power rockets for 25 years. I got GMRS radios to enhance my enjoyment of my high power rocketry hobby. Most of us in my rocket club got Garmin Rino radios so we could see where each other were while out recovering our rockets. 
After several years of being a scofflaw I decided that I wanted to do the right thing and get licensed as well. Somewhere along the line I started watching Notarubicon videos where Randy (@OffRoaderX) spoke about Baofeng UV5R radios. Also a friend showed me his UV5R radio and I ended buying one. I discovered that I really enjoyed programming it which gave me confidence. 
Playing with the Baofeng radios reawakened a barely dormant interest in ham radio that I’ve had since eighth grade. So three years ago I finally got around to applying myself to ham radio. For me (not for everyone) ham radio has been a fascinating experience. It keeps my brain working and is something I will be able to do even as I eventually get old. (I’ll be 70 next month but I feel 40 most of the time.)

GMRS is something that can be done in conjunction with other activities, including very dynamic and energetic ones, and without becoming an expert on radio operations. 
Ham radio is a government sanctioned hobby intended to develop radio operators. It’s structured in such a way that older hams can (and sometimes do) mentor younger hams with differing levels of licensing and activities that are relatively sedentary. 
So, I think it’s natural to perceive GMRS as a younger person’s hobby. 
Now why did I come into this room? 

[RoadApple]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

I’ve been flying high power rockets for 25 years. I got GMRS radios to enhance my enjoyment of my high power rocketry hobby. Most of us in my rocket club got Garmin Rino radios so we could see where each other were while out recovering our rockets. 
After several years of being a scofflaw I decided that I wanted to do the right thing and get licensed as well. Somewhere along the line I started watching Notarubicon videos where Randy (@OffRoaderX) spoke about Baofeng UV5R radios. Also a friend showed me his UV5R radio and I ended buying one. I discovered that I really enjoyed programming it which gave me confidence. 
Playing with the Baofeng radios reawakened a barely dormant interest in ham radio that I’ve had since eighth grade. So three years ago I finally got around to applying myself to ham radio. For me (not for everyone) ham radio has been a fascinating experience. It keeps my brain working and is something I will be able to do even as I eventually get old. (I’ll be 70 next month but I feel 40 most of the time.)

GMRS is something that can be done in conjunction with other activities, including very dynamic and energetic ones, and without becoming an expert on radio operations. 
Ham radio is a government sanctioned hobby intended to develop radio operators. It’s structured in such a way that older hams can (and sometimes do) mentor younger hams with differing levels of licensing and activities that are relatively sedentary. 
So, I think it’s natural to perceive GMRS as a younger person’s hobby. 
Now why did I come into this room? 

Interesting back story @SteveShannon. Thanks for sharing that.

For me: Like many, I dabbled in CB in the 70's and later in the 80's I was a first responder and used radios daily.  But I've also been involved with horses for most of my life.  In the 90's (and for a subsequent 20+ years) I was recruited to be a volunteer announcer at an Arabian horse show and was asked to setup improved comms that could be used by show officials.  Having a limited budget to work with, we used cheap blister-pack FRS radios to communicate between the announcer booth, the arena, the barns, the show office and patched thru the fairgrounds PA system.  I used CTCSS tones to eliminate external chatter from creating interference with our activates.  It worked really well.  After retirement, I decided to look into GMRS where more power and range could be obtained. I got a license, a few handhelds and a mobile and have had some fun with it on the road.  At home it is a different story.

I live in a fire prone area on the pacific coast less than 2 miles from the ocean; however, I'm in a canyon where most VHF/UHF radio signals tend to be blocked by a lot of earth and lots of trees.  There are no GMRS repeaters (or GMRS radio clubs) in my area. Everything I have at home (Phone, internet, TV, Cell) is via satellite, so the use of GMRS for any type of SHTF emergency comms is totally futile.  However, the local ham club has 2m & 70cm repeaters on the mountain tops near me.  That prompted me to get licensed and get a dual band radio so I could hit those repeaters.  But I've yet to assimilate into the more formal, radio-for-the-sake-of-radio, ham culture.  There is no doubt a lot to be learned from those guys, but I find GMRS in many ways much more practical and fun.  Everyone can easily participate via FRS, and anyone with $35 to spare can be licensed to use GMRS.   Like @WRUE951 said, I'm more comfortable here as it is not as rigid and structured.   

My recent attendance at the local ham radio club meetings has been an eye opener for me and that is what makes me very curious about the membership and demographics of GMRS specific radio clubs.  

Maybe if I could get my signal out of this canyon, I might setup a local GMRS group in my area...

[nokones]

7 minutes ago, RoadApple said:

Interesting back story @SteveShannon. Thanks for sharing that.

For me: Like many, I dabbled in CB in the 70's and later in the 80's I was a first responder and used radios daily.  But I've also been involved with horses for most of my life.  In the 90's (and for a subsequent 20+ years) I was recruited to be a volunteer announcer at an Arabian horse show and was asked to setup improved comms that could be used by show officials.  Having a limited budget to work with, we used cheap blister-pack FRS radios to communicate between the announcer booth, the arena, the barns, the show office and patched thru the fairgrounds PA system.  I used CTCSS tones to eliminate external chatter from creating interference with our activates.  It worked really well.  After retirement, I decided to look into GMRS where more power and range could be obtained. I got a license, a few handhelds and a mobile and have had some fun with it on the road.  At home it is a different story.

I live in a fire prone area on the pacific coast less than 2 miles from the ocean; however, I'm in a canyon where most VHF/UHF radio signals tend to be blocked by a lot of earth and lots of trees.  There are no GMRS repeaters (or GMRS radio clubs) in my area. Everything I have at home (Phone, internet, TV, Cell) is via satellite, so the use of GMRS for any type of SHTF emergency comms is totally futile.  However, the local ham club has 2m & 70cm repeaters on the mountain tops near me.  That prompted me to get licensed and get a dual band radio so I could hit those repeaters.  But I've yet to assimilate into the more formal, radio-for-the-sake-of-radio, ham culture.  There is no doubt a lot to be learned from those guys, but I find GMRS in many ways much more practical and fun.  Everyone can easily participate via FRS, and anyone with $35 to spare can be licensed to use GMRS.   Like @WRUE951 said, I'm more comfortable here as it is not as rigid and structured.   

My recent attendance at the local ham radio club meetings has been an eye opener for me and that is what makes me very curious about the membership and demographics of GMRS specific radio clubs.  

Maybe if I could get my signal out of this canyon, I might setup a local GMRS group in my area...

Unless you are living near Piedras Blancos, San Simeon, Los Oso, Cholame, or New Cuyama there are several repeaters up and down the central coast. What particular area are you living in where you think there are no repeaters?

[hxpx]

The average age of GMRS users in my household is 24.5. The average age of ham radio users in my household is 42. Your math checks out.

I would like to get my 7 year old into amateur radio to bring that average age down.

[RoadApple]

40 minutes ago, nokones said:

Unless you are living near Piedras Blancos, San Simeon, Los Oso, Cholame, or New Cuyama there are several repeaters up and down the central coast. What particular area are you living in where you think there are no repeaters?

I'm on the South Coast between Gaviota and Santa Barbara, south of the Santa Ynez mountain range.  If I drive out of the canyon and get out by Hwy 101, I can sometimes hear repeater traffic from way over in Ventura and even LA across the water.  Nothing to my north.  

I've checked the maps, and I've monitored all GMRS channels for hours with only a little occasional simplex traffic here and there getting into the canyon where I live.    If you are aware of some dormant repeater with high enough elevation on the south coast, to get a signal into these canyons, I'd love to know about it! 

[nokones]

2 hours ago, RoadApple said:

I'm on the South Coast between Gaviota and Santa Barbara, south of the Santa Ynez mountain range.  If I drive out of the canyon and get out by Hwy 101, I can sometimes hear repeater traffic from way over in Ventura and even LA across the water.  Nothing to my north.  

I've checked the maps, and I've monitored all GMRS channels for hours with only a little occasional simplex traffic here and there getting into the canyon where I live.    If you are aware of some dormant repeater with high enough elevation on the south coast, to get a signal into these canyons, I'd love to know about it! 

Not between Gaviota and Ventura. Someone needs to put something on both Santa Ynez and Red Mountain for you.

[Destro]

I went to brand new HAM radio club meeting this weekend, and everyone stared at me when I walked in. I'm 49, and covered in tattoos. I was definitely at least 15 years younger than anyone else there.

[Destro]

7 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

I’ve been flying high power rockets for 25 years. I got GMRS radios to enhance my enjoyment of my high power rocketry hobby. Most of us in my rocket club got Garmin Rino radios so we could see where each other were while out recovering our rockets. 
After several years of being a scofflaw I decided that I wanted to do the right thing and get licensed as well. Somewhere along the line I started watching Notarubicon videos where Randy (@OffRoaderX) spoke about Baofeng UV5R radios. Also a friend showed me his UV5R radio and I ended buying one. I discovered that I really enjoyed programming it which gave me confidence. 
Playing with the Baofeng radios reawakened a barely dormant interest in ham radio that I’ve had since eighth grade. So three years ago I finally got around to applying myself to ham radio. For me (not for everyone) ham radio has been a fascinating experience. It keeps my brain working and is something I will be able to do even as I eventually get old. (I’ll be 70 next month but I feel 40 most of the time.)

GMRS is something that can be done in conjunction with other activities, including very dynamic and energetic ones, and without becoming an expert on radio operations. 
Ham radio is a government sanctioned hobby intended to develop radio operators. It’s structured in such a way that older hams can (and sometimes do) mentor younger hams with differing levels of licensing and activities that are relatively sedentary. 
So, I think it’s natural to perceive GMRS as a younger person’s hobby. 
Now why did I come into this room? 

Hey, by chance do you know of Ky Michaelson? He was huge in the amateur rocket scene, at least back in the day. I believe he has a few world records. He used to be called "Rocket Man."

[SteveShannon]

20 minutes ago, Destro said:

Hey, by chance do you know of Ky Michaelson? He was huge in the amateur rocket scene, at least back in the day. I believe he has a few world records. He used to be called "Rocket Man."

I know Ky and his son Buddy. He’s well known in the hobby and they still make and sell parachutes for our hobby. 

[WRKC935]

As I have said several times on here.

GMRS is radio facebook, radio chatroom.  It's how many are using it.  It's a social gathering spot for people that just want to chat. 

The reason GMRS and not HAM is HAM requires testing and more effort.  With GMRS, you pay your money and you get a license.   And the codgers involved with ham radio aren't always real welcoming to the younger generation either. 

[Destro]

9 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

I know Ky and his son Buddy. He’s well known in the hobby and they still make and sell parachutes for our hobby. 

I grew up with his step son AJ. I used to hang out over at his house in MN all the time back in the 80's. Really nice guy. They had an indoor pool we would swim in all year.

[WRUE951]

8 hours ago, WRKC935 said:

As I have said several times on here.

GMRS is radio facebook, radio chatroom.  It's how many are using it.  It's a social gathering spot for people that just want to chat. 

The reason GMRS and not HAM is HAM requires testing and more effort.  With GMRS, you pay your money and you get a license.   And the codgers involved with ham radio aren't always real welcoming to the younger generation either. 

I've been an RV'er most of my life..   In the mid 2000's the RV group i traveled with out of Sacramento used HAM frequencies to stay in touch with each other..  It's funny when i compare 'then and now'.   Back then our trips where kinda of boring on the road. We seldom used the radios and only did so to coordinate our gas stops. Now and with GMRS we enjoy and look forward to the road time.  We actually have a little bit of fun yapping in a casual manner.   To me, GMRS is just more relaxing and less stressful. No one to tell you how and what you are dong wrong on the air waves.    And now with all these GMRS repeaters out there,   'getting out' with your radio is probably as good or better than the HAM side.  I still HAM but most of my time is spent on GMRS  

[dosw]

Amateur radio skews toward being an "old man's hobby." GMRS as a tool in support of family activities skews toward younger, family-activity aged people. But GMRS as a hobby is going to skew toward amateur radio age. Old men talking to random old about the radios they have and antennas they run, as a hobby.

 

If you're using GMRS for skiing, boating, camping, hiking, offroading, that sort of thing, you're "keeping it young." If you're using GMRS to kibitz on forums, run neighborhood nets, talk to people you met through GMRS, you're raising the average age. I'm clearly guilty of kibitzing on GMRS forums. I don't get involved in nets or socializing over the air, I do ski, camp, hike... and I'm younger than some here, and older than others. I'm probably in the middle of the age range on this forum, on the older side of the "activity-oriented" users, and haven't reached the "socializing on 2 way radios" age yet.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, Destro said:

I grew up with his step son AJ. I used to hang out over at his house in MN all the time back in the 80's. Really nice guy. They had an indoor pool we would swim in all year.

They still do.  Their Superbowl parties appear to be epic.  Ky is 87 now and Buddy (middle name Rocketman) has mostly taken over the Rocketman parachute business.  He does good work but he had a period of time when he just wasn’t responding to customers. I think it has gotten better.  All of my bigger rockets have RM chutes.

[Destro]

52 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

They still do.  Their Superbowl parties appear to be epic.  Ky is 87 now and Buddy (middle name Rocketman) has mostly taken over the Rocketman parachute business.  He does good work but he had a period of time when he just wasn’t responding to customers. I think it has gotten better.  All of my bigger rockets have RM chutes.

I wonder if Buddy is Ky Jr? I remember Ky Jr would come and stay there during the summers. I think he may have been a year or two older than me. I'm 49.

[SteveShannon]

3 minutes ago, Destro said:

I wonder if Buddy is Ky Jr? I remember Ky Jr would come and stay there during the summers. I think he may have been a year or two older than me. I'm 49.

No, Buddy is in his 20s still.  He’s Ky’s youngest and his actual name is Buddy Rocketman Michaelson.

[Northcutt114]

5 hours ago, WRUE951 said:

I've been an RV'er most of my life..   In the mid 2000's the RV group i traveled with out of Sacramento used HAM frequencies to stay in touch with each other..  It's funny when i compare 'then and now'.   Back then our trips where kinda of boring on the road. We seldom used the radios and only did so to coordinate our gas stops. Now and with GMRS we enjoy and look forward to the road time.  We actually have a little bit of fun yapping in a casual manner.   To me, GMRS is just more relaxing and less stressful. No one to tell you how and what you are dong wrong on the air waves.    And now with all these GMRS repeaters out there,   'getting out' with your radio is probably as good or better than the HAM side.  I still HAM but most of my time is spent on GMRS  

Let me ask you this.

As someone who plans to RV full time starting in the next ten or so years; would you recommend I go for a HAM license? Or just stick with GMRS?

 

[BoxCar]

Well, I thought about going RV but decided against it. What I considered a decent rig was just too expensive with the limited use I'd put to it. I was looking at all-around unit, diesel powered of at least 20 foot. To address your question though, I would do both. Ham radio can be fun even with just the V/UHF bands and many radios sold for either service can do both ham/GMRS.