Repeater network navigation

[207]

Hey y'all I'm about 48 hours fresh into my GMRS license so please bear with me as I likely touch the third rail. Although I plan on spending 90% of my time on simplex there's a few spots in my area where I'll be graciously utilizing my local repeater. Within my short time with a license I've discovered that several of my states largest repeaters are connected. Double edged sword because I've actually chatted up a bunch of people all over my fairly gigantic state today. It's been pretty awesome, really nice people and I could totally see myself nerding out on the network. The other side of that sword is that I've read over and over again that GMRS traffic is slow to non existent these days. Not that I was happy about that, but as I was looking to mostly try and communicate with my wife and daughter a handful of times a week with this that actually sounded kind of nice as that was a chunk of the appeal to the whole family license. It's not that either of them would mind as everyone I've heard on the radio has been nothing but polite and G rated, but then I also don't want to be ruining other people's good times with my seven year old checking in with me here and there. 

So tl;dr the entire state network is awesome but now I feel like using a local repeater feels a lot less local. Trying to be vague as I'm certainly not looking to put a spotlight on any particular area but just wanted to see what the thoughts were amongst the crowd here. I've been lurking for a couple months and the community seems awesome so thought I'd seek opinions. 

PS, I'm obviously really green in this space so please fill in the likely canyon-sized holes in my knowledge if I'm missing something. I have transmit and receive tones of my local repeater programmed but still get everyone. 

[SteveShannon]

Welcome. Sounds like you’re doing everything right. 

[WRUE951]

personally, I don't use networked repeaters.. Although i've had plenty of opportunity as there are quite a few out there, I shy from the practice because its not legal.