GMRwhat?

[UncleYoda]

Is this GMRUS thing going to ruin the service even more than the already existing misuse?  Can't even discuss it with this new guy without joining, which sounds like the Devil's plan.  I'm already stumped on how I can program my radios to block out the rule breaking repeaters and still have the frequencies open to receive others including simplex.  FCC messed up when they came up with this plan because there's apparently no way to do it.  And now this group wants to promote more junk on the air on a nationwide basis.

[SteveShannon]

50 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Is this GMRUS thing going to ruin the service even more than the already existing misuse?  Can't even discuss it with this new guy without joining, which sounds like the Devil's plan.  I'm already stumped on how I can program my radios to block out the rule breaking repeaters and still have the frequencies open to receive others including simplex.  FCC messed up when they came up with this plan because there's apparently no way to do it.  And now this group wants to promote more junk on the air on a nationwide basis.

If you’re not interested, just ignore them. Nothing has ever been gained by whining.

[marcspaz]

Are you talking about the VHF stuff?

[UncleYoda]

8 hours ago, marcspaz said:

Are you talking about the VHF stuff?

I don't know what you mean and you don't know what I mean.  I'm referring to this new group some unknown just popped in and started that wants to take over the GMRS service nationwide.  It shows in the Activity feed but you can't respond without joining.  It's a group on this site but also in the real world.  EDIT: I realize you meant the low band VHF proposal - I've heard people on the repeaters talking about that, mostly in favor.  I'm neutral on that because I won't be buying a radio to use it.

[OffRoaderX]

1 minute ago, UncleYoda said:

I don't know what you mean and you don't know what I mean.  I'm referring to this new group some unknown just popped in and started that wants to take over the GMRS service nationwide.  It shows in the Activity feed but you can't respond without joining.  It's a group on this site but also in the real world.

Ignore it.. it's not that hard, besides, they aren't going to ruin anything. a year from now nobody will even remember them.

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, SteveShannon said:

If you’re not interested, just ignore them. Nothing has ever been gained by whining.

If you think I'm whining, take your own advice and ignore me.  I consider what they're setting up to be a threat to others who have their own local uses.  So, no, I'm not going to just ignore the threat (assuming they get more than a handful of followers).  I don't lay down and let them roll over me.  This do nothing about anything attitude has ruined America.

[UncleYoda]

8 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Ignore it.. it's not that hard, besides, they aren't going to ruin anything. a year from now nobody will even remember them.

My fist thought was that it would fade away without ever gaining traction.  But there are plenty of joiners out there that never see the down side.  I guess, let's see if this grand poobah guy shows up for open debate.

[OffRoaderX]

9 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

I consider what they're setting up to be a threat to others who have their own local uses.

Geezus Khrist...
You need to go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine..

[SteveShannon]

5 hours ago, marcspaz said:

Are you talking about the VHF stuff?

He’s talking about this effort to form a national GMRS organization: 

 

[WRTC928]

Apparently, it's an attempt to form a nationwide club. How does that constitute "taking over" GMRS? Unless they have some sort of actual authority, I can't see how that will affect me.

[UncleYoda]

1 hour ago, WRTC928 said:

I can't see how that will affect me.

e.g. ARRL

[WRTC928]

20 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

e.g. ARRL

ARRL's only authority is that licensees acknowledge them as the national coordinator and voluntarily cooperate. But ARRL has been around since 1914 when amateur radio was new, and no living ham can remember a time they didn't exist. I just don't envision 100,000 GMRS licensees voluntarily yielding that sort of authority to some upstart organization.

[Jaay]

27 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

e.g. ARRL

ARRL doesn't even affect hams, who choose not to support them. 

[marcspaz]

I see it's pay-to-play... No thanks.  I don't need a Home Owners Association for my radio use.  LoL

[PRadio]

I see absolutely no way they could "take over." I also see no way they can actually attract an appreciable number of members. GMRS isn't like HAM. 

[SeaScholar]

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the discussion surrounding the General Mobile Radio Users Society (GMRUS). I appreciate the passion everyone has for the GMRS service, and I understand that any new club or organization will naturally be met with questions and a healthy dose of skepticism. I'd like to take a moment to clarify our mission and address some of the concerns raised here.

Our Goal: Advocacy and Education, Not an Empire

First and foremost, I want to be crystal clear: GMRUS was created to be a community-focused advocacy and education group, not a top-down regulatory body. Our mission, as laid out in our founding documents, is "to create a supportive and educational community for GMRS and FRS users, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to effectively use these services."

We see a large and growing community of radio users who are drawn to the simplicity and accessibility of GMRS and FRS. These are hikers, campers, RVers, families, and small businesses who have found the perfect communication tool for their needs without wanting or needing to step into the world of amateur radio. GMRUS aims to be a resource for them. We believe they deserve a national-level organization that provides resources, fosters community, and advocates for their interests, much like the ARRL does for the HAM community.

Addressing Your Concerns Directly

Let's tackle some of the specific points mentioned:

• Is this a "takeover" of GMRS? Absolutely not. We are not seeking any authority over the service. Our goal is to support users, not govern them. We want to offer optional resources like training workshops, "Elmer" mentorship for licensing, and community events. The idea is to strengthen the GMRS community through collaboration, not control.

• Will this "promote more junk on the air"? Our core mission is the exact opposite. We believe that education is the best tool to combat misuse of the airwaves. By providing accessible training on proper radio etiquette, programming, and emergency protocols, we aim to elevate the standard of operation and make the GMRS experience better for everyone. An educated operator is a responsible operator.

• Is this a "pay-to-play" scheme? The discussion of a modest membership fee is about sustainability for a non-profit organization. Any funds collected would go directly toward operational costs like hosting a website, developing training materials, and covering insurance for events. The goal is to provide tangible value to members, not to create a barrier. We are still working on the details, but the focus is on keeping it accessible for everyone.

We have immense respect for the HAM community, but we also recognize that GMRS serves a considerably different and equally valid purpose. Our goal is to build a welcoming, inclusive, and practical community for all GMRS users.

I hope this clears up some of the misconceptions. We're excited about the continuing future of GMRS and believe that a supportive national club can be a tremendous asset to all of us. I'm happy to answer any more constructive questions you may have.

[Jaay]

2 minutes ago, SeaScholar said:

Hello everyone,

Thank you for the discussion surrounding the General Mobile Radio Users Society (GMRUS). I appreciate the passion everyone has for the GMRS service, and I understand that any new club or organization will naturally be met with questions and a healthy dose of skepticism. I'd like to take a moment to clarify our mission and address some of the concerns raised here.

Our Goal: Advocacy and Education, Not an Empire

First and foremost, I want to be crystal clear: GMRUS was created to be a community-focused advocacy and education group, not a top-down regulatory body. Our mission, as laid out in our founding documents, is "to create a supportive and educational community for GMRS and FRS users, empowering them with the knowledge and skills to effectively use these services."

We see a large and growing community of radio users who are drawn to the simplicity and accessibility of GMRS and FRS. These are hikers, campers, RVers, families, and small businesses who have found the perfect communication tool for their needs without wanting or needing to step into the world of amateur radio. GMRUS aims to be a resource for them. We believe they deserve a national-level organization that provides resources, fosters community, and advocates for their interests, much like the ARRL does for the HAM community.

Addressing Your Concerns Directly

Let's tackle some of the specific points mentioned:

• Is this a "takeover" of GMRS? Absolutely not. We are not seeking any authority over the service. Our goal is to support users, not govern them. We want to offer optional resources like training workshops, "Elmer" mentorship for licensing, and community events. The idea is to strengthen the GMRS community through collaboration, not control.

• Will this "promote more junk on the air"? Our core mission is the exact opposite. We believe that education is the best tool to combat misuse of the airwaves. By providing accessible training on proper radio etiquette, programming, and emergency protocols, we aim to elevate the standard of operation and make the GMRS experience better for everyone. An educated operator is a responsible operator.

• Is this a "pay-to-play" scheme? The discussion of a modest membership fee is about sustainability for a non-profit organization. Any funds collected would go directly toward operational costs like hosting a website, developing training materials, and covering insurance for events. The goal is to provide tangible value to members, not to create a barrier. We are still working on the details, but the focus is on keeping it accessible for everyone.

We have immense respect for the HAM community, but we also recognize that GMRS serves a considerably different and equally valid purpose. Our goal is to build a welcoming, inclusive, and practical community for all GMRS users.

I hope this clears up some of the misconceptions. We're excited about the continuing future of GMRS and believe that a supportive national club can be a tremendous asset to all of us. I'm happy to answer any more constructive questions you may have.

NO THANK YOU.

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, marcspaz said:

I see it's pay-to-play... No thanks.  I don't need a Home Owners Association for my radio use.  LoL

When money is involved, now you got my attention. I completely missed that at first, mostly because it says “Free” at the top of the club page and I didn’t really look at it, but then when you dig in it’s $10 - $15. Guy doesn’t even have a repeater, only had his license for a month and appears to be interested in turning GMRS into Ham radio. Does the club have non profit tax status? 
No thank you and yeah I’m not worried. 
I think joining a local CERT would be more beneficial or get your amateur license and join a local ham club if this sort of thing is appealing to you. 

 

[SeaScholar]

1 minute ago, WRUU653 said:

When money is involved, now you got my attention. I completely missed that at first, mostly because it says “Free” at the top of the club page and I didn’t really look at it, but then when you dig in it’s $10 - $15. Guy doesn’t even have a repeater, only had his license for a month and appears to be interested in turning GMRS into Ham radio. Does the club have non profit tax status? 
No thank you and yeah I’m not worried. 
I think joining a local CERT would be more beneficial or get your amateur license and join a local ham club if this sort of thing is appealing to you. 

 

I appreciate your honesty. But if those simple qualifications are all you base your ideas on instead of asking more questions, good luck to you Sir.

As to my background, I have a long extensive background in communications, Emergency Management, and Organizational Leadership. It might also help to know that I was a career military professional as well using advanced communications and control systems (such as GPS and APRS style systems). But, my guess that doesn't mean much to a simple "Guy doesn’t even have a repeater, only had his license for a month" consideration.

CERT is a great program, and I applaud those who ACTUALLY join and perform any work with them. 

Fees for GMRUS was already addressed, and I will say that some of these comments have made me look into it more. I can see plenty of good reason to include a free/unpaid membership tier for those who are not interested in helping the group, or the GMRS community as a whole.

[UncleYoda]

33 minutes ago, SeaScholar said:

Hello everyone,

I'll give you a point for entering the fray.  But why didn't you discuss it here first?

Quote

First and foremost, ... a community-focused advocacy and education group

ARRL has that same kind of mission statement language.  Doesn't mean much in the real world applications.  What if anything will you do about the current misuse of the service? (other than education cause the offenders won't listen)  I'm already contacting people and they're of course ignoring me.  Would they listen to an organization?

Quote

Is this a "takeover" of GMRS? Absolutely not.

I wouldn't expect you to see it that way (or admit it) but experience tells me how these things can morph into more.

Quote

• Will this "promote more junk on the air"? ... education is the best tool to combat misuse of the airwaves.

Your idea of what's junk and my idea of junk are likely not the same.  You're already promoting GOTA and I hate all the P,S,T,etc-OTAs -- we don't need made up excuses to talk on our radios.  AND WE DON'T NEED ALL THOSE HAM ACTIVITIES BROUGHT TO GMRS.

• Quote

  Is this a "pay-to-play" scheme? The discussion of a modest membership fee ...

  It makes it a lot more suspicious when someone starts collecting fees/donations.  We've already had discussion of club membership to use repeaters.

Quote

I hope this clears up some of the misconceptions.

Doesn't change my impression at all.  But thanks for at least responding/

[WRUU653]

@SeaScholar, first let me say thanks for joining the thread and entertaining questions. I didn’t see you had joined here and yes you are correct. Asking questions would be more helpful. I apologize if I came across negative. I have looked over your plan of activities and I must say it looks exactly like what ham radio is already.

Some questions.

Have you considered becoming a ham?

How do you plan to use GMRS for events? (as this is a limited service open to all)

What sort on air networking are you looking at using if any?

Fees have already been addressed? I see Amateur radio clubs doing what you propose and they have a non profit tax status. I do think it’s important for money transparency when it’s my money. 

Anyway thank you again for bringing any info. I suppose other people may have questions. That’s all for me.

[SteveShannon]

I think that this feels like a top down rather than groundswell movement, although I don’t think that’s what @SeaScholar intended.  “We have formed a club for all of you who are interested,” doesn’t feel quite as inviting as starting a topic that says “Would there be any value to starting a national organization?  If so, what would we hope to achieve?  What benefits would you like to receive.” and then following the topic to its logical conclusion.

I think the idea of a national organization might have value if there’s a common interest, but since GMRS is basically more of a communication utility while engaging in other activities, rather than the activity itself, I’m not sure there’s enough common interest.  The MyGMRS site might be the closest thing to a national organization that many of us wish to devote time to, but I’ll watch and see how the GMRSUS goes. I wish you success and depending of how it evolves I might even join.

[GreggInFL]

GMRS is local, not national. There are no operating synergies.

[SeaScholar]

28 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

I'll give you a point for entering the fray.  But why didn't you discuss it here first?

 for the point. as to discussing it here? I wasn't and still not aware that I needed to discuss any of the idea here. Just because someone wants to start a national level club doesn't mean that people have join, respond, give notice, or even acknowledge it. You pretty much point that out with ARRL too. This is not a "the sky if falling situation". Nobody has to ask permission to start a club, anywhere, or for what purposes.

Would it have made it different if I started a business instead that sells radios and offers training services for anyone in the country? No, but I could see that as more of a threat (by your concerns). It requires no approval other than through the business licensing body for whatever state I am in. 
 

32 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

ARRL has that same kind of mission statement language.  Doesn't mean much in the real world applications.

Then why this whole thread?

35 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

I'm already contacting people and they're of course ignoring me.  Would they listen to an organization?

THIS is how my idea started off. Locally I have talked to a few people and their suggestions were that an organization (non-profit of course) would have more credibility in helping to set up demo events, and leading activities, and helping to teach people. Clubs have some but, anyone can create a club and say they are doing the right thing. Non-Profits are kind of required to act in good faith.

38 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Your idea of what's junk and my idea of junk are likely not the same.  You're already promoting GOTA and I hate all the P,S,T,etc-OTAs -- we don't need made up excuses to talk on our radios.

I guess part of that is fair, and I'll also agree in part. Such as POTA being one of the more useless things out there. Except if you look at practicing in a park with other HAM an interesting thing.

I spoke with some county park ranger friends of mine about the GMRS radios in regards to POTA and they liked my idea for GOTA. They also said it would be a very helpful idea at the camps and RV sites - at least locally. GMRS users dont have to just listen to other users, It would help to remember that outsiders are also interested in what we as a complete community do too.

41 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

It makes it a lot more suspicious when someone starts collecting fees/donations.  We've already had discussion of club membership to use repeaters.

Another opinion. Although I do think free tier for club members is a great idea. There are others who like to give back and assist clubs and groups, and offering a benefit for it feels rewarding to many. How to create that reward is a larger topic, including additional levels of membership (The current discussion is a paid tier, but has not been set as finalized). You do you.

44 minutes ago, UncleYoda said:

Doesn't change my impression at all. 

I can tell you never would've budged anyway. If watched your other posts on topics. Kudos on sticking to convictions. 

[SeaScholar]

47 minutes ago, WRUU653 said:

@SeaScholar, first let me say thanks for joining the thread and entertaining questions. I didn’t see you had joined here and yes you are correct. Asking questions would be more helpful. I apologize if I came across negative. I have looked over your plan of activities and I must say it looks exactly like what ham radio is already.

Some questions.

Have you considered becoming a ham?

How do you plan to use GMRS for events? (as this is a limited service open to all)

What sort on air networking are you looking at using if any?

Fees have already been addressed? I see Amateur radio clubs doing what you propose and they have a non profit tax status. I do think it’s important for money transparency when it’s my money. 

Anyway thank you again for bringing any info. I suppose other people may have questions. That’s all for me.

Very much appreciated. 

I am not interested in getting into HAM, as I don't see any value or use to my needs or future plans. It's a good thought though. 

Networking? We have a Discord channel, and will chat with email to discuss over arching ideas and thoughts. The GOTA website would end up having a forum like set up to place 'reports' for those who want to do it, and get rewards similar to POTA - and then some. Still working out ideas on that. Since GMRS is more of a local comm thing, there really isn't much more of a use for state, and national communications outside of email and social media programs to help each other out. 

re: fees addressed. Yeah. sorry, I posted in the club discussions that the fees and even membership levels are still undetermined but listed the latest idea. Still gathering a best way forward idea with transparency to where the money goes. The idea is a bit small right now to really be considering this as a hot ticket item.

Thank you again, for addressing things that may need more looking into.