Repeater Access?

[Guest WSKP379]

I tried posting in General Discussion, but it never showed up, so I hope it's OK to ask my question here. I'm a Newbie and I was wondering what the proper way was to ask for permission to use a closed repeater?

[TerriKennedy]

4 hours ago, Guest WSKP379 said:

I tried posting in General Discussion, but it never showed up, so I hope it's OK to ask my question here. I'm a Newbie and I was wondering what the proper way was to ask for permission to use a closed repeater?

If it's listed here, and has a working "Request access" button, you can click on it and fill out the form. Response speed varies from "a few hours" to "never" - it's pot luck.

If it is listed as "disabled by owner", then they either really don't want any more access requests or it got disabled by accident (happened to me once, no idea why).

Worst case, you could always send a card to the owner's listed address (in the FCC call sign lookup) and see what happens.

[WRUU653]

12 hours ago, Guest WSKP379 said:

I tried posting in General Discussion, but it never showed up, so I hope it's OK to ask my question here. I'm a Newbie and I was wondering what the proper way was to ask for permission to use a closed repeater?

Everything @TerriKennedy said but first when going to MYGMRS repeater/map site you will need to join MYGMRS and sign in with your call sign to see the request button and have access to it. It will also say disabled by owner if you aren’t signed in. Once you sign in if the owner has enabled the request you will be able to see it. 

[Guest Thanks.]

Thanks for the replies.

[KBSherwood]

Personally, I’m a strong supporter of the democratization of technology. We already live in a world where so many everyday tools and services are locked behind subscriptions, access fees, or having to jump through unnecessary hoops. GMRS was supposed to be different, it's a shared public resource with only a small handful of channels available to everyone. If we were talking about amateur radio, where there’s an abundance of spectrum to spread out on, my thoughts would be different... but in GMRS, where the community relies on just eight primary channels, adding gatekeeping, restrictions, or paywalls around essential shared infrastructure feels counterproductive and, frankly, contrary to the spirit of the service. 

Mr. @marcspaz started a wonderful thread change my mind I dont need permission to use your repeater thats worth a read.

TL;DR - Many radios will be able to scan for the repeater codes if there is traffic on those frequencies, and supply the TX/RX codes to you for use. Be polite, respectful and follow the rules of transmission and go for it. 

[GreggInFL]

If you want to drive my car you need my permission. If you want to use my repeater you need my permission. They are my assets.

For the record, I would leave a repeater wide open for everyone to use -- but not everyone has that perspective about private assets.

[WRUE951]

20 hours ago, GreggInFL said:

If you want to drive my car you need my permission. If you want to use my repeater you need my permission. They are my assets.

For the record, I would leave a repeater wide open for everyone to use -- but not everyone has that perspective about private assets.

Today's world..   If someone wants to drive your car and use your repeater.  Guess what. 

[WRTC928]

22 hours ago, GreggInFL said:

If you want to drive my car you need my permission. If you want to use my repeater you need my permission. They are my assets.

For the record, I would leave a repeater wide open for everyone to use -- but not everyone has that perspective about private assets.

No, they don't "need" your permission to use your repeater. They can scan for the input tone and just use it, and there's almost nothing you can do about it. I agree that it's the right thing to do, and I wouldn't use a repeater without the owner's permission unless it's an "open" repeater, but the fact is that if someone really wants to use your repeater, they will. 

[SteveShannon]

Are you guys going to reiterate all of the points made in the original thread @marcspaz started?

[WRYS709]

Why not? 

An admitted Newbee wants help. 
 

Some like to help

Some like to complain 

Let the helpers, help; and to the complainers: “Move along! Nothing for you to respond to here!”

To the OP: Time to reply as a real member of this Forum 

[SteveShannon]

2 hours ago, WRYS709 said:

Why not? 

An admitted Newbee wants help. 
 

Some like to help

Some like to complain 

Let the helpers, help; and to the complainers: “Move along! Nothing for you to respond to here!”

To the OP: Time to reply as a real member of this Forum 

Answering the OP’s actual question is was very helpful and @TerriKennedy and @WRUU653 did that in the first two replies. Marc’s thread is a completely different topic.