If someone was to ask you what it meant to be a...

[Durake]

...GMRS Operator, what would your response be?

[coryb27]

UHF and Radio Enthusiast is my standard answer.

[Hans]

Similar here... Radio communications enthusiast.

 

(I just wish there were some VHF and HF "channels" included in the service. )

[PastorGary]

In my case, as a Chaplain Responder, "Relying on communications equipment for family safety, as well as coordination with other GMRS licensed Chaplains in post-natural disaster situations when phone service is interrupted for days or weeks."

[WRAP646]

Having an alternate means of longer range communications in times of duress or when commercial communications have failed for whatever reason.

[n4gix]

Having an alternate means of longer range communications in times of duress or when commercial communications have failed for whatever reason.

I like that viewpoint. I also like your call sign, as it simply rolls off the tongue...

 

...unlike mine that's decidedly a tongue-twister! WQWU626

 

Folks are all the time asking me how I got a call sign with only three letters, 'cause all they hear is "WQW626. The last "U" is elided into the preceding "W" unless I enunciate the letters s l o w l y.

[mcallahan]

I'd agree with Hans - I'm a radio communications enthusiast.  Being a GMRS operator is just one part of that.  My main interest as a radio enthusiast is applications in off-roading, camping, outdoor recreation, etc.  Many people here in AZ can relate or at least see the benefits of having a two way radio, as there is extensive forest and desert area where cell phone coverage is sparse or non-existent.

[Hans]

I also like your call sign, as it simply rolls off the tongue...

 

...unlike mine that's decidedly a tongue-twister! WQWU626

 

Folks are all the time asking me how I got a call sign with only three letters, 'cause all they hear is "WQW626. The last "U" is elided into the preceding "W" unless I enunciate the letters s l o w l y.

I wish the FCC would allow vanity calls for GMRS.

 

 

Edit: I just realized that I'm doing a lot of wishing in this thread.

[PB92]

Same here, as I'm into high end custom CB (30+ years) and now GMRS........

[Durake]

I appreciate all the replies, had a good laugh on your response William!     

 

There are 2 guys I regularly talk to on ham and their callsigns are W5LOB, but he says it like W5LLB really fast so you can't even catch the call, and then N5WYT, but he says is like "N five double y t" lol. I'll record it today on my way home and see if I can catch both of em on at once then upload it to show y'all what I mean. 

 

Yeah it'd be nice to have vanities.. I just wonder how that would work out, I guess you have W and then 3 letters and 3 numbers, gosh that'd be a lot...WQXR714 turns into WDCR183 haha, that would be pretty sweet..

 

Edit: Now that I think about it, it'd be cool (prolly not legal) to have a GMRS callsign like WQXR777  or any 3 letter combination and just say "W Q X R triple 7" DPD does that all the time for their element numbers, "Charlie triple 3" *squawk*

[PB92]

Most people that I talk to about radio have a basic.........................

understanding of CB radio, the "truckers" they say. And of course I know a CB'er right off the bat.

 

But when I say "I operate GMRS as well".............(insert the sound of crickets here).............I usually get "whats GMRS?)............even the people that use bubble pack radios on FRS/GMRS most don't know the difference...............just a walkie talkie. Heard some "kids" yesterday down on ch3.............buuuut, as soon as I say I'm also a prepper, folks sort of put it together what GMRS is.

 

Its a good opportunity to explain it to them.

[Durake]

Its a good opportunity to explain it to them.

 

Certainly is, bring more people to the hobby.

 

Heard some "kids" yesterday down on ch3.............

 

I had some on 600 simplex the other day, no callsigns given, sounded like they were playing "Cops and Robbers" around the neighborhood, I didn't even bother going to talk around since I've never heard anyone actually use any other tone (sub channel as they know it lol) besides 67 hertz. I got on and said "WQXR714, what is your callsign?" it was silent for a minute and they said "WHO?" I replied "W,Q,X,R,7,1,4, you are required to have a GMRS license to operate on this channel, if you do not have a GMRS license I strongly suggest moving to one of the FRS channels, which would be 1-14." they were quiet......

 

I remember one time I was talking to someone and the dad actually got on, I explained to him the rule about licensing, I don't remember what happened after that but I think they moved to FRS. That was a fun one. 

[n4gix]

Edit: Now that I think about it, it'd be cool (prolly not legal) to have a GMRS callsign like WQXR777  or any 3 letter combination and just say "W Q X R triple 7" DPD does that all the time for their element numbers, "Charlie triple 3" *squawk*

Actually since the FCC is issuing call signs in strict alpha/numeric sequence still, "triple-seven" would not be out of possibility...

 

...numbers run from 100 to 999.

 

Just to think that there are now potentially 899 folks with the WQWU prefixes is a lot of tongue-twisters out there!

[Jones]

... or any 3 letter combination and just say "W Q X R triple 7" DPD does that all the time for their element numbers, "Charlie triple 3" *squawk*

 

The FCC has already made it clear that they will not accept that kind of call-sign slang.  "Charlie triple 3" is a tactical call - such as a unit number, not a legal ID call sign, so that is exempt.

 

I was once (about 25 years ago) Chief Engineer for the 5,000 Watt AM radio station in Colby Kansas.  For years, they would say at the top of every hour: "The voice of the great high plains. 790 K Triple X, Colby Kansas"  They got a nasty-gram from the FCC informing them that their legal ID was "K X X X Colby" and that "K-Triple-X" was considered a logo, not a legal ID, and would not be accepted.

 

I do not believe a fine was issued in that case, just a warning, but from that point on they do it correctly at the top of the hour.

 

Another instance, back in the 80s and 90s, was KUUY in Cheyenne Wyoming. They did a word-play on the 2-letter abbreviation for their state by calling themselves "K - Double-U - Y".  The FCC sent them a nasty-gram (and a fine) telling them there is no such station as KWY, and they must not use that call sign. They gave up on that logo/ID in 96, and became KMRZ, and now KGAB.

[PB92]

They didn't stay on too long, but it was obvious that they were not licensed or understood radio etiquette. I set my Midland MXT400 to "scan" so it covers all the channels, that's how I ended up finding them. Really liking this 400.

[Hans]

Certainly is, bring more people to the hobby.

 

 

I had some on 600 simplex the other day, no callsigns given, sounded like they were playing "Cops and Robbers" around the neighborhood, I didn't even bother going to talk around since I've never heard anyone actually use any other tone (sub channel as they know it lol) besides 67 hertz. I got on and said "WQXR714, what is your callsign?" it was silent for a minute and they said "WHO?" I replied "W,Q,X,R,7,1,4, you are required to have a GMRS license to operate on this channel, if you do not have a GMRS license I strongly suggest moving to one of the FRS channels, which would be 1-14." they were quiet......

 

I remember one time I was talking to someone and the dad actually got on, I explained to him the rule about licensing, I don't remember what happened after that but I think they moved to FRS. That was a fun one.

Just a heads up... AFAIK, 462.600 is now shared with FRS, which means they don't necessarily have a call sign. http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart

[WRAF213]

Just a heads up... AFAIK, 462.600 is now shared with FRS, which means they don't necessarily have a call sign. http://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart

The only GMRS-exclusive channels left are the 467 MHz main channels (467.550, 467.575, etc), and those aren't easily accessible. FRS users almost certainly didn't notice the rule change regarding the 22-channel band plan, but most activity there is now legal.

[Hans]

The only GMRS-exclusive channels left are the 467 MHz main channels (467.550, 467.575, etc), and those aren't easily accessible. FRS users almost certainly didn't notice the rule change regarding the 22-channel band plan, but most activity there is now legal.

I am confused about your reply. My initial reply was about:

 

I had some on 600 simplex the other day, no callsigns given,

you are required to have a GMRS license to operate on this channel, if you do not have a GMRS license I strongly suggest moving to one of the FRS channels, which would be 1-14."

I remember one time I was talking to someone and the dad actually got on, I explained to him the rule about licensing, I don't remember what happened after that but I think they moved to FRS.

Since he posted "on 600 simplex the other day" that would mean this was after the rule change went into effect. It seems to me that they were already using an FRS frequency.

[Durake]

I saw it said they would be in effect in 2019? 

 

Edit: Just saw it said "FCC rule changes effective September 28, 2017." on the Wiki, thanks. Now to not make a fool out of myself again

[Hans]

I saw it said they would be in effect in 2019? 

 

Edit: Just saw it said "FCC rule changes effective September 28, 2017." on the Wiki, thanks. Now to not make a fool out of myself again [/size]

Hey man, I get turned around on regulations, rules, and laws all the time. No sweat. It's all good.

[mainehazmt]

Getting back to the original post.... broke.......between gmrs, gmrs repeater, ham, and all the toys there..... naw it isn’t really that bad...but...

Now I need an amp, antenna, new radio......