Another New Guy

[pridge]

Hi Everyone.

 

I've been reading and trying to better understand the GMRS world.  Got my license a few months ago.  Lots of great info here and much appreciated.  I've tried to contact the repeater owners in my area and I'm just not getting any responses.  I've started with the MXT115 and didn't know about the narrow band issues at the time.  I don't think I've heard a call sign in the short time I've had it, just basically all business traffic.  Maybe this is the norm until I get a better radio, I don't know.  Anywho I just wanted hi and that I appreciate this forum.

[PRadio]

Welcome! As for what you are hearing, no, it has nothing to do with the radio, it's just what people are using the band for, though it isn't supposed to be used for businesses. I heard a lot of that on MURS, those bands had been used for business before, but not a lot on GMRS, though I have heard some. 

[kidphc]

Welcome.

[WRAK968]

Welcome to MyGMRS. You won't hear call signs being used unless you are active on a repeater. Many users just don't use their call signs on single channel (Also known as simplex) operations because so many unlicensed users are on those channels. This is due to the legalization of "Combo" bubble pack radios. The biggest issue with this is that nobody reads the manual, which is why you end up hearing businesses using the "Family radio service" frequencies. They find it cheaper and easier to use such radios than it is to pay the FCC for a license and then purchasing proper part 90 radio equipment.

After running a search of your callsign I only found two repeaters close to your city of residence, Lakeshore and Rock. Lakeshore is open to all users, while asking for permission is always a good idea, the first paragraph of the repeaters listing reads "Repeater is 100% Duty cycle...free to use it as you need it. 45 watt Machine located  12 miles south of Bandera in a neighborhood called Whartons Dock/ Lake Medina Shores, open repeater for all Licensed GMRS users and their Family,  Please feel free to throw a call out to see if anyone is around, I'm always looking for radio checks from different locations to see what coverage I can get." I take this as you do not need permission and may call on the system anytime. The Rock on the other paw does require permission to use and the repeater owner should be in contact with more information about permissible uses. Please keep an eye on your spam folder as I have found that sometimes e-mails through MyGMRS have gone there. If you have not heard back from the owner after a month, you can try reaching out to them a second time for permission (Sometimes e-mails are overlooked when we are busy, or perhaps the owner was away on vacation and has not checked their e-mail.)

On a last note I would like to point out that both repeaters are a distance from you. The Lakeshore repeater is the closer of the two, is about 20 miles away with a range listed as 13 miles. Rock is much further away and only has a range of 20 miles. You may have difficulty reaching either of those repeaters when mobile.
 

[iadams]

Welcome to MyGMRS. You won't hear call signs being used unless you are active on a repeater. Many users just don't use their call signs on single channel (Also known as simplex) operations because so many unlicensed users are on those channels. This is due to the legalization of "Combo" bubble pack radios. The biggest issue with this is that nobody reads the manual, which is why you end up hearing businesses using the "Family radio service" frequencies. They find it cheaper and easier to use such radios than it is to pay the FCC for a license and then purchasing proper part 90 radio equipment.

 

After running a search of your callsign I only found two repeaters close to your city of residence, Lakeshore and Rock. Lakeshore is open to all users, while asking for permission is always a good idea, the first paragraph of the repeaters listing reads "Repeater is 100% Duty cycle...free to use it as you need it. 45 watt Machine located  12 miles south of Bandera in a neighborhood called Whartons Dock/ Lake Medina Shores, open repeater for all Licensed GMRS users and their Family,  Please feel free to throw a call out to see if anyone is around, I'm always looking for radio checks from different locations to see what coverage I can get." I take this as you do not need permission and may call on the system anytime. The Rock on the other paw does require permission to use and the repeater owner should be in contact with more information about permissible uses. Please keep an eye on your spam folder as I have found that sometimes e-mails through MyGMRS have gone there. If you have not heard back from the owner after a month, you can try reaching out to them a second time for permission (Sometimes e-mails are overlooked when we are busy, or perhaps the owner was away on vacation and has not checked their e-mail.)

 

On a last note I would like to point out that both repeaters are a distance from you. The Lakeshore repeater is the closer of the two, is about 20 miles away with a range listed as 13 miles. Rock is much further away and only has a range of 20 miles. You may have difficulty reaching either of those repeaters when mobile.

 

 

What is the problem with businesses using "Family Radio Service Frequencies?"

[berkinet]

What is the problem with businesses using "Family Radio Service Frequencies?"

None.

[kipandlee]

Welcome to MyGMRS

[WRAK968]

What is the problem with businesses using "Family Radio Service Frequencies?"

FRS was originally designed for "Family" use, and if I recall up till the last rules change, business operations weren't allowed on FRS/GMRS frequencies. However since this rule, as well as the licensing rules, were ignored, the FCC removed the rules. This is why it is now legal to TX simplex on the repeater output frequencies as long as you don't TX over 2 watts and your radios antenna isn't removable. Businesses can also use the frequencies, which unfortunately leads to the "Hey your bothering my business with your GMRS crap, get off the channel or I'll _____" conversation. I've had it a few times in NJ, mostly with flaggers who think I am on their frequency when I'm not. I even received a letter from a boat repairs place claiming my repeater was causing disruption to their operations channel of 462.6750 and if I refuse to use a different channel they would seek legal action. I just told them to go screw themselves because no sole user has that type of control over the frequency. So while it isn't illegal as per fcc rules, it does become a headache and for the unknowing user, they may think that businesses have priority over all other users on the channel.

[n4gix]

I even received a letter from a boat repairs place claiming my repeater was causing disruption to their operations channel of 462.6750 and if I refuse to use a different channel they would seek legal action. I just told them to go screw themselves because no sole user has that type of control over the frequency. So while it isn't illegal as per fcc rules, it does become a headache and for the unknowing user, they may think that businesses have priority over all other users on the channel.

I'd have replied "I have an FCC license, do you?"

[WRAK968]

I'd have replied "I have an FCC license, do you?"

I don't know if having a GMRS license gives me priority over a FRS user on a frequency. I simply returned a letter with a copy of FCC rules explaining that FRS/GMRS channels cannot be claimed by or restricted to any one user or group. They simply moved channels and I haven't heard from them again.

[SteveC7010]

I don't know if having a GMRS license gives me priority over a FRS user on a frequency. I simply returned a letter with a copy of FCC rules explaining that FRS/GMRS channels cannot be claimed by or restricted to any one user or group. They simply moved channels and I haven't heard from them again.

Neither has priority. That said, your letter to the business was pretty well stated.

[PRadio]

FRS was originally designed for "Family" use, and if I recall up till the last rules change, business operations weren't allowed on FRS/GMRS frequencies. However since this rule, as well as the licensing rules, were ignored, the FCC removed the rules. This is why it is now legal to TX simplex on the repeater output frequencies as long as you don't TX over 2 watts and your radios antenna isn't removable. Businesses can also use the frequencies, which unfortunately leads to the "Hey your bothering my business with your GMRS crap, get off the channel or I'll _____" conversation. I've had it a few times in NJ, mostly with flaggers who think I am on their frequency when I'm not. I even received a letter from a boat repairs place claiming my repeater was causing disruption to their operations channel of 462.6750 and if I refuse to use a different channel they would seek legal action. I just told them to go screw themselves because no sole user has that type of control over the frequency. So while it isn't illegal as per fcc rules, it does become a headache and for the unknowing user, they may think that businesses have priority over all other users on the channel.

 

I forgot they changed the rule on businesses. They can now use the FRS frequencies. 

[TonyAldo]

Welcome! I'm also a newbie with the same radio.

[marcspaz]

I forgot they changed the rule on businesses. They can now use the FRS frequencies. 

 

I think it was a bad mistake.  Little kids and their families use these frequencies and all I hear from 7am to 7pm are flaggers at a near by construction site using profanity non-stop all day long.  One dude literally uses more curse words per sentence than not.  Every sentence starts and ends with an f-bomb. I'm so tired of hearing it.

 

AND... there is no way the are compliant as far as radios go.  They are 5 miles from me as the crow flies and they are using handhelds.  I've been thinking about going over there to get the company name, take some pics, and do a little radiogate to send to the FCC.

[WRAK968]

I think it was a bad mistake.  Little kids and their families use these frequencies and all I hear from 7am to 7pm are flaggers at a near by construction site using profanity non-stop all day long.  One dude literally uses more curse words per sentence than not.  Every sentence starts and ends with an f-bomb. I'm so tired of hearing it.

 

AND... there is no way the are compliant as far as radios go.  They are 5 miles from me as the crow flies and they are using handhelds.  I've been thinking about going over there to get the company name, take some pics, and do a little radiogate to send to the FCC.

thats about all you can do, unlike ham radio which is self policing, FRS/GMRS is only enforced by the FCC.

[quarterwave]

Neither has priority. That said, your letter to the business was pretty well stated.

 

I would agree that in the letter of the rule, neither has priority. However... In practical use, I've had a license for about 25 years, and there may be 3 other legit guys within 25 miles of me with a license as well. With that said, channel usage is not a problem. Owning an expensive repeater, I simply don't care if some FRS-er is jacking around on their $22 radio, or a business just happens to start using 13 new radios they got at Menards or Walmart and think that gives them exclusive use on a certain channel. I use my repeater when I want to and they aren't going to get in my way. If I hear a licensed user, I'll give them room. 

 

There was a medical office on the same freq that I used for a secondary open repeater once, and I advised them they could not use GMRS (this was 10 years ago). They told me to "get off our headsets". No problem, I made the repeater ID every 15 minutes on the PL they were using. Didn't take long, they were gone. My theory is, file a complaint, we'll see who wins. 

 

It is amazing how much of an expert some people are on some things, they really are, but some of the same people pick up a radio....heaven forbid a UV5-R, and think they can just do anything they want. I make the analogy that you can buy a Mustang that goes 150 Mph...but you aren't allowed to do that on the Highway. 

[drk1970nj]

Hi Everyone.

 

I've been reading and trying to better understand the GMRS world.  Got my license a few months ago.  Lots of great info here and much appreciated.  I've tried to contact the repeater owners in my area and I'm just not getting any responses.  I've started with the MXT115 and didn't know about the narrow band issues at the time.  I don't think I've heard a call sign in the short time I've had it, just basically all business traffic.  Maybe this is the norm until I get a better radio, I don't know.  Anywho I just wanted hi and that I appreciate this forum.

 

Hi Everyone.

 

I've been reading and trying to better understand the GMRS world.  Got my license a few months ago.  Lots of great info here and much appreciated.  I've tried to contact the repeater owners in my area and I'm just not getting any responses.  I've started with the MXT115 and didn't know about the narrow band issues at the time.  I don't think I've heard a call sign in the short time I've had it, just basically all business traffic.  Maybe this is the norm until I get a better radio, I don't know.  Anywho I just wanted hi and that I appreciate this forum.

You can find channels on Zello ! Long distance repeaters from you to use to talk on .....Is a repeater owner myself