Minnesota Newbie Checking In!

[VSack]

Greetings!

 

My name is John and I live in the Twin Cities; in range of the RCEMHS-ESU repeater I found on this very website!

 

I got my start many years ago as a salesperson at Radio Shack and I am still kicking myself today for not paying more attention to the radio section of that store (every store had an 'expert' you always deferred to).

 

My interest piqued a few years ago when I realized that we might be able to save some money at our company by using radios instead of Nextel phones between our warehouse and offices (which are several miles apart).  I finally got around to getting GMRS Radio Certification so I could at least begin to dabble at home with this new (to me) technology.

 

Out of respect for all of the work and knowledge that you all do, I was wondering the following: 

 

1. Are there any recommendations for companies I could reach out to help build out a solution for us?  Either my Google-fu is lacking or finding companies that deal with business solutions for this sort of thing seem to be rare.  I'd rather find an expert to help than to experiment in a manner that might be deemed irresponsible. 

 

2. Is there any sort of definitive "Getting Started with GMRS" guides that you all recommend?

 

3. Is GMRS the "preferred" method for radio communication for businesses over a a 2.5 mile distance?  These are two warehouse buildings that can certainly have repeaters (alitiude difference of +/-20ft) but I remember back in my day there were "business band" radios that were KISS-easy for users.  I'm not sure if that's changed.

 

Thanks in advance!  I look forward to being the new kid around here!

[quarterwave]

Hello, as a former Shack geek in my college days, I was the deferred to as the "expert" on just about everything most of the time, unfortunately. On one hand it was because I probably did know the answer, on the other, the evening shift guys I worked with were "gravy" guys....they only wanted the easy sales, and were too lazy to work for it. Guess thats how I ended up a keyholder too!

 

1. I would look for a Kenwood or Motorola dealer if you are serious about building a small business system. There has to be someone near you somewhere.

 

2. You can look here:  http://home.provide.net/~prsg/

 

3. GMRS is for personal use, not business use. The exception is "family" businesses, such as farms, etc where all radios are operated by family members. You could technically license all individuals for GMRS and then all be legal to talk to each other...but that is impractical to do, and maintain with employees. You need to use MURS (2 watt VHF) for business....or license it with a coordinated business frequency. You can use a repeater then as well (MURS you cannot). Enjoy GMRS for personal recreational, etc use...but it's not meant for business, nor is it legal for that. I do know some businesses that run on FRS just to use CHEAP radios....but a real business deserves better than FRS. Look into real radios in Part 90 service. 

 

 

http://www.ancom.org/ - Motorola

 

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Co-Meg+Sales/@43.85278,-92.488236,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x166aeba8d4da6cd0   - Kenwood

[PastorGary]

John V - Welcome to the MyGMRS Forum.

 

""Quarterwave" provided some excellent info and resources for you.  Additionally, any Kenwood, Motorola, EF Johnson or similar commercial two way radio dealer will have personnel on staff that specialize in business equipment solutions.  They will also have staff members to assist with licensing and frequency coordination  for FCC Part 90 equipment. 

 

As stated above, GMRS is NOT feasible for business operations.

 

Check your local 'Yellow Pages' for either 'Two Way Radio Dealers' or 'Communications Equipment Dealers'.

[VSack]

Excellent feedback, thanks!

 

This gets me started on my hobby, for sure.  Now I have some further research to do for the business side of things.

 

Nevertheless, I'm excited to be here and to begin going down this new path!

[deputycrawford]

     I am attached to multiple professional radio companies here in Toledo, Ohio.  I mostly just know the guys, and they are all hams also.  I hang out with a few of them a whole lot.  I know that any pro radio company can get you a few portables and rent you time on an established repeater in town somewhere.  You can also pick between conventional and multiple types of trunking systems.  I have access on channels and repeaters here in the conventional, LTR trunk, 800 MZ type 2i trunk, and APCO 25 trunk systems.  If the trunk systems have enough voice channels to keep you from getting busy outs then they can be a good, kinda private, system to rent time on. Just some thoughts of mine.

 

Jerry

[stmills]

I have worked with a few of the radio shops in the Twin Cities but it has been quite a few years ago at a previous job.

Most of the big shops can help you determine if buying your own system or renting time on there system is the best answer for you.

The main shops in the Twin Cities that offer sales service and system rentals are

Action Radio

Advanced Wireless communication

Ancom

Mobile Radio Engineering

Professional Wireless Communications