GMRS oval stickers (as related to GMRS calling between automobiles).

[wrtq652]

In a recent discussion started by @Lscott about VHF and MURS service, I mentioned "oval stickers on automobiles" for calling other vehicles on the road (link below), which led me to create this post. 

Does anyone have a GMRS or 462.XXX oval on their automobile for the purpose of having other GMRS licensees call you on the calling channel?
 

Often enough, I see the "146.52" oval stickers or magnets on a few vehicles in the Greater Seattle Area (Washington) and the Greater Silicon Valley Area (California).  The 146.52 FM Simplex frequency is calling channel for the amateur radio 2 meter band and the operators often can be called on 146.52 (FM) simplex and are up for chatting with other amateur radio operators.

There is large online oval sticker and t-shirt shop which will press your logo onto nearly anything and have a few of the magnetic ovals for “monitoring 146.520 simplex” and the classic “146.52" oval sticker and oval magnet. “Looks great on a car boot [trunk]“, said at least one well respected radio operator.

Where's this going?  This is a GMRS forum you might be wondering?...

There are a few "GMRS" oval stickers available on websites, just like the "146.52" ovals.

Of course there are also a few “GMRS” magnet ovals too. ...and a few “monitoring FRS CH-07" decals.
Or maybe you can add a custom “monitoring 462.675 CTCSS 141.3 simplex” or “462.675" oval sticker / oval magnet to the back of your vehicle? With many channels of goodness to choose from, you can decide what comes after the dot*.
 

Questions for our thread:
Would you or do you wear a "GMRS" oval on your automobile? 
Would you reply to a call on the GMRS channel or frequency for the GMRS oval  attached to your vehicle and chat with other GMRS radio people who you don't yet know?



Link to related post comment:

 

[MichaelLAX]

How about?

Sticker:

"146.52 - My other radio is GMRS!"

or

"Scan, Baby, Scan!"

[Lscott]

2 hours ago, wrtq652 said:

In a recent discussion started by @Lscott about VHF and MURS service, I mentioned "oval stickers on automobiles" for calling other vehicles on the road (link below), which led me to create this post. 

Does anyone have a GMRS or 462.XXX oval on their automobile for the purpose of having other GMRS licensees call you on the calling channel?
 

Often enough, I see the "146.52" oval stickers or magnets on a few vehicles in the Greater Seattle Area (Washington) and the Greater Silicon Valley Area (California).  The 146.52 FM Simplex frequency is calling channel for the amateur radio 2 meter band and the operators often can be called on 146.52 (FM) simplex and are up for chatting with other amateur radio operators.

There is large online oval sticker and t-shirt shop which will press your logo onto nearly anything and have a few of the magnetic ovals for “monitoring 146.520 simplex” and the classic “146.52" oval sticker and oval magnet. “Looks great on a car boot [trunk]“, said at least one well respected radio operator.

Where's this going?  This is a GMRS forum you might be wondering?...

There are a few "GMRS" oval stickers available on websites, just like the "146.52" ovals.

Of course there are also a few “GMRS” magnet ovals too. ...and a few “monitoring FRS CH-07" decals.
Or maybe you can add a custom “monitoring 462.675 CTCSS 141.3 simplex” or “462.675" oval sticker / oval magnet to the back of your vehicle? With many channels of goodness to choose from, you can decide what comes after the dot*.
 

Questions for our thread:
Would you or do you wear a "GMRS" oval on your automobile? 
Would you reply to a call on the GMRS channel or frequency for the GMRS oval  attached to your vehicle and chat with other GMRS radio people who you don't yet know?



Link to related post comment:

 

I've seen occasionally Ham call sign license plates, I have one myself, but almost never seen a sticker saying monitoring 146.52, that's sort of understood. If you see a call sign license plate and a VHF/UHF antenna on the vehicle giving a shout on the calling frequency might get a response from them. 

In another thread I asked about why you don't see any GMRS call sign license plates. It seems that only exists for Hams. One suggestion was getting a vanity plate with your GMRS call sign on it. If you recognize the plate as a GMRS call sign, big hint there is a UHF antenna present too, then again giving a shout on the calling frequency might be in order. 

[MichaelLAX]

41 minutes ago, Lscott said:

In another thread I asked about why you don't see any GMRS call sign license plates. It seems that only exists for Hams. One suggestion was getting a vanity plate with your GMRS call sign on it.

I just ordered a Vanity Plate for:

WRBZ532 

[WRTJ886]

I used to have a "Monitoring 462.675" sticker that I drove around with for months and never could raise any traffic on that freq.  I switched to one of the 146.52 stickers about a month ago and have been monitoring that instead.  In Chicago, 2m simplex is way more popular on the road than GMRS simplex.  The repeaters are a completely different story.

All that is to say I think I'll just stick with a single sticker on my car for now.  No more GMRS sticker for me.

[Lscott]

31 minutes ago, MichaelLAX said:

I just ordered a Vanity Plate for:

WRBZ532 

Don't bother me any. If you want to waste your money paying the higher fees for a vanity plate that's your problem.

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, MichaelLAX said:

I just ordered a Vanity Plate for:

WRBZ532 

Good for you!  That and a belt clip will really do the trick with the ladies!  

Honestly I suspect that’s not your call sign and you’re trolling someone here, but that’s your business as well.

Yup, your call sign is wrbu527.  I’m sorry to be right.

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, Sshannon said:

Good for you!  That and a belt clip will really do the trick with the ladies!  

Honestly I suspect that’s not your call sign and you’re trolling someone here, but that’s your business as well.

Yup, your call sign is wrbu527.  I’m sorry to be right.

AKA - W7ML too.

[MichaelLAX]

5 hours ago, Sshannon said:

Honestly I suspect that’s not your call sign and you’re trolling someone here, but that’s your business as well.

Yup, your call sign is wrbu527.  I’m sorry to be right.

It’s @Lscott’s callsign!! 

[Sab02r]

Seems there are alot on 'NO' votes.  

I wonder if that is because people prefer to remain to themselves (or to talk among their own family group), or because they don't want stickers on their nice vehicles...

...or because they prefer the HAM bands over GMRS.

Of course, what makes America great is that everyone is entitled to their own preferences.

[marcspaz]

I voted no for a few reasons.

 

I don't want the sticker on my truck. Someone close enough to read the sticker is likely going to overload my receiver front-end. I don't always have the radio on and it's on varying frequencies when it is on... to name a few.

 

[SteveShannon]

I didn't vote.  I'm not one to put stickers on my vehicles, though and I really don't drive around with my radio on.  I only use my GMRS radio when my kids are at our cabin or when I'm launching rockets with friends. I don't use GMRS the way I use ham radio, where I might sit at the radio an try to listen to distant stations or join in a local net.  For me, although I'm interested in the technology and regulations, GMRS is just a way to communicate while enjoying other things.

[wayoverthere]

I voted no as well..won't knock it if someone else wants them though.

I figure the antennas are enough of an advertisement as it is, given most times the truck is wearing 2, and sometimes 3 if I want to hook up the 6m handheld or the cb.

[WRUU653]

I didn't vote. I'll just monitor GMRS on scan if I'm feeling talkative. I don't have a lot of flare on the truck. Nothing against it though and hey it's a magnet and that's easier to change your mind about then a sticker. No need for a bottle of goo gone and an hour to kill. 

[Lscott]

16 hours ago, Sab02r said:

Seems there are alot on 'NO' votes.  

I wonder if that is because people prefer to remain to themselves (or to talk among their own family group), or because they don't want stickers on their nice vehicles...

...or because they prefer the HAM bands over GMRS.

Of course, what makes America great is that everyone is entitled to their own preferences.

I'm not interested as well. I already have a Ham call sign license plate as it is. 

[WRUA262]

I have a NGGMRS sticker (North GA GMRS group) on my truck. If someone wanted to get hold of me, they'd do it via one of the NGGMRS linked repeaters. No frequency needed. I supposed they could call out for the 'guy in the white RAM with the NGGMRS sticker' if they wanted to reach out.

And as for vanity plates, those are only for "Sad HAMS" 

[Lscott]

7 minutes ago, WRUA262 said:

And as for vanity plates, those are only for "Sad HAMS" 

That is sort of funny since they are not vanity plates. You have to provide your FCC license to get one, and at least here in Michigan, the cost is the same as a regular plate.

[PACNWComms]

I voted "No" as having a dual band VHF/UHF antenna on the corner of my vehicles, I get lots of notice from people that are either amateur and/or GMRS radio users at many stop lights. The antenna is enough of a "beacon" and all interactions have been cordial so far.

Very different from when I drive my plain white Chevy Tahoe work vehicle, that looks way too much like an un-marked State Patrol vehicle at times. Everyone slows down, gets out of my way, as the antenna configuration is very similar. So is the winch mount on the front bumper. I ask for company logos on the side doors often, and my employer owns the vehicles (they are not leased which could be a valid excuse for some), as corporate does not wish to "junk up" company vehicles with stickers. 

[fe2o3]

I didn't vote but I'd rather have a magnetic sign than a sticker, FWIW.

[Alphie]

I have "GMRS 19" on the back of my truck. Easiest way to hail me or anyone in my area

[MichaelLAX]

4 hours ago, Alphie said:

I have "GMRS 19" on the back of my truck. Easiest way to hail me or anyone in my area

Sticker? Or just painted it on?

[Alphie]

5 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

Sticker? Or just painted it on?

Small Stick on letters, big enough to read but not obnoxious. 

[JB007Rules]

IMO there should be no PL tones for travelling because it's more universal, but I would put a sticker on my truck and van with "GMRS" and something like "Channel 16" "Channel 16 / 462.675".

On HAM there are national calling frequencies and tones aren't used their either - this is where my logic came from.

Thanks!

[MichaelLAX]

I have to agree with the logic of not using Tones on a travel channel.

What's the point of blocking out someone who wants to converse while traveling yet has the wrong Tone or no Tone set?!?

Maybe it would be more "exclusive" if we set a "secret" Tone! 

[Lscott]

With the frequent profusion of "travel channels" proposed likely you get the same result.