I jumped into GMRS.

[WRZB623]

I jumped into GMRS just to find out that no one in my area is using them. If anyone is using GMRS, I can not find them!

[SteveShannon]

3 minutes ago, WRZB623 said:

I jumped into GMRS just to find out that no one in my area is using them. If anyone is using GMRS, I can not find them!

That’s pretty common.  For the most part GMRS is something you buy to talk to friends or relatives who also have GMRS radios.  If you want to meet new friends on the airwaves, ham radio is more fitting.

[WRQC527]

I'm thinking that since this topic comes up so often by new GMRS licensees, an email should go out to every new registered user of this site explaining the distinction(s) between FRS/GMRS and amateur radio. Just a thought.

[SteveShannon]

59 minutes ago, WRQC527 said:

I'm thinking that since this topic comes up so often by new GMRS licensees, an email should go out to every new registered user of this site explaining the distinction(s) between FRS/GMRS and amateur radio. Just a thought.

Yeah, a decent FAQ or “Start Here” post could help with several of these questions, or just a referral to Notarubicon videos.

[Guest]

51 minutes ago, Sshannon said:

Yeah, a decent FAQ or “Start Here” post could help with several of these questions, or just a referral to Notarubicon videos.

... this proposal sound very familiar 

Last time this came up, everybody just left the thread behind to never look back (or be asked to contribute)  

[SteveShannon]

14 minutes ago, WRXD372 said:

... this proposal sound very familiar 

Last time this came up, everybody just left the thread behind to never look back (or be asked to contribute)  

Not it!

[WRYS709]

21 hours ago, WRZB623 said:

I jumped into GMRS just to find out that no one in my area is using them. If anyone is using GMRS, I can not find them!

Welcome to GMRS!

As you can see, some of the more vocal members of this Forum continue to press for their personal preference that GMRS is "bring your own contacts." Whether or not this is historically true, the fact of the matter is that many of the newest members here are expressing a preference for the ability to reach out and have non-family/friends contacts with other GMRS licensees, too.

Some are motivated to setup new repeaters in their areas for just that very purpose.

And in some geographical locations, such as Southern California, there are many established repeaters that allow and encourage non-family/friends contacts; such as the Club650 and the Santiago CREST 675 repeaters.

YMMV and good luck with your use of GMRS!

[WRWS738]

Looking at the maps on myGMRS, there seems to be at least one repeater that could cover Lineville and Ashland. I suggest you contact the repeater owner and get permission. Usually if there’s a repeater, there are other users in the area that may be willing to reach out to you. Good luck. 

 

My personal experience was finding repeaters in the area, accessing the repeater, giving my call sign and monitoring. I took a few days but once I made one contact others soon followed.