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GMRS Handbook/Primer?


Blaise

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Just now, Blaise said:

What FCC webpage do I use?  How do I use it, and why the hell is it that way? (What's an FRN, What's a callsign, and why do you need both?)

Range considerations: power, line-of-site, and antenna gain

How do repeaters work (theory)

How do repeaters work (radio programming)

How do repeaters work (etiquette, permission, resources for finding, etc)

How come every time I ask a question about GMRS, somebody that calls themself a 'ham" shows up and starts a five page answer with "You're asking the wrong question.  
 

IF only there was youtube channel out there that has done at least one video on every single one of those topics!

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1 hour ago, OffRoaderX said:

IF only there was youtube channel out there that has done at least one video on every single one of those topics!

Being an absolute nube at this point and just getting equipment together and functional, two years into a license that at the time I didn't even know if I would really use it. Fast forward discovered OffRoader X on the Ytube and now I'm learning in earnest. 

I wandered how long it was going to take you to chime in on this thread. 😆

Meanwhile having a ball learning about GMRS, but also learning many of the personalities on the forum. 🍻 😎

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3 hours ago, Blaise said:

That's a good start for topics.  In addition:

What FCC webpage do I use?  How do I use it, and why the hell is it that way? (What's an FRN, What's a callsign, and why do you need both?)

Range considerations: power, line-of-site, and antenna gain

How do repeaters work (theory)

How do repeaters work (radio programming)

How do repeaters work (etiquette, permission, resources for finding, etc)

How come every time I ask a question about GMRS, somebody that calls themself a 'ham" shows up and starts a five page answer with "You're asking the wrong question.  What you really want to do is..." (Joking!  I'm joking!  Well, at least mostly...)
 

I just messaged you a rough draft. Let me know what you think. 

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15 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

IF only there was youtube channel out there that has done at least one video on every single one of those topics!

Your videos are why I'm here, man!  However, it took me like 30-40 hours of watching your videos to get comfy, and even then, I had to come here asking stupid questions for months.

I'm just looking to boil things down as an introduction, so newbs like I was two years ago have a smaller hill to climb.

Of course, any introduction would *have* to mention your exalted poobah-ness!

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  • 10 months later...

I’d have to say if you Read everything your supposed to when you got your license and all the regs you already promised to abide by when you purchased your license your well on your way.,    If i were to write a book on GMRS it would be about 3 pages.  It’s really not difficult and there really is not that much to it.     

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7 hours ago, Socalgmrs said:

I’d have to say if you Read everything your supposed to when you got your license and all the regs you already promised to abide by when you purchased your license your well on your way.,    If i were to write a book on GMRS it would be about 3 pages.  It’s really not difficult and there really is not that much to it.     

It is probably just that as someone new to GMRS, Some People don't even know what questions to ask. It is true that the basics of GMRS are pretty short and simple once you understand them but some things like the blasted FCC website that is 25 years out of date, and basics of Repeaters (and even what they are and for if you don't know) can be very confusing to new people. When I bought my first GMRS radio 12 something years ago I didn't know that repeater existed. I bought one of the older GMRS bubblepack radios they used to sell that was not even repeater capable. Then I found out about repeaters and returned the radios and bought another pair that were repeater capible but were still very under-powered and basic (and didn't even have removable antennas -yeah they used to sell GMRS HTs with built in antennas like FRS radios!)

Then I had to grasp how to use CTCSS codes to activate the repeaters... all this before there even was a Queen of all GMRS.

now things are pretty clear and I have no real issues getting all the things to work that I want to do.. but there is a learning curve out there for new people.

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On 11/30/2023 at 10:35 AM, WRHS218 said:

I know of no written document, however, one of the regulars posters here, marcspaz, has produced a primer type of video. Good information there.

Of course offroaderX produces videos for those with a sense of humor.

Hey Y'all.....reading note above, I cant find anything about/from marcspaz on YouTube that deals with the "primer" type video...I sure would like to find it..any help would be appreciated....many thanks.!!   OOPs,,  I now see it above, sorry I go watch him now...thanks

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