PeterM Posted Monday at 04:18 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 04:18 PM I live near Elgin, IL, and I overheard a conversation on the Devil's Head repeater 160 miles away. I want to ask: is it illegal for me to use the GMRS repeater 160 miles away from it? Thanks! WRYP550 LeeBo 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveShannon Posted Monday at 04:33 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 04:33 PM 15 minutes ago, PeterM said: I live near Elgin, IL, and I overheard a conversation on the Devil's Head repeater 160 miles away. I want to ask: is it illegal for me to use the GMRS repeater 160 miles away from it? Thanks! WRYP550 No, not at all. WRXP381, WRXB215, WRUU653 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM Posted Monday at 04:55 PM Author Report Share Posted Monday at 04:55 PM 21 minutes ago, SteveShannon said: No, not at all. Awesome, thanks! SteveShannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXP381 Posted Monday at 06:00 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 06:00 PM No. I do it all the time. The one i use is nearly 200miles away. I takes line of sight and high radiated power from your antenna. I made the trip with a 20w radio and a 9dbgain Antenna. That set up radiated about 130w. Some times depending on the weather I would not make the trip very well. With my new 50w set up with a 12db gain antenna it I’m putting out around 650w radiated power. I can now make the 200mile trip no problem all day every day no matter the weather KevinJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreggInFL Posted Monday at 06:50 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 06:50 PM 49 minutes ago, WRXP381 said: No. I do it all the time. The one i use is nearly 200miles away. I takes line of sight and high radiated power from your antenna. I made the trip with a 20w radio and a 9dbgain Antenna. That set up radiated about 130w. Some times depending on the weather I would not make the trip very well. With my new 50w set up with a 12db gain antenna it I’m putting out around 650w radiated power. I can now make the 200mile trip no problem all day every day no matter the weather Impressive. What antenna are you using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRYZ926 Posted Monday at 06:56 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 06:56 PM Antenna location, height and having a clear line of sight between two antennas is what allows farther distances. Openings in band conditions has some effect too. I have a couple of GMRS repeaters that are about 50-55 miles away. I can get into one easy and the other only when band conditions are just right. I live in Missouri with plenty of hills and forested areas. Both affect how far I can reach with my 50 watt base station. WRXP381 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WRXP381 Posted Monday at 06:56 PM Report Share Posted Monday at 06:56 PM 5 minutes ago, GreggInFL said: Impressive. What antenna are you using? Old one was a comet 712efc. With a 20w radio new one is the comet 9nc. With a 50w radio. both with 30ft of lmr400 GreggInFL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSDD439 Posted yesterday at 01:42 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 01:42 AM I live in central Michigan, and I talk to Loraine, Ohio (near Cleveland), all the time, on a TidRadio H-3 & H-8. If conditions are right, your signal can just about bounce anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted yesterday at 02:10 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 02:10 AM On 9/16/2024 at 9:18 AM, PeterM said: is it illegal for me to use the GMRS repeater 160 miles away from it? YES! and the FCC has really been cracking-down and issuing more fines lately. If you want to talk that far you should get a H.A.M. license, but if you are willing to take the risk of a major fine, go for it. PeterM, KevinJ, GreggInFL and 6 others 8 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaay Posted yesterday at 07:03 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 07:03 AM 4 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: YES! and the FCC has really been cracking-down and issuing more fines lately. If you want to talk that far you should get a H.A.M. license, but if you are willing to take the risk of a major fine, go for it. NO they haven't. Shame on you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeeBo Posted yesterday at 11:53 AM Report Share Posted yesterday at 11:53 AM On 9/16/2024 at 12:18 PM, PeterM said: I live near Elgin, IL, and I overheard a conversation on the Devil's Head repeater 160 miles away. I want to ask: is it illegal for me to use the GMRS repeater 160 miles away from it? Thanks! WRYP550 Not at all. Just remember just because you can hear it doesn't mean you can access it. But @WRXP381 and @WRYZ926 nailed it. WRYZ926 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffRoaderX Posted yesterday at 04:25 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 04:25 PM 9 hours ago, Jaay said: NO they haven't. Shame on you. A licensed and certified H.A.M. radio operator told me that and he's been licensed for over 40 years so it must be true! KevinJ, PeterM, JB007Rules and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 04:29 PM 14 hours ago, OffRoaderX said: YES! and the FCC has really been cracking-down and issuing more fines lately. If you want to talk that far you should get a H.A.M. license, but if you are willing to take the risk of a major fine, go for it. I'm planning to get my HAM license sometime soon, anyway, haha. SteveShannon and GreggInFL 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JB007Rules Posted yesterday at 06:40 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 06:40 PM That repeater is only about 118 miles from you, not 160 FYI and I frequently hear it in Montgomery, IL as well just south of you primarily during band openings. But yeah, use it! OffRoaderX is Randy from the "NotaRubicon" Youtube channel. He's a well known master troll! Seriously though, he's freaking hilarious and you should watch his videos and be amused!!! KevinJ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinJ Posted yesterday at 08:24 PM Report Share Posted yesterday at 08:24 PM 1 hour ago, JB007Rules said: That repeater is only about 118 miles from you, not 160 FYI and I frequently hear it in Montgomery, IL as well just south of you primarily during band openings. But yeah, use it! OffRoaderX is Randy from the "NotaRubicon" Youtube channel. He's a well known master troll! Seriously though, he's freaking hilarious and you should watch his videos and be amused!!! Gonna have to second and third that! I absolutely enjoy his content, because I'm a human who knows how to laugh, even at myself! Give him a few views at least! SteveShannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM Posted yesterday at 09:46 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:46 PM 1 hour ago, KevinJ said: Gonna have to second and third that! I absolutely enjoy his content, because I'm a human who knows how to laugh, even at myself! Give him a few views at least! 3 hours ago, JB007Rules said: But yeah, use it! OffRoaderX is Randy from the "NotaRubicon" Youtube channel. He's a well known master troll! Seriously though, he's freaking hilarious and you should watch his videos and be amused!!! I actually started to watch him two years ago when I got my Beofeng (Or how he calls it "Boofwang") UV-5r Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterM Posted yesterday at 09:47 PM Author Report Share Posted yesterday at 09:47 PM 3 hours ago, JB007Rules said: That repeater is only about 118 miles from you, not 160 FYI IDK where you got that from, but where I am located, its about 160 miles away from me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.