Best GMRS channel to monitor for traffic

[WSEN722]

What is the best GMRS channel to monitor for traffic; I'm new & I've heard nothing on ch - 19.

[OffRoaderX]

The best GMRS channel to monitor is the one in your local area that has the most traffic to monitor.

But: If you got a GMRS radio to monitor/listen to people talk or to find anonymous men to chat with, you bought the wrong radio.  Using the Grindr app might be a better choice for you.

[Guest]

Not really for monitoring. It’s not cb radio.   It’s more for comms while doing something with a group.   I’d say the best is what ever repeater has traffic on it.   Loads of people are not driving a round on channel “X” looking for new friends.  

[WRQC527]

49 minutes ago, WSEN722 said:

What is the best GMRS channel to monitor for traffic; I'm new & I've heard nothing on ch - 19.

1. Set your radio to scan. Don't limit yourself to one channel. In my area, there's constant activity, and it's about 80% Spanish.

2. Expect nothing more than people using it for what I have shamelessly copied and pasted from the FCC website, which reads as follows: "mobile two-way voice communication, with limited data applications, for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members, including, but not limited to, voluntary provision of assistance to the public during emergencies and natural disasters".

In a nutshell, it's generally people talking to people they already know, like the contacts in their phone.

Contrary to what a lot of people want to believe it is or make it into, GMRS is not amateur radio.

[H8SPVMT]

I do understand the sediment of wanting to "Hear someone having a conversation, etc" if for any reason but to know it is working as designed first.  Then, wanting to get someone to confirm that the radio is actually functional and has the ability to converse.  

As an example, JJAMUSA required all Jeeps riding their trails actually get a GMRS radio in order to communicate with the trail riding members and leader.  The issue was CB's just were not cutting the mustard due to the lack of new owners not having the capability to install and tune them correctly.  Whereas the GMRS were pretty much foolproof with simple install or much better hand-held units.

I too found it irritatingly quiet after the initial install.  It was promoted as a fix all to CB radios issues and then just dead silence....

 

Luckily, I also kept the CB radio in my Jeep to continue conversations with other travellers when there is a need for road conditions or just catch up on the local bull... 

 

Yep, put it on scan and just listen,but you have to know that it too can still remain silent.  In a case like above, you'll need another radio or person with a GMRS Radio to converse with just to check the operation of your radio.

 

. 

[WSEN722]

2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

The best GMRS channel to monitor is the one in your local area that has the most traffic to monitor.

But: If you got a GMRS radio to monitor/listen to people talk or to find anonymous men to chat with, you bought the wrong radio.  Using the Grindr app might be a better choice for you.

Was that bs necessary? Thought this site has etiquette?

[OffRoaderX]

10 minutes ago, WSEN722 said:

Was that bs necessary?

There was no "BS" in that post. I answered the question. If the answer made you sad, that is a you problem.

[Guest]

43 minutes ago, WSEN722 said:

Was that bs necessary? Thought this site has etiquette?

I see no bs.  This site has loads of bs but not in this post. 

[Hoppyjr]

There was no "BS" in that post. I answered the question. If the answer made you sad, that is a you problem.

He doesn’t want more competition on Grindr.

[WSEZ]

16 hours ago, WSEN722 said:

What is the best GMRS channel to monitor for traffic; I'm new & I've heard nothing on ch - 19.

In my area of SC I hear alot of traffic from a club in Atlanta, GA on 19.

[amaff]

2 hours ago, WSEZ said:

In my area of SC I hear alot of traffic from a club in Atlanta, GA on 19.

North GA Repeater Network strikes again

[CaptainSarcastic]

In my neck of the woods of Iowa, when scanning, I hear everything from kids on bubble packs playing "spy", to construction workers running heavy equipment, Water Park life guards, Friday night High School football referees calling back field position to the scoreboard operators, to "Pet Supplies Plus" employees discussing unloading the freight truck. It's a wide variety of uses here!

[Crabby]

23 hours ago, WSEN722 said:

Was that bs necessary? Thought this site has etiquette?

Humor and sarcasm are never necessary, but they sure are funny and never against etiquette.  Apparently, some found it offensive somehow.  Very important life tip coming.  Offense cannot be given.  You have never heard anyone say "Standby, I am about to give you some offense".  Many say "I take offense at this or that".  Getting offended says more about the one who took offense that the supposed offender.  Not good things either.  It typically shows a lack of something.  A sense of humor for example.  

[OffRoaderX]

4 minutes ago, Crabby said:

It typically shows a lack of something.  A sense of humor for example

Coincidentally a very common trait of "some people"....

[ULTRA2]

14 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

A sense of humor for example

If you can't give a proper answer, then don't answer the question. I notice these kinds of comments are mostly directed to the new users. Joke or not new users don't think these comments are funny, and I agree with them.

[OffRoaderX]

36 minutes ago, ULTRA2 said:

If you can't give a proper answer, then don't answer the question. I notice these kinds of comments are mostly directed to the new users. Joke or not new users don't think these comments are funny, and I agree with them

What a sad life you must have.

[Guest]

42 minutes ago, ULTRA2 said:

If you can't give a proper answer, then don't answer the question. I notice these kinds of comments are mostly directed to the new users. Joke or not new users don't think these comments are funny, and I agree with them.

I’m saddened by your response.  I for one DO NOT discriminate new users to old users when commenting.   I do  not think Randy does either it’s seams  he is all inclusive.  
 

new user or not people need to read what they are signing up for when they agree to the fcc rules and get a gmrs license.  They should do research BEFORE they buy a license and radio. They should read and understand the fcc web site they agreed to when buying the license.   They unfortunately believe all the ads about talking to random strangers 500miles away just for fun,  then get frustrated when they can’t reach a repeater 5 miles  away.   These sales ads hurt new people way more then telling them the truth in a comical way.    People should do research on forums before making a decision not after.  

[AdmiralCochrane]

53 minutes ago, Socalgmrs said:

I’m saddened by your response.  I for one DO NOT discriminate new users to old users when commenting.   I do  not think Randy does either it’s seams  he is all inclusive.  
 

new user or not people need to read what they are signing up for when they agree to the fcc rules and get a gmrs license.  They should do research BEFORE they buy a license and radio. They should read and understand the fcc web site they agreed to when buying the license.   They unfortunately believe all the ads about talking to random strangers 500miles away just for fun,  then get frustrated when they can’t reach a repeater 5 miles  away.   These sales ads hurt new people way more then telling them the truth in a comical way.    People should do research on forums before making a decision not after.  

May win a prize for your best post ever

[ULTRA2]

4 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

What a sad life you must have.

 seems like it doesn't it!!

[Willie]

7 hours ago, Crabby said:

Humor and sarcasm are never necessary, but they sure are funny and never against etiquette.  Apparently, some found it offensive somehow.  Very important life tip coming.  Offense cannot be given.  You have never heard anyone say "Standby, I am about to give you some offense".  Many say "I take offense at this or that".  Getting offended says more about the one who took offense that the supposed offender.  Not good things either.  It typically shows a lack of something.  A sense of humor for example.  

Perhaps we need some more emojis added to the collection eh?

 

[Hoppyjr]

What a sad life you must have.

The world we live in today is much too soft.

[Shortarms]

On 11/15/2024 at 3:51 PM, OffRoaderX said:

The best GMRS channel to monitor is the one in your local area that has the most traffic to monitor.

But: If you got a GMRS radio to monitor/listen to people talk or to find anonymous men to chat with, you bought the wrong radio.  Using the Grindr app might be a better choice for you.

Now I swore you did a video on youtube and it says channel 19 is the one to monitor for traffic you disappoint me.  lol

[nokones]

On 11/15/2024 at 4:50 PM, WSEN722 said:

Was that bs necessary? Thought this site has etiquette?

I didn't smell anything.

I assume you only been on this forum for less than a couple of months based on your post that almost border lines disrespecting the Queen. It is not nice to disrespect the Queen. It would be best for you to observe the various posts, especially from the Queen, to get the jist of this forum and who is who so you do not end up on people's Ignore List.

If you don't get the meaning of this, maybe the Radio Reference Forum would better suit you.

[OffRoaderX]

6 hours ago, Shortarms said:

Now I swore you did a video on youtube and it says channel 19 is the one to monitor for traffic

Nope.. I said channel 19 is the official "road"/travel channel - for talking with everyone else in your group whilst on the road & traveling.. 
Very different from the OP who apparently wants to just listen in to anonymous men chatting - we have no idea how far from the highway he is.

[SteveShannon]

30 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:

Nope.. I said channel 19 is the official "road"/travel channel - for talking with everyone else in your group whilst on the road & traveling.. 
Very different from the OP who apparently wants to just listen in to anonymous men chatting - we have no idea how far from the highway he is.

Monitoring for traffic can have a couple connotations.  Radio traffic or highway traffic reports on the radio. When I first read the question I wasn’t sure which was being asked.