Family chitchat

[WRYJ706]

Hello first time posting here.  I’ve been a licensed GMRS users for a few years now but haven’t really used it until recently.   I was just wondering if the repeaters are a good spot to chitchat occasionally with my wife while she is out an about or at her work.

we aren’t close enough for a simplex call.

[SteveShannon]

38 minutes ago, WRYJ706 said:

Hello first time posting here.  I’ve been a licensed GMRS users for a few years now but haven’t really used it until recently.   I was just wondering if the repeaters are a good spot to chitchat occasionally with my wife while she is out an about or at her work.

we aren’t close enough for a simplex call.

Ultimately it’s up to the repeater operator but that’s exactly what GMRS is for. 

[Socalgmrs]

I’d for sure say ask the repeater owner but yes like already said that is what gmrs is for.   It happens all the time on our local repeaters. 

[GrouserPad]

 

23 hours ago, WRYJ706 said:

Hello first time posting here.  I’ve been a licensed GMRS users for a few years now but haven’t really used it until recently.   I was just wondering if the repeaters are a good spot to chitchat occasionally with my wife while she is out an about or at her work.

we aren’t close enough for a simplex call.

Oh yeh, just listen to the repeater channel for a few minutes, then before transmitting do a quick call out maybe asking if the channel is clear, and then have fun contacting your family and friends. Show some etiquette by leaving a break in your transmissions every so often that someone else can call out to use it if they so need to and then get back to chit chat. I personally don't like chit chatting over repeaters wwith my family but I think thats just because I know the coverage area is soooooo much wider and I find it odd knowing everyone within 30 miles can hear a booming signal over it. So be aware of what info your putting over the air. 

[Socalgmrs]

11 minutes ago, GrouserPad said:

 

Oh yeh, just listen to the repeater channel for a few minutes, then before transmitting do a quick call out maybe asking if the channel is clear, and then have fun contacting your family and friends. Show some etiquette by leaving a break in your transmissions every so often that someone else can call out to use it if they so need to and then get back to chit chat. I personally don't like chit chatting over repeaters wwith my family but I think thats just because I know the coverage area is soooooo much wider and I find it odd knowing everyone within 30 miles can hear a booming signal over it. So be aware of what info your putting over the air. 

Wow 30miles?   That’s a HUGE coverage.  Hehe 

[GrouserPad]

1 hour ago, Socalgmrs said:

Wow 30miles?   That’s a HUGE coverage.  Hehe 

It is in this part of the state. Heavily wooded. Rolling hills.

[WRYZ926]

And not everyone lives in the wide open desert where it is flat.

Our GMRS repeater antennas are at 400 feet above ground and our 70cm repeater antennas are at 900 feet above ground. We get around a 30-35 mile radius range on both. Again due to local terrain and lots of forested areas. In comparison, our 2m repeater antennas are on the same tower and also at 900 feet above ground. We get around 80-85 mile radius range on 2m. This clearly shows the difference between UHF and HVF. 

If it was a height issue then we would see better coverage with the 70cm repeater than the GMRS repeater. But both have the same coverage.

On 3/14/2025 at 7:42 PM, WRYJ706 said:

Hello first time posting here.  I’ve been a licensed GMRS users for a few years now but haven’t really used it until recently.   I was just wondering if the repeaters are a good spot to chitchat occasionally with my wife while she is out an about or at her work.

we aren’t close enough for a simplex call.

We actually encourage that type of use on our repeater. Most families won't "rag chew" for hours on end so it's not an issue. Most of us get a big kick out of listening to one of our member's grandson when he gets on the repeater to talk to Grammy and Papa. The kid is only about 8 years old and does a great job with using proper etiquette on the repeater.

[The219]

My wife and I use our local repeaters pretty regularly for chit chat. Just remember everyone is listening...