Immediate Family using callsign

[sferguso11]

When it comes to immediate family using the Callsign of a family member, how do the immediate family use the callsign?  What I mean is do they use just the callsign or is it the callsign and something after the callsign like callsign unit 1 or callsign dad or something else?

[SteveShannon]

16 minutes ago, sferguso11 said:

When it comes to immediate family using the Callsign of a family member, how do the immediate family use the callsign?  What I mean is do they use just the callsign or is it the callsign and something after the callsign like callsign unit 1 or callsign dad or something else?

They’re only required to use the call sign, but if it helps you to identify each other you’re allowed to use something like a unit number as well. Personally, I like to use first names or familial relationships, “John, this is grandpa.”

Understand that you only need to identify using your call sign once every 15 minutes and when you end a conversation, so if you talk for 2 minutes or 15 minutes you’ll only need to ID once. If you talk for 16 minutes to 30 minutes you are required to ID at least twice.  Each time you ID it resets the 15 minute clock. So, if you’re concerned about compliance, just throw in your ID when it’s convenient and at the very end and don’t worry about it.

[Socalgmrs]

So there is an old thread on this site that asks this exact same question a few months back.  Maybe start there with a basic look a round or search.   I quick search I. The work wide web would also tell you before asking strangers.  However,  The answer is, what do the fcc rules say.  You should look things like this up for your self before asking strangers.    When you purchased your license you told the fcc that you read and fully understood all the rules pertaining to gmrs.  Did you just click through and not read anything?  If you actually had spent time reading, that then you would know the rules.    I will say that simplex has the fcc rules BUT repeater owners or clubs can ask for more than the fcc.  So I highly recommend you familiarize yourself with the fcc rules you should already know.   

[sferguso11]

7 minutes ago, SteveShannon said:

They’re only required to use the call sign, but if it helps you to identify each other you’re allowed to use something like a unit number as well. Personally, I like to use first names or familial relationships, “John, this is grandpa.”

I'm asking more to see if there's either a FCC required way of doing it, if there's a preferred way to do it in the GMRS or just a personal preference.  

[SteveShannon]

8 minutes ago, sferguso11 said:

I'm asking more to see if there's either a FCC required way of doing it, if there's a preferred way to do it in the GMRS or just a personal preference.  

The only thing the fcc says is that you must ID every 15 minutes and at the end of the conversation and that unit numbers are allowed. 

§ 95.1751 GMRS station identification.

Each GMRS station must be identified by transmission of its FCC-assigned call sign at the end of transmissions and at periodic intervals during transmissions except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification.

(a) The GMRS station call sign must be transmitted:

(1) Following a single transmission or a series of transmissions; and,

(2) After 15 minutes and at least once every 15 minutes thereafter during a series of transmissions lasting more than 15 minutes.

(b) The call sign must be transmitted using voice in the English language or international Morse code telegraphy using an audible tone.

(c) Any GMRS repeater station is not required to transmit station identification if:

(1) It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and,

(2) The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section.

 

[amaff]

There's no rule against using names on GMRS. So long as someone IDs every 15 minutes, use your names, use a nickname. Hell, give each other trucker or Top Gun call signs lol
The ONLY thing the FCC requires is that someone talking under that callsign IDs every 15 minutes

[TDM827]

This is pretty wide open and immediate family members can ID themselves to each other as they like. As long as you follow the call sign identification requirements as mentioned by SteveShannon, or any other FCC regulations. 

As a practical matter, we find it smoother to make sure the family understands our contact procedure and we stick to it as best we can so it's second nature. We incorporate the last 3 digits of our call sign when calling each other to avoid multiple "Jim's or "John's" who may be monitoring mistakenly answering up.   

[WSEZ864]

1 hour ago, TDM827 said:

This is pretty wide open and immediate family members can ID themselves to each other as they like. As long as you follow everyone follows the call sign identification requirements as mentioned by SteveShannon, or any other FCC regulations. 

As a practical matter, we find it smoother to make sure the family understands our contact procedure and we stick to it as best we can so it's second nature. We incorporate the last 3 digits of our call sign when calling each other to avoid multiple "Jim's or "John's" who may be monitoring mistakenly answering up.   

Fixed.

[H8SPVMT]

21 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

The only thing the fcc says is that you must ID every 15 minutes and at the end of the conversation and that unit numbers are allowed. 

§ 95.1751 GMRS station identification.

Each GMRS station must be identified by transmission of its FCC-assigned call sign at the end of transmissions and at periodic intervals during transmissions except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification.

(a) The GMRS station call sign must be transmitted:

(1) Following a single transmission or a series of transmissions; and,

(2) After 15 minutes and at least once every 15 minutes thereafter during a series of transmissions lasting more than 15 minutes.

(b) The call sign must be transmitted using voice in the English language or international Morse code telegraphy using an audible tone.

(c) Any GMRS repeater station is not required to transmit station identification if:

(1) It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and,

(2) The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section.

 

I take the to mean identification isn't necessary at the beginning of the transmission, just the end, correct?

[WSEZ864]

4 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

I take the to mean identification isn't necessary at the beginning of the transmission, just the end, correct?

Every 15 minutes and, as you say, at the end.

[WRUU653]

1 hour ago, H8SPVMT said:

I take the to mean identification isn't necessary at the beginning of the transmission, just the end, correct?

Correct.

[WRUU653]

23 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

just throw in your ID when it’s convenient and at the very end and don’t worry about it.

This ^^^ keep it simple I think is the essence of GMRS. 

[SteveShannon]

1 hour ago, H8SPVMT said:

I take the to mean identification isn't necessary at the beginning of the transmission, just the end, correct?

As Gil said, that’s correct.  When GMRS is used to communicate with people you already know an introduction isn’t necessary and nothing in the regulations require using a call sign at the beginning of a call for either GMRS or ham radio.

Ham radio operators usually will use their call signs at the very beginning of a contact as a matter of courtesy to introduce themselves but they are simply required to ID at the end of every communication and every 10 minutes. Now, something I don’t honestly know is whether every communication means every time we push the PTT.  A lot of times I’ll give a short answer without using my call sign, as do all the other hams I know.

[Davichko5650]

2 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

Now, something I don’t honestly know is whether every communication means every time we push the PTT.  

I listen to a group on  a local 2m repeater I can hear, but normally can't talk on more often than not (dead spots and terrain issues)  that are on most every weekday AM and the number of times they repeat their callsigns borders on the ridiculous.  I've not ever gotten on to bug them about this, but have mentioned it to a couple of them during "eyeball QSO's" at hamfests or other occasions when I've met them.  Never hurts to ID more than required, but when it's before and after every transmission, it gets a bit much.

[H8SPVMT]

Thanks for the replies! Thinking over the years I have picked up a bad habit.  SO it is, just at the end of the conversation.  I like that better!

 

[WRUU653]

6 minutes ago, H8SPVMT said:

Thanks for the replies! Thinking over the years I have picked up a bad habit.  SO it is, just at the end of the conversation.  I like that better!

 

If by bad habit you mean announcing your call sign at the beginning, I think that is fairly common and I wouldn’t consider it a bad habit. Rather when conversing with family or friends I would say you shouldn’t feel obligated. I like to think GMRS is a little less uptight. I wouldn’t give you a hard time either way. 

[WRTC928]

On 3/18/2025 at 10:44 AM, Davichko5650 said:

I listen to a group on  a local 2m repeater I can hear, but normally can't talk on more often than not (dead spots and terrain issues)  that are on most every weekday AM and the number of times they repeat their callsigns borders on the ridiculous.  I've not ever gotten on to bug them about this, but have mentioned it to a couple of them during "eyeball QSO's" at hamfests or other occasions when I've met them.  Never hurts to ID more than required, but when it's before and after every transmission, it gets a bit much.

On the repeaters I use, it's not the norm to give a callsign at the end of every transmission. People typically use their callsign at the beginning and periodically (usually when the repeater IDs), then when they're finished with the conversation. I suppose it varies from one location to another. Things often become customary not because there's any requirement for it or even inherent logic in it, but just because it's what someone did and everyone else followed suit.