What radio can I buy for GMRS public repeater towers?

[Guest Deputy]

I want to extned the range of a two way radio. I understand there are repeaters towers in certain areas that can be used by the public if idicated on this website. My question is what radio should I buy to be able to take advantage of these towers and communicate with other GMRS capable radios. Any speciffic portable radios would be helpful.

[PastorGary]

There are many variables regarding equipment. First of all, you must have an FCC GMRS license to legally access any repeaters.

 

 

In order to answer your question, our members here would have to know -

.

 

What your range expectations would be.

 

Have you researched how far away any "Open" or "Permission Only" repeaters are to your primary operating location?

 

Will you be talking with other family members on a repeater? (more than one radio needed).

 

During what type of activities would you be using a repeater (Hiking, camping, bike riding, etc.)

 

Give our members a bit more info, and they can assist you in locating the right equipment for your situation.  Also, once you are licensed, you can register at our main website as a member as well as here at the Forum.

[Guest Deputy]

Okay so you need a licesnse to legally operate on a repeater channel

 

- Range expectations would really just be anthything over maybe 2-3 miles, where normal two-ways can't function efficently because of geography.

- I did research on this website that there is an "open" repeater tower in my area.

- I would likley be talking to other guys in a hunting group, however I didn't realzie you needed a lisence, so I imagine to communicate on a repeater channel eveyone in a group must have a valid FCC GMRS license. Also radio usage while hunting is legal in PA, however cannot be used to communicate to other hunters the movement of game animals or somthing like that.

 

I thought that using 2-way repeater towers would be a good solution when your radio can't reach to the other side of a mountain because of woods and overall geography. So that is my idea, and the radio I'm looking at getting is either the Olympia P324, or the cheaper one Olympia R500.

 

I have very basic radio knowledge, and would love to learn more about this and play around with it. Thank you for the very fast response!

[WQWI871]

One licensee can authorize family members, I believe. Otherwise, everyone would need a valid GMRS license. Have you looked at the Baofeng GMRS-V1 or any Midland mobile radios? I want to say that the Olympia R500 is fine, but, seems unnecessary for that price.

If the repeater is within range, solid range, of where you intend to use it and is a good height, two to three miles isn't much.

Edited August 25, 2017 by spd641
I corrected it for you XSevenSonata

[SteveC7010]

One licensee can authorize up to six residential family members, I believe. Otherwise, everyone would need a valid GMRS license.

I'm pretty sure there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of family members covered by the license. Would you know which section of the new Part 95 you're pulling this info from?

[WQWI871]

I'm pretty sure there's nothing in the rules that limits the number of family members covered by the license. Would you know which section of the new Part 95 you're pulling this info from?

I did say I believe, as I think. Every individual is welcome of doing they're own research, licensed or non licensed, official rules and regulations can always be viewed, and, is always advisable. I was merely stating that for reference. And although I don't mean to involve G, as he generally mentions in the weather topics, all information specified is not official and to always check the official sources for the most accurate and up to date information. I've edited my initial post.

[SteveC7010]

I did say I believe, as I think. Every individual is welcome of doing they're own research, licensed or non licensed, official rules and regulations can always be viewed, and, is always advisable. I was merely stating that for reference. And although I don't mean to involve G, as he generally mentions in the weather topics, all information specified is not official and to always check the official sources for the most accurate and up to date information.

Just give 95.1705 a read and tell me where you see a limitation of 6 family members per license.

 

One of the most important things we try to do in these forums is to give correct and accurate information to each other.

[WQWI871]

One of the most important things we try to do in these forums is to give correct and accurate information to each other.

With that said, the best information we can give is to direct the questioner to the official source for the most accurate and up to date details.

[DesertDog]

I wonder if he just was mistaken or had heard it wrong as it gets passed on.  Instead of 6 different groups of family members it got passed as 6 family members???

 

The following are what is authorized as a family member. 

 

 

(2) Licensee's spouse;

(3) Licensee's children, grandchildren, stepchildren;

(4) Licensee's parents, grandparents, stepparents;

(5) Licensee's brothers, sisters;

(6) Licensee's aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews; and

(7) Licensee's in-laws.

[WQWI871]

I wonder if he just was mistaken or had heard it wrong

I was mistaken. I'm not someone that gives false information just so that I can feel proud and smart. I try to be honest and give correct information, however, not everyone remembers or has time to flip through for exact quotes.

 

A side note, I did correct my original post and don't see the need for ongoing feuds of my mistake.

[PastorGary]

This thread is closed for now to allow the original poster to review details. This thread may be reopened at such time as the 'OP' returns and requests that it be reopened OR when the 'OP' joins the Forum as a licensed GMRS operator. 

 

 

 

 

Moderator Staff