H8SPVMT

Jason D. I live in Summerville, SC and hear the HOPKINS repeater often but can only hit it on "GOOD" days. I have heard several folks chatting on both repeaters Hopkins and the older Bowman 600 / Orangeburg area repeater(s). Kingstree is a good one too but I seldom hear anyone on it. Never thought too much to buy into the CSRAGMRS 725 as it doesn't reach me either. Being a mobile unit (Midland MXT400) and just far enough from all the repeaters that I have to travel prohibit any conversations I might hear. I have become friends with the owner of Bowman 600 over the last three/four years and check in with him during my travels up and down I-26 and similar rds. I HAVE gotten permission to use the aforementioned repeaters but seldom call on them just cuz I don't have anything but chit-chat and of course I am usually driving... and it takes priority. I usually leave my unit on SCAN just incase a call comes down the pike, it helps if I have the time to answer (If I have the necessary CTCSS, etc.... Unit is mounted in the JEEP for trips only.

It's been my experience that you might hear them, or in the case they are using another CTCSS setting you'll see the signal bar on your display indicate a signal reception from their radio. Pay attention to the, "listen first" as well.

A "No Reply" to me is a NO. when owner have replied to me with an email or notice I I print it out and file it with my GMRS information for use at later date as I might need it during my travels. I really don't fret about a No Reply. It is solely their equipment and I regard their action to be OK too.

I'm thinking that if you're breaking squelch you're close enough to have reception. I wonder if the operator/owner has the station on a split frequency from input to output. Just a wild haired guess! Make sure to remove any CTCSS/DPL on the receive channel.

I forgot to mention that this simple education lead me to learning open water navigation and GPSr use later in life.

Yes this would be a great idea for learning to use practical navigational skills minus the GPSr available today. My scout education prepared me for life back in the late 1960s as well. As a matter of fact, I still carry my first compass given to me for map reading to this day in my Jeep.

C'mon, Roger Beeps are like naked people lurking in the shadows as you travel down the highway. You never get to see a pretty one and only the ugly, un-interesting parts are exposed! And they cause the same people to scream at a volume and tone that no one listening wants to endure for even a minute.

This reminds me of the citizen beginning to pass a Tractor Trailer traveling below the speed limit on the interstate. With his blinker on citizen begins to get out into the left lane and pass the truck at the legal speed limit. Truck driver now speeds up to the speed limit too, preventing the the fellow to pass without speeding. Now all those that like to drive faster than the speed limit are blocked and blowing their horns. Whos at fault; everyone is traveling the speed limit? I say the truck driver, as he needs to slow down and allow the citizen to pass and clear the left lane. There are always people with what looks like good intentions. But they seem to disregard the laws after getting use to never getting caught or, having their actions reviewed by the officials.... Are the Sad Hams getting frustrated because they think GMRS users are in their way?

If you do not get the "squelch tail beep" after you release the PTT button the repeater isn't getting your signal so you'll have to get closer or, find a more open line of sight to the repeater. Just a guess.

Out by ourselves over the holidays and ran a portion of the South Carolina Adventure Route (SCAR). This one trail was very close to 1000 ft of mud. Total trip 240 miles.

GMRS used at the last couple of events I have attended with 200+ Jeeps have been quiet using only simplex. Maybe the mountains have something to do with that also. Still using CB's too on another event and the same lack of interference. Other than that fella yellin "A-U-D-I-O" when we reach the mountain tops anyway....

CH 19 Simplex only in my book.

Didn't you mean "Niner" is the NATO ....." Life is too short to argue with total strangers on the internet. Just had to steal this! Especially for this site. Merry Christmas!

"G-M-R-S" General "MOBILE RADIO" Service Seems pretty simple to me this would relate more to your current location (City/State should be broad enough) than, your home base location for simplex and repeater conversations. As a strictly mobile setup I give my current location when asked. This way it's understood I am traveling thru at the moment. I think it would be confusing if someone were to look my call sign and I am 3-500 miles from that location. Privacy behind the microphone? Never has been an issue for me.