25 years old, GMRS license at 24. Going for Amateur Technician Class this week! Got into the hobby at 10 years old when I asked my neighbor why he had a "cell phone" tower In his backyard haha
Thanks for sharing! I actually was wondering what a repeater was. :) I’m super brand new to gmrs. Just got my frn and call sign this week and looking forward to learning!
I just got a GMRS license and am coming from the ham world. I didn’t really listen to GMRS until I got the new radios and boy do these people out there ignore any rules. 😂 jamming, cursing and playing music. I really only got these for emergency communication with my wife so they will do the job, but just thought it was hilarious when the first thing I hear is a bunch of cursing.
@@4acae86 yeah it's interesting though how that varies from location to location. I think CB has heavy influence in some places. In our location the crowd who started the GMRS "fad" (myself included) influence how the band is used. We find very little of that course stuff here in Dubuque.
Great video. I've had my GMRS for I think 3 years now hardly ever use it, mainly for emergency comms with wife, I have a CB in the truck, yeah those guys cursing all the time!!! Haven't heard that on GMRS hear in Lynchburg, VA surrounding areas. Been listening more last few months. Definitely becoming a fun hobby.
Thanks Don! I pretty much just talk about basics, i have a lot of friends who buy a radio but are intimidated to get on the air because they deel they need to know more, so i do thesevlittle videos to show a few basics and help them feel some confidence to get started. But i agree, a good unboxing can help a lot, there are plenty out there by other youtubers and I'd encourage you to enjoy them. Have fun with your radios! 🤠👍
Im completely new to GMRS, I just got my license and my callsign this morning. The repeater owner was doing a scan and I stuttered while doing my callsign 😂
So here's my question, I got my gmrs for my family to use so we all can talk while we go on hikes or hunting, if we all are using it under the same call sign, how do we start that contact
You can stay informal, just use names or "handles". But per fcc guidelines be sure to identify every fifteen minutes with your call sign, and when you end the shared contact (anyone in the fam can do that task)
@@kobblekraftka0kao29I always used unit numbers, example: WRND 717 unit 1, calling unit 2 or other, with a family member responding with WRND 717 unit 2 or 3, whatever they were assigned. We just used unit numbers or even names after until we identified with our call sign after 15 minutes or so.
Actually YES, if its part of an extended transmission... the general rule is that you must identify yourself by transmitting your GMRS call-sign at the END of your transmission or every 15 minutes. So if you call out "hey Amanda?" then walk away for an hour you have broken the rule. But if you do this a time or two a few minutes apart you probably have not broken the rule, and just to be safe add your call sign at the end of one of those calls. Generally, use your call sign to ID regularly and all will be good. But then i have not heard of any FCC "cops" breaking down doors to arrest offenders, it doesnt work that way. They get involved if someone tells them about an offense. They send warning letters and stuff, fines are only applied when station refuse to comply... but then, with the present administration who knows!? Unelected officials are soing all kinds of unexpected things these days, but i suspect GMRS radio users are low-priority, at least until they're not 😉🤠. www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-95.1751
Thats no problem. The FCC just wants the call-sign identification every fifteen minutes so that they and otger listeners can know the station is a licensed user. Adding your name or handle is fine too.
Appreciate the comments. On air etiquette exists for the same reason as rules of the road exist on highways, to prevent collision. I saw CB devolve from a very useful communication tool into chaos, because common on air courtesy was thrown out the window. That is why Hams, who invest time and money to use our bands, so jealousy enforce on air etiquette. It isn’t, for most hams, because we think we are better than other radio services. It is because we want our radio service to remain useful, just like public service or military or business radio services.
As a radio enthusiast and truck driver I will admit there are times I do turn down or off the radio but there's been many times it still has been valuable to me even with the more degenerate users.
Radio etiquette is so different than that of being in the military. I worked with Army SF in afghanistan and had the 18 Echos (special forces commo sergeants) shadow me and teach me everything. After deployment, I became my platoons Radio telephone operator and knew radio etiquette so well, i had to correct officers on how to talk on the radio more properly. In the military, the person who starts a transmission, ends the transmission. We say "over" after each transmission to who im talking to so that person knows I am finished saying what I need to say and theyll respond back. When that person says "over" now i know hes done talking so I can talk back. When 2 people are talking on a frequency (or channel....same thing), NO ONE is to interrupt that conversation at all. If im trying to relay something like a location using a 10 digit grid and i start having a brain fart, or loud noises (like gun fire) are blocking my mind and I need a moment to catch a breath? Ill say "break" so that person knows Im not finished with my transmition, im quite literally taking a "break" for a moment. When Im done talking to that person, ill finish my last transmition with "OUT" (over and out is only in movies. To say "over and out is redundant. Out means "out", youre done. No need to say "over" and once "OUT" is said (again, the person who starts the transmition ends the transmission), that opens the airwaves back up for other people to talk again. Typically, especially in a war time setting, we will have different channels we program into our radios for different purposes. The main channel would be typically on a SATCOM and thats to "Higher" or higher command, for me it was anyone in a TOC at Bagram. Guys watching drone feeds, guys we talked to to call in MEDEVACs, etc. Then we would have "Command Net". Thats for the Ground Force Commander and if multiple GFC's (Ground force commanders) were on the battlefield, thats the frequency used to relay the most important information relevant to the operation and typically GFCs and GFCs only talk on those channels, unless youre someone who REALLY needs to give information to GFCs and you better have something very important to say. Then you have a "Team Net" channel. That was for the entire team you are working with to relay just about anything. Than you had a "Fires net" typically this was for mortars, artillery (if that was available) to call in IDF (indirect fire), If you have a recon or overwatch element, they had their own channel. If guys were dismounted walking through the villages and didnt want to hear all the clutter from Team net, theyll have their own channel dedicated to them. If theres also a mobile element (guys on trucks with large crew served weapons) Then they also have their own channel. This is all to keep relevant information, to relevant people who needed that information. Then you had our JTACs or Joint Terminal AIr Controllers, typically Airforce guys if its special operations who not only have to monitor what were all saying on the ground, but call in air support to birds above for fire missions. Thats why you would see some Special Operations guys actually with TWO radios on them so they can monitor two channels at once. Someitmes GFCs would even carry two radios. Talking to HAMS and on GMRS, im constantly corrected on my radio etiquette because its just SO different. Saying "roger", "copy", "Tango Mike" (Thanks Man), sometimes we would say "Gulf November" or meaning Good Night. The GMRS guys are much more welcoming on correcting me....but man the HAMs make me regret every day every even getting into it and im just going on HAM bands to talk to friends on open freqs and thats it lol
@@kobblekraftka0kao29I dont like the term "amateurs", HAMs know ALOTTTT and alot of HAMs even come up with new ways and ideas of communications that eventually lead to something to DoD considers using. Right now Special Operations just started using a special radio that works in the GHz range (S-Band, L-Band, and C-Band) because of a new device they carrry with them called ATAK. Its basically a cellphone attached to your body armor where you can see a map of your area, drop points of interests, write descriptions of the locations, Type a 9-line medevac vs yell and scream one over the radio and its an amazing system....but it requires high bandwidth data to work. Its HAMs that came up with that concept of that new radio. HAMs constantly make radio communications better, and better and are always help evolve and revolutionize it
Thanks for your service. Good info from you. Get on the air, disregard fools and do your thing, practice your hobby, enjoy it, choose your crowd. No Romeo Foxtrots.
Sadly, in my area, GMRS has started to devolve to the level of 11 meter CB. More and more you hear people bragging about their modified ham gear running 1000+ watts, foul language and noise toys.
Thanks for that input! Ive seen a bit of that in some places, especially where there are a lot of users.it seems they drop their social media keyboards and push a PTT instead, but with the same rude mentality. Stay on it, be kind but potent about how folks should behave on air. Keep on!
I haven't really had that experience. I mean most people I know most gmrs users have modified ham radios but most of them I've seen still try to follow power rules and such. A lot of the useage of ham gear I've seen is is from ham operators that just don't want to run 3 radios in their vehicle or people who plan on getting into ham and want to dip their toes in and have a radio they can use for ham once they get their license.
Hello, I'm in central IA (Altoona) and just picked up a couple radios. Was wondering it there is a common channel where people transmit? I've been in scan mode and hear no traffic. Maybe just no one in the area..
Thats a tough one. There was really no traffic in my area either when i started. But i showed my friends and several of them became interested and they bought radios too. We eventually built a GMRS repeater, now we have two. Most of us joined the local ham club and became licensed amateurs. But we dint drop GMRS, rather several of the ham guys also got gmrs licenses and joined us on our repeaters. Being able to use both bands (frequency sets) is really great. But for me, gmrs is the first love! ❤️
Got my GMRS license and checking the FCC website, I am listed but the call sign field is blank. Do they assign you one or do you submit one for approval? Thanks!
Once you know your frn you have to find the website for the ULS manager; you use your frn number to sign in as opposed to your email/username. The site looks similar.
Oh heck yeah, just google "ham radio Q-codes". Most GMRS folks don't know the codes, but hams who enjoy the gmrs band kinda popularize them by simply using them. Its kinda handy and folks catch on quick. Many of them are only relavent on HF radio, but lots are useful in common radio conversation. QTH, QSY, QRT, etc.
I'll be honest, most people on GMRS do not have a license, and I think that's just fine. If you're polite and respectful, there's no problem. But, in the HAM world, that's totally a no-go and at the very least a technician license is the bare minimum to have to push that talk button.
@@rustynail6819 in all honesty i totally agree! Ham is a different world, many first responders depend on amateur radio during emergencies, so those air waves are more closely guarded for good reason.
Yes, any licensed frequencies will require ID with your call sight at certain intervals (15 minutes oN GMRS, 10 minutes for ham frequencies). But FRS, MURS, and other unlicensed frequencies are free to use, no ID calls required. Have fun, push that PTT!
There are no FRS or GMRS exclusive frequencies anymore, other than the repeater inputs. All of the simplex channels(1-22) are identical and available for users of both services. The requirement for a license is based solely on the type of the radio you are using. If it is a Part 95B type accepted FRS radio with ALL of the following features:
Anyone please :) (New to Radio) I have a Hacked/Factory Set UV-5R that I programmed the 22 GMRS Channels/Frequencies into plus a local Repeater. Are the following Antenna Specs good for GMRS Frequencies ? Frequency: RX:136-174MHz,400-520MHz；TX:GMRS(462-467MHz) Gain: 3.0 dBi. Max Power: 20Watts. V.S.W.R: Less than 1.5. Impedance: 50ohm. Antenna length: 48cm/18.89inch
Yeah, in some ways you could say that. At least as far as following the FCC rules it is. But since the requirement to ID is 15 minutes for GMRS we can do more chatting between ID's.
I just getting into this Can you repeater jump till you get to where you want it . I thought GMRS goes up to 50 miles on good day from base station. I have 4 properties and plan to put up at least 100 foot tower on each and maybe with repeaters . All properties are about 40-50 mile radius with one in middle . My questions Do I need that tall of towers for base stations and repeaters What’s the best antennas What’s best power supply I’m in Oklahoma
Being in OK is a real plus, plenty of flat land is good. "Jumping" repeaters in a series would require one of two things: 1) all are linked via internet. Or... 2) a person listening on the first repeater "relays" your message to the next, and so on. GMRS may not be the best solution for you. A general class ham licence would let you call any one of those properties to any of the others usingbhigh frequency. A tower wouldnt even be needed then, just some wires. Bestcsetup for local comm like that might be NIVS, check that stuff out.
Why use ham codes on GMRS? Seems like exclusionary and obsolete to use Morse code based codes in a digital age. Reminds me of all the internet chat lingo, which at least makes sense as it is typed.
The only time i hear ham codes used is in one on one communication between folks who know the terms and are just trying to speed things up. "QSY to 18" is easier than describing a switch to another channel, and others pick up on it if they listen. Agreed, they should never be used for exclusion.
I use 73 and such just because I've heard others do it and it does make communication more efficient when the people you're talking to know the meaning
It's my understanding that with GMRS, you may not use any type of codes like 10-codes, amateur radio Q-codes, ect. and must use PLAIN LANGUAGE to communicate. UPDATE I have found that coded messages are indeed allowed. Previously they were not.
Hmmm, I'm not familiar with that, but I'll double check. It's certainly true we cannot use codes that are not commonly understood, but Q-codes and CW (Morse) are both common to the hobby, and both are prevalent in my experience.
@@djsoundzentertainment42 true, but i don't recall reading anything out of the ordinary in the fcc rules re coded messages. I will check though, painting a fence right now though. Thanks for listening and for your comment. 🤠👍
@DJ Soundz Entertainment in part 95 it says: "Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are permissible);" Hmmm, it specifies 10-codes, but not q-codes... u may be right. But then, this isnt the only technical flaw in my quick vid, and i do hear a lot of q-codes on gmrs in my area. Does that excuse it? No, maybe we should clean that up. Then again, its a harmless infraction that just isnt maybe specified parenthetically in the "rules" as 10-codes are. I hear a lit of spanish language in my area too, also forbidden, but it doesnt bother me, I'm glad to see folks using their radios. 😊 thanks for commenting!
New the the gmrs and ham. I just listen on ham but my wife and I travel nurse across the country, when we’re in our care we communicate by gmrs bc we sometimes lose cell signal and it’s also just easier. Don’t know what hammy means but we just talk and every once in a while I say my call sign. Just wondering what is not correct etiquette that makes you sick.
You can tell it's government by how arbitrary their "rules" are - every 15 mins? I'm working, I'm not going to set a timer to go off every 15 mins all day to announce my call sign to my sister, the only other person on the channel. Cmon.
I'm brand, brand new to GMRS. Received my license earlier this morning and radios coming today. This was super helpful. Appreciate it!
Me too. Deciding on my first radios.
@@skye1212 I went with a Tidradio TD-H3. Been pretty happy with it so far.
Great video! Very helpful to us new GMRS users.
Thanks!
Give us a #4 this is incredibly insightful to aspiring radio operators. Im curious how many young people these videos inspire. Thank you sir.
Thanks very much for the kind words.
What would you like to see in a #4?
I added #4 today, please let me knowbif it was helpful.
If 33 is oyung then you can count me
25 years old, GMRS license at 24. Going for Amateur Technician Class this week! Got into the hobby at 10 years old when I asked my neighbor why he had a "cell phone" tower In his backyard haha
This is a good video for new GMRS operators. Heck, it's even good for new ham operators.
@@JimJimmington-e8i thanks!
Thanks for sharing! I actually was wondering what a repeater was. :) I’m super brand new to gmrs. Just got my frn and call sign this week and looking forward to learning!
How long did that email take? So far it’s been a few hours
@@zeroUnitygain I think a day or so. Can’t remember if it was over the weekend or not
Excellent tips on how to handle the conversations.
Thank you!
Liked and Subbed.
I’m learning a lot from your videos, still waiting on my gm15 pro to arrive
I just got a GMRS license and am coming from the ham world. I didn’t really listen to GMRS until I got the new radios and boy do these people out there ignore any rules. 😂 jamming, cursing and playing music. I really only got these for emergency communication with my wife so they will do the job, but just thought it was hilarious when the first thing I hear is a bunch of cursing.
@@4acae86 yeah it's interesting though how that varies from location to location. I think CB has heavy influence in some places. In our location the crowd who started the GMRS "fad" (myself included) influence how the band is used. We find very little of that course stuff here in Dubuque.
Great video. I've had my GMRS for I think 3 years now hardly ever use it, mainly for emergency comms with wife, I have a CB in the truck, yeah those guys cursing all the time!!! Haven't heard that on GMRS hear in Lynchburg, VA surrounding areas. Been listening more last few months. Definitely becoming a fun hobby.
Glad to hear you are enjoying it!
Havingvthem for emergencies is great, but USING them is the key to being ready when an emergency comes. Great job!
Good information.
Waiting for part 4! would love to see a new radio unboxed, frequency put in and proper way to contact someone.
Thanks Don!
I pretty much just talk about basics, i have a lot of friends who buy a radio but are intimidated to get on the air because they deel they need to know more, so i do thesevlittle videos to show a few basics and help them feel some confidence to get started.
But i agree, a good unboxing can help a lot, there are plenty out there by other youtubers and I'd encourage you to enjoy them. Have fun with your radios! 🤠👍
Im completely new to GMRS, I just got my license and my callsign this morning. The repeater owner was doing a scan and I stuttered while doing my callsign 😂
@@dad7087 good for you!! Stutter or not, you pushed that PTT!! It all gets easier after that. 🤠👍
I'm learning , thanks !
So here's my question, I got my gmrs for my family to use so we all can talk while we go on hikes or hunting, if we all are using it under the same call sign, how do we start that contact
You can stay informal, just use names or "handles". But per fcc guidelines be sure to identify every fifteen minutes with your call sign, and when you end the shared contact (anyone in the fam can do that task)
@@kobblekraftka0kao29I always used unit numbers, example: WRND 717 unit 1, calling unit 2 or other, with a family member responding with WRND 717 unit 2 or 3, whatever they were assigned. We just used unit numbers or even names after until we identified with our call sign after 15 minutes or so.
Could I start off the conversation with, “Amanda, do you copy?” As a way to initially call for someone on radio?
Actually YES, if its part of an extended transmission... the general rule is that you must identify yourself by transmitting your GMRS call-sign at the END of your transmission or every 15 minutes.
So if you call out "hey Amanda?" then walk away for an hour you have broken the rule. But if you do this a time or two a few minutes apart you probably have not broken the rule, and just to be safe add your call sign at the end of one of those calls.
Generally, use your call sign to ID regularly and all will be good. But then i have not heard of any FCC "cops" breaking down doors to arrest offenders, it doesnt work that way. They get involved if someone tells them about an offense. They send warning letters and stuff, fines are only applied when station refuse to comply... but then, with the present administration who knows!? Unelected officials are soing all kinds of unexpected things these days, but i suspect GMRS radio users are low-priority, at least until they're not 😉🤠.
www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/section-95.1751
what if you are talking to family that share your call sign, use call sign + handle/name?
Thats no problem. The FCC just wants the call-sign identification every fifteen minutes so that they and otger listeners can know the station is a licensed user. Adding your name or handle is fine too.
Appreciate the comments. On air etiquette exists for the same reason as rules of the road exist on highways, to prevent collision. I saw CB devolve from a very useful communication tool into chaos, because common on air courtesy was thrown out the window. That is why Hams, who invest time and money to use our bands, so jealousy enforce on air etiquette. It isn’t, for most hams, because we think we are better than other radio services. It is because we want our radio service to remain useful, just like public service or military or business radio services.
Well-said!!
Sounds about right.
As a radio enthusiast and truck driver I will admit there are times I do turn down or off the radio but there's been many times it still has been valuable to me even with the more degenerate users.
Great video
@@chuckdavis1323 thanks!
Radio etiquette is so different than that of being in the military. I worked with Army SF in afghanistan and had the 18 Echos (special forces commo sergeants) shadow me and teach me everything. After deployment, I became my platoons Radio telephone operator and knew radio etiquette so well, i had to correct officers on how to talk on the radio more properly. In the military, the person who starts a transmission, ends the transmission. We say "over" after each transmission to who im talking to so that person knows I am finished saying what I need to say and theyll respond back. When that person says "over" now i know hes done talking so I can talk back. When 2 people are talking on a frequency (or channel....same thing), NO ONE is to interrupt that conversation at all. If im trying to relay something like a location using a 10 digit grid and i start having a brain fart, or loud noises (like gun fire) are blocking my mind and I need a moment to catch a breath? Ill say "break" so that person knows Im not finished with my transmition, im quite literally taking a "break" for a moment. When Im done talking to that person, ill finish my last transmition with "OUT" (over and out is only in movies. To say "over and out is redundant. Out means "out", youre done. No need to say "over" and once "OUT" is said (again, the person who starts the transmition ends the transmission), that opens the airwaves back up for other people to talk again. Typically, especially in a war time setting, we will have different channels we program into our radios for different purposes. The main channel would be typically on a SATCOM and thats to "Higher" or higher command, for me it was anyone in a TOC at Bagram. Guys watching drone feeds, guys we talked to to call in MEDEVACs, etc. Then we would have "Command Net". Thats for the Ground Force Commander and if multiple GFC's (Ground force commanders) were on the battlefield, thats the frequency used to relay the most important information relevant to the operation and typically GFCs and GFCs only talk on those channels, unless youre someone who REALLY needs to give information to GFCs and you better have something very important to say. Then you have a "Team Net" channel. That was for the entire team you are working with to relay just about anything. Than you had a "Fires net" typically this was for mortars, artillery (if that was available) to call in IDF (indirect fire), If you have a recon or overwatch element, they had their own channel. If guys were dismounted walking through the villages and didnt want to hear all the clutter from Team net, theyll have their own channel dedicated to them. If theres also a mobile element (guys on trucks with large crew served weapons) Then they also have their own channel. This is all to keep relevant information, to relevant people who needed that information. Then you had our JTACs or Joint Terminal AIr Controllers, typically Airforce guys if its special operations who not only have to monitor what were all saying on the ground, but call in air support to birds above for fire missions. Thats why you would see some Special Operations guys actually with TWO radios on them so they can monitor two channels at once. Someitmes GFCs would even carry two radios.
Talking to HAMS and on GMRS, im constantly corrected on my radio etiquette because its just SO different. Saying "roger", "copy", "Tango Mike" (Thanks Man), sometimes we would say "Gulf November" or meaning Good Night. The GMRS guys are much more welcoming on correcting me....but man the HAMs make me regret every day every even getting into it and im just going on HAM bands to talk to friends on open freqs and thats it lol
Man, goooood stuff, thanks for sharing! It reminds me why we're called "amateurs" 😉 keep up the great work, and thanks for your service!
@@kobblekraftka0kao29I dont like the term "amateurs", HAMs know ALOTTTT and alot of HAMs even come up with new ways and ideas of communications that eventually lead to something to DoD considers using. Right now Special Operations just started using a special radio that works in the GHz range (S-Band, L-Band, and C-Band) because of a new device they carrry with them called ATAK. Its basically a cellphone attached to your body armor where you can see a map of your area, drop points of interests, write descriptions of the locations, Type a 9-line medevac vs yell and scream one over the radio and its an amazing system....but it requires high bandwidth data to work. Its HAMs that came up with that concept of that new radio. HAMs constantly make radio communications better, and better and are always help evolve and revolutionize it
Thanks for your service.
Good info from you.
Get on the air, disregard fools and do your thing, practice your hobby, enjoy it, choose your crowd.
No Romeo Foxtrots.
REPEAT, over… 🤭
Sadly, in my area, GMRS has started to devolve to the level of 11 meter CB. More and more you hear people bragging about their modified ham gear running 1000+ watts, foul language and noise toys.
Thanks for that input! Ive seen a bit of that in some places, especially where there are a lot of users.it seems they drop their social media keyboards and push a PTT instead, but with the same rude mentality.
Stay on it, be kind but potent about how folks should behave on air.
Keep on!
I haven't really had that experience. I mean most people I know most gmrs users have modified ham radios but most of them I've seen still try to follow power rules and such.
A lot of the useage of ham gear I've seen is is from ham operators that just don't want to run 3 radios in their vehicle or people who plan on getting into ham and want to dip their toes in and have a radio they can use for ham once they get their license.
what is a noise toy? leaf blower? side x side? pew pew sending device? or just more electronics?
Hello, I'm in central IA (Altoona) and just picked up a couple radios. Was wondering it there is a common channel where people transmit? I've been in scan mode and hear no traffic. Maybe just no one in the area..
Thats a tough one. There was really no traffic in my area either when i started. But i showed my friends and several of them became interested and they bought radios too. We eventually built a GMRS repeater, now we have two. Most of us joined the local ham club and became licensed amateurs. But we dint drop GMRS, rather several of the ham guys also got gmrs licenses and joined us on our repeaters. Being able to use both bands (frequency sets) is really great. But for me, gmrs is the first love! ❤️
Have you joined the Iowa GMRS page? They do a statewide test/check every Friday night at 9:00 PM on GMRS 19.
Got my GMRS license and checking the FCC website, I am listed but the call sign field is blank. Do they assign you one or do you submit one for approval? Thanks!
It is assigned to you.
Thanks! The website how has populated a call sign.
@@DanielJimenez-uu9yl
wow i just get my lincese pay and i had that cuestion
This will be wrkt 518 and I'll be on the listen
Hello, I just signed up for a license to use a GMRS radio but I don’t know where to find my call sign, any help would be great 👍🏻.
If its all paid for and finalized then you should be able to lookup your FRN and find any licenses associated with it.
Once you know your frn you have to find the website for the ULS manager; you use your frn number to sign in as opposed to your email/username. The site looks similar.
I sure like that hat. Thanks for sharing! WRTL443
Thanks Michael!
The hat has been around a long time, a lot of close friends don't even recognize me without it 🤣😂
THANK YOU
Can you talk about the advantages/disadvantages to HAM over GMRS besides range?
That's a great idea, thanks!
I've been pondering your question, it intrigued me. I launched GMRS vid#4 based on your question. Please let me know if it helped.
Is there a site that has those codes?
Oh heck yeah, just google "ham radio Q-codes". Most GMRS folks don't know the codes, but hams who enjoy the gmrs band kinda popularize them by simply using them. Its kinda handy and folks catch on quick. Many of them are only relavent on HF radio, but lots are useful in common radio conversation. QTH, QSY, QRT, etc.
@@kobblekraftka0kao29 Thanks
I'll be honest, most people on GMRS do not have a license, and I think that's just fine. If you're polite and respectful, there's no problem. But, in the HAM world, that's totally a no-go and at the very least a technician license is the bare minimum to have to push that talk button.
@@rustynail6819 in all honesty i totally agree! Ham is a different world, many first responders depend on amateur radio during emergencies, so those air waves are more closely guarded for good reason.
Do you only have to say your call sign on non frs frequencies I assume?
Yes, any licensed frequencies will require ID with your call sight at certain intervals (15 minutes oN GMRS, 10 minutes for ham frequencies). But FRS, MURS, and other unlicensed frequencies are free to use, no ID calls required.
Have fun, push that PTT!
There are no FRS or GMRS exclusive frequencies anymore, other than the repeater inputs. All of the simplex channels(1-22) are identical and available for users of both services. The requirement for a license is based solely on the type of the radio you are using.
If it is a Part 95B type accepted FRS radio with ALL of the following features:
Anyone please :)
(New to Radio) I have a Hacked/Factory Set UV-5R that I programmed the 22 GMRS Channels/Frequencies into plus a local Repeater.
Are the following Antenna Specs good for GMRS Frequencies ?
Frequency: RX:136-174MHz,400-520MHz；TX:GMRS(462-467MHz)
Gain: 3.0 dBi.
Max Power: 20Watts.
V.S.W.R: Less than 1.5.
Impedance: 50ohm.
Antenna length: 48cm/18.89inch
If you'll only be using it on GMRS then it sounds like a great antenna. 👍
@@kobblekraftka0kao29
Thanks for the reply :)
So it's like Amateur Radio without taking the 35 question test? lol
Yeah, in some ways you could say that. At least as far as following the FCC rules it is. But since the requirement to ID is 15 minutes for GMRS we can do more chatting between ID's.
I just getting into this
Can you repeater jump till you get to where you want it .
I thought GMRS goes up to 50 miles on good day from base station.
I have 4 properties and plan to put up at least 100 foot tower on each and maybe with repeaters .
All properties are about 40-50 mile radius with one in middle .
My questions
Do I need that tall of towers for base stations and repeaters
What’s the best antennas
What’s best power supply
I’m in Oklahoma
Being in OK is a real plus, plenty of flat land is good. "Jumping" repeaters in a series would require one of two things:
1) all are linked via internet.
Or...
2) a person listening on the first repeater "relays" your message to the next, and so on.
GMRS may not be the best solution for you. A general class ham licence would let you call any one of those properties to any of the others usingbhigh frequency. A tower wouldnt even be needed then, just some wires. Bestcsetup for local comm like that might be NIVS, check that stuff out.
Thanks 👍
Radio etiquette:
Don’t be a jack@$$
Well-said!
Why use ham codes on GMRS? Seems like exclusionary and obsolete to use Morse code based codes in a digital age. Reminds me of all the internet chat lingo, which at least makes sense as it is typed.
The only time i hear ham codes used is in one on one communication between folks who know the terms and are just trying to speed things up. "QSY to 18" is easier than describing a switch to another channel, and others pick up on it if they listen. Agreed, they should never be used for exclusion.
@@kobblekraftka0kao29 totally makes sense in that context
I use 73 and such just because I've heard others do it and it does make communication more efficient when the people you're talking to know the meaning
It's my understanding that with GMRS, you may not use any type of codes like 10-codes, amateur radio Q-codes, ect. and must use PLAIN LANGUAGE to communicate. UPDATE
I have found that coded messages are indeed allowed. Previously they were not.
Hmmm, I'm not familiar with that, but I'll double check. It's certainly true we cannot use codes that are not commonly understood, but Q-codes and CW (Morse) are both common to the hobby, and both are prevalent in my experience.
@@kobblekraftka0kao29 But Q-codes are for amateur radio, GMRS is far from amateur radio.
@@djsoundzentertainment42 true, but i don't recall reading anything out of the ordinary in the fcc rules re coded messages. I will check though, painting a fence right now though. Thanks for listening and for your comment. 🤠👍
@@kobblekraftka0kao29 I could be wrong as it was years ago when I had last checked. Things change so much these days.
@DJ Soundz Entertainment in part 95 it says: "Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are permissible);"
Hmmm, it specifies 10-codes, but not q-codes... u may be right. But then, this isnt the only technical flaw in my quick vid, and i do hear a lot of q-codes on gmrs in my area. Does that excuse it? No, maybe we should clean that up. Then again, its a harmless infraction that just isnt maybe specified parenthetically in the "rules" as 10-codes are. I hear a lit of spanish language in my area too, also forbidden, but it doesnt bother me, I'm glad to see folks using their radios. 😊 thanks for commenting!
I have both licenses but it makes me sick when I hear people on GMRS talking hammy or, worse yet, like CB'ers.
New the the gmrs and ham. I just listen on ham but my wife and I travel nurse across the country, when we’re in our care we communicate by gmrs bc we sometimes lose cell signal and it’s also just easier. Don’t know what hammy means but we just talk and every once in a while I say my call sign. Just wondering what is not correct etiquette that makes you sick.
Rather quiet😉
You can tell it's government by how arbitrary their "rules" are - every 15 mins? I'm working, I'm not going to set a timer to go off every 15 mins all day to announce my call sign to my sister, the only other person on the channel. Cmon.
@@pamelah6431 its only while you are transmitting. If you're done you're done.
Rugged two-way radios