I am both a Ham and a GMRS'er. I own a local GMRS repeater and hold weekly nets for the GMRS community. I always end the net with " be a good steward of GMRS" and "GMRS is your gateway to HAM radio". If you are a fellow HAM be a leader and a good role model for our hobby.
I second your comment, we should do this instead of trying to be smarty pants and just going off on the person. Our hobby is to have fun as well and be able to help others learn the hobby and be able to guide those who do not have the knowledge and have not been guided correctly. Best 73’s
I had to return to this thread because you are not one to be a judgemental jerk. I made a Yagi antenna using easily obtainable formulas and instructions to operate on 49.895Mhz FM. I tested the ancient Radio Shack Walkie Talkie and found it wax transmitting five times the legal limit. It was transmitting 500 milliwatts. From what I gather, the power limit is 100 milliwatts. The extra power likely helped in my experiment. I left the 49.895Mhz transmitter on top of a very tall hill and aimed the antenna over he valley. The 500 milliwatt transmission was understandable at 10 kilometers, using binoculars to aim at the tall hill from the top of another very tall hill, using a second Yagi! I could hear the music that I left playing from the transmitter understandably. Granted, it was not a broadcast radio quality. But, it was very understandable. Connecting the scanner to the 259 centimeter antenna on my Jeep allowed for a little bit wider range of movement and be able to listen.. It was actually rather exciting. By the way, 49Mhz is not the beautifully occupied band it once was. I heard nobody during. Perhaps if 4 or 5 watts were allowed on that band, others would use 49 Mhz. One does not need to be licensed to be a hobbyist experimenter.
I own a ham repeater and honestly, I don’t care who uses it. Everyone is welcome. If they don’t give a call sign or give a GMRS one, it’s just an opportunity to help them get into ham radio. And sad ham is still very funny.
You sir are not the typical HAM. Sorry to say but a LOT not saying all but a lot are curmudgeons who love to complain about everything including other new HAM operators! I've heard them on radio chewing out people for making a mistake. Someone said HAM is dead! I disagree, HAM is not dead, but with the internet it's stagnant in its growth. It's not growing like it used to, and I blame the Internet. GMRS is a lot more relaxed and people are gravitating to that as a radio comms method. The radios are very inexpensive and getting a license take about 10 minutes if you can figure out the FCC website, or in a lot of cases people don't even bother to get a license, and I'm OK with that as long as you're respectful to others. Oh, and the GMRS is a gateway to getting a HAM license... Maybe for a very small group, but overall GMRS is being used for quick comms and not full roundtable talks.
I believe the “information” argument is about the public access to info with a call sign, some bad actor can look up an address with a call sign, not the government having that info. I use a PO Box but I can understand the concern.
I also have never heard Randy say that it was OK for GMRS to TX on 70cm. I can only say to anyone that listens/watches Randy's videos that you do so with much more attention to that which he says. He says things just to get those 'sad hams' railed up and they fall for it most all the time. I just laugh at it all...pacifically speaking, of course...
Randy will never actually say that out loud on a video but even the most clueless observer will be able to read between the lines. I think he probably does this to rile up people who actually care about being good stewards of the airwaves but forgets that there's a large portion, maybe a majority, of his audience that isn't in on the joke and believes that he's telling them that they should do whatever they want. Maybe he's repeated the joke so much that he believes it too.
I believe people get the idea that Randy promotes this because of statements he makes about the FCC not caring/doing anything, and such. The truth is Randy doesn't actually encourage people to violate FCC regs, but he's not encouraging them to follow the regs either. Based on your state of mind when you watch one of his videos you can walk away with a completely different interpretation of what he said each time your watch it.
Just got my GMRS call sign and I 100% agree with this video. I am currently studying for my HAM Technicians license. I would like to put a Repeater or two on my property if needed so I can help others who may need it. I think GMRS and HAM both have their place in todays world and people should be encouraged to learn the rules and follow them.
This reminds me of the old “CB “ radio days . The airwave “FUDS “ and duds always complaining. I like the term “sad ham “ however I prefer “ whiny old douche bag”
"he never said that". correct. what he does say is that the FCC is toothless, they don't enforce the rules anyway, it is a victimless crime, no one has ever been fined and so on. we can all read between the lines dude and his appeal is definitely to a certain subset of people and that are not interested in promoting the hobby in a positive way- just read the comments. his audience is made up of mostly what I would refer to as Baofeng preppers and guys that wear printed t shirts to tell you what they think about things, what I would also call unserious people. I don't dislike the passive aggressive radio guy's channel I just take it for what it is and will not join the chorus of "he didn't say that!" guys (there are a lot of you) when we have all heard what he has actually said. and maybe you guys could get together and work on a new insult, your one joke is old.
I'm guilty of accidentally giving out my GMRS callsign on a ham repeater. The ham who responded was not salty about it. I just replied with a sorry and said my ham callsign.
I've done the opposite, I've used a HAM call-sign accidentally on GMRS because I memorized that over 30 years ago and it just pops to mind when on a radio. Only had a GMRS license for a few years. The HAM on the GMRS repeater was not polite and I haven't used that repeater sense.
I've done the reverse and thrown out my ham callsign instead of my GMRS callsign. I usually catch myself almost immediately and give the correct one, but it's an easy thing to do if you hold both licenses.
I remember this one time a ham radio operator showed up on our local GMRS repeater. Threw out his ham callsign. Our GMRS folks are super nice. They didn't get mad or anything. Apparently, the guy thought his ham license covered him for GMRS as well. Well, our GMRS guys just explained to him how to get a GMRS license. Actually, I think they were happy to have an opportunity to do so:) And that was it.
@@OGamputee According to Lord Xenu, all airwaves should be license-free:) But then there will be a mess. All I was trying to say is be nice and helpful to each other.
@@OGamputee GMRS is not free. The cost is $35.00 and that gets you a license good for 10 years. There is no testing requirement for GMRS. I have both a Ham call and a GMRS call...but don't ask me to spit out the GMRS one as I don't use it much and don't yet have it committed to memory.
If you work for something and that thing has a set of rights or privileges then that should be respected and not intruded. Innocent mistakes need to be corrected politely and not eye gouged. It’s a big hobby, radio. There’s room for more good folks. Good to encourage that.
I was running a net on a 2 meter repeater and a guy came in with a GMRS call sign. I politely told him that the repeater was a ham repeater and he apologized and left.
@@Pimporly Nobody said they are bad. However they are transmitting illegally and outside the frequencies they are licensed for... It's 100% okay to call them out.
I am in the DFW Metroplex. I just got a GMRS license. I did alot of studying on this subject before purchasing an HT. I personally bought a HT that can RX only on HAM frequencies for this reason. It can not be unlocked like a Beofeng. I am studying right now for my HAM technicians license. I can easily see how this innocently happens. I think people need to just be respectful, and those with more experience should try to help those who do not have as much experience. For those newer to GMRS. If you don't have a GMRS license, get one so that you atleast have a call sign. I am not trying to be the radio police by saying that. It is cheap, lasts 10 years, your immediate family can use it, it requires no test, and I got mine within 24 hrs. I appreciate this video. Keep up the great work.
As for a repeater operator (rules might have changed).... But I thought they were legally require to ensure he proper operation of the repeater. Example, if someone used the f-bomb on the repeater, you would need to say knock it of or report them if need be.
I learned this weekend that this has been the case in the Midland/Odessa area. I have heard a GMRS operator on the 2M calling frequency in my town, after meeting with them I explained what was wrong. The folks at the Odessa club reportedly have been working to convert the GMRS users to amateur operators which is a model that some folks in the Midland club are discussing.
"This is a ham frequency and not a GMRS frequency. You need to have a Technician's license to transit. However, don't let that statement scare you away. We want you in the hobby, but we want you to be legal."
I started on GMRS by accidentally catching Randy @ notarubicon on youtube. Thanks to Randy i started following both Josh @ HRCC and your Channel . I am now a technician class Ham studying for my General license. Thanks to all of you ABC the APE lol. I will say though i have come across a couple uppity "sad" hams. Joined a club and now well on my way.
Before I had any license or knowledge about radios I had a baofeng and a Bluetooth programmer that would automatically load all the repeater info in for you. So I loaded a local repeater in and it worked! For weeks I never heard anyone on it. Then one day my life changed. A ham by the name of Jim came on and talked to me. Told me what I was doing was wrong but he wasn’t going to turn me in but if I was wanting an “in” then come to the club meetings. I went to their very next meeting. That was last year, now I’m a licensed ham and GMRS user. (This was all allegedly btw)
I've heard it several times in California. Most of them are cool and understand when they are told. Some cursed us out and continued to use it for a few weeks. We just wouldn't let them talk to each other.
I agree with most of what you said. One thing I would add to the "Sad Ham"" part. If you are a licensed ham and you are going to tell someone what the "rules are", please actually know what the hell you are talking about before you run your mouth. I am embarrassed by many of my fellow licensed hams spouting off false information like they actually have a clue.
Firstly, I follow your channel because you always have good radio content, mostly ham, but none-the-less, good content. WRUN578 here and wanted to thank you for posting this. Be a responsible radio operator, no matter the band. If you just want to mouth off to hear yourself, get a cobra and play on 27.025 😀
I too am licensed on both and thankfully, we have active repeaters on both services. In fact, we just activated a new 70cm and a new 1.25m repeater along with our two 2m repeaters in Lexington KY. I use them all if not every day, every other day. The ham community here is very respectful to even those who should not be on amateur radio bands. And the GMRS repeater is owned by the owner of the state's premium public safety communications installer (who is also a ham) and I have yet to hear anything out of order on his repeater. I guess that we are just in a lucky area where everyone helps each other in each radio service as well as encouraging folks to explore the "other" service.
I hold a license for both HAM and GMRS. 3 months ago I became an Amateur Extra. Can't wait to start using the HF freqs. First I need a radio and antenna,
Well said Jason. I have both ham and GMRS licenses. I have made the mistake of saying the wrong callsign on both, it happens. I'm guilty of that myself. It's very easy to forget which radio service your using at times. Sometimes I catch myself. But, well said video. 73s. Still waiting for your review on the Ailunce hd2 as well.
I also have both licenses. I don't hear cross overs locally but I do hear people doing simplex on GMRS repeater channels. They weren't talking English so I couldn't "educate."
With the price of ham and gmrs radios becoming more affordable, more people area getting into this great hobby. Everyone has a starting point and not everyone is familiar with the regs or the importance of following them so everyone can enjoy this fun hobby. I think this is an opportunity for older and more experienced hams to kindly inform the unauthorized user of the regs and encourage them to your local club website to join or attend a meeting and study for their Technician license. This can be an opportunity not to scold the individual and be a unauthorized regulatory "enforcement" officer, but to kindly inform and encourage to get their ham certs. This can be a way to turn a potentially negative encounter into a positive one. I think this will also prevent people from intentionally "yrolling" or "jamming up" frequencies. We should try to be a guide and encourage those in the right direction before going to the negative. I think many that do this, do it out of not knowing the regs or understanding the importance of it. The more you start by encouraging, the better results you will get!
Great video. I have my gmrs license and I'm studying now for my ham license. It's not easy for me and it's hard for me to comprehend. So I have respect for people who have a ham license
Notarubicon never said it's ok to talk on ham frequencies without a license. He talks a lot about the sad hams who get butthurt about issues that don't involve them, but that's about it.
One night we had one check into a net and confuse the heck out of all the OMs. After the net there was like 20 minutes of discussion on the call sign cause they were all so confused 😂😂
So someone checked in on a UHF or VHF net with a GMRS callsign? I can see how that would be confusing. The net controller didn't stop things right there?
@@javabeanz8549 they were too confused and rolled with it. The guy checked in and then the net rolled right along lol. He didn't do a report or anything. I was not net control so i didn't want to "make a scene". Figured the guy would figure it out. Haven't heard him again and didn't copy the call sign. Lol
A guy checked into our amateur radio net with his GMRS call, net control was not sure what is was, I recognized it as I'm licensed for both services, I told the net control and spoke to the GMRS operator and he was under the mistaken idea that he could use his GMRS license on ham as well, we got him correctly informed and he's been on the GMRS repeaters and is now working on his ham license as well
I’m a GMRS license holder and working on getting my Technician license. People who would use a ham radio without a license are just ignorant and lazy !! I’m glad you dropped this video!
I just got my GMRS license and im currently studying to got my Ham license. I have both type of radios and have been monitoring to learn the lingo and i cant wait to dive in on ham but for now im getting my chops wet on GMRS and loving it
Also, while correcting GMRS or and others while on ham freq's, take a moment and not only correct, but let these folks know that once they get their Ham license they would be more than welcome to return, and that you hope to hear their Ham call sign in the future. People that screw up today may be the folks that carry Amateur Radio into the future ;)
I have been a licensed ham since 1969. I learned electronics in High School (back when schools actually taught useful topics). The very first thing I did was to build my own receiver (in a cigar box) and my own transmitter from a $5 kit. My antenna was made from coat hanger wire. I was 16 years old. It was fun. I talked to all sorts of people all over the place. Today, the FCC has eliminated the requirement to learn Morris Code. That’s a good thing as that is not for everyone. SO... my 2 cents worth here is that those folks who haven't bothered looking into obtaining their ham license more likely than not have had no formal education in electronics. That is not really those peoples fault. I blame this on the school districts. Electronics SEEMS very complicated and the math can be intimidating, but so are many other things. In my day we DID NOT have calculators (today that is not a problem) we ciphered all those circuits by hand with a pencil, but I digress. However, once someone gets a taste of Ham, especially DXing and speaking to people in far off lands, they will NEVER go back to GMRS, CB or other such things. Try bouncing a signal off of the moon and talking to someone in France with your GMRS radio. BUT ONE THING I REALLY MISS is the ability to buy a kit of some kind and build a new transmitter, tune it, test it and listen to someone on the other side of the world with my home-made cigar box receiver. That to me is what ham is all about. Today it seems like it is about lots of money. I don’t blame people for starting out small to see if they like it. But, if the bug bites, keep going. As far as those “Karen” hams out there, well… where did YOU start?
I think we as ham radio operators should be inviting the GMRS people to come and take a look at what ham radio is all about. There is also a opportunity for us ham radio operators to Elmer the GMRS side so they become better operators.
I think you're thinking that GMRS users want to be HAMS. Most GMRS users use the radios like they would a 4 bulk lot of FRS radios in a blister pack from Walmart. I would say 95% don't even program in a repeater.
@rustynail6819 that is true with most but recently in our club several GMRS users have taken there tech test as a small group of us was willing to answer there beginners questions about GMRS.
Aloha Jason, as the net control of a large linked repeater system here in Hawaii, I have not seen any GMRS license holders get on our ham radio repeaters yet. On the other hand, I have gotten onto one GMRS repeater owned by a good friend of mine and have used WH6DWF, like you said. This was also after I spent 20 minutes looking up my own GMRS license, which is basically a mile long, which I shouldn’t need to use since my Ham license exceeds any GMRS License. I really believe if the FCC is going to be relevant in the future, they really need to get a license and get on the air themselves to see all the stupid things that they do on a regular basis. It really should be like an endorsement like for your drivers license. Example, if folks can use their FCC Call Sign on GMRS Repeaters, than those that only paid for a GMRS license would hear what a real license sounds like and would want to upgrade to Amateur radio license. It’s really that simple. We should be promoting Amateur radio, not segregating it. 😢
I think in the very near future digital radio will make call-signs spoken over the air obsolete. The call sign will be embedded in the signal. Amateur radio will eventually go digital even if it does it kicking and screaming the whole way.
@@EthosAtheos Yes, in most cases now with digital modes, especially with D Star, most of the nets are just key ups for checking in and you can see your own call sign flash across the screen on these ICOM D Star mobile transceivers. Besides analog simplex, D Star is my favorite mode. I do feel that analog will forever be here for EmComm communications, especially in the absence of internet connections or connectivity. Point well taken, sir. 🤙🏻
Josh, I used your video from approx 1 year ago Technician with KB6NU - GREAT INSTRUCTIONAL !!! Passed Tech (12 min. Total ) missed a couple questions used your video & online practice exams yesterday & today!! THANK YOU so Much for making this type content. Taking General end of next week. But NEED some videos about Big motorized extendable Tower & the BEST antennas, coax, etc etc etc The MRS. has authorized, so need to move while the coals are Hot! And again THANK YOU for providing videos like this- Also. KB6NU is Great.
If a person starts to use my GMRS repeater, with out permission I would not care as long as they are being behaving and not hogging it from other people to use.
Amen!!! Awesome video!!!! Yes, be nice. It's not the end of the world. We talk to them and explain the ham license. We even had them in a Net a few times. All good. We run the net and call them during the net. Talk to them about a ham license. Roll with it. They will usual be cool and leave nicely once they know. Elmer the community. If it's a net, then let them know about net logger. They can use the AIM window to ask questions. They can put NOCALL in the licenses spot. 😎
Good topic , I'm a licensed GMRS guy with a GMRS repeater station, I recently wiped the memory on an older unlocked 5 watt HT to use strictly for GMRS at correct power and channels . But while in repeater book I accidentally copied and pasted a local ham repeater in my home town. When I keyed up and gave my call sign in an attempt to join a conversation you would have thought I just robbed a bank. I wasn't given a chance to apologize and sign off , instead I was given a lecture , talked down to and even threatened to be reported to the FCC. I would never done such a thing to a ham operator on my GMRS repeater , and never will. GMRS is exploding in the USA and is a golden opportunity for ham radio to recruit from . The most recent report from FCC licensing is that GMRS is 74% of all new amateur licenses , while ham radio is only 15% of all new licensing. I am studying for my ham license now and this incident gave me pause, had I not already bought my ham base station I'm not sure if I would proceed with the ham license.
Gmrs license in Bedford for 6 years with gmrs radios. Mostly use it for off-road and camping. Recently picked up some uv9r and h3 to listen while studying for ham license. Thanks for the Bedford ham repeater info. Ill add that to the scan list. Gmrs repeaters 17 and 20 seem to have the most activity around here.
The way testing is set up, you can go through practice questions on various websites and essentially memorize or recognize answers. I think if they gave a real test, most people wouldn't pass. Kind of like driver's licenses here in the US.
I feel the same way. You just have to study the material and take the exam. My Dad was surprised when I was able to get all 3 licenses. He said he didn’t know I was that smart. I guess it was a compliment. lol.
I live in the DFW area and monitor these repeaters. I have both licenses and I agree, recently there has been a lot of missing call signs and obviously GMRS transmissions that are beyond the power limits. I agree with Jason. I just wish the local clubs were more open. There are some "sad hams" out there, I know I've encountered them and it prevents me from enjoying the hobby.
I heard the sad hams crying today about nobody talking on ham anymore and there’s more activity on GMRS. Well DUH! They ruined it for everyone wanting to join.
Some may also disagree, but I feel once you pass the amateur radio licensing, you should get access to all the amateur radio bands off one license, like how people who are licensed for gmrs who just pay a fee an go. But I dont make the rules, sometimes with all the studying i feel like it's useless to upgrade my technician to general even extra. With life i keep studying, then life happens so i keep putting the general on hold, then get back to studying again a week later. Kq4hcu
Well stated. It's not at all unlikely that some people just don't know. And you're right that every user has an obligation to know what frequencies they can and cannot use. TBH, I don't really see any significant downside to getting a GMRS license. It averages out to $3.50/yr and for that, you can use GMRS repeaters without incurring the wrath of the owners. TBH, the reason I bought a "full spectrum" radio was so that I could put both GRS and MURS on the same radio. Turns out, I don't use MURS anyway.I don't even program any HAM frequencies. It's really just about good manners.
I got my GMRS license a little while ago after having spent some time reading up and trying to get an understanding. Now I am kind of getting interested in getting a ham license. I agree with you, know before you key...
I do NOT have a HAM license,... I called out on a HAM Repeater for a Radio Check,... I told the old Fella that I did NOT have a License but wanted to do a Radio & Antenna check IN CASE OF EMERGENCY which I CAN do (in case of emergency) & old dude appreciated my honesty & confirmed my Radio Check :)
@@HamRadio2 Correct,... I did a Radio Check to make sure my Radio & Antenna worked fine in case of Emergency & again, the old HAM dude was fine with that.
Being new to GMRS but being a HAM for 22 years I KNOW I'll make the call sign mistake a time or three - putting my GMRS call on the radio should help - it'll be as much for me as my family but for different reasons. I think it should be pretty obvious though who is making the mistake and who is out of band.
I have not personally heard any GMRS users on any of our local HAM repeaters. BUT, a lot of GMRS people say they don't care, and will cross the line, when ever they want to. Almost having the CB'r attitude, of damn the law! So...?
nice video. have not herd any GMRS users using HAM repeaters in my area. I have herd wrong call being used and corrected. I have even done that. when you have more then 1 call you can invertedly use the wrong call. been a lot or repeater keys with nothing said around me. both GMRS and HAM but not done to interfere with anyone. I have not herd much repeater jamming around me. but not all ways listing. I do get a lot of kids with FRS radio's messing around. 73's
I'm both Ham and GMRS licensed. I wish we had a GMRS repeater here. GMRS folks should understand that if they are tossing out their call sign (same as with a Ham call sign) is that they can be looked up on FCC license search. Another reason to be careful where you are transmitting is that here in rural SW Texas is some LE and some Business licensed activity that when close enough on UHF and VHF that it tosses some noise when they are close that it trips the repeaters with some major static for a moment. Since I have a Uniden SDS100 going at the same time as my GMRS and Ham Radios (monitoring 2 Meter and 70cm) going and can tell when an LEO really close by the tower keys up and triggers the repeater. Just because they are on P25 doesn't mean analog signals can't interfere with them either. We actually have our repeater in the same building and tower as the Sheriff's department. Just using whatever frequency you happen to pick might be a good way to get unwanted LE attention if you are interferring with their comes. Not to mention that down this way the cartels and smugglers are using some GMRS and hijacking some ham and business coms here and there. We had to swap our primary GMRS channel when out at a ranch because illegal smugglers were using it so much. It was deep in a valley and no UHF signals got over those ridges. You had to be in there to have signal and theirs was strong. I do have a few of those in a grey hair GMRS simplex net I run that "Don't want the gov't..." That's why they have HTs and I did the programming on them allowing listening on some other freqs, but no TX. We do have another there who is also ham licensed. So their radio can do both. Like you said, the gov't already has your info and they aren't going to go rounding up everyone with a GMRS license when it's easier to simply jam and/or monitor those freqs. Play nice people. The allocations are there so you don't have such a mess that no one can communicate when they need too. Maybe more clubs need to start fox hunting again to have those skills when needed.
Randy has never said its okay for people to use amateur radio without a license. He has shown that the FCC isn't enforcing their rules which is a fact and other ham radio channels such as ham radio crash course have also pointed that out. There are a lot of sad hams (very appropriate term) out there that hate this guy and really just love talking about rules and regulations. I've only been a ham for a year but I've constantly seen these old grumpy bastards put words in his mouth. He's very entertaining and keeps the topic of radio practical and understandable for the common man. Not to be mean, but this is something sorely lacking in nearly all ham radio youtube channels.
You're mostly right but Randy's channel is more about comedy and satire, rather than education. No, he hasn't said it's ok to transmit without a license but he has said other things that are wrong, but since he's just a comedy channel, it doesn't matter
@@HamRadio2 I think you underestimate the power of satire for the purpose of education. It doesn't have to be satire OR education. Speaking as a former teacher, it is extremely effective to use both. I'm sure you had teachers in school that weren't boring so you know what I mean. This is why he has a lot more subs than a lot of the ham channels on UA-cam. You guys are mostly living in the world of HF which I understand, but us new guys are going to be working on a HT or cheap mobile for the most part and looking for simple plain English content that applies in those areas. Not to mention most of us can't afford to jump into HF for quite a while when we first start. Randy is capitalizing on that audience. If he has said "other things" that are wrong, then call him out on it because a lot of us newbies are sure learning a lot from him. I'd like to know if I'm getting bad information.
@@_Mordion_ I've done far more videos about DMR, YSF Allstar and other things in the VHF/UHF world than I have HF. Sure I do some HF, it's very enjoyable but that's not where I started. Satire is fine if you're trying to educate people. Randy insults and talks down to people who disagree with him too much for that. And when you point out something he says that's wrong, you get called a sad ham.
@@HamRadio2Roger beep… God’s gift to the radio hobby. 😅. Waiting for optional Roger beeps to be incorporated into the radio technology. Like ringtones! 😅 oh Lordy….
They can't I'm on a cheap chinese handheld with a cheap chinese antenna on the back and people comment on how loud and clear I sound. 5w across 30 miles. The difference, I think, is that I affect my 'radio voice' and speak clearly and I know to keep the mic right in front of my mouth and turn off the music. The difference seems to be effort, not equipment. Doesn't take a lot of either.
Jason, I’m a little mixed on this one. While yes it is my repeater, I’m using a public frequency at no cost. I didn’t purchase that spectrum for exclusive use. It’s like a mass transit bus, yes my tax dollars paid for the bus and the road, but it’s a public road. Yes you paid for the infrastructure, but it’s a public frequency. If you want a private repeater that only your club can use, go digital. I run two repeaters and that’s how I did it.
I’ve used my GMRS callsign on a ham repeater once, but that was me calling out the wrong callsign. I got reamed. Got the usual, get off the repeater, get a license!, and gomer go away. I have my ham but have had my GMRS a lot longer. So I waited a min and came back with my ham callsign. Was immediately told about this rouge GMRS guy I just missed. Then all the talk about “did anyone get his callsign?”
Guys , I am not Radio expert, but I know the difference between 462 & 442- I think is not Fk excuse for that type of mistake, I accept you 460 or near GMRS frequencies, but from 462 end on 70 cm, I always Love to use a 70 cm or 2 meter repeater, I get my ticket-KE2AUM- I love too use GMRS repeater, I get my callsign WRMZ361- but on UA-cam is too much BS about ham radio operator, I am cool with both side, I enjoy the hobby 24/7 and I not see anyone like less or enemy because divided, we weak, United we Strong. God bless everyone.
Had someone with a GMRS callsign try to check into a (ham radio) net one night last year. We quickly informed him that he was doing the wrong thing and invited him to get a ham license. But we told him he couldn’t be on the ham radio repeaters or frequencies.
You posted this and then I actually heard similar to this last night. I've never heard it happen here in Washington until you posted this. I thought of contacting the repeater owner.
I heard this issue on a local repeater. A GMRS user used the repeater and gave his GMRS call sign. No other conversations were going on at the time. One of the, my guess, club users came on yelling at this operator. It was a bit sad as maybe this user made a mistake and, in the future, could become a Ham user, but this experience was so negative. I was thinking about attending and checking out the local club that ran the repeater, I have second thoughts if this is how they treat new and maybe future operators. That's no how you invite someone to check out your hobby.
I have 9 repeaters and I also have this issue. One claimed that he bought the radios preprogrammed with the repeater frequencies already for this area.
Repeaters oftentimes have commonly used frequencies in different regions, so that might actually be possible. He probably would have had to set the CTCSS himself though
I totally agree with what you said. I'm in Nebraska and we recently had our area arrl rep at a club meeting saying how they dropped the ball in the cb days and with gmrs picking up they would like to sway some of those users to become hams. Like you said, politely explain the issue but maybe invite them to a club meeting or something ham related...
We are always going to have bad apples using bands that they are not licensed for or individuals who are not licensed at all. I heard non-licensed individuals on a few rare occasions on some of our local repeaters mainly when there is severe weather forecasted or occurring.
I was monitoring my local ham repeater today. It sounded like kids playing on the channel. Later, there was a conversation that sounded like something you'd hear on CB or FRS. I have also talked to people using a ham radio on GMRS frequencies.
Heh, I agree with you we need to keep up the repeaters more, so I will try to key up some with my call a couple times a day. Btw as someone who has had a general license for a long time I don't really care what people do on 440 as long as it isn't tiring up repeaters, bleeding over to other parts of the spectrum, or pushing a lot of wattage with a strong antenna making it impossible ignore.
I end up using a GMRS radio to talk to FRS radios I have handed out at events or convoys and if I identify on air, the others on FRS start going, "What did you say?" I just quit doing it. No one else cares on GMRS/FRS anyway. I haven't heard anyone call out anyone on GMRS repeater either, come to think of it, but it takes a deliberate action to cross over to ham repeaters and frequencies. It should not be happening, though I haven't heard it happen either way. It's like CB talking to AIR. It would stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. I've had to learn at least four different languages to talk on all these radios over the decades 😂.
A few years ago I heard someone throw out a GMRS call on the statewide 70 network we have here. Someone started talking to him asking him about the call sounding odd & he stated he had just purchased the radio from someone who had programed it for him. A system admin got on & politely informed him he wasn't actually authorized to on that repeater. He should probably have his radio checked. I believe it was assumed that the person he purchased it from probably offered programing & led him astray that everything in it at that point was OK to use with his license. I don't believe he had any idea he was doing anything wrong or intended to. He sounded completely shocked, lost & confused. He quickly disappeared after that, hopefully to have a few words with the person he purchased from. I never heard him again, at least not under his GMRS call. Sometimes it's a third party bad actor who misleads these people & they don't intend to be where they are.
I’m new to all of this I’m going to purchase a GMRS license and I have been watching the videos from you and the other guys to educate myself on how to use and what I can do using the airwaves. Sadly I can’t find any HAM clubs that will give the test so I can get in to the HAM license.
I'm guilty of crossing my GMRS and ham call signs at times, especially if I used one all week then go use the other. Oh well, I'm human, I make mistakes. In Randy's defense, of all the videos I've watched of his, he has never spoken of GMRS being able to talk on ham frequencies. He actually got me and helped me into GMRS which led to my ham. GMRS is the gateway "drug". My first radios I got for GMRS were "Open" but I did my research to made sure I stayed in my lane and that any programmed ham frequency had the PTT locked out.
I have heard this on occasion. Once it was from a new ham who used his GMRS call. The other times it was from kids playing, and I'm not sure if they got a hold of their parent's or grandparent's radios or what. On the first one I heard someone else come back to them in a nasty, condescending tone, chastising them for using amateur frequencies without a license and yadda-yadda. As I noted, turns out the guy was a new ham and (ironically) was used to using his GMRS call and forgot which service he was using. That nastiness is uncalled for, especially considering it was an honest mistake. That only bolsters the "sad hams" argument made by Notarubicon and others. Had it not been, however, the entire conversation could've been in violation of the rules -- the licensed amateur included. We're not supposed to communicate with unlicensed individuals on amateur frequencies, unless there is a ham at the control point of that station (ie - 3rd party traffic.) So this begs the question... what should we do in such a situation?
I don’t think it’s that serious at all. The only thing ham bands are used for nowadays is for guys who just want to talk about ham stuff on radios. Nothing super important is going on. I can get people getting mad if people are getting in the way of someone talking or a conversation, but other than that, who cares. I know the FCC doesn’t😂
I pretty much answered this question in this video, I think you should just inform them of what's going on politely. I don't really see a problem with talking to them without a license, unless it's a longer extended period of time
During the last two to three years, when we had ice storms and power outages in my area, several of the local repeaters would get used for welfare checks by people in the surrounding area. No emergency, nothing really all that highly sensitive, just everyday welfare checks. It's good to have options like that when you have no power or internet at home due to weather related issues
That's interesting.... I've not heard this issue in my area, but we've had a few seasoned Hams use my GMRS repeaters without a GMRS license with the attitude that their amateur license overrides GMRS.
I am both a Ham and a GMRS'er. I own a local GMRS repeater and hold weekly nets for the GMRS community. I always end the net with " be a good steward of GMRS" and "GMRS is your gateway to HAM radio". If you are a fellow HAM be a leader and a good role model for our hobby.
I second your comment, we should do this instead of trying to be smarty pants and just going off on the person. Our hobby is to have fun as well and be able to help others learn the hobby and be able to guide those who do not have the knowledge and have not been guided correctly. Best 73’s
I just have a CB radio in my vehicle. With the current solar flux levels and sunspots, CB radio can transmit thousands of kilometers with no effort.
I had to return to this thread because you are not one to be a judgemental jerk. I made a Yagi antenna using easily obtainable formulas and instructions to operate on 49.895Mhz FM. I tested the ancient Radio Shack Walkie Talkie and found it wax transmitting five times the legal limit. It was transmitting 500 milliwatts. From what I gather, the power limit is 100 milliwatts. The extra power likely helped in my experiment. I left the 49.895Mhz transmitter on top of a very tall hill and aimed the antenna over he valley. The 500 milliwatt transmission was understandable at 10 kilometers, using binoculars to aim at the tall hill from the top of another very tall hill, using a second Yagi! I could hear the music that I left playing from the transmitter understandably. Granted, it was not a broadcast radio quality. But, it was very understandable. Connecting the scanner to the 259 centimeter antenna on my Jeep allowed for a little bit wider range of movement and be able to listen.. It was actually rather exciting. By the way, 49Mhz is not the beautifully occupied band it once was. I heard nobody during. Perhaps if 4 or 5 watts were allowed on that band, others would use 49 Mhz. One does not need to be licensed to be a hobbyist experimenter.
@@digitaldreamer5481 Kilometers is NATO standard just like the 'meter bands' in RF.
@@tedkrasicki3857REALLY? Are you sure?
Most polite rant I have ever heard. LOL😂
I own a ham repeater and honestly, I don’t care who uses it. Everyone is welcome. If they don’t give a call sign or give a GMRS one, it’s just an opportunity to help them get into ham radio. And sad ham is still very funny.
Good for you it should be that way
Amen, brother!
You should care. Your callsign is on the line. You are responsible for what goes through your repeater.
You sir are not the typical HAM. Sorry to say but a LOT not saying all but a lot are curmudgeons who love to complain about everything including other new HAM operators! I've heard them on radio chewing out people for making a mistake. Someone said HAM is dead! I disagree, HAM is not dead, but with the internet it's stagnant in its growth. It's not growing like it used to, and I blame the Internet. GMRS is a lot more relaxed and people are gravitating to that as a radio comms method. The radios are very inexpensive and getting a license take about 10 minutes if you can figure out the FCC website, or in a lot of cases people don't even bother to get a license, and I'm OK with that as long as you're respectful to others. Oh, and the GMRS is a gateway to getting a HAM license... Maybe for a very small group, but overall GMRS is being used for quick comms and not full roundtable talks.
@@TheWolfReportjamon triste
I believe the “information” argument is about the public access to info with a call sign, some bad actor can look up an address with a call sign, not the government having that info. I use a PO Box but I can understand the concern.
I use a mailbox also. I've been doing this since I created an eBay account and signed up for Amazon prime, regardless of my Ham Radio license
I don't recall Randy ever saying that it was OK for GMRS to TX on 70cm.
No I don't think he's said this directly, but he hints at it.
I also have never heard Randy say that it was OK for GMRS to TX on 70cm. I can only say to anyone that listens/watches Randy's videos that you do so with much more attention to that which he says. He says things just to get those 'sad hams' railed up and they fall for it most all the time. I just laugh at it all...pacifically speaking, of course...
@@HamRadio2maybe you missed Josh interviewing Randy over the weekend...
Randy will never actually say that out loud on a video but even the most clueless observer will be able to read between the lines. I think he probably does this to rile up people who actually care about being good stewards of the airwaves but forgets that there's a large portion, maybe a majority, of his audience that isn't in on the joke and believes that he's telling them that they should do whatever they want. Maybe he's repeated the joke so much that he believes it too.
I believe people get the idea that Randy promotes this because of statements he makes about the FCC not caring/doing anything, and such. The truth is Randy doesn't actually encourage people to violate FCC regs, but he's not encouraging them to follow the regs either. Based on your state of mind when you watch one of his videos you can walk away with a completely different interpretation of what he said each time your watch it.
Just got my GMRS call sign and I 100% agree with this video. I am currently studying for my HAM Technicians license. I would like to put a Repeater or two on my property if needed so I can help others who may need it. I think GMRS and HAM both have their place in todays world and people should be encouraged to learn the rules and follow them.
Awesome
Good for you!
How long did it take you to recieve your GMRS license?
Don’t put the club name in there then
While you’re in study mode, get your general at the same time. You get to learn and then do so much more. Too many get stuck at tech. You can do it!
Notarubicon Randy would call the person who wrote he said it was okay to broadcast on ham frequencies a “sad ham” because Randy never said that.
He calls everyone that he disagrees with a "sad ham" - that is why I say that it has lost all meaning and isn't funny anymore
@@HamRadio2Yes it is. You’re a crybaby.
@@philweed1603 🤡
This reminds me of the old “CB “ radio days . The airwave “FUDS “ and duds always complaining. I like the term “sad ham “ however I prefer “ whiny old douche bag”
"he never said that". correct. what he does say is that the FCC is toothless, they don't enforce the rules anyway, it is a victimless crime, no one has ever been fined and so on. we can all read between the lines dude and his appeal is definitely to a certain subset of people and that are not interested in promoting the hobby in a positive way- just read the comments. his audience is made up of mostly what I would refer to as Baofeng preppers and guys that wear printed t shirts to tell you what they think about things, what I would also call unserious people. I don't dislike the passive aggressive radio guy's channel I just take it for what it is and will not join the chorus of "he didn't say that!" guys (there are a lot of you) when we have all heard what he has actually said. and maybe you guys could get together and work on a new insult, your one joke is old.
I'm guilty of accidentally giving out my GMRS callsign on a ham repeater. The ham who responded was not salty about it. I just replied with a sorry and said my ham callsign.
As it should be
It is as simple as that!
I've done the opposite, I've used a HAM call-sign accidentally on GMRS because I memorized that over 30 years ago and it just pops to mind when on a radio. Only had a GMRS license for a few years. The HAM on the GMRS repeater was not polite and I haven't used that repeater sense.
@@EthosAtheos I probably would have made a comment like "Who kicked your cage this morning?".
I've done the reverse and thrown out my ham callsign instead of my GMRS callsign. I usually catch myself almost immediately and give the correct one, but it's an easy thing to do if you hold both licenses.
I remember this one time a ham radio operator showed up on our local GMRS repeater. Threw out his ham callsign. Our GMRS folks are super nice. They didn't get mad or anything. Apparently, the guy thought his ham license covered him for GMRS as well. Well, our GMRS guys just explained to him how to get a GMRS license. Actually, I think they were happy to have an opportunity to do so:) And that was it.
Isn’t a Gmrs license free? Just have to pretty much sign up online?
@@OGamputee According to Lord Xenu, all airwaves should be license-free:) But then there will be a mess. All I was trying to say is be nice and helpful to each other.
@@SK-rj1tiI was simply asking a question. Never heard of Xenu lol.
My GMRS license was not free. Just test free.
@@OGamputee GMRS is not free. The cost is $35.00 and that gets you a license good for 10 years. There is no testing requirement for GMRS. I have both a Ham call and a GMRS call...but don't ask me to spit out the GMRS one as I don't use it much and don't yet have it committed to memory.
If you work for something and that thing has a set of rights or privileges then that should be respected and not intruded. Innocent mistakes need to be corrected politely and not eye gouged. It’s a big hobby, radio. There’s room for more good folks. Good to encourage that.
I was running a net on a 2 meter repeater and a guy came in with a GMRS call sign. I politely told him that the repeater was a ham repeater and he apologized and left.
“We should be nice to THOSE people”. Thank you for letting all of us really know how you feel.
Just because they made a Mistake or something it doesn't mean they are Bad people we need to fix this Country and Stop the hate
@@Pimporly Nobody said they are bad. However they are transmitting illegally and outside the frequencies they are licensed for... It's 100% okay to call them out.
I think you are calling the right shots on this subject.
I am in the DFW Metroplex. I just got a GMRS license. I did alot of studying on this subject before purchasing an HT. I personally bought a HT that can RX only on HAM frequencies for this reason. It can not be unlocked like a Beofeng. I am studying right now for my HAM technicians license. I can easily see how this innocently happens. I think people need to just be respectful, and those with more experience should try to help those who do not have as much experience. For those newer to GMRS. If you don't have a GMRS license, get one so that you atleast have a call sign. I am not trying to be the radio police by saying that. It is cheap, lasts 10 years, your immediate family can use it, it requires no test, and I got mine within 24 hrs. I appreciate this video. Keep up the great work.
Good job. I like how you got around to mentioning being a good ambassador for amateur radio and getting the GMRS users there ham license.
Amen, Jason. Let's be nice and maybe they will get the Ham license because we are good people.
Yep
There are people you cannot be nice enough to.
As for a repeater operator (rules might have changed).... But I thought they were legally require to ensure he proper operation of the repeater. Example, if someone used the f-bomb on the repeater, you would need to say knock it of or report them if need be.
I learned this weekend that this has been the case in the Midland/Odessa area. I have heard a GMRS operator on the 2M calling frequency in my town, after meeting with them I explained what was wrong. The folks at the Odessa club reportedly have been working to convert the GMRS users to amateur operators which is a model that some folks in the Midland club are discussing.
Nice
Jason for Amateur Radio & GMRS President 2024! You are always the voice of reason and willing to view both sides of topic. Thanks for sharing. KC3UEE
Thanks
This is why I love, and sub to HR2.0!!!!! Nothing but the honest truth. Thanks for all you do Jason!!! 73.
Thanks!
Thank you for sharing. The rules are clear. I learned more while studying for my General and am pleased.
Excellent!
"This is a ham frequency and not a GMRS frequency. You need to have a Technician's license to transit. However, don't let that statement scare you away. We want you in the hobby, but we want you to be legal."
Yep
All good points and well said. 👍
Thanks
I started on GMRS by accidentally catching Randy @ notarubicon on youtube. Thanks to Randy i started following both Josh @ HRCC and your Channel . I am now a technician class Ham studying for my General license. Thanks to all of you ABC the APE lol. I will say though i have come across a couple uppity "sad" hams. Joined a club and now well on my way.
Welcome!
Before I had any license or knowledge about radios I had a baofeng and a Bluetooth programmer that would automatically load all the repeater info in for you. So I loaded a local repeater in and it worked! For weeks I never heard anyone on it. Then one day my life changed. A ham by the name of Jim came on and talked to me. Told me what I was doing was wrong but he wasn’t going to turn me in but if I was wanting an “in” then come to the club meetings. I went to their very next meeting. That was last year, now I’m a licensed ham and GMRS user. (This was all allegedly btw)
This is the perfect way to do it
I've heard it several times in California. Most of them are cool and understand when they are told. Some cursed us out and continued to use it for a few weeks. We just wouldn't let them talk to each other.
The ones who were jerks...if you call them out, you get labeled a Sad Ham. It's ok for them to be rude and obnoxious, but not for you to be
I agree with most of what you said.
One thing I would add to the "Sad Ham"" part.
If you are a licensed ham and you are going to tell someone what the "rules are", please actually know what the hell you are talking about before you run your mouth.
I am embarrassed by many of my fellow licensed hams spouting off false information like they actually have a clue.
Yes, good idea
Not only have you spent the dollar$ and done the work, as the control operator, you ARE ultimately responsible for the operation of the repeater.
Yes
Firstly, I follow your channel because you always have good radio content, mostly ham, but none-the-less, good content. WRUN578 here and wanted to thank you for posting this. Be a responsible radio operator, no matter the band. If you just want to mouth off to hear yourself, get a cobra and play on 27.025 😀
I too am licensed on both and thankfully, we have active repeaters on both services. In fact, we just activated a new 70cm and a new 1.25m repeater along with our two 2m repeaters in Lexington KY. I use them all if not every day, every other day. The ham community here is very respectful to even those who should not be on amateur radio bands. And the GMRS repeater is owned by the owner of the state's premium public safety communications installer (who is also a ham) and I have yet to hear anything out of order on his repeater. I guess that we are just in a lucky area where everyone helps each other in each radio service as well as encouraging folks to explore the "other" service.
Nice work on the 1.25M repeater
I hold a license for both HAM and GMRS. 3 months ago I became an Amateur Extra. Can't wait to start using the HF freqs. First I need a radio and antenna,
Well said Jason. I have both ham and GMRS licenses. I have made the mistake of saying the wrong callsign on both, it happens. I'm guilty of that myself. It's very easy to forget which radio service your using at times. Sometimes I catch myself. But, well said video. 73s. Still waiting for your review on the Ailunce hd2 as well.
Never heard NotaRubicon say anything like a GMRS user can talk on a ham repeater.
I also have both licenses. I don't hear cross overs locally but I do hear people doing simplex on GMRS repeater channels. They weren't talking English so I couldn't "educate."
Was it the illegal infedels, already inbedded in our country?
There’s nothing to educate on. The repeater outputs overlap with 8 of the simplex frequencies.
With the price of ham and gmrs radios becoming more affordable, more people area getting into this great hobby. Everyone has a starting point and not everyone is familiar with the regs or the importance of following them so everyone can enjoy this fun hobby. I think this is an opportunity for older and more experienced hams to kindly inform the unauthorized user of the regs and encourage them to your local club website to join or attend a meeting and study for their Technician license. This can be an opportunity not to scold the individual and be a unauthorized regulatory "enforcement" officer, but to kindly inform and encourage to get their ham certs. This can be a way to turn a potentially negative encounter into a positive one. I think this will also prevent people from intentionally "yrolling" or "jamming up" frequencies. We should try to be a guide and encourage those in the right direction before going to the negative. I think many that do this, do it out of not knowing the regs or understanding the importance of it. The more you start by encouraging, the better results you will get!
Great video. I have my gmrs license and I'm studying now for my ham license. It's not easy for me and it's hard for me to comprehend. So I have respect for people who have a ham license
Notarubicon never said it's ok to talk on ham frequencies without a license. He talks a lot about the sad hams who get butthurt about issues that don't involve them, but that's about it.
One night we had one check into a net and confuse the heck out of all the OMs. After the net there was like 20 minutes of discussion on the call sign cause they were all so confused 😂😂
lol
So someone checked in on a UHF or VHF net with a GMRS callsign? I can see how that would be confusing. The net controller didn't stop things right there?
@@javabeanz8549 they were too confused and rolled with it. The guy checked in and then the net rolled right along lol. He didn't do a report or anything. I was not net control so i didn't want to "make a scene". Figured the guy would figure it out. Haven't heard him again and didn't copy the call sign. Lol
@@the_mad_swimbaiter455 Dang that's funny! Does make you wonder if they are recently dual licensed.
A guy checked into our amateur radio net with his GMRS call, net control was not sure what is was, I recognized it as I'm licensed for both services, I told the net control and spoke to the GMRS operator and he was under the mistaken idea that he could use his GMRS license on ham as well, we got him correctly informed and he's been on the GMRS repeaters and is now working on his ham license as well
Great video. Thank you for being honest about your mistakes and for the advice of being polite. That's what a man does!
I’m a GMRS license holder and working on getting my Technician license. People who would use a ham radio without a license are just ignorant and lazy !!
I’m glad you dropped this video!
Thanks
I am ignorant and lazy.
And I will STILL use ham radio without a license whether you like it or not.
@@philweed1603 No you won't. We`ll just turn it off. Get stuffed.
@@terryparker1925 Wrong. I still use it EVERYDAY and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, Sad Ham.
@@terryparker1925 Now maintain that repeater for me, stuffing boy.
I just got my GMRS license and im currently studying to got my Ham license. I have both type of radios and have been monitoring to learn the lingo and i cant wait to dive in on ham but for now im getting my chops wet on GMRS and loving it
Also, while correcting GMRS or and others while on ham freq's, take a moment and not only correct, but let these folks know that once they get their Ham license they would be more than welcome to return, and that you hope to hear their Ham call sign in the future.
People that screw up today may be the folks that carry Amateur Radio into the future ;)
I have been a licensed ham since 1969. I learned electronics in High School (back when schools actually taught useful topics). The very first thing I did was to build my own receiver (in a cigar box) and my own transmitter from a $5 kit. My antenna was made from coat hanger wire. I was 16 years old. It was fun.
I talked to all sorts of people all over the place. Today, the FCC has eliminated the requirement to learn Morris Code. That’s a good thing as that is not for everyone. SO... my 2 cents worth here is that those folks who haven't bothered looking into obtaining their ham license more likely than not have had no formal education in electronics. That is not really those peoples fault. I blame this on the school districts.
Electronics SEEMS very complicated and the math can be intimidating, but so are many other things. In my day we DID NOT have calculators (today that is not a problem) we ciphered all those circuits by hand with a pencil, but I digress. However, once someone gets a taste of Ham, especially DXing and speaking to people in far off lands, they will NEVER go back to GMRS, CB or other such things. Try bouncing a signal off of the moon and talking to someone in France with your GMRS radio. BUT ONE THING I REALLY MISS is the ability to buy a kit of some kind and build a new transmitter, tune it, test it and listen to someone on the other side of the world with my home-made cigar box receiver. That to me is what ham is all about. Today it seems like it is about lots of money.
I don’t blame people for starting out small to see if they like it. But, if the bug bites, keep going. As far as those “Karen” hams out there, well… where did YOU start?
Yes we need to all do this and yes I have thrown out my Ham callsign on GRMS also
I have complained about laziness for years....lol. So glad I am not alone
Well said!
I've been calling out on my local repeaters regularly since you mentioned it sometime last year. Not always successful.
I think we as ham radio operators should be inviting the GMRS people to come and take a look at what ham radio is all about. There is also a opportunity for us ham radio operators to Elmer the GMRS side so they become better operators.
I think you're thinking that GMRS users want to be HAMS. Most GMRS users use the radios like they would a 4 bulk lot of FRS radios in a blister pack from Walmart. I would say 95% don't even program in a repeater.
@rustynail6819 that is true with most but recently in our club several GMRS users have taken there tech test as a small group of us was willing to answer there beginners questions about GMRS.
I agree with the laziness part. I'm far from the sharpest tool in the shed, and I was able to get both my technician and General.
Same here
Aloha Jason, as the net control of a large linked repeater system here in Hawaii, I have not seen any GMRS license holders get on our ham radio repeaters yet.
On the other hand, I have gotten onto one GMRS repeater owned by a good friend of mine and have used WH6DWF, like you said.
This was also after I spent 20 minutes looking up my own GMRS license, which is basically a mile long, which I shouldn’t need to use since my Ham license exceeds any GMRS License.
I really believe if the FCC is going to be relevant in the future, they really need to get a license and get on the air themselves to see all the stupid things that they do on a regular basis.
It really should be like an endorsement like for your drivers license.
Example, if folks can use their FCC Call Sign on GMRS Repeaters, than those that only paid for a GMRS license would hear what a real license sounds like and would want to upgrade to Amateur radio license. It’s really that simple.
We should be promoting Amateur radio, not segregating it. 😢
I think in the very near future digital radio will make call-signs spoken over the air obsolete. The call sign will be embedded in the signal. Amateur radio will eventually go digital even if it does it kicking and screaming the whole way.
@@EthosAtheos Yes, in most cases now with digital modes, especially with D Star, most of the nets are just key ups for checking in and you can see your own call sign flash across the screen on these ICOM D Star mobile transceivers.
Besides analog simplex, D Star is my favorite mode. I do feel that analog will forever be here for EmComm communications, especially in the absence of internet connections or connectivity. Point well taken, sir. 🤙🏻
Josh, I used your video from approx 1 year ago Technician with KB6NU - GREAT INSTRUCTIONAL !!!
Passed Tech (12 min. Total ) missed a couple questions used your video & online practice exams yesterday & today!!
THANK YOU so Much for making this type content.
Taking General end of next week.
But NEED some videos about Big motorized extendable Tower & the BEST antennas, coax, etc etc etc
The MRS. has authorized, so need to move while the coals are Hot!
And again THANK YOU for providing videos like this-
Also. KB6NU is Great.
If a person starts to use my GMRS repeater, with out permission I would not care as long as they are being behaving and not hogging it from other people to use.
Amen!!! Awesome video!!!! Yes, be nice. It's not the end of the world. We talk to them and explain the ham license. We even had them in a Net a few times. All good. We run the net and call them during the net. Talk to them about a ham license. Roll with it. They will usual be cool and leave nicely once they know. Elmer the community. If it's a net, then let them know about net logger. They can use the AIM window to ask questions. They can put NOCALL in the licenses spot. 😎
Good topic , I'm a licensed GMRS guy with a GMRS repeater station, I recently wiped the memory on an older unlocked 5 watt HT to use strictly for GMRS at correct power and channels . But while in repeater book I accidentally copied and pasted a local ham repeater in my home town. When I keyed up and gave my call sign in an attempt to join a conversation you would have thought I just robbed a bank. I wasn't given a chance to apologize and sign off , instead I was given a lecture , talked down to and even threatened to be reported to the FCC. I would never done such a thing to a ham operator on my GMRS repeater , and never will. GMRS is exploding in the USA and is a golden opportunity for ham radio to recruit from . The most recent report from FCC licensing is that GMRS is 74% of all new amateur licenses , while ham radio is only 15% of all new licensing. I am studying for my ham license now and this incident gave me pause, had I not already bought my ham base station I'm not sure if I would proceed with the ham license.
One day freak of weather or something a ham in mexico was on a local repeater was able to talk for a few minutes
Yeah I've heard that
Gmrs license in Bedford for 6 years with gmrs radios. Mostly use it for off-road and camping. Recently picked up some uv9r and h3 to listen while studying for ham license. Thanks for the Bedford ham repeater info. Ill add that to the scan list.
Gmrs repeaters 17 and 20 seem to have the most activity around here.
I'm aware of repeaters in Dallas and Denton, is there now one in Bedford also?
I'm a numb nut but a General class. If I can achieve it, any one can.
The way testing is set up, you can go through practice questions on various websites and essentially memorize or recognize answers. I think if they gave a real test, most people wouldn't pass. Kind of like driver's licenses here in the US.
I feel the same way. You just have to study the material and take the exam. My Dad was surprised when I was able to get all 3 licenses. He said he didn’t know I was that smart. I guess it was a compliment. lol.
I have a Baofeng UV5G plus GMRS radio that I put a ham frequency on for listening only. It won't allow me to transmit on ham frequencies.
Most of them won't without some sort of modification
I agree with you, the only obstacle to get a license is the individual. No science here.
Jason funny you posted this today we had 2 the past month on our multi club 2 meter nets one this past week!!
Wonderful video, Jason! Couldn't agree more with everything you said. Well done!
Thanks a ton!
I live in the DFW area and monitor these repeaters. I have both licenses and I agree, recently there has been a lot of missing call signs and obviously GMRS transmissions that are beyond the power limits. I agree with Jason. I just wish the local clubs were more open. There are some "sad hams" out there, I know I've encountered them and it prevents me from enjoying the hobby.
I heard the sad hams crying today about nobody talking on ham anymore and there’s more activity on GMRS. Well DUH! They ruined it for everyone wanting to join.
Some may also disagree, but I feel once you pass the amateur radio licensing, you should get access to all the amateur radio bands off one license, like how people who are licensed for gmrs who just pay a fee an go. But I dont make the rules, sometimes with all the studying i feel like it's useless to upgrade my technician to general even extra. With life i keep studying, then life happens so i keep putting the general on hold, then get back to studying again a week later. Kq4hcu
I have both GMRS and Ham, love talking on both. Jason well said and thank you.
Well stated. It's not at all unlikely that some people just don't know. And you're right that every user has an obligation to know what frequencies they can and cannot use. TBH, I don't really see any significant downside to getting a GMRS license. It averages out to $3.50/yr and for that, you can use GMRS repeaters without incurring the wrath of the owners. TBH, the reason I bought a "full spectrum" radio was so that I could put both GRS and MURS on the same radio. Turns out, I don't use MURS anyway.I don't even program any HAM frequencies. It's really just about good manners.
I got my GMRS license a little while ago after having spent some time reading up and trying to get an understanding. Now I am kind of getting interested in getting a ham license. I agree with you, know before you key...
I do NOT have a HAM license,... I called out on a HAM Repeater for a Radio Check,... I told the old Fella that I did NOT have a License but wanted to do a Radio & Antenna check IN CASE OF EMERGENCY which I CAN do (in case of emergency) & old dude appreciated my honesty & confirmed my Radio Check :)
You can use it in an emergency. You can't do a radio check. A radio check isn't an emergency
@@HamRadio2
Correct,... I did a Radio Check to make sure my Radio & Antenna worked fine in case of Emergency & again, the old HAM dude was fine with that.
Being new to GMRS but being a HAM for 22 years I KNOW I'll make the call sign mistake a time or three - putting my GMRS call on the radio should help - it'll be as much for me as my family but for different reasons. I think it should be pretty obvious though who is making the mistake and who is out of band.
I have not personally heard any GMRS users on any of our local HAM repeaters. BUT, a lot of GMRS people say they don't care, and will cross the line, when ever they want to. Almost having the CB'r attitude, of damn the law! So...?
Some of them are rebels without a cause.
nice video. have not herd any GMRS users using HAM repeaters in my area. I have herd wrong call being used and corrected. I have even done that. when you have more then 1 call you can invertedly use the wrong call. been a lot or repeater keys with nothing said around me. both GMRS and HAM but not done to interfere with anyone. I have not herd much repeater jamming around me. but not all ways listing. I do get a lot of kids with FRS radio's messing around. 73's
I have both, I have accidently used my Ham callsign on my own GMRS repeater before.
Same
I'm both Ham and GMRS licensed. I wish we had a GMRS repeater here. GMRS folks should understand that if they are tossing out their call sign (same as with a Ham call sign) is that they can be looked up on FCC license search. Another reason to be careful where you are transmitting is that here in rural SW Texas is some LE and some Business licensed activity that when close enough on UHF and VHF that it tosses some noise when they are close that it trips the repeaters with some major static for a moment. Since I have a Uniden SDS100 going at the same time as my GMRS and Ham Radios (monitoring 2 Meter and 70cm) going and can tell when an LEO really close by the tower keys up and triggers the repeater. Just because they are on P25 doesn't mean analog signals can't interfere with them either. We actually have our repeater in the same building and tower as the Sheriff's department. Just using whatever frequency you happen to pick might be a good way to get unwanted LE attention if you are interferring with their comes. Not to mention that down this way the cartels and smugglers are using some GMRS and hijacking some ham and business coms here and there. We had to swap our primary GMRS channel when out at a ranch because illegal smugglers were using it so much. It was deep in a valley and no UHF signals got over those ridges. You had to be in there to have signal and theirs was strong.
I do have a few of those in a grey hair GMRS simplex net I run that "Don't want the gov't..." That's why they have HTs and I did the programming on them allowing listening on some other freqs, but no TX. We do have another there who is also ham licensed. So their radio can do both. Like you said, the gov't already has your info and they aren't going to go rounding up everyone with a GMRS license when it's easier to simply jam and/or monitor those freqs. Play nice people. The allocations are there so you don't have such a mess that no one can communicate when they need too. Maybe more clubs need to start fox hunting again to have those skills when needed.
Randy has never said its okay for people to use amateur radio without a license. He has shown that the FCC isn't enforcing their rules which is a fact and other ham radio channels such as ham radio crash course have also pointed that out. There are a lot of sad hams (very appropriate term) out there that hate this guy and really just love talking about rules and regulations. I've only been a ham for a year but I've constantly seen these old grumpy bastards put words in his mouth. He's very entertaining and keeps the topic of radio practical and understandable for the common man. Not to be mean, but this is something sorely lacking in nearly all ham radio youtube channels.
You're mostly right but Randy's channel is more about comedy and satire, rather than education. No, he hasn't said it's ok to transmit without a license but he has said other things that are wrong, but since he's just a comedy channel, it doesn't matter
@@HamRadio2 I think you underestimate the power of satire for the purpose of education. It doesn't have to be satire OR education. Speaking as a former teacher, it is extremely effective to use both. I'm sure you had teachers in school that weren't boring so you know what I mean. This is why he has a lot more subs than a lot of the ham channels on UA-cam.
You guys are mostly living in the world of HF which I understand, but us new guys are going to be working on a HT or cheap mobile for the most part and looking for simple plain English content that applies in those areas. Not to mention most of us can't afford to jump into HF for quite a while when we first start. Randy is capitalizing on that audience.
If he has said "other things" that are wrong, then call him out on it because a lot of us newbies are sure learning a lot from him. I'd like to know if I'm getting bad information.
@@_Mordion_ I've done far more videos about DMR, YSF Allstar and other things in the VHF/UHF world than I have HF. Sure I do some HF, it's very enjoyable but that's not where I started.
Satire is fine if you're trying to educate people. Randy insults and talks down to people who disagree with him too much for that. And when you point out something he says that's wrong, you get called a sad ham.
How does the complainer know its an inexpensive radio?
Ya.. that’s a really big leap 🤦♂️
Roger beep is probably on
@@HamRadio2Roger beep… God’s gift to the radio hobby. 😅. Waiting for optional Roger beeps to be incorporated into the radio technology. Like ringtones! 😅 oh Lordy….
Lol
They can't I'm on a cheap chinese handheld with a cheap chinese antenna on the back and people comment on how loud and clear I sound. 5w across 30 miles. The difference, I think, is that I affect my 'radio voice' and speak clearly and I know to keep the mic right in front of my mouth and turn off the music. The difference seems to be effort, not equipment. Doesn't take a lot of either.
Jason, I’m a little mixed on this one. While yes it is my repeater, I’m using a public frequency at no cost. I didn’t purchase that spectrum for exclusive use. It’s like a mass transit bus, yes my tax dollars paid for the bus and the road, but it’s a public road. Yes you paid for the infrastructure, but it’s a public frequency. If you want a private repeater that only your club can use, go digital.
I run two repeaters and that’s how I did it.
I’ve used my GMRS callsign on a ham repeater once, but that was me calling out the wrong callsign. I got reamed. Got the usual, get off the repeater, get a license!, and gomer go away. I have my ham but have had my GMRS a lot longer. So I waited a min and came back with my ham callsign. Was immediately told about this rouge GMRS guy I just missed. Then all the talk about “did anyone get his callsign?”
Lol
I heard a Ham callsign on FRS and I was like "errr...buddy?" and he snapped out of it, LOL!
Maybe that person hadn't had their first cup of coffee?
I did that the other day....gotta be careful with that quad-watch feature 😂
I've even used my Ham callsign on the telephone!
@@rustyhaddock7954 I've done that before. We are all human, and fallible.
FRS frequencies are shared with GMRS so you actually hear that often.
Good Job Jason! Education and Encouragement is correct way for the HAMS to behave.
Yep
Guys , I am not Radio expert, but I know the difference between 462 & 442- I think is not Fk excuse for that type of mistake, I accept you 460 or near GMRS frequencies, but from 462 end on 70 cm, I always Love to use a 70 cm or 2 meter repeater, I get my ticket-KE2AUM- I love too use GMRS repeater, I get my callsign WRMZ361- but on UA-cam is too much BS about ham radio operator, I am cool with both side, I enjoy the hobby 24/7 and I not see anyone like less or enemy because divided, we weak, United we Strong. God bless everyone.
This is absolutely a great video
Glad you think so!
Xenu said it was ok
Who?
@@HamRadio2 Zeenu/Xenu Notarubicon's God who has bestowed his GMRS knowledge upon him. 👍
I know. My question remains.....
Who?
@@HamRadio2Scientologist god !
Haha 😂 i got it!
You are absolutely right. Good Video.
Thanks!
Probably the best reason for the ham license is to keep random yahoos from just picking up a radio and cluttering up the frequencies. WRUS402
But the license doesn't prevent that. It's just a piece of paper like a restraining order. Anyone can buy a radio and transmit.
Had someone with a GMRS callsign try to check into a (ham radio) net one night last year. We quickly informed him that he was doing the wrong thing and invited him to get a ham license. But we told him he couldn’t be on the ham radio repeaters or frequencies.
Bring back the Haltom repeater!
You posted this and then I actually heard similar to this last night. I've never heard it happen here in Washington until you posted this. I thought of contacting the repeater owner.
I heard this issue on a local repeater. A GMRS user used the repeater and gave his GMRS call sign. No other conversations were going on at the time. One of the, my guess, club users came on yelling at this operator. It was a bit sad as maybe this user made a mistake and, in the future, could become a Ham user, but this experience was so negative.
I was thinking about attending and checking out the local club that ran the repeater, I have second thoughts if this is how they treat new and maybe future operators. That's no how you invite someone to check out your hobby.
Agreed
I have 9 repeaters and I also have this issue. One claimed that he bought the radios preprogrammed with the repeater frequencies already for this area.
Repeaters oftentimes have commonly used frequencies in different regions, so that might actually be possible. He probably would have had to set the CTCSS himself though
I totally agree with what you said. I'm in Nebraska and we recently had our area arrl rep at a club meeting saying how they dropped the ball in the cb days and with gmrs picking up they would like to sway some of those users to become hams. Like you said, politely explain the issue but maybe invite them to a club meeting or something ham related...
VERY WELL SAID THANK YOU ,..........................
We are always going to have bad apples using bands that they are not licensed for or individuals who are not licensed at all. I heard non-licensed individuals on a few rare occasions on some of our local repeaters mainly when there is severe weather forecasted or occurring.
I was monitoring my local ham repeater today. It sounded like kids playing on the channel. Later, there was a conversation that sounded like something you'd hear on CB or FRS. I have also talked to people using a ham radio on GMRS frequencies.
Heh, I agree with you we need to keep up the repeaters more, so I will try to key up some with my call a couple times a day. Btw as someone who has had a general license for a long time I don't really care what people do on 440 as long as it isn't tiring up repeaters, bleeding over to other parts of the spectrum, or pushing a lot of wattage with a strong antenna making it impossible ignore.
I end up using a GMRS radio to talk to FRS radios I have handed out at events or convoys and if I identify on air, the others on FRS start going, "What did you say?" I just quit doing it. No one else cares on GMRS/FRS anyway. I haven't heard anyone call out anyone on GMRS repeater either, come to think of it, but it takes a deliberate action to cross over to ham repeaters and frequencies. It should not be happening, though I haven't heard it happen either way. It's like CB talking to AIR. It would stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. I've had to learn at least four different languages to talk on all these radios over the decades 😂.
I agree 100% with your video...
A few years ago I heard someone throw out a GMRS call on the statewide 70 network we have here. Someone started talking to him asking him about the call sounding odd & he stated he had just purchased the radio from someone who had programed it for him. A system admin got on & politely informed him he wasn't actually authorized to on that repeater. He should probably have his radio checked. I believe it was assumed that the person he purchased it from probably offered programing & led him astray that everything in it at that point was OK to use with his license. I don't believe he had any idea he was doing anything wrong or intended to. He sounded completely shocked, lost & confused. He quickly disappeared after that, hopefully to have a few words with the person he purchased from. I never heard him again, at least not under his GMRS call. Sometimes it's a third party bad actor who misleads these people & they don't intend to be where they are.
I’m new to all of this I’m going to purchase a GMRS license and I have been watching the videos from you and the other guys to educate myself on how to use and what I can do using the airwaves. Sadly I can’t find any HAM clubs that will give the test so I can get in to the HAM license.
I'm guilty of crossing my GMRS and ham call signs at times, especially if I used one all week then go use the other. Oh well, I'm human, I make mistakes. In Randy's defense, of all the videos I've watched of his, he has never spoken of GMRS being able to talk on ham frequencies. He actually got me and helped me into GMRS which led to my ham. GMRS is the gateway "drug". My first radios I got for GMRS were "Open" but I did my research to made sure I stayed in my lane and that any programmed ham frequency had the PTT locked out.
I have heard this on occasion. Once it was from a new ham who used his GMRS call. The other times it was from kids playing, and I'm not sure if they got a hold of their parent's or grandparent's radios or what. On the first one I heard someone else come back to them in a nasty, condescending tone, chastising them for using amateur frequencies without a license and yadda-yadda. As I noted, turns out the guy was a new ham and (ironically) was used to using his GMRS call and forgot which service he was using.
That nastiness is uncalled for, especially considering it was an honest mistake. That only bolsters the "sad hams" argument made by Notarubicon and others. Had it not been, however, the entire conversation could've been in violation of the rules -- the licensed amateur included. We're not supposed to communicate with unlicensed individuals on amateur frequencies, unless there is a ham at the control point of that station (ie - 3rd party traffic.) So this begs the question... what should we do in such a situation?
I don’t think it’s that serious at all. The only thing ham bands are used for nowadays is for guys who just want to talk about ham stuff on radios. Nothing super important is going on. I can get people getting mad if people are getting in the way of someone talking or a conversation, but other than that, who cares. I know the FCC doesn’t😂
I pretty much answered this question in this video, I think you should just inform them of what's going on politely. I don't really see a problem with talking to them without a license, unless it's a longer extended period of time
During the last two to three years, when we had ice storms and power outages in my area, several of the local repeaters would get used for welfare checks by people in the surrounding area. No emergency, nothing really all that highly sensitive, just everyday welfare checks. It's good to have options like that when you have no power or internet at home due to weather related issues
That's interesting.... I've not heard this issue in my area, but we've had a few seasoned Hams use my GMRS repeaters without a GMRS license with the attitude that their amateur license overrides GMRS.
Great insight Jason. I would strongly agree with you.
Thanks