GMRS radio/repeater question

[famouszor]

Good Day to Everyone!


I have searched and searched, maybe I’m wording the search wrong, I don’t know.

Question:
GMRS programmable radios with repeaters = (What type of license is needed?)
I’m already licensed GMRS, Do I need a ham license to call up the repeater?

I'm trying to setup my SDR HackRF one as a transceiver/repeater so I can talk to family if out beyond cell service, while I’ll be using BTECH Mobile GMRS-50X1 50 WATT radio (purchasing soon)

Thanks for your time

 

[N1GJB]

You don’t need anything beyond your GMRS to use the repeaters.
I don’t believe the hackRF will do what you’re expecting in the GMRS range, but feel free to prove me wrong. Your best bet is a real RF based repeater. Of course there are internet linked options that make use of actual RF radios as a hotspot like the ham folks use, but they generally don’t come plug and play and require more tinkering to get right.

 

[kb5udf]

N1GJB is correct. The HackRF one is a half duplex transceiver and one with minimal output power at that. It could function as jury-rigged ht or mobile, but not really a very effective repeater.

A repeater needs to be able to tx and rx at the same time; it must be full duplex. Alternatively, one can use a simplex repeater. A DMR SFR (single frequency repeater) would technically work, but would be against the rules for use on GMRS.

 

[mmckenna]

I’m already licensed GMRS, Do I need a ham license to call up the repeater?

Just to clarify this, and adding to what was said above, Amateur radio licenses do not give any permissions at all on GMRS. An amateur radio operator, no matter their license class, no matter the situation, needs to have a valid FCC issued GMRS license and an FCC Part 95 certified radio to transmit on GMRS frequencies, no exceptions.

Some hams seem to forget/ignore this.

Your GMRS license gives you full permissions on GMRS. There is only one type of GMRS license.

 

[famouszor]

Thank you to everyone that replied.

I will forgo the SDR and look into a GMRS station repeater for my house.

Regarding license, I did not know if I needed a ham license to use repeater frequencies for GMRS. sounds like I don’t need one.

One more question; GMRS has its limitation on power to max 50 watts. I have been hearing GMRS chatter from users that are 3500 miles away from my location with my BTECH ham radio (it’s like a daily trivia channel chat about Ham and GMRS from all around). Is this because of the repeaters, or are they just using a Ham Radio setup to transmit that far?

opinions welcome!
Thank you

 

[nd5y]

I have been hearing GMRS chatter from users that are 3500 miles away from my location with my BTECH ham radio (it’s like a daily trivia channel chat about Ham and GMRS from all around). Is this because of the repeaters, or are they just using a Ham Radio setup to transmit that far?

You are probably hearing repeaters or base stations with RoIP (internet) links.

 

[mmckenna]

One more question; GMRS has its limitation on power to max 50 watts. I have been hearing GMRS chatter from users that are 3500 miles away from my location with my BTECH ham radio (it’s like a daily trivia channel chat about Ham and GMRS from all around). Is this because of the repeaters, or are they just using a Ham Radio setup to transmit that far?

Some people that own/run GMRS repeaters have been linking them into nationwide nets. It's separate from the ham radio networks. You are likely hearing a nearby GMRS repeater that is linked into the GMRS network.

More info here: myGMRS.com: GMRS Repeater Directory and Community

 

[mmckenna]

Realtime info on GMRS repeater linking:

https://network.mygmrs.com/map

 

[famouszor]

Thank you again. I’m currently viewing MyGMRS website.