Best handheld GMRS? Any with scanning ability?

[chickman1313]

Looking to get my first GMRS radio, getting license today, looking for something simple enough but would like something with the ability to scan the GMRS bands for activity. Is there something like that? If not, what are recommendations for a good radio? Uses would be emergency comms during disasters (typically hurricanes) or SHTF scenario. Was looking at T800. I'll be giving one radio to my dad who lives about 2/3 miles away but want to be able to talk to others also.

TIA

 

[sallen07]

The Motorola T800 is an FRS radio, not GMRS. If that's what you plan to buy and use there is no need for a GMRS license.

 

[iowabassplayer]

You could both get the Radiottity GM30 - inexpensive, solid, scannable, repeater capable. That is my entry level HT and so far, no complaints. Its programmable from the keypad, but much easier to program using a cable and software. You could communicate with your dad on the FRS channels, and if he ends up getting his GMRS license you can use any of the channels to talk to him.

 

[chickman1313]

The Motorola T800 is an FRS radio, not GMRS. If that's what you plan to buy and use there is no need for a GMRS license.

Well good to know! I must have read something incorrectly.

 

[chickman1313]

You could both get the Radiottity GM30 - inexpensive, solid, scannable, repeater capable. That is my entry level HT and so far, no complaints. Its programmable from the keypad, but much easier to program using a cable and software. You could communicate with your dad on the FRS channels, and if he ends up getting his GMRS license you can use any of the channels to talk to him.

That looks like exactly what I'm looking for, the cheap price is a little concerning though, no issues?

Do all of these have to be programmed?

 

[smittie]

You could communicate with your dad on the FRS channels, and if he ends up getting his GMRS license you can use any of the channels to talk to him.

Only one of you needs to get a GMRS license in order to talk to each other. FCC regulation allows all family members to us GMRS when one member has paid the licensing fee. The definition of family in the reg is pretty broad.

 

[iowabassplayer]

Only one of you needs to get a GMRS license in order to talk to each other. FCC regulation allows all family members to us GMRS when one member has paid the licensing fee. The definition of family in the reg is pretty broad.

I was wondering about that as well - if his father doesnt have the same physical address as he does, would the "Family" clause apply?

 

[iowabassplayer]

That looks like exactly what I'm looking for, the cheap price is a little concerning though, no issues?

Do all of these have to be programmed?

I've had no issues with mine (only about 3 months or so though and I'm not rough with my equipment). They have all of the FRS/GMRS and repeater channels built in and an area to add custom channels. SO if you aren't wanting to create custom channels (like a local repeater with a special access tone) you wouldn't need to really do any programming.

 

[chickman1313]

I was wondering about that as well - if his father doesnt have the same physical address as he does, would the "Family" clause apply?

I was reading about it and it includes "parents", doesn't mention anything about address so I think we are good.

BTW I went with the Baofeng G11S GMRS Radio and have paid license fee, just awaiting call sign now.

I think my issue is going to be range, I do not think we will reach eachother. I looked for repeaters but I think there may not be one close enough and I've got to figure out how to connect to and use that. I'm about as green as it gets on this subject.

 

[iowabassplayer]

I was reading about it and it includes "parents", doesn't mention anything about address so I think we are good.

BTW I went with the Baofeng G11S GMRS Radio and have paid license fee, just awaiting call sign now.

I think my issue is going to be range, I do not think we will reach eachother. I looked for repeaters but I think there may not be one close enough and I've got to figure out how to connect to and use that. I'm about as green as it gets on this subject.

A good resource for repeaters is www.mygmrs.com
you can register there with your callsign once you get it, and browse for repeaters near you. Public repeaters will likely have their access tones published and won't require you to request access, but others (especially private repeaters or club repeaters) will want you to request access and that is easy to do right on that site as well.

 

[chickman1313]

Appreciate it. Yeah that is the site I was using to look for one near, but I can't access everything until I get the callsign. IF there isn't one within range, what are my options? I'd think the only one would be to host a repeater myself?

 

[mmckenna]

I think my issue is going to be range, I do not think we will reach eachother. I looked for repeaters but I think there may not be one close enough and I've got to figure out how to connect to and use that. I'm about as green as it gets on this subject.

How far apart are you, and what is the terrain like between? Simplex with good external antennas can work well if set up correctly.

 

[chickman1313]

2.25 miles as the crow flies. Flat ground, lots of pine trees, just houses as far as structures.

Not sure what simplex means....

ETA: got it, simplex just means direct to radio, no repeater.

Mine is a handheld so not sure I can do the good external antenna route

 

[mmckenna]

2.25 miles as the crow flies. Flat ground, lots of pine trees, just houses as far as structures.

Not sure what simplex means....

ETA: got it, simplex just means direct to radio, no repeater.

Mine is a handheld so not sure I can do the good external antenna route

2.25 miles over flat ground should not be an issue with simplex. You ~might~ get that handheld to handheld, but you may need an external antenna on one or both ends.

Depending on the radio, you can easily attach a piece of coaxial cable to the antenna jack and run that to an antenna outside your home, preferably on the roof.

Or, get a pair of mobile radios with a power supply, external antenna, and you'll have zero issues talking to your dad over the radio.

Remember that repeaters are private property, and accessing them requires permission from the owner. Some repeaters are "open", which means any licensed user can utilize them.
Even with a repeater, hand held radio coverage may not be good enough, you may still need the external antenna.

Only way to know is to try it.

 

[Peter_SD911]

Remember that repeaters are private property, and accessing them requires permission from the owner. Some repeaters are "open", which means any licensed user can utilize them.

What legal recourse would one have IF their GMRS part 95 "private repeater" is used without permission?

My guess is...
None.
Any examples or case law on this?

 

[mmckenna]

What legal recourse would one have IF their GMRS part 95 "private repeater" is used without permission?

My guess is...
None.
Any examples or case law on this?

No case law, nothing I can site.

It's just being a decent human being. If someone chooses not to share PL/DPL tones to access their repeater, that is their right. If one accidentally uses the correct tone, then 'doo doo happens', but hopefully decent human beings would honor each others wishes.

 

[Peter_SD911]

No case law, nothing I can site.

It's just being a decent human being. If someone chooses not to share PL/DPL tones to access their repeater, that is their right. If one accidentally uses the correct tone, then 'doo doo happens', but hopefully decent human beings would honor each others wishes.

Plenty of new GMRS users "roll" repeaters every weekend here in Ca. Most those users would be considered "decent" humans...
There is no way to know what is "open" and what is not.
The only way I keep some of my sites private is to use split and inverted DPL...but even then we have users in the USA and Mexico monitor the repeater inputs and "pick-off" the DPL's

We just experienced a huge problem when a new socal operator fired up an "open" repeater and encouraged stations in Mexico to "shoot tropo" up the coast into L.A and further north on simplex.

The local GMRS OG's finally had the repeater shut down and the problem was solved.
No FCC needed or involved...just "Community Action" from some dedicated "Class-A Part-95 old timers."

The listings on MYGMRS and the other repeater "list" are outdated and just crap...and you can't put a No Trespassing or a "KAPU" sign on these boxes.
I think a closed repeater on GMRS is pretty much a thing of the past, unless it's very local and short coverage area with split and inverted PL's/DPLs, Channel Guard or Quiet Channel (All respective Trademarks Of Moto,G.E. and RCA)

We have some folks who will sit on an open box and tell the noobs asking for radio checks that "This repeater is closed"...just to mess with them.

Scan Sexy...
And NEVER Ker-Chunck in public.

 

[mmckenna]

There is no way to know what is "open" and what is not.

Pretty easy to check the webpage and see if it's listed as 'closed'. If it is, honor the wishes of the owner and find somewhere else to play.
Or, key up the machine, and ask. Usually not a good idea to assume….

I was fortunate enough to have access to a high level repeater and had a non-standard PL tone on it. It was quiet enough I had no issues leaving a radio on in the house 24x7.

 

[Peter_SD911]

Pretty easy to check the webpage and see if it's listed as 'closed'. If it is, honor the wishes of the owner and find somewhere else to play.

Not to rehash what I have already said but...
MYGMRS and Repeater book do NOT maintain updated listings of every machine in the USA. It's all crowd sourced.

Besides...
Who sits by their radio 24/7 chasing off "unwanted users".
A huge amount of closed and open machines in Socal and Norcal are unlisted....for a very good reason.

Want some examples?
A large linked system on 675 in Socal and Arizona is using 4 repeaters on sites in San Diego, L.A. and Yuma AZ.
Don't see that listed anywhere...open or closed?

New site on 675 on Mt.Wilson....open or closed? No listings anywhere.
700 high-site with killer coverage in SD and Riverside-San Berdo...listed?
NO open or closed...nobody answers when hailed.

I assume it's open unless you take great measures to protect it.
Why does anyone even need a private repeater on GMRS...spring for a part 90 allocation of you want less intrusions.

Besides...
Part-95 doesn't even define "private repeater" requirements or even a legal definition.

I support the "Open Repeater Imitative".
Make all of them open by default.

Ker-Chunk and WangChung tonight!

 

[mmckenna]

I can only speak for myself, but I would ask, and not assume.

Others may take a different approach.

Ker-Chunk and WangChung tonight!

Everybody Wang Chung tonight.