GMRS Linked Repeaters

[KD8DVR]

I always considered GMRS a utility service for family communications in a local area. These linked systems turn it into a hobby service. GMRS is not amateur radio. Each has It'S specific place.

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[nd5y]

Since GMRS repeaters do not require site-based licensing or frequency coordination how do you know for sure that there are only three of them in the Dallas area and any frequency you pick will not have another repeater within 50 miles?

 

[amphibian]

I always considered GMRS a utility service for family communications in a local area. These linked systems turn it into a hobby service. GMRS is not amateur radio. Each has It'S specific place.

AntiSquid Disclaimer: All posted content is personal opinion only and may not imply fact or accusation.

Sir, in response to::

"I always considered GMRS a utility service for family communications in a local area.", This is true by many, but not by all. It's true that a lot of people desire it for only communicating with family on a "local only" basis but for some, like me, I need the ability to communicate with family and friends (especially during or after a disaster) in about four different states. One family member lives in an area where there are no cell phones and only has access for dialing 911 or other numbers on a old style country RF telephone link (when it works) for local telephone service. By me being able to place a repeater in town where there is fiber to network with I now don't have to wait for an opportunity for them to call me....

One thing about our liked system is, like all others, you don't have to use it and/or listen to it if your repeater is not part of the network. Unlike the ham world, we (GMRS licensed users) don't have to rely on one repeater placed in operation by a club in order to communicate. We each can have our own repeater and make it available to all or none. I believe for that reason alone that GMRS may have greater flexibility when it comes to communications than Amateur radio does.... Of course this is JMHO.....

"These linked systems turn it into a hobby service. GMRS is not amateur radio." Sir, no greater words have been spoken that GMRS is not Amateur Radio nor is it a hobby....even though a lot of hams like to think it is a stepping stone to being a ham.... No offense, but sometimes ham'ers have to step out of their little ham world box and look at the rest of the world in its true reality. Long before I or others chose to link GMRS repeaters many others like Public Safety, Commercial, Military, and yes even Amateurs have been doing it for years, a lot of years, in fact even back before I got into the two-way radio business in 1968 it was being done on low band frequencies by means of RF. Now days they are doing it with RIOP. I'm sure that even most of these groups would agree that their portion of spectrum being "networked" is not Amateur radio or a hobby either.

A good response though non the less and one that is appreciated. Only by input from others can we see if our path is on the right track or not.

________________________
William R Howell, WQYX489
USGRMS Repeater & Users Group Association, CEO

 

[amphibian]

Since GMRS repeaters do not require site-based licensing or frequency coordination how do you know for sure that there are only three of them in the Dallas area and any frequency you pick will not have another repeater within 50 miles?

For Dallas, I have a receiver attached to a tall outside antenna that is scanning all eight pairs. In addition, I have people in the DFW are that are doing the same for me. Those receivers could be ROIP back to me for monitoring & recording.

For outside of my area and around the globe the same is and will be done before placing a repeater in operation. Most of the current repeaters that are/will be part of the network are already in use so no monitoring will be required in those areas on my part. But if a request is submitted for additional repeaters in a already network established area then monitoring will have to be done to assure no interference is brought about by us....

Again, a great question....


________________________
William R Howell, WQYX489
USGRMS Repeater & Users Group Association, CEO

 

[xxdanielt3]

I was interested but then you lost me at proprietary radio.


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[amphibian]

I was interested but then you lost me at proprietary radio.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not sure I follow.....and that would not be the first time I didn't.....

Either the system would require proprietary radios only available thru me or it would not require proprietary radios only available thru me....

THE SYSTEM DOES NOT REQUIRE PROPRIETARY RADIOS PURCHASED THRU ME IN ORDER TO USE THE SYSTEM....


Hope that helps.......


________________________
William R Howell, WQYX489
USGRMS Repeater & Users Group Association, CEO

 

[KD8DVR]

Sir, in response to::

"I always considered GMRS a utility service for family communications in a local area.", This is true by many, but not by all. It's true that a lot of people desire it for only communicating with family on a "local only" basis but for some, like me, I need the ability to communicate with family and friends (especially during or after a disaster) in about four different states. One family member lives in an area where there are no cell phones and only has access for dialing 911 or other numbers on a old style country RF telephone link (when it works) for local telephone service. By me being able to place a repeater in town where there is fiber to network with I now don't have to wait for an opportunity for them to call me....

One thing about our liked system is, like all others, you don't have to use it and/or listen to it if your repeater is not part of the network. Unlike the ham world, we (GMRS licensed users) don't have to rely on one repeater placed in operation by a club in order to communicate. We each can have our own repeater and make it available to all or none. I believe for that reason alone that GMRS may have greater flexibility when it comes to communications than Amateur radio does.... Of course this is JMHO.....

"These linked systems turn it into a hobby service. GMRS is not amateur radio." Sir, no greater words have been spoken that GMRS is not Amateur Radio nor is it a hobby....even though a lot of hams like to think it is a stepping stone to being a ham.... No offense, but sometimes ham'ers have to step out of their little ham world box and look at the rest of the world in its true reality. Long before I or others chose to link GMRS repeaters many others like Public Safety, Commercial, Military, and yes even Amateurs have been doing it for years, a lot of years, in fact even back before I got into the two-way radio business in 1968 it was being done on low band frequencies by means of RF. Now days they are doing it with RIOP. I'm sure that even most of these groups would agree that their portion of spectrum being "networked" is not Amateur radio or a hobby either.

A good response though non the less and one that is appreciated. Only by input from others can we see if our path is on the right track or not.

________________________
William R Howell, WQYX489
USGRMS Repeater & Users Group Association, CEO

I don't agree with linking amateur repeaters, either, for the same reason I previously mentioned. Even more so, actually, since amateurs have other bands to use, that have longer distance propagation characteristics. I'll not delve into that any more, lest I deviate from the GMRS topic at hand. I guess all services are falling victim to technological improvements. Time will tell if this will be a benefit or detriment. Good luck in your venture.