How am hearing this?

[JamesBrox]

I'll make this short and to the point. New to gmrs, I have Wouxun KG-1000G+ mobile as a base unit. With a gmrs tuned Ed Fong antenna is 40' up.....I'm happy with the performance of the set-up. I'm in my shack scanning the repeater channels (RPT-15thru22). I'm hearing on RPT 17 a round table discussion from folks in LA, TX and even farther. How? GMRS is line-of-sight, correct?

James WRXU693

 

[mmckenna]

Many GMRS repeaters are linked via the internet. Sounds like your local repeater is, and it is linked to repeaters in at least LA and TX. Not uncommon.

 

[mmckenna]

You can see some of the linked GMRS repeater networks here: https://mygmrs.com/nets

 

[JamesBrox]

Many GMRS repeaters are linked via the internet. Sounds like your local repeater is, and it is linked to repeaters in at least LA and TX. Not uncommon.

I see. But It's that kinda cheating? Lol. Isn't gmrs supposed to be just CB 2.0 but you have to have a license? I know with gmrs, you're allow to use repeaters so it's a whole different ballgame.

 

[mmckenna]

I see. But It's that kinda cheating? Lol. Isn't gmrs supposed to be just CB 2.0 but you have to have a license?

Well, there's two camps, one on either side of the GMRS river.

One camp has been there a long time and wants GMRS to stay as a family radio service where someone can put up their own repeater for their own communications amongst their friends/families and have a good radio system without a lot of noise, interference or channels being tied up.

On the other side of the river is another group. They want to be able to use GMRS as a hobby radio service where they can carry on rag chew sessions across the country. They link their repeaters together so they can do this. Much like what gets done on amateur radio.

The traditionalists like things the way they were.

The new guys want to cram a lot of stuff onto 8 frequency pairs, even though there are often repeaters sharing the same frequencies.

Both sides like to argue, throw rocks, and generally insult each other.


Sometimes you will hear GMRS referred to as CB 2.0.
Sometimes you will hear GMRS referred to as ham radio 2.0

Amateur radio already has the linking thing well established and has plenty of room to do this. However, some GMRS users can't/won't get their ham license, so this stuff happens on GMRS.

I'm neither for or against it. I just think people need to understand it is a limited resource and needs to be shared. It's also not hard to get an amateur radio license….

 

[smittie]

I should probably just take a leap and get my HAM.

For some, GMRS is wanna be HAM. For a lot of my clients GMRS is a business itinerant replacement.

 

[JamesBrox]

Well, there's two camps, one on either side of the GMRS river.

One camp has been there a long time and wants GMRS to stay as a family radio service where someone can put up their own repeater for their own communications amongst their friends/families and have a good radio system without a lot of noise, interference or channels being tied up.

On the other side of the river is another group. They want to be able to use GMRS as a hobby radio service where they can carry on rag chew sessions across the country. They link their repeaters together so they can do this. Much like what gets done on amateur radio.

The traditionalists like things the way they were.

The new guys want to cram a lot of stuff onto 8 frequency pairs, even though there are often repeaters sharing the same frequencies.

Both sides like to argue, throw rocks, and generally insult each other.


Sometimes you will hear GMRS referred to as CB 2.0.
Sometimes you will hear GMRS referred to as ham radio 2.0

Amateur radio already has the linking thing well established and has plenty of room to do this. However, some GMRS users can't/won't get their ham license, so this stuff happens on GMRS.

I'm neither for or against it. I just think people need to understand it is a limited resource and needs to be shared. It's also not hard to get an amateur radio license….

Interesting point of view.
I decided to try gmrs for local comms only. But the more I learn about it, the more involved this hobby CAN become. It's crazy. My first major hurtle was RX/TX PL tones and how they're not truly private at all. lol

 

[JamesBrox]

I should probably just take a leap and get my HAM.

For some, GMRS is wanna be HAM. For a lot of my clients GMRS is a business itinerant replacement.

I decided to try gmrs for local comms only. But the more I learn about it, the more involved this hobby CAN become. It's crazy. Plus....I'm not a big talker to be a ham. Honestly, I don't have that much to say to folks.

 

[mmckenna]

Interesting to of view.
I decided to try gmrs for local comms only. But the more I learn about it, the more involved this hobby CAN become. It's crazy. My first major hurtle was RX/TX PL tones and how they're not truly private at all. lol

Yeah, PL/DPL tones have nothing to do with privacy. It just keeps you from hearing others. Unfortunately a lot of the consumer users can't comprehend coded squelch systems, so the manufacturers just called it "privacy" as a simple explanation.

If you just want to use GMRS as local communications, you will need to try and find a local repeater that is not linked and will let you use it. Or, put up your own (not an easy task).
If simplex will do what you need, finding one of the more obscure PL tones or DPL codes is a good solution. I did that for years. I had access to a high level repeater with my own obscure/non-standard PL tone. I also used one on a simplex channel. Usually didn't hear anyone else.

 

[smittie]

GMRS simplex has pretty long legs.

 

[JamesBrox]

GMRS simplex has pretty long legs.

I know, lol. So....if a RPT has a TX tone of 141.3, I can hear it RX on my radio with no PL assigned. Hard to wrap me head around.

 

[mmckenna]

GMRS simplex has pretty long legs.

Yeah, a good antenna will make a big difference. I've talked 15+ miles mobile to mobile before on GMRS, 1/4 wave antennas permanently mounted on the roof of full size trucks.

Unfortunately many cut corners on the antenna system, then wonder why their radios don't work.

 

[KB0VWG]

What you are hearing is sites connected via gmrslive.com
You purchase a raspberry pi3b and a pi hat and connect to gmrslive and you can connect with other networks.
I have one and I use my ht to dial into a node and it connects me to Michigan, new york Louisiana etc
Its like a dmr hotspot but gmrs only. IF a repeater is connected to the internet then it can connect to any hotspot or other network via typing in the node number.
wrpu444
kb0vwg

 

[JamesBrox]

Yeah, a good antenna will make a big difference. I've talked 15+ miles mobile to mobile before on GMRS, 1/4 wave antennas permanently mounted on the roof of full size trucks.

Unfortunately many cut corners on the antenna system, then wonder why their radios don't work.

Yes sir, the expensive radio is worthless without a good quality antenna and coax.

 

[JamesBrox]

What you are hearing is sites connected via gmrslive.com
You purchase a raspberry pi3b and a pi hat and connect to gmrslive and you can connect with other networks.
I have one and I use my ht to dial into a node and it connects me to Michigan, new york Louisiana etc
Its like a dmr hotspot but gmrs only. IF a repeater is connected to the internet then it can connect to any hotspot or other network via typing in the node number.
wrpu444
kb0vwg

Man, that's wild. Question : So I just heard a guy in Bakersfield, CA on RPT channel 17 462.600/467.600. Does that mean he's TX from a 600 RPT in Bakersfield, into the internet then his comms RX a 600 RPT near me? I'm hearing the RPT ID is the "Roadkill Network".

 

[alcahuete]

Man, that's wild. Question : So I just heard a guy in Bakersfield, CA on RPT channel 17 462.600/467.600. Does that mean he's TX from a 600 RPT in Bakersfield, into the internet then his comms RX a 600 RPT near me?

Doesn't have to be 600. It can be any of the GMRS repeater channels. It's just linked.

 

[JamesBrox]

Doesn't have to be 600. It can be any of the GMRS repeater channels. It's just linked.

I'm hearing the RPT ID is the "Roadkill Network". Where this at?

 

[alcahuete]

I'm hearing the RPT ID is the "Roadkill Network". Where this at?

The Roadkill - Our Friends

GMRS Live has been a crucial cornerstone in connecting individuals and groups through its exceptional networking capabilities. The tireless effort, unwavering dedication, and invaluable support provided by GMRS Live has enabled the Roadkill Repeater Network to extend its coverage to a multitude of

sites.google.com

 

[JamesBrox]

The Roadkill - Our Friends

GMRS Live has been a crucial cornerstone in connecting individuals and groups through its exceptional networking capabilities. The tireless effort, unwavering dedication, and invaluable support provided by GMRS Live has enabled the Roadkill Repeater Network to extend its coverage to a multitude of

sites.google.com

I see the list of "Friends" repeaters in this group. But my base antenna is very far from New Orleans (190 miles away). I assume this is propagation?

 

[alcahuete]

I see the list of "Friends" repeaters in this group. But my base antenna is very far from New Orleans (190 miles away). I assume this is propagation?

No, not that far. I'm assuming there is a repeater nearby that isn't on the list. And who knows when that list was last updated. The Tampabay Radio Group on that list might have repeaters all over the place in Florida. Who knows?