Pittsburgh area GMRS repeaters

[Flameout00]

Using the MyGMRS.com site, it shows a few repeaters in my area, but not really close enough to be usable (16-45 miles) I did however discover a few much closer, that aren't listed or shown on the mygmrs map.
I was able to connect to a couple of them, by trial and error of PL tones, but one at 462.625 I can't figure out. It must be using an abnormal offset.. I know it's a long shot, but I thought that maybe the owner of the repeater might use these forums and see this post. I would like to get permission to use the repeater, but have no idea how to. I also have no problem donating for some limited access

 

[chief21]

The GMRS channels are fixed, so it's not likely that a non-standard offset is being used. Much more likely would be that the repeater is using DCS (Digitally-Coded Squelch), rather than PL tones, or it could be an "alligator" repeater (all mouth and no ears) and you could just be out of its receive coverage.

 

[Flameout00]

Thanks for that info. I never even thought about DCS. I just tried and was able to hit the repeater. I'll try later to see if I can maybe reach the repeater owner. I haven't monitored that channel much and although I've never heard anyone using it, I do get a strong CW signal every 15 minutes or so

 

[ecps92]

Rather than Ker-Chunking away, take the CW Call and look up the owner and Call/email them.

I hated when folks would Tone-Search when I had a GMRS Repeater
which used different PL in, than what was used on the output

Thanks for that info. I never even thought about DCS. I just tried and was able to hit the repeater. I'll try later to see if I can maybe reach the repeater owner. I haven't monitored that channel much and although I've never heard anyone using it, I do get a strong CW signal every 15 minutes or so

 

[Flameout00]

I wasn't ker-chunking away, I keyed one time, so if someone gets upset over that, I wouldn't even want to use their repeater and if they are sitting around all day listening to see if someone accesses their repeater, then they need a life. I did try decoding the CW but have yet to find a good program that actually works. Thanks for the advice though!

 

[ecps92]

As a former repeater owner, I did monitor [as the Owner, I am responsible] activity, but we can also report back all tones used/accessed [Repeater Control Panel] and find out who is playing without permission. It would be like you using my Pool when I am not home without first asking.

Contact the owner, ask permission first.

I wasn't ker-chunking away, I keyed one time, so if someone gets upset over that, I wouldn't even want to use their repeater and if they are sitting around all day listening to see if someone accesses their repeater, then they need a life. I did try decoding the CW but have yet to find a good program that actually works. Thanks for the advice though!