Using repeaters with GMRS radios

[gewecke]

There is much more to 'using a repeater' on GMRS than 'buying a bubblepack that can use repeaters'.

1) Locate a local repeater which has coverage of the area you want. (Good luck... there aren't many repeaters around)

2) If you find one, determine who runs it, and whether you'll be allowed to use it. ALL repeaters on GMRS are private, and require permission to (legally) use. The repeater owner is required to keep a written record of all Calllsigns/Stations allowed to use the repeater

Many repeaters are for the use of specific, restricted groups, and not open to general use.

3) If you now have a a repeater found that covers the area you want, and are allowed to use (there may be a fee, by the way), THEN you find out from the repeater owner what tones or other access means you need. Repeaters intended for general use tend to use single CTCSS tones, in the common group of those available to bubblepacks. Other repeaters deliberately do NOT use the 'common 38 CTCSS tones' that bubblepacks offer. There are at least 42 CTCSS tones recognized by commercial gear.
Really hostile repeaters will use 'split tone', where you must transmit/recieve a different CTCSS/DCS tone on the transmit and recieve channels to use the repeater.

Example: San Diego County. I know of 6 repeaters, there may be a 7th. The 6th and possible 7th are 'REACT' operated machines, on simple common CTCSS. Neither of them has any useful coverage of central San Diego, they're in the outer areas. The 5 repeaters with good coverage of San Diego are operated by a News Stringers group, and accessable only to that group's members. Split tones are used to keep pirates off.

In this area, if you wanted a 'repeater' for your bubblepack, you'd have to install one yourself, somewhere. This can be quite expensive. (Good radio sites can charge $1000/month for rackspace for a repeater around here).

Now, after all this, bear in mind the FCC's newly proposed rule changes appear to remove repeater use from GMRS completely. In a year, there may not BE any repeaters. Spending serious money on accessing one might be not a great idea till that gets cleared up.

:lol::lol:

n9zas

 

[lowerrollin]

I love how so many ppl in these forums, take it upon themselves to be the "FCC hall monitor" and rant and rave about the rules. You cant do this, or you shouldnt do that. lol, FUNNY stuff. N-E how, check out myGMRS.com - GMRS Repeater Directory lots of good stuff in there to get you started.

 

[KD8DVR]

I love how so many ppl in these forums, take it upon themselves to be the "FCC hall monitor" and rant and rave about the rules. You cant do this, or you shouldnt do that. lol, FUNNY stuff. N-E how, check out myGMRS.com - GMRS Repeater Directory lots of good stuff in there to get you started.

They probably quote rules... because they ARE rules. There are too many folks who do not understand the rules... or plain and simple disregard them

With this in mind... the FCC, in their latest NPRM could very well end GMRS as it is known, and let it become the free-for-all "good buddy" AKA CB radio is.

 

[SCPD]

They probably quote rules... because they ARE rules. There are too many folks who do not understand the rules... or plain and simple disregard them

With this in mind... the FCC, in their latest NPRM could very well end GMRS as it is known, and let it become the free-for-all "good buddy" AKA CB radio is.

Coming from someone who was a GMRS licensee but now supports the NPRM,make up your mind jwilkers either you are for us or against us "I laugh as the repeaters come down" your comments from another forum,go play with your eXRS toys !!!

 

[KX4KDH]

I do agree people have a tendency to spout off FCC, and other rules as if they can't help themselves from doing so.... It does get annoying after a while. However, I just ignore things that I already know from here, or reading the rules myself.

 

[APX6000]

The Motorola MR 355& 356 r Repeater capable!

 

[rbecker1963]

Newbie here

I think you SHOULD be talking about licensing right from the start. If you have no plans to get a license then you have no plans to use a repeater.
Repeaters are private property, not some community service for anyone who feels like it to jump into.
Pretty much every one I have ever heard of requires a valid GMRS license and call sign at the very least. Many if not most require approval from the repeater owner.

Rarely is it as easy as "hitting a few buttons and bam you're tapped in".

Most Part95 commercial radios are only programmable by computer. This is so that not any old person can punch in any old frequency they want and start chatting. This is especially important since many of the freqs in that range are public safety freqs. Folks with no clue have NO PLACE messing around like that.

Also, sorry to say, all those mileage claims are absolute lies. Even in the best conditions you will not get even close to what is claimed.
Typically you will get 1-4 miles under ideal conditions, and 1/4-1 mile under normal conditions. I am NOT kidding either.


If you are serious about this I suggest you read up as much as possible. Do not rely on hearsay and rumors. Get the facts before you commit to anything. Sites like Popularwireless.com while slow these days are a wealth of information on the world of GMRS.

I'm looking at GMRS for several reasons, namely bug-out and SHTF scenarios. I have already filed online and paid the $85 fee for my new license. I'm monitoring GMRS where I live and not hearing much. Still, I'm going all the way and I need some input. For my situation, what do you recommend for radio? There is a listed repeater about 5 miles from here and I'm looking at Kenwood TK3131K and a few Motorola CP-200 I think.

I'll also pickup a mobile antenna for the truck. Pretty much, I'm a sponge right now, but, I'm doing it all the way. Any insight would be awesome. Thanks.

Ray

 

[Skypilot007]

They probably quote rules... because they ARE rules. There are too many folks who do not understand the rules... or plain and simple disregard them

With this in mind... the FCC, in their latest NPRM could very well end GMRS as it is known, and let it become the free-for-all "good buddy" AKA CB radio is.

I'm affraid this is already happening. Its too late for GMRS.

 

[niteloggerII]

I was talking to my brother about CBs and such and we got into GMRS radios. He has a few already and we are about to get a couple more pairs. We stumbled across the whole using repeaters to go further thing and well I want to know for sure that the models we get can do this. I use google search all the time, but I cant find any info on this, no radio has this in its description, it says all the features they have, but leave that off and I see older posts and such about some that were not "repeater capable".....

So for instance, the Midland GXT760VP4....can these use repeaters? Is it easy to do just by using the buttons and adding them and bam your tapped in? Im not talking about licenses and all that at this point, just the big picture are these and most new 36 mile type radios able to use repeaters with ease?

FYI to use any GMRS repeater you must have a license. Most will turn them off if you get on or tell not to use it. I am a licened Amateur operator and Gmrs as well. We, us, and other operators don't want theses licened services to end up like CB radios. Most of these services uses common sense rules. My family uses my GMRS license and that how we can talk. There are radios that can be used you just have to find them. I hope some day that all parks use GMRS repeaters so if you are at one you can call the park ranger if help is needed.