What is your GMRS call sign?

[b7spectra]

Tooter - can you hit the Pine Log Mt. repeater from your area?

 

[W8UU]

Ohio KAE9978

Rick in Ohio here

Originally KAE-6139 way back when. That one expired but I caught it quickly.
I got KAE-9978 on the second go-around, and that's what I still have today.

Originally N8QLD, then W8CMI under the Vanity program.
I am now W8UU.

 

[burner50]

I'm running as

India
Lima
Lima
Echo
Golf
Alpha
Lima





















Nah.... not really.... I dont use GMRS, no repeaters or anything around here, but ham repeaters all over.

 

[WatnNY]

Burner50, I'm in the same boat up here in Northern NY. We don't have a GMRS repeater within hundreds of miles of here. I'm not even sure how you would go about getting a repeater licensed to run! I know I wouldn't have to worry about interference if I was to put one up - AFTER I got licensed of course.

India Lima Lima Echo Golf Alpha Lima Two out!

Mike

 

[hockeyshrink]

...repeater licensed to run! ...

Ya know, in GMRS you don't license a repeater, it is a Personal Radio Service where you license yourself and your equipment and immediate family members are covered under your license.

There is no formal repeater coordination body like there is in amateur radio. In GMRS, you scope out the freqs in use around you to select one where you can set up your repeater system without interfering with existing systems. Its a gentleman's agreement. Be mindful of your own geo footprint and potential interference with others. Select good CTCSS/DPL codes and practice good discipline to really MONITOR before your use the frequency.

This is how my simple mind sees the GMRS vs. ham world:

GMRS: family communications for licensee and immediate family only (no inter-licensee ragchewing or "CQing"); repeater is personal, private, and closed

Ham: contact and ragchew with anybody and everybody; repeater is usually owned by a club, public, and open

 

[WatnNY]

Hockeyshrink - thanks for confirming what I thought. The only two other questions I have is are GMRS freqs being rebanded to narrowband, and two, about how long does it take to get the license back from the FCC?

Mike

 

[hockeyshrink]

Mike,

To the best of my knowledge, GMRS is not being forced into narrowbanding - meaning there should be a lot of second hand gear coming available from public safety agencies.

If you apply online, it takes about 2 - 3 weeks for you to show up in the FCC's ULS database with your new callsign, and a few days after that to get the paper in the mail. You can begin operating as soon as you are in the ULS database.

You search for licenses here: http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchLicense.jsp

Enjoy!

 

[b7spectra]

GMRS: family communications for licensee and immediate family only (no inter-licensee ragchewing or "CQing"); repeater is personal, private, and closed

I wouldn't say that it's personal, private, and closed, as even though I don't own the repeater, it doesn't cost me penny one (except my equipment which I already had) but I do donate to the owner for the upkeep, anyone on the channel can hear you and with almost 200 users on our "group", you can chit chat all you want.

I applied for my GMRS license on-line and it took less than a week to get my call sign.

 

[hockeyshrink]

I wouldn't say that it's personal, private, and closed, as even though I don't own the repeater, it doesn't cost me penny one (except my equipment which I already had) but I do donate to the owner for the upkeep, anyone on the channel can hear you and with almost 200 users on our "group", you can chit chat all you want.

I applied for my GMRS license on-line and it took less than a week to get my call sign.

Bully for you; however, I personally think that type of use is not in line with the intent of the service.

From the FCC web site on GMRS:
"General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

The General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) is a land-mobile radio service available for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of an adult individual and his or her immediate family members, including a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (47 CFR 95.179). Normally, as a GMRS system licensee, you and your family members would communicate among yourselves over the general area of your residence or during recreational group outings, such as camping or hiking."

I certainly do think it is personal and I know of no GMRS repeater that welcomes strangers popping in and ragchewing. Maybe that's just NYC. Using an existing repeater with permission of the owner is covered in the rules, but I still think chit-chatting among different licensees is a bit "askew" of the intent.

This is my opinion. The cops, volunteer fire departments, EMS groups, and other wackers seem to have no problem using GMRS for their "groups" as well. As long as the FCC is not knocking on your door, I suppose you can do whatever you want.

 

[WatnNY]

Thanks Hockeyshrink I appreciate all of the information. I'm talking to a buddy now about putting a repeater up. If he thinks it's worth it then I will put in for my license, and GMRS will be another source of communications in my back pocket.

Mike

 

[b7spectra]

Putting up the repeater could be a windfall for you as word will get out about a new repeater and people will be looking for a way to communicate besides cell phone. Don't charge, but ask for donations and before long, the repeater will be paying for itself! Just remember to follow the guidelines as it's not for business purposes.

Good Luck!

 

[WatnNY]

Thanks Mike (b7spectra) - I will mention that to the guy I'm talking to. To my knowledge, checking out all of the repeater sites on mygmrs.com, there's nothing anywhere even close to me. So setting one up should prove interesting. I will keep everyone informed.

Mike

 

[N1SQB]

Got mine today!!!!!!

B7spectra" I applied for my GMRS license on-line and it took less than a week to get my call sign."

Ditto here! I applied online on Tuesday 1/19/2010 and I received my license in the mail TODAY, Saturday the 23rd. WQLH-214 Unbelieveably fast....

Manny

 

[JIMMIIE]

my name is jimmie and i have a question i just got my frn number today and filled out the online fcc for my license at what point and time will i recicve my license and number. is there a way that i can look up or get my number before my license come to the house im new to this just asking a question hope you dont mine

 

[b7spectra]

Actually, you can use a "tempy" call sign that I believe has to do with your initials and zip code, but don't quote me on it. If you check every day on the FCC site, you will see your call before you get it in the mail.

 

[JIMMIIE]

My call sign is wqok476 I will be gettin my radio Thursday so u should be hearing from me thank u b7spectra

 

[JIMMIIE]

call sign

Why not?

I'm WQKM383.

i just got my callsign today wqlk476 but i get my radio thursday ft-60r i got it off of ebay

 

[b7spectra]

Well, if you can hit the 462.625 141.3 repeater down here in Metro Atlanta, I'll be talking with you!

Congrats on being a new GMRS'er.

 

[ridgez28]

Just got mine. WQLL448. I have two Icom F21s and looking for a mobile.

 

[b7spectra]

Welcome to GMRS!