Which call sign to use?

[RenoHuskerDu]

Howdy, I took a quick scan of the FCC regs on GMRS (FCC 95.1751) and have a question about call signs.
Should those of us who are also hams use our ham call or our GMRS call?
I reckon it's the latter. Just asking if anyone has clarified.
I memorized my ham call, don't want a 2nd ...

 

[kb1kvd]

If you're on GMRS then use your GMRS call sign. If you're on a ham radio frequency then the ham radio call sign. Use the correct call sign for the service that you're using.

 

[Hans13]

Your GMRS call sign is only valid on GMRS. Your amateur call sign is only valid on the amateur service. Any commercial call sign you might hold is only valid on that commercial service. Simply use the appropriate call sign for the particular service.

Those of us that hold call signs for multiple services often screw up and use the wrong one. We quickly correct the error and chuckle. It's not uncommon to momentarily forget which service you are identifying for.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I better work on my chuckle ... I try to be avuncular but curmudgeon keeps coming out.

 

[Hans13]

I better work on my chuckle ... I try to be avuncular but curmudgeon keeps coming out.

 

[KK4JUG]

I try to be avuncular but curmudgeon keeps coming out.

I hate when that happens to me.

 

[charlie12]

I have screwed up and put out my ham call on GMRS and have caught myself half way in the middle

 

[bill4long]

I have screwed up and put out my ham call on GMRS and have caught myself half way in the middle

There is nothing wrong with saying your ham call sign on GMRS. It simply doesn't qualify as proper ID for GMRS.

 

[pb_lonny]

Callsigns are "per service", use the correct one for the correct service

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

OK, so related question. I turned in my request for a GMRS license yesterday and paid with a credit card. FCC has my money as of yesterday. Midland claims that it's a paperless process that happens quickly. But the words "FCC" and "quickly" don't really go together, do they.

Realistically, when should I expect to receive my new call for GMRS? Days? Weeks? Months?
I've been checking the Download Authorizations page of FCC License Manager. No joy yet.

 

[tweiss3]

Paid yesterday, will process today and tomorrow morning should pop out your license. Log into the FCC portal because it will be there before you get the email.

 

[bharvey2]

"I have screwed up and put out my ham call on GMRS and have caught myself half way in the middle"

I do that every once in a while. Just have to take your lumps, put up with the good-natured ribbing that's sure to follow and move on.

 

[footage]

I remember listening to our local FBI repeater in 1979 and hearing an agent ID with his ham call sign by mistake.

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

I remember listening to our local FBI repeater in 1979 and hearing an agent ID with his ham call sign by mistake.

Betcha that's now encrypted as tight as a frog's butt ....

 

[RenoHuskerDu]

Paid yesterday, will process today and tomorrow morning should pop out your license. Log into the FCC portal because it will be there before you get the email.

Just like clockwork, as you said, day 3 in the morning it popped up.
4 alpha + 3 numeric chars ... fills up the field for ID I use on my HTs
I feel sorry for the future 1,679,616,000th licensee, he'll need a bigger field on his HT.

 

[tomhobbs]

I was called into work on an off weekend. Cruising down the road in my car.
grabbed the HT next to me and called my partner. The Sheriff who was a Ham also called me back and reminded me to use the right radio. I grabbed my duty HT and not the Ham HT. Saw the boss later that night.. He didnt chew on me, just laughed.

 

[ecps92]

Not the first and won't be the last one to have done that Too many call signs, too many radios

I was called into work on an off weekend. Cruising down the road in my car.
grabbed the HT next to me and called my partner. The Sheriff who was a Ham also called me back and reminded me to use the right radio. I grabbed my duty HT and not the Ham HT. Saw the boss later that night.. He didnt chew on me, just laughed.

 

[ecollins11]

I have screwed up and put out my ham call on GMRS and have caught myself half way in the middle

When I was Dispatching for a Police Department back in the early 1990's I gave out my ham call W5WBB instead of WNRA 714 which was the PD's call sign..