Getting Started

    Getting Started as a GMRS Radio Operator.  I got bit by the radio bug when I was a young man and embraced citizen's band radio during my many road trips from college to my parents house and back. Eventually the radio usage faded away.  However, more recently I got bit by the radio bug again, but this time it is GMRS Radio.  GMRS is short for General Mobile Radio Service.  What is neat about GMRS compared to CB is the use of repeaters.  One might ask, what is a repeater and why does that matter?  In a word, Range.  You should feel excitement the first time you use a repeater because of the longer distance conversations you can have compared to just one person talking with another on radios without a repeater.  This gets very interesting when you can talk with another GMRS radio operator and you both are using only a handheld two way radio.

    The General Mobile Radio Service and its more technical cousin the Radio Amateur Radio Service has something important in common.  Civilians use repeaters, also called a radio relay station.  GMRS two way radios, also called, transceivers, come in the form of handheld transceivers (HTs), mobile, and base.  So what is a repeater?  A repeater, or a radio relay station, is a GMRS Radio Station that works automatically that relays radio signals between two GMRS Transceivers operated by people.  A few GMRS two way radios can not use repeaters.  For example, my first GMRS handheld transceiver (HT) was a Midland GXT X-tra Talk (GXT1000G).  Many GMRS transceivers can use repeaters.  As examples, later additions to my GMRS radio collection: Radioddity GM-30, Baofeng UV-5G, and Retevis RB17P, among others.  Please do not use a Baofeng UV-5R, because it can NOT be programmed to comply with the FCC GMRS rules (i.e. channels 8 - 14 are limited to 0.5 watt narrow band), and it is not certified for GMRS usage.

Around the beginning of 2024 the number of GMRS licenses reached a quarter of a million.  I got my license in April 2022.  Shortly after that the license fee was cut in half to $35 for a ten year license.  When you get the license you agree to follow the rules.  I read and adhered to them and discovered two things.  First there is a common thread running through these rules.  The right to communicate, but without preventing the meaningful communications of others.  Briefly, that is upholding the first amendment of the constitution of the United States of America.  That should seem fair to everyone.  Should we not expect everyone to engage that same fairness?  Tragically, some people ignore the rules, do not bother to read them, and violate them either ignorantly or with complete disregard of them.  Ironically, even some Radio Amateur operators violate the rules.  One might assume that someone with so much experience and understanding of their radio service rules would take the time to read and follow the rules.  Is not GMRS a service a Ham can just jump into and follow the rules they already know?  The answer is a resounding, NO!  How can that possibly be?  Because the two radio services have different purposes and principles.

 GMRS is a radio service for primarily voice communications and does not require the higher technical expertise of a Radio Amateur.

The Radio Amateur radio service has the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
(from subpart A, General Provisions, 97.1 Basis and purpose of the FCC Rules for the Radio Amateur).

You do NOT need to be an electronics expert to learn about and use the General Mobile Radio Service.

 The General Mobile Radio Services (GMRS) has the following permissible uses:

 The operator of a GMRS station may use that station for two-way plain language voice communications with other GMRS stations and with FRS units concerning personal or business activities.
    (a) Emergency communications. Any GMRS channel may be used for emergency communications or for traveler assistance. Operators of GMRS stations must, at all times and on all channels, give priority to emergency communications.
    (b) One-way communications. The operator of a GMRS station may use that station to transmit one-way communications:
        (1) To call for help or transmit other emergency communications;
        (2) To provide warnings of hazardous road conditions to travelers; or,
        (3) To make brief test transmissions.
    (c) Travelers assistance. The operator of a GMRS station may transmit communications necessary to assist a traveler to reach a destination or to receive necessary services.
    (d) Digital data. GMRS hand-held portable units may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS or FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS or FRS unit. (Title 47, Chapter I, Subchapter D, Part 95, Subpart E; 95.1731).