General Mobile Radio Service; the name of the radio service created by the FCC located between 462Mhz and 467Mhz that is available for licensed use, and what we’re all about!
Do I need a license?
FCC permits use by individuals (licenses are issued to individual adults age 18 years of age and older) who possesses a valid GMRS license. In addition to this licensed individual who is authorized to use this license, other individuals (even those under 18 years of age) with permission of the licensed holder, such as his or her immediate family members, are allowed to use same said license. Per FCC, "family members" includes a spouse, children, stepchildren, parents, stepparents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, and in-laws (see 47 CFR 95.179).
Step by step instructions to get your GMRS license.
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Emergency Communications
Over the past years, due to disasters, parades, and other local functions, community leaders and law enforcement have asked our local community members to help with assistance in the aid or delivery of services of their community. At times it may become necessary for community leaders (including law enforcement) to ask others in the community to help provide additional communication when all other communications are stretched to the max, or even not working at all. In a majority of these times when additional communications have been required, Amateur radio operators at Tuolumne County Amateur Radio and Electronics Society (TCARES https://tcares.net/) provides additional assistance with local, state and nationwide communications when called upon, but, they are not the only ones that can. GRMS licensed users can do the same. Amateur radio operators are not always available in all areas of tour county. In such places, GMRS licensed users and FRS radio operators can fill that gap. In addition, there are generally, nowadays, just as many if not more users of GMRS and FRS radio equipment than there are Amateur radio operators. See how GMRS emergency relay communications work in Tuolumne County; https://tcnrw.com/2023/12/21/introducin ... lse-fails/
How to Get Involved Locally
Like the Amateur radio operators, GMRS licensed users have been forming a relationship with other like GMRS licensed users in Tuolumne County and many areas across the nation. Tuolumne county has formed groups (informal clubs) for the training and sharing of GMRS information just like Amateur's have. Since many GMRS users have obtained a GMRS license before they obtained their Amateur radio permit, and vice-a-versa, many are familiar with how the advantages of additional communication can be of benefit to their communities. But like anything else, if your communities leaders are not aware that you have your license and radio equipment than you really won't be called upon. It is up to you, now that you have your license, to make contact with your community leaders and specifically your local Group/County/City Coordinator to introduce yourself and let them know what you have, how often you can be available and what service(s) you can offer to them.
Starting a GMRS radio Group.
If you haven't found where you fit in yet, start by making a post in this section of the "Squawk Box"; viewforum.php?f=49. This is where you have the opportunity to connect with others that are interested in developing a GMRS Radio Network in your neighborhood.
Radio Etiquette
Like any form of communication, there are niceties and rules to be observed. Here’s a helpful video on some basic rules that apply to pretty much every form of radio communication. https://tcnrw.com/2023/11/18/two-way-ra ... beginners/
Repeaters
A repeater will automatically re-transmit your communication, increasing your range by a substantial distance. Also known as “Duplex”. Repeater antenna's are strategically located at high elevations that allow for a much greater area of coverage.
Simplex
Simplex does not use a repeater and only works within line of sight.
Common Terms and their Meaning
Channel
- A common frequency standardized either within a radio service or within a manufacture of radios. The GMRS has 22 channels defined by the FCC, and an additional 8 channels to be used as repeater input frequency (for a total of 30)
- Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System, also marketed as Private Line (PL), Privacy Code or Sub-Channels, this is a constant tone which the radio sends out when transmitting, that is usually outside of the audible portion of a radio’s receiver and thus not apparent to the user. The tone is used to control the squelch on the receiving end, and lets radios and repeaters better handle channel interference, either from other stations on the same frequency, or other sources. Almost all repeaters require the use of a CTCSS tone, although they can use an open squelch for operation.
- Digital Coded Squelch; a digital variant of the CTCSS tone. The radio sends out a continuous data pulse that represents a squelch code, again, typically outside of the audible portion of a radio’s receiver. DCS is less common on repeaters, but still commonly used. It is more resilient to interference than CTCSS, but also more sensitive to weak-signal problems.
- A method of radio operation where users transmit on one frequency/channel, and receive on another. This method of operation is used for operations with repeater stations.
- Federal Communication Commission; the branch of government that administers and regulates communication services, including wireless radio.
- The rate at which something oscillates, usually measured in terms of oscillations per second. Megahertz is a unit of measurement for frequency, meaning millions of oscillations, or cycles, per second.
- A remote radio station that receives and rebroadcasts signals in real time. They are typically located at advantageous sites in terms of height above average terrain, including mountain and hilltops, on top of tall buildings or radio towers, or both! Repeaters can greatly boost the coverage range for radio communication devices, such as walkie talkies, vehicle mounted (mobile) stations, and fixed (base) stations.
- A method of radio operation where users transmit and receive on the same frequency/channel. This is most common for consumer-type handheld and mobile radios, and common in direct radio-to-radio communications
- Ultra High Frequency; the name for the broad band in which the GMRS and many other radio services are located