Nicks WorldFor #AmateurRadio folks, is it worth getting into GMRS? I know the ultimate goal is #HamRadio because that has the highest amount of people, especially in the general and extra bands, but that will take time. Is GMRS still good or has it gone the way of the dead CB frequencies?
stand a little out of my sun 🍉@NicksWorld its 35 bucks and you can talk to bubble pack radios. I think it's worth it. Also your license covers huge chunks of you family.
@fiend_unpleasant What are bubble pack radios?
@NicksWorld those FRS radios that you can buy at Walmart. They often have Spiderman or Frozen on them. They are, IIRC 1w radios, with fixed antennas.
@fiend_unpleasant I've heard of those. Kids use them.
Nivex 🐧 📻@NicksWorld As always, it depends. In my area GMRS activity seems to be picking up. There are a couple active repeaters I hear when scanning around. It may not be the same where you are.
By comparison: GMRS is limited to exactly those frequencies, FM only, and only certified equipment. Ham radio gets you more frequencies, more modes, and ability to tinker on the equipment so long as you remain within emissions specifications.
I've had my ham license for well over 30 years now and haven't had a need for GMRS. Your needs may differ.
@nivex My ultimate goal is ham for those reasons, especially because I want to talk to people from across the nation. I know I won't be able to do that through GMRS.
KF7CCC Andrew@NicksWorld If you have a scanner or SDR, listen to the GMRS frequencies. I get the impression there's a lot more regional variation with GMRS. Where I live all the GMRS repeaters are closed (you have to pay a membership fee) vs ham repeaters which tend to be open.
The bubble pack GMRS radios often don't have the repeater channels. You'll want something that is "repeater capable "
@kf7ccc I was thinking about this radio: https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=6f0ShzbfFwCXoBCJ&v=zXcGJFxCELs&feature=youtu.be
Cobra Trailblazer 500 GMRS Walkie Talkie - I Review Cobra's Top Of The Line Trailblazer GMRS Radio
@NicksWorld That one is repeater capable. Because it doesn't have a screen, setting up the radio for a repeater will be annoying.
I chose the Wouxun 805G because it has accessories compatible with my Wouxun KG-UV6D ham handhelds. It's also nice because the batteries can be charged with USB C.
A lot of people start with something like the Baofeng UV-5G, which is so cheap you won't cry if you drop it - about $25. The UV-9G is a little better but still not expensive ($35).
@kf7ccc A screen has 0 benefit to me because I'm blind, so having a fully voiced system is quite literally the gold standard for me.
@NicksWorld If you can live with having to cross-reference repeater tones in the manual (1=67.0 Hz, 2=71.9 Hz, etc. for CTCSS, 1=023, 2=025, 3=026, etc. for DCS) then the Cobra should work fine.
You wouldn't want the 805G - it has a "voice" mode but doesn't say the names of all the menu items.
Comrade Weez@NicksWorld GMRS is just CB for those who will pay for a license. It's a bit of a waste of time and money if your intent is radio as a hobby.
GMRS is a simple way of having radio communications. OTOH, #hamradio isn't really about talking to other hams.
The Technician class license is really pretty simple for anyone with a interest in radio. Try some of the sample exams, you may already know enough to pass it or may need a small study on amateur radio rules & regs. https://hamradioprep.com/free-ham-radio-practice-tests/
@NicksWorld Hams are really pretty strange. Most of us are in it to make the radio waves jump through hoops instead of talking to other hams. We'll do modes that don't involve any conversation at all if we can, notably CW & digital modes like FT8.
@weezmgk If Ham radio isn't about talking to other hams, why get into it? I want to talk to people through radio. That's my ultimate goal.
@NicksWorld Conversations can certainly be a part of it and some people do get on the air for long chats (called 'ragchewing') but the majority of contacts you will hear when listening are brief, pretty much to exchange signal reports and move on to make more contacts,, essentially establishing what your station can do.
Mike K3LOEI like this article from @qrper about his thinking about #GMRS post-Helene, but I don’t know if “community radio” is one of the things that interest you. https://qrper.com/2024/10/helene-aftermath-update-adopting-an-off-grid-community-radio-network-thursday-october-24-2024/
Helene Aftermath Update: Adopting an Off-Grid Community Radio Network (Thursday, October 24, 2024)
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