GMRS Radio

[ironsniper1]

Hey all, anyone else here dabble in GMRS radio? i got my license a few years ago and just rrecently got a radio and once it gets delivered going to try it out and see

CQ CQ WRUC846

[Defender]

17 minutes ago, ironsniper1 said:

Hey all, anyone else here dabble in GMRS radio? i got my license a few years ago and just rrecently got a radio and once it gets delivered going to try it out and see

CQ CQ WRUC846

I’m trying to do that.  Halfway studying for my ham license and bought several handheld radios already, 2 specifically for GMRS, Baofeng GM-15 Pros.  Haven’t really learned how to use them yet, LOL.

WRTG665

 

 

[ironsniper1]

22 minutes ago, Defender said:

I’m trying to do that.  Halfway studying for my ham license and bought several handheld radios already, 2 specifically for GMRS, Baofeng GM-15 Pros.  Haven’t really learned how to use them yet, LOL.

WRTG665

 

 

i picked up one that can be programmed from an app on my phone so it should make it easier, this is also a good resource for gmrs https://mygmrs.com/repeaters

[DraxTheDad]

I have a Baofang and was going to get my HAM license because I thought it necessary.   I have a house just outside of Nashville and have yet to hear any one of the repeaters transmit anything.   Not a lot going on as far as I can tell, so I'm not really excited about anything.  In the time of strife, when SHTF, no one will care if you're licensed or not.

[Omega]

34 minutes ago, DraxTheDad said:

I have a Baofang and was going to get my HAM license because I thought it necessary.   I have a house just outside of Nashville and have yet to hear any one of the repeaters transmit anything.   Not a lot going on as far as I can tell, so I'm not really excited about anything.  In the time of strife, when SHTF, no one will care if you're licensed or not.

I got a couple Baofengs for bug-out, bug-in use, a UV-5R, and an AR-5RM both loaded with all the freqs I could possibly need. I have my GMRS license so I can use some of my radios for longer, short range use, although I know I can't transmit on HAM freqs, I can listen, and as you stated, in an emergency getting in trouble for transmitting on a HAM freq would be the least of your worries.

[ironsniper1]

took me a bit but i got my radio setup but havent heard anything yet but also not surre if anyone can hear me

[Defender]

I bought several radios so far, all handhelds.  I have a pair of Baofeng GM-15 GMRS radios, a Baofeng UV-82, a Baofeng/BTECH BF-8HP Pro and a Yaesu VX-5R.  I study off and on for my Ham license but have not been as serious as I should be about that.  On a positive note, I aced my test for my GMRS license,   other than knowing that the GM-15s are for GMRS, I have no clue why I need 2 other Baofengs and a Yaesu radio.

[Omega]

This file has the freqs I loaded on my radios, tried to load a second one but couldn't do it.  It is available here as well as links to other nice to have things like the chirp program to upload the freqs without having to enter them manually.

 

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/patriot-radio-channels/

 

https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

Radio Freqs.pdf

[BHunted]

I've had my ham license since 1975... Recently got into GMRS but here is the deal imho. Since the invent of cell phones, radio chatter is low even on CB radio. I have GMRS for when we go to the mountain cabins. You may hear more chatter if you are near campsites, off road trails, hiking trails, etc. It's not meant to be used for idle chit chat like on CB radio...
Any which way you use them; they are perfect for bug out bags and if you worm through the mountains like we love to do. 
Here are a couple radio/forum sites to learn from:

eHam.net
Callsign Database - QRZ.com
ARRL - Home
myGMRS.com: GMRS Repeater Directory and Community

And of course there is a free ap for that !;) Updated for free on a regular basis...
Repeaterbook.com - Home

GOOD LUCK! '73's

 

[analog_kidd]

Last Black Friday, I bought a pair of Baofeng GM-15 Pros, and got my GMRS license. One day while working at my desk, all day, I turned one of them on and put it in scanner mode, and had the extended antenna attached. Not a single peep from anyone all day long. 

I tried to figure out how to use the repeater in Oak Ridge, but I'm not smart enough to understand how to do it, so I gave up. I figure they'll be good for bug out purposes, which is really the reason I bought them anyway.

[DL126]

https://www.amazon.com/Guerrillas-Guide-Baofeng-Radio/dp/B0BNV21F4P

[Alleycat72]

Radios are weird for me. If I get one that I can communicate with someone 5 miles away, I need a fcc license. Work gives me one that i use to talk to someone 400 miles away.  No license. LOL

[TripleGGG]

49 minutes ago, Alleycat72 said:

Radios are weird for me. If I get one that I can communicate with someone 5 miles away, I need a fcc license. Work gives me one that i use to talk to someone 400 miles away.  No license. LOL

 A license may not be required if the business is using a frequency where no license is required or if they had a business band license employees operate under that license on approved frequencies for that license.

 

 

[Defender]

On 3/27/2025 at 11:15 PM, Omega said:

This file has the freqs I loaded on my radios, tried to load a second one but couldn't do it.  It is available here as well as links to other nice to have things like the chirp program to upload the freqs without having to enter them manually.

 

https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2016/02/09/patriot-radio-channels/

 

https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home

Radio Freqs.pdf 1023.21 kB · 6 downloads

Very cool.  Thank you! 

[Defender]

6 hours ago, DL126 said:

https://www.amazon.com/Guerrillas-Guide-Baofeng-Radio/dp/B0BNV21F4P

I’ve seen that on Amazon before.  Is it good?  Some of the radio books I’ve bought there were a waste.

[Omega]

This guy reviews many Baofeng radios and has a bunch of good info on these, he gets some getting used to, but I think he is hilarious.