[bars] GMRS

Thu Oct 10 11:56:19 CDT 2024

I got the Wouxon KG-935G because it has high reviews on eHam. It is heavier
than my QRZ-1 HT and comes with two antennas. So far I think it will become
the black sheep of my herd, useful only in special occasions.

On Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 12:09 geoffreyf--- via bars <bars at w1hh.org> wrote:

> I did get a pair of radio oddity GM-30 GMRS HT's.  These have all channels
> which include the ones which do 5 watts and therefore require the license
> which I also got.  I was curious.  They are physically lighter in weight
> compared to Ham HT's and less well built physically than even a Baofeng.
> Supposedly you are not allowed to change antennas from the rubber ducky
> that comes with it. However, and on the ones, I got, with a small Allen
> wrench you can unlock the provided antenna to discover that it works with a
> male SMA antenna.  In fact, it works similarly on the 5-watt channels.  For
> simply calling another radio simplex, it is pretty good.
>
>   We can argue if it's just as good.  I'll offer that it probably isn't,
> but my testing was superficial. I do think radios should be evaluated in
> the context of what they cost.   If you go on a trip with unlicensed
> friends or family, it might actually be useful.   While driving home, they
> can read the tech license manual.
>
> Geoff W1GCF
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Bill Poulin <
> billpoulin01913 at gmail.com>
> *Sent:* Thursday, October 10, 2024 11:44 AM
> *To:* cprestia <cprestia at comcast.net>
> *Cc:* BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [bars] GMRS
>
>
> I have not applied for a GMRS License nor have I ever thought of buying a
> radio for GMRS operations.
>
> I do know some families that have for hunting and backpacking. I have even
> given them ham radio license manuals.
>
> On Thu, Oct 10, 2024, 10:01 AM cprestia via bars <bars at w1hh.org> wrote:
>
> Ok, 35 bucks.  I stand corrected.
>
> TY
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: Stephen Crook <scrook at comcast.net>
> Date: 10/10/24 09:17 (GMT-05:00)
> To: cprestia <cprestia at comcast.net>
> Cc: John Schulman <john.schulman at comcast.net>, Christopher Lennon <
> kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>, BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
> Subject: Re: [bars] GMRS
>
> It is (as of 2017) now only $35 and is good for 10 years.
>
> You must be 18 or older to apply, but family members (licensee's spouse,
> children, grandchildren, stepchildren, parents, grandparents, stepparents,
> brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws), regardless
> of age, can operate stations within the licensed system.
>
> Could be an easy, useful method of local family communication and superior
> to unlicensed FRS.
>
>         = Steve — KB1LKR =
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 10, 2024, at 8:38 AM, cprestia via bars <bars at w1hh.org> wrote:
>
> I think the license is/was 70 Clams and covered the fam for 10 years if
> I'm not mistaken.  We'll worth it if you have peeps that don't want to
> pursue amateur radio level comes.
>
> Oh yeah, hello neighbor NIECC
>
> 73 PEEPS!
>
>
> Charlie
> W1CEP
>
> -------- Original message --------
> From: John Schulman via bars <bars at w1hh.org>
> Date: 10/10/24 08:27 (GMT-05:00)
> To: Christopher Lennon <kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>
> Cc: BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
> Subject: Re: [bars] GMRS
>
> I paid for the license online and bought a couple radios for camp. GMRS is
> 50W.
>
>
> John
> W1MVD
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Oct 10, 2024, at 2:17 AM, Christopher Lennon <kwaj.speedo at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
> The low end aren’t super expensive.  I don’t know the details of the
> licensing, but I think if they were using them in a group with you, only
> you would need to be licensed.
>
> Chris W2BPL
>
> On Wed, Oct 9, 2024 at 10:45 PM Christopher Wood <
> christopher.wood at firelinkllc.com> wrote:
>
> That is my proposed use case, although I have not yet implemented it
> (GMRS) .. To have a radio with which to communicate with my grandchildren a
> couple of miles away.
>
> No licensing test, so we can each get a license and then I can get them a
> radio and have a radio here at home. I think that might be fun and maybe
> interest them in future radio development and moving forward to other
> projects like ham radio balloon tracking or tracking satellite beacons, etc.
>
> Maybe I'll try to do this for Christmas?
>
> 73
> Christopher
> KC1GHR
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* bars <bars-bounces at w1hh.org> on behalf of Verhulst via bars <
> bars at w1hh.org>
> *Sent:* Wednesday, October 9, 2024 10:23 PM
> *To:* BARS CLUB BROADCAST <bars at w1hh.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [bars] GMRS
>
> Good question. I bought one thinking that it might be something like
> VHF/UHF but there's nobody on that I can find. Repeaters near me
> (Tewksbury) are not to be found. There's one in Wilmington but never heard
> anything there. If you have a group of people and all have GMRS, that would
> be useful - but so would CB.
>
> 73s
> Tony
> W1DYS
> WRXD549
>
>
> On 10/1/2024 8:21 AM, Juan Jiménez wrote:
>
> Looking at the specs for GMRS radios, it seems like it's a fancier version
> of FRS with a little more power, ability to use repeaters and need to get a
> license without any tests involved. For what purpose do people use these
> radios?
>
> 73,
> K1CPR
> Juan
>
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