Have You Heard GMRS Users on HAM RADIO Repeaters? 

I am both a Ham and a GMRS'er. I own a local GMRS repeater and hold weekly nets for the GMRS community. I always end the net with " be a good steward of GMRS" and "GMRS is your gateway to HAM radio". If you are a fellow HAM be a leader and a good role model for our hobby.

Most polite rant I have ever heard. LOL😂

I own a ham repeater and honestly, I don’t care who uses it. Everyone is welcome. If they don’t give a call sign or give a GMRS one, it’s just an opportunity to help them get into ham radio. And sad ham is still very funny.

I don't recall Randy ever saying that it was OK for GMRS to TX on 70cm.

I'm guilty of accidentally giving out my GMRS callsign on a ham repeater. The ham who responded was not salty about it. I just replied with a sorry and said my ham callsign.

I remember this one time a ham radio operator showed up on our local GMRS repeater. Threw out his ham callsign. Our GMRS folks are super nice. They didn't get mad or anything. Apparently, the guy thought his ham license covered him for GMRS as well. Well, our GMRS guys just explained to him how to get a GMRS license. Actually, I think they were happy to have an opportunity to do so:) And that was it.

Notarubicon Randy would call the person who wrote he said it was okay to broadcast on ham frequencies a “sad ham” because Randy never said that.

Just got my GMRS call sign and I 100% agree with this video. I am currently studying for my HAM Technicians license. I would like to put a Repeater or two on my property if needed so I can help others who may need it. I think GMRS and HAM both have their place in todays world and people should be encouraged to learn the rules and follow them.

If you work for something and that thing has a set of rights or privileges then that should be respected and not intruded. Innocent mistakes need to be corrected politely and not eye gouged. It’s a big hobby, radio. There’s room for more good folks. Good to encourage that.

“We should be nice to THOSE people”. Thank you for letting all of us really know how you feel.

I believe the “information” argument is about the public access to info with a call sign, some bad actor can look up an address with a call sign, not the government having that info. I use a PO Box but I can understand the concern.

All good points and well said. 👍

I think you are calling the right shots on this subject.

One night we had one check into a net and confuse the heck out of all the OMs. After the net there was like 20 minutes of discussion on the call sign cause they were all so confused 😂😂

"This is a ham frequency and not a GMRS frequency. You need to have a Technician's license to transit. However, don't let that statement scare you away. We want you in the hobby, but we want you to be legal."

AWESOME video Jason! SPOT ON!

Great video! Very well stated!!

Very Well Said Thank You

Nice presentation Jason.

Jason funny you posted this today we had 2 the past month on our multi club 2 meter nets one this past week!!

This is why I love, and sub to HR2.0!!!!! Nothing but the honest truth. Thanks for all you do Jason!!! 73.

You are absolutely right. Good Video.

Thank you for sharing. The rules are clear. I learned more while studying for my General and am pleased.

I also have both licenses. I don't hear cross overs locally but I do hear people doing simplex on GMRS repeater channels. They weren't talking English so I couldn't "educate."

Great insight Jason. I would strongly agree with you.

Well said! Love your videos! N2HAM!

Excellent take. I agree 100%

Great video. Thank you for being honest about your mistakes and for the advice of being polite. That's what a man does!

I’m a GMRS license holder and working on getting my Technician license. People who would use a ham radio without a license are just ignorant and lazy !! I’m glad you dropped this video!

Well said!

Good job. I like how you got around to mentioning being a good ambassador for amateur radio and getting the GMRS users there ham license.

This is absolutely a great video

I think we as ham radio operators should be inviting the GMRS people to come and take a look at what ham radio is all about. There is also a opportunity for us ham radio operators to Elmer the GMRS side so they become better operators.

One day freak of weather or something a ham in mexico was on a local repeater was able to talk for a few minutes

I agree 100% with your video...

I have both GMRS and Ham, love talking on both. Jason well said and thank you.

I haven't even heard ham radio operators on my local ham repeaters. 💀

I agree with you, the only obstacle to get a license is the individual. No science here.

Yes we need to all do this and yes I have thrown out my Ham callsign on GRMS also

How does the complainer know its an inexpensive radio?

Josh, I used your video from approx 1 year ago Technician with KB6NU - GREAT INSTRUCTIONAL !!! Passed Tech (12 min. Total ) missed a couple questions used your video & online practice exams yesterday & today!! THANK YOU so Much for making this type content. Taking General end of next week. But NEED some videos about Big motorized extendable Tower & the BEST antennas, coax, etc etc etc The MRS. has authorized, so need to move while the coals are Hot! And again THANK YOU for providing videos like this- Also. KB6NU is Great.

I started on GMRS by accidentally catching Randy @ notarubicon on youtube. Thanks to Randy i started following both Josh @ HRCC and your Channel . I am now a technician class Ham studying for my General license. Thanks to all of you ABC the APE lol. I will say though i have come across a couple uppity "sad" hams. Joined a club and now well on my way.

I heard a Ham callsign on FRS and I was like "errr...buddy?" and he snapped out of it, LOL!

Happened lot in our area for a while. We have taken 1 repeater completely out of service, and changed the frequency and tones on another because of it. If your amateur repeaters are listed on repeater book or radio reference...having them removed will help prevent this nonsense.

That right there was a Southern Hospitality Rant! LOL 😂 Well said and delivered.

Great video. I have my gmrs license and I'm studying now for my ham license. It's not easy for me and it's hard for me to comprehend. So I have respect for people who have a ham license

Good one . Go get em.

Xenu said it was ok

I'm a numb nut but a General class. If I can achieve it, any one can.

I learned this weekend that this has been the case in the Midland/Odessa area. I have heard a GMRS operator on the 2M calling frequency in my town, after meeting with them I explained what was wrong. The folks at the Odessa club reportedly have been working to convert the GMRS users to amateur operators which is a model that some folks in the Midland club are discussing.

Well said! I've been calling out on my local repeaters regularly since you mentioned it sometime last year. Not always successful.

Amen brother !

I have not tested for my General yet. Still learning at this time.

Good Job Jason! Education and Encouragement is correct way for the HAMS to behave.

I was monitoring my local ham repeater today. It sounded like kids playing on the channel. Later, there was a conversation that sounded like something you'd hear on CB or FRS. I have also talked to people using a ham radio on GMRS frequencies.

Jason for Amateur Radio & GMRS President 2024! You are always the voice of reason and willing to view both sides of topic. Thanks for sharing. KC3UEE

As for a repeater operator (rules might have changed).... But I thought they were legally require to ensure he proper operation of the repeater. Example, if someone used the f-bomb on the repeater, you would need to say knock it of or report them if need be.

Amen, Jason. Let's be nice and maybe they will get the Ham license because we are good people.

Well said Jason. I have both ham and GMRS licenses. I have made the mistake of saying the wrong callsign on both, it happens. I'm guilty of that myself. It's very easy to forget which radio service your using at times. Sometimes I catch myself. But, well said video. 73s. Still waiting for your review on the Ailunce hd2 as well.

I just hit the like button like 50 times Jason...

I have a Baofeng UV5G plus GMRS radio that I put a ham frequency on for listening only. It won't allow me to transmit on ham frequencies.

We had a problem in my area Southwest Idaho. We had this one person do it a lot trying to check into nets. Then a local ham guy got his call sign and emailed the FCC and I haven’t heard anything from that GMRS operator since then.

You posted this and then I actually heard similar to this last night. I've never heard it happen here in Washington until you posted this. I thought of contacting the repeater owner.

I’m new to all of this I’m going to purchase a GMRS license and I have been watching the videos from you and the other guys to educate myself on how to use and what I can do using the airwaves. Sadly I can’t find any HAM clubs that will give the test so I can get in to the HAM license.

Some may also disagree, but I feel once you pass the amateur radio licensing, you should get access to all the amateur radio bands off one license, like how people who are licensed for gmrs who just pay a fee an go. But I dont make the rules, sometimes with all the studying i feel like it's useless to upgrade my technician to general even extra. With life i keep studying, then life happens so i keep putting the general on hold, then get back to studying again a week later. Kq4hcu

I got my GMRS license a little while ago after having spent some time reading up and trying to get an understanding. Now I am kind of getting interested in getting a ham license. I agree with you, know before you key...

Also, while correcting GMRS or and others while on ham freq's, take a moment and not only correct, but let these folks know that once they get their Ham license they would be more than welcome to return, and that you hope to hear their Ham call sign in the future. People that screw up today may be the folks that carry Amateur Radio into the future ;)

It's funny I have heard Hams using GMRS Repeaters....ending with there Call sign.... interesting

I have both, I have accidently used my Ham callsign on my own GMRS repeater before.

nice video. have not herd any GMRS users using HAM repeaters in my area. I have herd wrong call being used and corrected. I have even done that. when you have more then 1 call you can invertedly use the wrong call. been a lot or repeater keys with nothing said around me. both GMRS and HAM but not done to interfere with anyone. I have not herd much repeater jamming around me. but not all ways listing. I do get a lot of kids with FRS radio's messing around. 73's

Had someone with a GMRS callsign try to check into a (ham radio) net one night last year. We quickly informed him that he was doing the wrong thing and invited him to get a ham license. But we told him he couldn’t be on the ham radio repeaters or frequencies.

We are always going to have bad apples using bands that they are not licensed for or individuals who are not licensed at all. I heard non-licensed individuals on a few rare occasions on some of our local repeaters mainly when there is severe weather forecasted or occurring.

I have 9 repeaters and I also have this issue. One claimed that he bought the radios preprogrammed with the repeater frequencies already for this area.

We get this all the time in central CA. We kindly tell people they are in the wrong place.

Good video. The truth is simple.

I’ve heard Hammer 🔨 been Jamming Gmrs Repeaters too near SanDiego . Too

Before I had any license or knowledge about radios I had a baofeng and a Bluetooth programmer that would automatically load all the repeater info in for you. So I loaded a local repeater in and it worked! For weeks I never heard anyone on it. Then one day my life changed. A ham by the name of Jim came on and talked to me. Told me what I was doing was wrong but he wasn’t going to turn me in but if I was wanting an “in” then come to the club meetings. I went to their very next meeting. That was last year, now I’m a licensed ham and GMRS user. (This was all allegedly btw)

I totally agree with what you said. I'm in Nebraska and we recently had our area arrl rep at a club meeting saying how they dropped the ball in the cb days and with gmrs picking up they would like to sway some of those users to become hams. Like you said, politely explain the issue but maybe invite them to a club meeting or something ham related...

I agree 100%

I have both

I agree with the laziness part. I'm far from the sharpest tool in the shed, and I was able to get both my technician and General.

Weird. This just happened here on the linked ham repeater system in WI.

On the East coast of Florida we have Ham's using GMRS repeters using there Ham call signs. It happens often!

I have not personally heard any GMRS users on any of our local HAM repeaters. BUT, a lot of GMRS people say they don't care, and will cross the line, when ever they want to. Almost having the CB'r attitude, of damn the law! So...?

Aloha Jason, as the net control of a large linked repeater system here in Hawaii, I have not seen any GMRS license holders get on our ham radio repeaters yet. On the other hand, I have gotten onto one GMRS repeater owned by a good friend of mine and have used WH6DWF, like you said. This was also after I spent 20 minutes looking up my own GMRS license, which is basically a mile long, which I shouldn’t need to use since my Ham license exceeds any GMRS License. I really believe if the FCC is going to be relevant in the future, they really need to get a license and get on the air themselves to see all the stupid things that they do on a regular basis. It really should be like an endorsement like for your drivers license. Example, if folks can use their FCC Call Sign on GMRS Repeaters, than those that only paid for a GMRS license would hear what a real license sounds like and would want to upgrade to Amateur radio license. It’s really that simple. We should be promoting Amateur radio, not segregating it. 😢

I live in the DFW area and monitor these repeaters. I have both licenses and I agree, recently there has been a lot of missing call signs and obviously GMRS transmissions that are beyond the power limits. I agree with Jason. I just wish the local clubs were more open. There are some "sad hams" out there, I know I've encountered them and it prevents me from enjoying the hobby.

I'm both Ham and GMRS licensed. I wish we had a GMRS repeater here. GMRS folks should understand that if they are tossing out their call sign (same as with a Ham call sign) is that they can be looked up on FCC license search. Another reason to be careful where you are transmitting is that here in rural SW Texas is some LE and some Business licensed activity that when close enough on UHF and VHF that it tosses some noise when they are close that it trips the repeaters with some major static for a moment. Since I have a Uniden SDS100 going at the same time as my GMRS and Ham Radios (monitoring 2 Meter and 70cm) going and can tell when an LEO really close by the tower keys up and triggers the repeater. Just because they are on P25 doesn't mean analog signals can't interfere with them either. We actually have our repeater in the same building and tower as the Sheriff's department. Just using whatever frequency you happen to pick might be a good way to get unwanted LE attention if you are interferring with their comes. Not to mention that down this way the cartels and smugglers are using some GMRS and hijacking some ham and business coms here and there. We had to swap our primary GMRS channel when out at a ranch because illegal smugglers were using it so much. It was deep in a valley and no UHF signals got over those ridges. You had to be in there to have signal and theirs was strong. I do have a few of those in a grey hair GMRS simplex net I run that "Don't want the gov't..." That's why they have HTs and I did the programming on them allowing listening on some other freqs, but no TX. We do have another there who is also ham licensed. So their radio can do both. Like you said, the gov't already has your info and they aren't going to go rounding up everyone with a GMRS license when it's easier to simply jam and/or monitor those freqs. Play nice people. The allocations are there so you don't have such a mess that no one can communicate when they need too. Maybe more clubs need to start fox hunting again to have those skills when needed.

This is becoming pretty common here in Oklahoma City as well.

Probably the best reason for the ham license is to keep random yahoos from just picking up a radio and cluttering up the frequencies. WRUS402

Studying for a Tech , just applied for Gmrs, if I’m on a GmRS frequency it’s not possible for me to get on a Ham frequency repeater accidentally is it? Just making sure , still learning?

This has been a problem on the Florida Statewide Network (SARNET) as well. One op when challenged said, "Well, I was just testing," as though that was a legal justification for illegal operation.

I have heard grms or no call sign on 2 meters in KC.

I’ve heard GMRS call signs on Plano ham repeaters too.

GMRS operator obtained preprogrammed HT from dealer. Ham and GMRS repeaters were identified only by LOCATION, such as SHAW BUTTE, not whether they were amateur or GMRS. Local hams make general call, "This is an AMATEUR RADIO REPEATER." All but dedicated trolls change frequency.

I heard this issue on a local repeater. A GMRS user used the repeater and gave his GMRS call sign. No other conversations were going on at the time. One of the, my guess, club users came on yelling at this operator. It was a bit sad as maybe this user made a mistake and, in the future, could become a Ham user, but this experience was so negative. I was thinking about attending and checking out the local club that ran the repeater, I have second thoughts if this is how they treat new and maybe future operators. That's no how you invite someone to check out your hobby.

I end up using a GMRS radio to talk to FRS radios I have handed out at events or convoys and if I identify on air, the others on FRS start going, "What did you say?" I just quit doing it. No one else cares on GMRS/FRS anyway. I haven't heard anyone call out anyone on GMRS repeater either, come to think of it, but it takes a deliberate action to cross over to ham repeaters and frequencies. It should not be happening, though I haven't heard it happen either way. It's like CB talking to AIR. It would stand out like the proverbial sore thumb. I've had to learn at least four different languages to talk on all these radios over the decades 😂.

Heh, I agree with you we need to keep up the repeaters more, so I will try to key up some with my call a couple times a day. Btw as someone who has had a general license for a long time I don't really care what people do on 440 as long as it isn't tiring up repeaters, bleeding over to other parts of the spectrum, or pushing a lot of wattage with a strong antenna making it impossible ignore.

New Ham here and a licensed GMRS user. I am not seeing why I should join ARRL. The subscription price is high compared to other organizations. Also, the information I received from ARRL did not give me a good description of what they would be doing or providing with the money if I join. Am I missing something?

I'd love for our license classes to limit power instead of spectrum, like they do in the UK and maybe a Small chunk of each ham band could be opened up to low power license free use to encourage the GMRS/CB people to get licensed

I want to see a challenge where more people that have the capability use 2 meter ssb more often.