Need real world GMRS experience

[Bronclahoma]

Thinking about getting a Midland MXT575 MicroMobile-50 Watt GMRS Radio. I have no experience with them and don't know anyone who does. I like this mini because it would be easy to fit in the BS. Could mount under the seat and all controls are on the mic which could be mounted on the console with adhesive.

I've never used a repeater, but this radio can access them and if you get one your range is great. For those times I've been out west when I've wondered if I could walk to civilization. Anyone have any experience with one of these?

Midland - MXT575 MicroMobile® - 50 Watt GMRS Radio

Sponsored

 

[Major Kong]

this is a gmrs channel loaded with info
chances are you'll find what you're looking for here
edited out earlier posted babble
familiarize yourself with this

 

[Bronclahoma]

I've watched YouTube. I want real world experience.

 

[Major Kong]

I've watched YouTube. I want real world experience.

okay we'll skip the vids
"never used a repeater"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_Tone-Coded_Squelch_System
you'll want to know the specific tones for the repeaters you'll be using
follow your user manual
and if you have not already been licensed as an amateur radio operator
it's not as difficult as imagined
you'll expand your frequency range
opening more potential

 

[Major Kong]

https://www.repeaterbook.com/gmrs/Display_SS.php?state_id=40
example of what you may need

 

[jofer]

It's also worth pointing out that public repeater networks are more of a community than focused on utilitarian communication.

You can use GMRS for normal trail/etc communications and never worry about repeaters beyond occasionally hearing folks' transmissions from far away and being confused as to why they don't hear you.

You don't need to set up repeater details for keeping in touch with your group on the trail.

Repeaters have a bit more of a community, and it's not so much about reaching a car in your convoy that's farther away in most cases. If you're on a repeater, there's usually a bit more etiquette.

E.g. you'll (almost) never hear someone in a normal chat-with-my-buddies-in-the-convoy use case their FCC call sign. Sure, it's technically required, but no one will bother. You're not sending a signal out very far and it's likely to only be your friends that are on the same channel in that specific area.

If you're on a repeater, folks will often/usually expect it. It is required by the regs, after all, and regardless, it's often considered a bit rude to not start a conversation with it on repeaters.

If you want gmrs for general off-road use and communication with your friends out on the same trail, don't sweat the details too much. Yeah, gmrs is never private, but your signal doesn't reach too far. Just get everyone on the same channel and press to speak. CTCSS/"privacy channels" can useful there regardless of repeaters. Basically it means you can kinda pretend there are more channels than there actually are and keep your group's comms semi-separate if you're in a crowded area.

If you want to get on repeaters (which use that system too, in addition to transmitting and receiving on different channels, and you need to know the details of the repeaters in your area), it's a bit more of a public forum. Use it, chat with folks surprisingly far away, make friends, but keep in mind it's often more about community than trail comms. In other words, don't monopolize it and follow other folk's lead in terms of conventions. Honestly, you'll find a lot of fun geekery over radio setups as much as anything else.

On the other hand, repeaters in off road areas are often set up with the intent of supporting trail communications, so this will vary. But the repeater in a city that's on a list is probably more of a community of folks listening and chatting.

Just my $0.02, anyway. All of this kinda varies with area, too. It is local after all, which is one of the cool things about it.

 

[Major Kong]

For those interested in repeater use
tones explained

Sponsored