Active FCC-Issued GMRS License Required

Per FCC rules, all users MUST have an active GMRS license. Any expired or pending licenses are not acceptable. Your membership request will not be accepted if you don't provide a valid GMRS callsign. Know that your immediate family CAN operate under your single GMRS callsign! Please just make sure they know the callsign, and use it appropriately on-air.

Follow GMRS Rules per FCC

Please make sure you are familiar with FCC rules for GMRS operation and are properly identifying yourself and only extending permission to use your license to people who qualify per the FCC (i.e. 'Immediate Family', not your neighbor, etc.). FCC does not allow linking of any kind on GMRS. This is not just limited to linking repeaters. This rule extends to connecting mobile/portable radios to links such as RF, internet, phone, etc. for the purpose of extending communication. Using internet, RF, etc. as a means of controlling (no voice) is allowed. Please also ensure you are using an FCC Part 95-approved radio. Some cheaper brands such as Baofeng, Wouxon, Retevis, etc. are not part 95 approved and should not be used on these repeaters or GMRS frequencies in the U.S.

Privacy Tones (CTCSS)

Because these repeaters (and this website) are member's only, please do not share the PL tones with anyone whom is not a member or is not legally allowed to operate under your approved license. Anyone with a license is allowed to use GMRS frequencies, however, everyone is not allowed to use private repeaters unless so authorized by the owner. We do this to prevent people without licenses from feeling welcomed to use the system. If it's not public information, people without licenses or an understanding of GMRS rules are more likely to realize they shouldn't be using it.

No Paging/Call/Courtesy/Roger Tones Please

Users of these repeaters shall please disable any courtesy/roger tones from the beginning and/or end of their transmissions and refrain from using calling tones (phone-sounding rings, etc.) as well as any paging tones (Single, 2-Tone, 5-Tone, etc.).

Data Transmissions & Digital Protocol

FCC allows the use of data transmissions over GMRS frequencies but out of respect for the other users, we ask that you transmit voice only on these repeaters (data transmissions could include text messaging, transmitting radio/caller ID, etc). Not everyone will be set up for data, and just hear noise. DIGITAL: Digital protocol is not allowed on GMRS anywhere at anytime per the FCC. Beyond that, for the sake of everyone being able to talk to everyone, we ask that all transmissions remain analog.

Limiting Conversations

Especially as we get more users on these repeaters (or just more voice traffic in general), conversations must be concise, and limited to allow other users access. Please be clear about who you are and who you are calling. If you're conversation is getting drawn out with lots of information/back-and-forth, please consider re-directing it to a phone call, simplex channel, messaging, group page, etc.

Emergency/Priority Traffic Right of Way

When other means of communication are not possible, or there are large-scale events (like fire evacuations, major crashes/road closures, etc.) Emergency/Priority traffic gets the right-of-way. Transmissions should start with something to the effect of; "Emergency/Priority Traffic" and be accurate and true.

No Business Usage

The rules are a little grey around using GMRS for business use, but on these repeaters, users should not be using them for business-related activities. If you need a repeater channel for business, you should be paying to license your own frequency. Note that lower-power FRS (which use the same frequencies at no more than 2 Watts and restricted to narrowband) are allowed to be used for some business, however FRS is not allowed to use repeaters).

Membership and Usage Agreement

Currently the use of these repeaters are free to licensed and approved users. This is subject to change in the future based on the owner's costs to lease tower space and maintain the systems. Usage of these repeaters and the online group/resources constitutes your agreement to follow these rules and operate according to FCC rules. In the future, it's less likely that a membership fee will be invoked and more likely that a 'donation' type option will be available.

Keying/Kerchunking

Often we get a lot of people just keying up to see if they are hitting the repeater. This can happen many times in a row if someone is programming/testing a radio and more often if multiple people are doing the same thing. Please try to refrain from quick key-ups/kerchunking and instead air something like "[callsign]. Can I get a radio check?", etc. When you start to monitor these repeaters and regularly hear the non-verbal keying, it does get super annoying super quick. Please also be aware that new resources for radio testing may be available as early as fall of 2025.

Courteous Dialog

Please refrain from using derogatory language on the air (i.e. cursing, racial slurs/jokes, being generally rude or threatening). It's not only against FCC rules, but it's very off-putting and unnecessary. Be polite to other users and remember that someone may always be listening - maybe even a kid with a scanner, so don't scar them with a sharp tongue. Try to steer clear of politics.