An Introduction to 2-way radio

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  With our first Net this Wednesday evening (Every Wednesday at 8pm E. Tiger Mt. GMRS Repeater), I thought I’d put together a post with a few descriptions and a glossary of terms.

Let’s start with GMRS. This is the acronym for General Mobile Radio Service. GMRS is not Ham radio but it does require a license. This is a no test, pay your $35 to the FCC and you AND your family are licensed, good for 10 years.

· Why GMRS?

It’s way better than CB-greater distance, better clarity of transmission, more widely used, and you can use repeaters. More on that in a minute.

· Do I need to be an electrical engineer to do this radio stuff?

Nope, this post should get you a solid start and like anything else, the more you do something, the more familiar it gets and you will learn as you go. Radio operators are some of the nicest folks I know.

· Can I get a Ham license by being a licensed GMRS operator?

No, but GMRS is the gateway drug to Ham radio.

· I’ve got a cell phone, who cares about radio?

When a disaster or similar happens, the cell networks will quite possibly be un-useable. Radio communication is a great way to stay in touch with others, alert someone of a dangerous situation or request help or assistance, stay in the know.

· What’s a “net”?

A “net” is a gathering of radio operators on a specific frequency at a specific day/time. They can check in with others, practice using their radios so they are familiar with them and how to use them.

· Do I need to learn Morse Code?

Heck no! and no real super-secret verbal codes to remember but there are some you will pick up along the way…

A Glossary of common radio terms:

*Simplex-radio to radio communication without the use of a repeater-limited in range-typically around 5 miles or so depending on the terrain. Radio waves like a line of sight way to get to the other radio so a bit hill or similar can impede that.

*Repeater-a radio set up on a high hill or mountain like Tiger Mountain for example. The antenna for this is at about 3000’ and can pick up very weak signals from distances farther than 5 miles, amplify them and re-broadcast them at higher power and from that elevation. In radio, height is might. That means from your 5 watt hand held radio, by way of the repeater, your transmission can now be heard miles and miles away and is much less impacted by terrain.

*I/O-in and out. During a net, a station may check in and state they are I/O. That means they will not be participating with a transmission or check in but will be listening. They may be mobile for example and have a sketchy connection to the repeater.

*No Traffic-no, not a report on current road conditions, that means you have no news or information to share with the group.

*“73”-in radio jargon this is a pleasant short way of basically wishing someone a nice day or nice evening. Typically used at the end of a conversation.

“Hey Jim, it was nice catching up with you, I’ve got to sign off now. 73!”

That’s pretty much the basics. There will be more as you spend time on the air.

We practice radio communications so we don’t have to get ready, we already are ready.

Looking forward to hearing some of you Wednesdays at 8pm!

Are you interested in getting your GMRS license? Learning more? Here is a step-by-step link that talks you through a super easy process and will have you online in 48 hours!

https://midlandusa.com/.../why-do-i-need-a-gmrs-license...

Author information:

Dale Baxmann

EMMCOMM and Zone 1 Commander (Covington)

Greater Maple Valley CERT

GMRS License WRFF247 “Firefox”