GMRS Radio Newbie

I know the world of radio is a deep pond and I feel like a rock being skipped across the top. I am a total beginner and don't know all the terminology, assumptions, lingo, or physics of radio waves and antenna.

I've read all the threads that cover VHF/CB/Ham, but I'm sticking to GMRS because I already own some of the equipment and would already have my license except the FCC website was down last night. I'm looking for advice on how and where to go for resources to study both the theory and heuristics of how radio, specifically GMRS, physically works. Obviously there's Google but I don't want to waste time sifting through untrusted information. I'd take you radio pros or even basic radio enthusiasts on TW over nigh anyone else.

Already own:

• Two Midland hand-held
  $80 GXT1000VP4 - 50 Channel GMRS Two-Way Radio - Long Range Walkie Talkie with 142 Privacy Codes, SOS Siren, and NOAA Weather Alerts and Weather Scan (Black/Silver, Pair Pack)
  GXT1000VP4 2-way GMRS/FRS radios (keep in truck/backpack)
• Midland MXT400 40-watt base station (to install in home)

Waiting to buy when it is released this year:

• $160 Midland MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels
  Midland MXT275 (mount inside my Tacoma glove box and wire the mic in a convenient spot)

I plan on using GMRS communications for:

• Emergency intra-family communication when out of cell range
• Small 4x4 group trail rides
• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• ***If it matters, I wasn't planning on talking to people I don't already know, but I would love to know what repeaters are and how they work and who uses them and why.

 

70cm HAM bands aren't much different from GMRS. Just slightly different rules. But the radio parts work the same. study the ham tech stuff. You don't have to buy anything new to just have a HAM ticket.

 

Repeaters are simply remote receivers and transmitters set up on high areas to help transmissions cover wider areas. Civil (Hams, businesses, and communications use them), along with law enforcement and military. They simply pick up a signal on one frequency (input) while at the same time retransmitting it on another frequency (output) with higher power. The difference in input frequency and output frequency (set by the FCC) is called the offset. It is necessary to prevent feedback (you dont want to recieve and repeat the signal on the same frequency). Everyone who uses repeaters can transmit in a lower power to hit the repeater, usually on a high spot, which transmits the signal all over - even to the opposite side of the mountain from the broadcaster. Good luck with the license, you will find lots of help in the Ham community for it

 

@OnHartung'sRoad & @Double Phister Appreciate you guys thank you for the direction.

 

Wrong forum?