This repeater is a valuable resource for the community, providing extended range communication for licensed GMRS users. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone, please familiarize yourself with the following rules & guidelines. These rules promote courteous communication, efficient use of the repeater, and adherence to FCC regulations.
"To every rule there is an exception—and an idiot ready to demonstrate it. Don't be the one!"
Vera Nazarian
- Respectful Communication: Maintain a courteous and professional tone on the repeater. No offensive language, discriminatory remarks, or topics unsuitable for a general audience. Remember, This repeater is in use by families.
- No messages related to illegal activity.
- No false or deceptive messages.
- No coded messages with hidden meanings (standard "10-codes" are allowed).
- No music, sound effects, or entertainment content.
- No advertising or political campaigning.
- No Tone Sharing: Never share PL tones with anyone! For optimal repeater operation, we utilize tones to open the repeater. Sharing these tones is strictly prohibited. Upon verification of your GMRS license, you will be added to a group with radio programming information.
- Identify Yourself: Stations must identify with their GMRS call sign before signing off, and at least every 15 minutes during extended conversations.
- Note: Full call signs aren't required at the start of conversations. You can identify with your station suffix (numerical part of your call sign). If no response is received, end with your full call sign.
- Example: "123, this is 789..." --- "123, this is 789, do you copy?..." (If nothing is heard, sign off with your full callsign "WRVY789" [You can add "Clear" or "Monitoring" to the end of your callsign to let other members know if you are still listening or not.])
- No "Kerchunking": Short transmissions AKA "kerchunking", in order to test repeater coverage is not allowed. Stations must identify with their callsign when transmitting, even if you are not attempting to contact anyone.
- Courtesy Tones: The repeater already has a courtesy tone, you do not need to add one from you radio, this can be annoying or confusing to members, and cause a long squelch tail and double courtesy tones.
- English Only: English is the only language permitted on this repeater. This is to ensure that all members and operators can understand the transmission.
- Don't Hog the Air: Long transmissions can clog the repeater for others. While it is fine to be active on the repeater, allow for a break of a few seconds, so other members can transmit as needed. If you would like to break in to join the conversation or have priority traffic, simply transmit your callsign. (Ex: "WRVY789", "789" or "Break 789"). Wait for someone to acknowledge you. If you have priority traffic, continue your transmission.
- Priority Traffic: Your traffic is considered a priority if you are transmitting in an emergency situation, or you are relaying information for the safety of the public. (Ex: You are a lost hiker and need assistance, or you are warning members of a potential hazard such as a fire requiring evacuation) Although GMRS is not a replacement for 9-1-1, it may be someone's only resource to call for help.
- Time Out Timer: The repeater will time out for 30 seconds after 3 minutes of continuous use. Wait for the repeater courtesy tone before transmitting again to avoid this.
- No Commercial Use: GMRS Repeaters are for personal communication, not commercial purposes.
- Licensing: A GMRS license is required to operate a GMRS station. Licenses are issued for 10 years and are for individual use, not businesses. [FCC GMRS Licensing Information]
- Power Limits: Transmit power is limited to 50 watts for all GMRS stations, including repeaters.
- Data Transmission: At this time, we do not allow data transmissions on this repeater.
- Emergency Use: While GMRS can be used for emergencies, it's not a replacement for contacting emergency services directly.
