How to Find GMRS repeaters Around me?

A GMRS repeater is an automatically controlled transmitter and receiver that simply transmits what the receiver hears. By placing repeaters at sites with high elevations and antennas atop large towers, workable coverage is greatly increased. Generally speaking, GMRS repeater can be considered as a signal Repeater, and with it, can be used to extend the call distance of gmrs radio.

As long as you have a GMRS license, you can have your own GMRS repeater, and then extend the calling distance of your GMRS radios. Of course, the cheapest GMRS repeater is more than 300 US dollars on the market. If you don’t have such a big budget, you can Connect to an open gmrs repeater around you. There are many communities that provide open gmrs repeaters for nearby residents for community emergencies and community welfare. also, individuals who are also generally happy to share their own gmrs repeater resources.

How to Find GMRS repeaters Around me?

There are many websites that provide open GMRS Repeater information, some are provided in the form of maps, such as MyGMRS, some are table types, such as Repeaterbook, and USAGMRS, etc. Below are some website we compiled to help you find GMRS repeaters nearby:

1. mygmrs.com: https://mygmrs.com/map

2. RepeaterBook: https://www.repeaterbook.com/gmrs/index.php?State_id=none

3. USA GMRS Association: http://usagmrs.com/repeaterListings.html

4. Arkansas GMRS Repeater Group: https://arkradio.net/

Some of the repeaters on the map are completely open, and you can directly obtain the TX RX frequency and PL TONES. Some of them only open the frequency but not open PL TONES. You need to contact the repeater owner or website administrator to get it.

Most GMRS repeaters are owned by local clubs or individuals, not all for public use. This is why some repeaters are completely open, and you can directly get all the information including TX, RX and PL TONES. Some of the frequencies are open and do not provide PL TONES. In this case, you need to contact the GMRS repeater owner to get the licensee to connect the GMRS repeater.

It is worth noting that mygmrs.com is one of the best resources to find and learn how to use the local GMRS repeater. It has interactive maps, providing contact information, state (open repeater, private person, requiring permission, etc.), and licenses) It may be that you need to access the repeater. In addition to mygmrs.com, you can also search for local GMRS repeater clubs in your area online and apply for access permissions. 

If you connect to GMRS repeaters successfully, please follow some rules to keep our gmrs repeater environment. The following is some precautions for an article in the QSt June magazine and FCC we compiled, Please abide by these rules and keep a good repeater environment.

• 1) DO say “clear” after you are done calling someone that was not on frequency or when you are finished with a conversation. This informs others waiting to use the repeater that you’re done! – 95.119(a)(1 
• 2) DO support the repeater you use! Repeaters are not cheap!  (See Membership and Donation Info).
• 3) When in a group discussion, it is courteous to list the call signs currently in the conversation before you ID. The person to talk next is always listed first. For example, you are finishing your transmission and it is ATL-21’s turn to talk, and ATL-60 just talked before you did. So, you would say, “ATL-21 and ATL-60, this is ATL-40.” For larger groups, “ATL-40 and the group” will work. By listing the people in the conversation, others will be reminded not to forget the other people waiting to add something to the conversation. This also keeps the person happy who’s been waiting for several minutes to talk because he knows he’s not forgotten.
• 4) Be sure to identify every fifteen minutes! This is not a courtesy, but it is a FCC rule. It is a courtesy, however, to not over identify. Don’t ID every time you key the mic. – 95.119(a)(2)
• 5) Always be friendly and courteous! Always remember that there are other GMRS users (and non-GMRS users) listening!
• 6) If you hear a jammer, IGNORE HIM! (report him to the repeater owner) Comments toward jammers simply add fuel to the fire. Just try to bear with it and keep on talking as if you couldn’t even hear the jammer.
• 7) Speak clearly. Give your radio a second to come on after you key your mic as well as a second to turn off. You may cut yourself off by not waiting for your radio to respond. This is also critical when using linked repeaters because the repeater may take a second or two to key on.

If you got the GMRS repeater you want to connect, but don't know how to set your gmrs radio to connect, you can refer to our another blog:  How to Connect to GMRS Repeaters Around You?

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