So, to start this off, I do NOT have my Technician License yet, I do have a radio (I do NOT transmit with it), but I’m planning on getting one and haven’t transmitted anything and won’t until I get one. My main issue is that we don’t have any active stations in our general area, the closest is in Delaware, OH and that’s too far out. I bought a TidRadio TD-H8 5W Dual Band GMRS Radio just for reference. My main issue is that I don’t know what I could connect this to or transmit on once I do get my license. Originally I saw repeaters but as far as I can see, these require a GMRS license and I don’t think I can apply for one. If anyone here has a solution, I’m happy to listen. Thanks.
Where are you located, City & State?
I’m in Richwood, Ohio
I looked on Repeaterbook.com and found 3 repeaters in Marysville about 15 miles from you. Why do you think that Delaware would be too far out? Looking on the map its only about 18 miles and you should be able to hear both of them, and you may need an external antenna but likely would hit repeaters in both locations. Looks like you are in a rather rural area and generally there aren’t as many repeaters in less populated areas. There is a GMRS repeater in Kenton that you might be able to hear and use with an outside antenna it is a bit far but it could happen.
Ham Repeaters Union County Amateur Radio Repeaters
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I see there was also a GMRS repeater in Marysville but is offline now. Maybe you could contact the owner and talk about putting it back online.
Do I not need a GMRS license for this?
I’m very new to this, so pardon my inexperience, but how do I know if my antenna can reach that far?
It is to do with topography and geography. If you live on a hill, and had a very powerful telescope on your roof, then any location you can see - like buildings rooftops, towers etc you can talk to on even average simple and cheap antennas. If you live in a valley surrounded by higher ground then your distances will be much, much less. You can get online prediction calculators that draw the height of the ground between two points. In my own case, the East and South takeoffs are clear. I can do 40 miles South - getting into a repeater there, and I can hear the marine VTS system in the harbour there. West it’s a bit less. 30 miles is OK. North I have a town 9 miles away. There is a repeater there. I cannot hear it at all, because there is high land between us - not mountains, just low hills. You just need to study the height of the ground in your area. VHF and UHF are often described as ‘line of sight’ , because radio waves propogate in a similar way.
Is a GMRS license required for anything having to do with repeaters, I can’t apply for a GMRS license as far as my knowledge goes, the age requirement is 18.
A GMRS license is required to operate a GMRS radio. You must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a GMRS license. The good news is that anyone in your immediate family who is 18 years of age or older can purchase the license and it covers everyone in your family, including you.
For instance, if your mother, father, grandparent, aunt, uncle or older sibling buys the license, you are licensed as well.
I recently read that part, but will i need one for my radio?
The license is for the operator, not the radio. The radio does not need a license.
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Got my tech licence but no radio…
I’m looking for a 2nd hand radio and antenna
Thank you very much, this clears up a lot
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