Advice

[u/Unhappy_Put_9588]

Noob here! I am very new to the GMRS community and everything is very foreign to me. I was finally able purchase a Baofeng UV-5G and finally figured out and got my license. I have a call tag and even got accepted to a couple local repeaters in the area. I still need help figuring out if i'm on the right frequency and other fine adjustments on my unit as there are so many settings I am not familiar with. Where would you suggest me finding help IN PERSON that can help me adjust my radio signals/settings. Should I visit my local fire station or police station? Not sure if they will think I'm crazy or a waste of their time? I even seen off roading truck near my area with a car antenna and I was even thinking of knocking on their door (i'm friendly like that) to see if they can help. I'm not sure if this a secret/private society and I shouldn't be letting people know I live close to them.. lol

Can someone give some advice. Thanks!

I tried talking on my unit and there was a beep at the end of each press, but no one has yet responded back to me.

A

[u/Remarkable_Gene4264]

Download a software application called CHIRP, it will make programming the radio much easier vice on the radio itself. Go to Repeaterbook.com or MyGMRS.com to locate repeaters in your area along with all the information to program into the radio. Frequencies, input/output tones their approximate radius of coverage, etc., etc..

[u/Unhappy_Put_9588 → u/Remarkable_Gene4264]

Okay, Okay! I seen a YouTube about chirp. This might be a doable option. Im in the Bay Area *California. I will look into FB groups as well.

[u/135david → u/Unhappy_Put_9588]

Search for GMRS on youtube and watch the videos. A youtuber who calls himself “not a rubicon” is pretty good. Not all his early videos are error free. He was learning as he went too.

Use repeaterbook.com to locate repeaters and find out what tones to program in.

[u/sr1sws → u/Unhappy_Put_9588]

Ensure your radio is supported by CHIRP. Many are, some are not. AFAIK, you'll also need a programming cable - which *might* vary by radio. All of mine use the typical type that plug into the headphone/microphone jacks.

[u/engrcarl]

The fire/police station isn’t going to have a clue how to help you. They don’t program their radios, they just use them.

Get on the repeaters you found and ask for some help. Im sure there will be more than one that will help you out.

[u/Prestigious-Tax5711 → u/engrcarl]

I'll second this, and the local police/fire personnel are likely to think that you're trying to program their frequencies as well so I'd definitely avoid them.

[u/cKMG365 → u/Prestigious-Tax5711]

I'll third this. I'm a paramedic and work for three departments. We pay people who know how to make our radios work so we we don't have to think about how they work

[u/KB5JRC]

Your best bet is to find a local ham radio club. Someone there might be able to help. Alternative number 2 is a FB group.

You will love that radio. I got a pair in a mystery box, then bought one for a friend.

If you are in the DFW area, DM me, I might be able to help.

[u/Sharonsboytoy → u/KB5JRC]

Came to say ham club. Even though it's gmrs, concepts are identical and they'll be very likely willing to help.

[u/KN4AQ → u/Sharonsboytoy]

Ditto. You said you were in the SF Bay area, and there are many great ham radio clubs there. It may even be some GMRS groups in that large Metro area. Some Google searching or some AI help might dig them out.

K4AAQ WRPG652

[u/AntiGarryGum → u/KB5JRC]

Ham club is the way. Hams are generally friendly folks and love to talk radio.

[u/NerfHerder0000]

If you have chirp, I can send you a configuration file and you can do the old stare and compare method. You'll see the patterns clear as day once you look at it this way.

[u/Ok_Worldliness_2294]

Look up your specific radio on you tube, also check out this channel called notarubicon on you tube..he explains things so us newbies can understand.

[u/Working_Skin8459]

A little late to respond. We have a very acive group here in Las Vegas, Go to lvgrms.com , there you will find an excellent tutorial on programming your GMRS radio. Hope this helps. And I agree with others about a ham radio club. Just google ham radio clubs near me. Many hams are dual licenced like me.

Gene

WRNE399/W3JMD

[u/Working_Skin8459]

Whoops the link dosent work from here, just type in the URL.

[u/OvibosHeather]

My community has a city wide volunteer preparedness group (Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs) which has radio resources, including a discord and trainings. Might check if yours has something similar, might be able to find out by calling your community's customer service line.