Prince George GMRS Repeater Guidelines
December 2002 (updated 3/2007, 3/2011)
The purpose of this Memorandum is to clearly define roles and responsibilities of the users and the owner(s) of the General Mobile Radio System (GMRS) repeaters described below.
For the purposes of this particular memorandum, the following definitions can be used:
· General Mobile Radio System is the personal radio service described in the Federal Communications Commission’s Rules (CFR 47, Part 95). The GMRS is a licensed radio service, and is different from the Family Radio Service.
· GMRS Repeaters (Repeaters) are conventional UHF repeaters installed on GMRS channels, and operated by a group of GMRS licensees. These guidelines apply specifically to the following repeaters:
· 462.600 / 467.600 in Prince George, Virginia
· 462.625 / 467.625 in Prince George, Virginia
* Repeater Owners (owner) is the GMRS licensee who has undertaken the responsibility of maintaining the repeater equipment and making it available for use. These persons are ultimately responsible for the proper operation of the repeater. This includes a good faith effort to insure that the repeater is available for licensed and permitted users, and not available to unlicensed users or those who have not secured permission. The repeater(s) in this case are owned and operated by:
* Jay Lovelady, KAF8457
* Doug Renn, WPWC967
* David Latta, WPWA245
· In addition, there are secondary users that have a part in the decision making / support process.
· Repeater User (user) is any GMRS licensed individual that has received permission to access this repeater. By nature of the cost involved in setup and maintaining the system, it is a closed repeater and specific permission is required to utilize its services, as well as specific operating parameters. Use by an individual as described above constitutes agreement to the terms of this agreement.
ACCESS PERMISSION
1. The owners hereby grants permission for use of the repeaters listed in this document to any user meeting the following requirements:
a. The user holds a current and valid PERSONAL GMRS license;
b. The user abides by all GMRS rules, regulations, and guidelines in effect by both the FCC and the repeater owner, especially those about station identification and monitor-before-transmit.
c. The user is aware and considerate of the shared nature of the repeater;
d. The user has not had access privileges revoked by the owner, and understands that access may be revoked at any time.
2. The user is expected to:
a. Maintain their GMRS license, ID after conversations and at 15 min intervals,
b. Obtain proper equipment with appropriate signaling capabilities (contact for details) to operate on the system, and allow programming and any required updates;
c. Keep all system parameters (PLs, MDC codes, exact location, and other information) PRIVATE;
d. Follow all applicable rules and guidelines;
e. Be courteous, considerate and helpful to other users;
f. Report suspected repeater problems to the owner;
g. Participate in on-air repeater equipment testing if needed;
h. Utilize simplex when possible, or other communications systems when needed.
RELIABILITY
· The owners will make an effort to keep the equipment operational. However, there is NO GUARANTEE that the GMRS repeater equipment will be available for use at any given time.
· Repeater may or may not be available during times of commercial power outages at the antenna sites. Sometimes during extended outages arrangements are made for backup power, but this is not always the case.
DO NOT RELY ON GMRS RADIO SYSTEMS FOR CRITICAL COMMUNICATIONS.
UPGRADES AND FUNDING
· By FCC rule, the repeater owner cannot charge a fee or subscription for GMRS repeater use. It does take a considerable amount of money and time to install and maintain the systems properly. For example, just the antenna, duplexer, filtering, and isolation equipment in the 462.600 repeater cost about $1500. This does not include the receiver, transmitter, controller, power supply, cabinet, and 55+ hours of labor. Then there is the ongoing cost of electricity and routine maintenance.
* There is no rule that prohibits donations towards the costs of equipment maintenance and upgrades. The repeater owners would appreciate any and all donations of any size to defray some of the costs of installing and maintaining the equipment. Donations go directly towards maintenance and expansion of the system, backup gear, electrical costs, and possibly other sites/repeaters.
* Current technical specs are available upon request.
