GMRS Repeater – Fairview Forest

GMRS RADIO REPEATER

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After Helene, many people turned to small walkie talkies to communicate. However, we all know the practical range of small walkie talkies is usually much less than the packaging suggests. There’s a solution: A GMRS Radio Repeater, which will hugely expand the range and reliability of GMRS radio communication in much of the Fairview area and beyond. Although cell service has been restored, aid organizations will still benefit from increased GMRS radio communications. Plus, as you’ll see below, GMRS radio has uses beyond emergency communications. If you can, please support the project.

Why do we need better radio communications?

Sometimes the modern conveniences we rely on stop working. Analysts have suggested the likelihood of a Helene-level storm hitting our area again is remote. Every year, there is a 1 in 100 chance, and we still face hazards such as landslides, flooding, extended power outages, etc. During those events, cell phones may work, but they are not intended for group communication. Radio is perfect for group communication. In addition to emergency situations, there are other common uses for radio, such as: Group Conversations, Outdoor Recreation, Family Events, Work Crew Communication, and keeping track of kids and grandkids when they’re out on a walk or playing in the community.

What is GMRS radio?

The GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) was created by the FCC to to serve the communication needs and interests of the average person or family. Whereas other radio services, such as CB and Ham radio, are specialized, GRMS is intended for regular folks and uses walkie talkies and car-mounted radios to facilitate local communications. In some rare instances, with the aid of a repeater, folks can communicate at distances of over 100 miles.

What is a GMRS repeater?

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) repeaters are radio stations that receive and retransmit radio signals over a greater distance than is otherwise possible with a normal handheld or mobile radio. Repeaters work similarly to cell phone towers and allow users to communicate over much larger areas, such as across a city, a valley, or over mountainous terrain.

Where will the GMRS repeater be installed?

Our goal is to install a GMRS repeater near the top of Flat Top Mountain. The coverage is predicted to provide extensive coverage in Fairview, Swannanoa, Black Mountain, much of Asheville, and even extend into parts of Fletcher, Hendersonville, and Brevard. It’s also worth noting that the GMRS repeater will be connected to a generator if utility power fails.

Map Legend:

Orange areas are predicted to receive premium coverage.
Pink areas are predicted to receive strong usable coverage
Uncolored areas will likely not receive coverage.

Who Can Use the GMRS Repeater?

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a licensed radio service. It shares some basic similarities with amateur “ham” radio, but getting a license for GMRS is easy and inexpensive. A GMRS license can be purchased from the FCC for $35 and is good for 10 years. Plus, anyone in your “immediate family” can use the license, even if they live elsewhere. The FCC defines “immediate family” as your spouse, children, grandchildren, step-children, parents, grandparents, step-parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. That said, anyone with a GMRS license and the proper radio can use the repeater when in range. There are other repeaters in our area, but the topography of WNC limits each repeater’s range to a small area.

What personal radios work with GMRS?

If you choose to get a license for you and your family, you will also want to buy a walkie talkie capable of communicating on GMRS frequencies (channels). The FCC requires radio users to use FCC certified equipment, but it might be safe to say that most FRS, GMRS, and Ham radio operators politely ignore that requirement. There are several FCC certified models of walkie talkies and car-mounted “mobile” radios sold by Buy Two-Way Radios (located in Rock Hill, SC).

If you choose to buy an inexpensive, non-certified walkie talkie, a common favorite is a Baofeng UV-5RM (or AR-5RM) model radio, which is sold on Amazon. They can be programmed to work with GMRS, FRS, Ham Radio, Marine Radio, and other radio services. These can be programmed via computer in less than a minute, and, despite their appearance, they are pretty easy to use.

GMRS RADIO REPEATER