Here is a collection of stories, announcements and other hopefully useful information. We welcome anyone to contribute, just email Gary at: Gary@NorthGeorgiaGMRS.com

March 3, 2010

Hello Everyone,

I am pleased to announce that our site is up and running at Lookout Mountain / Chattanooga Tn.

Please spread the word and let us know how well the coverage is when you get a chance to use the repeater.

We are hopeful that the coverage will be of great benefit for the boating and marine community along the river as well.

Our special thanks to Chip for helping us make this happen.

Visit either our web site www.NorthGeorgiaGMRS.com or www.MYGMRS.com for details on the site.

I am so looking forward to warmer weather within the next few days.

Thank you for your support!

Gary M. Beckstedt Sr.

ATL-60

September 27, 2009 Subject: ATL-700 East ( Statham Georgia )

Newest GMRS Repeater for the North Georgia GMRS Network

A special Thanks go out to installation team who braved the approaching storms that went down in the history books as the Georgia Flood of 2009. As we monitored the weather patterns and concluded the worst of the weather was moving in a line from south to north, west of Interstate I-85, we choose to continue with our plans to scale the 235’ tower and install the LDF6 Heliax and DB-420 antenna.

All in all, it was a great day to do some intense tower work. We did endure a few light rain showers that never slowed us down. If anything it helped in keeping the crew cooled off. At 10:30am Christopher Callaway ( WQCS802 ), Chip Cowan ( WPZT862 ) and myself began the climb of the tower. Once at the top we discussed the cable routing and placement of the rigging equipment for hoisting the Heliax, mast and antenna. Later, Jeff Crowell, (WQKU485) joined us to finish up the install.

During this time Dianna DiOrio ( WQIT856 ) our ground crew manager was getting the equipment and ground crew ready for the first round of hoisting.

A very special thanks goes out to the crew. They of all people worked very had and in my opinion had the hardest job of all. My personal THANKS! to:

Dianna DiOrio, WQIT856
Bracy Poppell, WPYE419
Ed Marsden, KAF9860
Ronnie Julian, K4RJJ
Jeff Crowell, WQKU485
Bill Stewman, W5RQR

And an extra special thanks to Chip & Christopher for helping. They had to drive up from Macon and Sparta Georgia to lend a hand.

By the end of the day we had completed our work and the weather was very nice for the ride home. I will not lie, those of us who where there were definity “ Rode hard and put up wet” from the days activities. But thankfully, no lightning or thunder was encountered during the event and we were able to safely complete what we came to do.

Tower work is very demanding and requires a lot of pre planning to make this happen in a safe and successful manor. Without our dedicated volunteers like the folks listed above, who turn out to help and contribute a full days work, this would not be possible.

Expected areas of coverage
Counties
Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Franklin, Banks, Hall, Oconee.
Cities & Towns
Gainesville, Maysville, Commerce, Bogart, Athens, UGA Campus, Lawrenceville, Buford, Pendergrass, Nicholson, Ducula,Jefferson, Arcade, Watkinsville, High Shoals, Statham, Bethlehem, Winder, Auburn, Braselton
Specifications
Site Location: Staham, GA
Equipment:
Repeater: Tait T-800 Series Repeater
Antenna: Andrew DB-420
Feed line: Heliax Andrew LDF6
Site ASL Elevation: 880' ASL
Tower/Antenna Height: 245' AGL
Frequency: 462/467.700 MHz
PL/DPL Tone: 103.5 Hz
System Type: Permission Required
Status: Online
Gary M. Beckstedt Sr. ATL-60
GMRS:WQFU865 Amateur:KI4VDP

May 30, 2009 Hello Fellow GMRS users.

ATL-575 Thomaston GMRS Repeater is now on the air.

A Special Thanks to all who contributed and assisted in the planning, installation and commissioning of the site. A very Special Thank You to Bracy Poppell ( WPYE419 ) for his all day tower climbing skills, while installing the antenna and heliax for the system.
The ATL-575 Thomaston Site is the first of its kind within the North Georgia GMRS Network. Situated on a well defined ridge line in middle Georgia ( 1400’ AGL ) this site is a 100% Solar powered site. Better know as the GREEN MACHINE, we are proud to forge the way in GMRS repeater set ups and explore the functionality and effectiveness of the solar power that is being generated at the site.

The repeater ID is ATL-575
Unlike others ( UHF GMRS ) that may be out there and active, ATL-575 is open to the public and online.
Expected areas of solid coverage are expected to be within a 40 mile radius of Thomaston.
Specifications are:

Location: Between Thomaston & Zebulon Georgia off US 19

Equipment:

Repeater: Kenwood TKR-850 continuous duty repeater
Repeater Antenna: Andrew DB-420
Feedline: Heliax Andrew LDF5

Solar Panels: ( 2 ) Sunforce Pro Series CIGS panel — 100 Watt, Model# 36100
Solar Controller: Morning Star TriStar Controller
Storage Batteries: (4) 145 AH

Site ASL Elevation: 1300'
Tower/Antenna Height: 100' AGL

Frequency: 462/467.575 MHz
PL/DPL Tone: 141.3 Hz
System Type: Permission Required
Status: Online

Did you know…

If you are using an Amateur Radio on the GMRS Band,
You are in direct violation of Part 95.129 of the FCC Rules & Regulations.
We request you abide by all of the FCC Rules & Regulations.

April 9, 2009 New Moultrie Repeater

Hello Fellow GMRS users.

A special "Thanks" go out to Dianna DiOrio (WQIT856) & Bracy Poppel (WPYE419) for the hard work and long hours in helping to complete the installation in Moultrie Georgia.
GA-675 Moultrie
Expected areas of solid coverage are: I-75 north and south thru the region, and expanded coverage both East & West of Moultrie.

Specifications are:
Location: Norman Park, GA

Equipment:
Repeater:Tait T-800 Series Repeater
Antenna: Andrew DB-420
Feedline: Heliax Andrew LDF5

Site ASL Elevation: 375' ASL
Tower/Antenna Height: 250' AGL

Frequency: 462/467.675 MHz
PL/DPL Tone: 141.3 Hz
System Type: Permission Required
Status: Online

The coverage area appears to be very broad. Any transient/local users are welcome and please inform us of your location as we document the coverage area of the new repeater. North Georgia GMRS has 10 active repeaters available in the Atlanta area and thoughout thr State Of Georgia and Alabama. We welcome local and transient users.

For more information about the the GMRS network in Georgia, please visit http://www.northgeorgiagmrs.com

We look forward to your membership and usage of our network.

Sad News:

It is with a heavy heart that I announce the loss of one of our members. Dorothy Jenkins ATL-34 passed away on March 26, 2009 in her home. Dorothy enjoyed listen to everyone talk on the radio, and especially liked listening to us when we worked on the two towers that are close to her home. Dorothy you will be missed. Our prayers also go out to Hank her husband, and the rest of their family.

From all of us at North Georgia GMRS

Hello friends,

If you have visited this web site recently you might have found yourself wondering why we would post a notice about Amateur Radio equipment in conjunction with GMRS users.

Our "Did You Know" announcement is not meant as an admonishment. Our intent is to inform, not accuse.

It has been brought to our attention that Amateur Radio transceivers are being used on our GMRS repeaters. A problem brought to us by more than one ham group was reviewed. In working with them and within our own investigation of the issue, we realized folks coming to GMRS from Amateur Radio may be unaware of Part 95 of the FCC rules, that using non-certified transceivers is unlawful. We wanted to inform readers so it doesn’t put all their FCC licenses at risk.

Part of being 'self policing' is being pro-active. This means warning people before offenses are committed. We are not pointing fingers, just merely getting the word out to brush up on the FCC Rules and Regulations.

One of the purposes of our group and the website is to inform and promote the safe and lawful use of GMRS. We also want to be good neighbors with all operators of the airwaves.

Gary M. Beckstedt, Sr.
WQFU856
North Georgia GMRS

WE ARE GOING GREEN!

ATL-575 Thomaston

What better time to make this announcement, then for it to be on St. Patrick’s Day, 2009.

The North Georgia GMRS Group has decided to put their minds, talents and where for all together and begin planning and construction of the “First GMRS Repeater Station within our system that will be powered by “Renewable Energy “.
It will be known as the GREEN MACHINE.

We have always had a need to fill a gap in coverage for the Fayetteville, Griffin, and Thomaston area of our network. After many weeks of site review we chose a site situated on a tall ridge just north of Thomaston Georgia. The site offers us a very secure building with a rigid tower as well. But, there is no power. So, we choose to make this site our GREEN SITE and move forward.

Since it’s situated in the sunny south, I’m sure we will enjoy many hours of intense sunshine that will keep our power source charged and allow the GMRS repeater plenty of power for transmit time.

We are currently seeking donations and sponsors to help fund this event. We have our work cut out for us in obtaining Solar Panels, Controllers and Deep Cycle Batteries. We are confident we will achieve our goals and make this another reliable repeater site, as we have done in the past.

So please help us in this effort to bring the GREEN MACHINE to reality and donate where you can. Your support will be greatly appreciated and rewarding.

Donations can be accepted on our web site under the Donations Tab.
www.NorthGeorgiaGMRS.com or email Gary@NorthGeorgiaGMRS.com if you prefer to send a check.

I’ll keep you posted as this project unfolds and gets closer to start up.

Thank you for your support, in advance.

Gary M. Beckstedt Sr.
WQFU865

New Macon Repeater!

Hello Fellow GMRS users.

A special Thanks go out to Chip Cowan (WPZT862) & Rich Wolverton (WQCU824) for the great work and communications installation in Macon Georgia. From their efforts NorthGeorgiaGMRS.com is happy to showcase the 1st GMRS Macon Repeater.
GA-550 Macon
Expected areas of solid coverage are: I-75 north and south thru the region, and expanded coverage both East & West of Downtown Macon.

Specifications are:
Location: Macon, GA

Equipment:
Repeater: Motorola MSF-5000 continuous duty repeater
Repeater Antenna: Phelps Dodge Super Station Master 9db gain fiberglass antenna
Feedline: Heliax Andrew LDF6
Site ASL Elevation: 520'
Tower/Antenna Height: 180' AGL

Frequency: 462/467.550 MHz
PL/DPL Tone: 141.3 Hz
System Type: Permission Required
Status: Online

The coverage area appears to be very broad. Any transient/local users are welcome and please inform us of your location as we document the coverage area of the new repeater. North Georgia GMRS has 8 active repeaters available in the Atlanta area and we welcome local and transient users.

Marine GMRS
Are you Missing the Boat?

The GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is ideal for marine use in addition to land use as well, but it hasn’t caught on. Are boat owners aware they can use this UHF radio service with up to fifty watts of transmit power to communicate with home and friends also on GMRS?

Are you aware that a GMRS FCC license covers all of your relatives including those not living in your own household?

Are you aware that using a marine radio on land is against FCC rules!
But a GMRS base station on land is part of the deal when you get your GMRS license?

Sounds like lots of marine users are missing the boat. Maritime communities that need a way to communicate with friends and family on the boat from land should look closely at the GMRS Repeaters that North Georgia GMRS offers as a communications option.
Our local repeaters provide a Wide Area Coverage for Lake Lanier, Lake Allatoona and many more of the smaller bodies of water in and around the North Georgia area. Marine, Mobiles, Portables and Base Stations alike will enjoy a full coverage signal within our repeater areas.

Visit our web site to learn more about this exciting and free service for your family.

How to get started in GMRS or rather How the GMRS bug bit me

A few years ago, I was looking for a solution to a problem for communications when cell services in not available in a rural area while hunting. This led me down a road of trial and error. Keep in mind; I am not a Ham radio operator. My first stop was the local Radio Shack Store and Fryes Electronics to look at consumer two way radios (CB, FRS, GMRS) . I walked up the line from CB which proved useless, FRS which was a little better but range was limited, GMRS radios were much better but still not the full solution I sought. I purchased and tried them all to test the range in the situation, the GMRS radio from Motorola worked the best. I was still not completely satisfied and knew there had to be a better solution.

Being frustrated I started looking at what services were available such as commercial UHF or commercial VHF. Cost quickly became an issue because you have to purchase or lease the equipment and pay a monthly fee per unit to use the service. This was going to add up to thousands each year.

While researching what services were available I came across a little known UHF radio band that was available to the general public, the main purpose was to provide short range communications for families or between license holders. It was called the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). I kept reading and discovered that by using a repeater the range could be extended considerably. I could have a mobile and a base station. The license would cover all my relatives under one license and they all could use the equipment. The best thing is that rugged commercial radio equipment was allowed. I started with two mobile radios and two handhelds. This filled the immediate need and I had a good solution.

Thinking that all GMRS radios worked on repeaters I went looking to find a repeater by using the internet. I came across some great resources like www.popularwireless.com and www.mygmrs.com . After reading several articles I discovered that the handhelds I had purchased would not work on repeaters because repeaters used a split frequency (transmit on one frequency and receive on another frequency). I called around to several two way radio dealers and discovered that new equipment had a price tag, however used equipment was available on the internet and at radio dealers at a reasonable cost. I looked and called until I found what I was looking for at a price I was willing to pay. The commercial equipment was programmable and I could change the frequencies with software and a cable as needed. This was an added benefit; especially you vacation in Florida which has more than a dozen repeaters.

My next step was to find a repeater by contacting local ham operators who might know where a repeater was installed. I finally came across a repeater that was in my area. I now have mobile radios in all my vehicles and handhelds for the family members. Best of all the radios have already paid for themselves by lowering our cell phone costs.

My advice to anyone just getting started in GMRS: Do your homework, think about how you will be using the radios, look at the features and contact other GMRS users and repeater owners for advise before buying equipment that will not fit your needs. If you do, you and your family with have a useful and enjoyable means of communications. We now have a community of over 200 users comprised of families all over Georgia and beyond using the 9 repeater network on a daily basis. Please fell free to contact me at johnbedsole@comcast.net or Gary at WQFU865@northgeorgiagmrs.com for help with your GMRS radio questions.

North Georgia GMRS

WE ARE GOING GREEN! ATL-575 Thomaston

New Macon Repeater!

Marine GMRS Are you Missing the Boat?

How to get started in GMRS or rather How the GMRS bug bit me

New Madison Repeater!

WE ARE GOING GREEN!

ATL-575 Thomaston

Marine GMRS
Are you Missing the Boat?