GMRS · Tennessee

GMRS in Tennessee

GMRS is the fastest way for Tennessee families to get legal UHF voice with repeater range — no ham exam, but still an FCC license and a programming plan. This page collects Tennessee-specific starting points on KI4TQN.

Free GMRS card GMRS channels First week GMRS
License

Get legal before you key up

  1. Apply at FCC ULS — one license covers your household operating under your supervision.
  2. Download the free GMRS reference card — channels, watt limits, and repeater basics on one printable page.
  3. Follow your first week on GMRS for a day-by-day checklist.
East TN

Repeaters & nets

Northeast Tennessee — Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, Erwin / Unicoi County, and the I-26 corridor — benefits from NETNRC (netrc423.org) linked GMRS infrastructure for ridge-to-ridge coverage and SKYWARN District 7 training.

SKYWARN GMRS netTuesday 7:00 PM local · NETNRC linked GMRS (PL 88.5)
NETNRC GMRS weeklyWednesday 8:00 PM · linked 462.600–462.725 PL 88.5 per netrc423.org
Johnson City node462.600 / 467.600 PL 88.5 — confirm on-air before relying on it

Full repeater tables: East TN frequency guide · netrc423.org · GMRS programming · emcomm hub

Statewide context

GMRS beyond the Tri-Cities

Tennessee GMRS operators also use myGMRS.com for repeater coordination listings statewide. KI4TQN focuses on verified East TN data — export the CHIRP CSV when you travel and add local pairs manually.

For neighboring wide-area machines (mostly amateur, useful for travel planning alongside GMRS), see Regional Neighbor Repeaters.

Pair GMRS with a PACE plan: primary cell, alternate GMRS, contingency Meshtastic text, emergency NOAA weather radio.

FAQ

Common questions

Do I need a license for GMRS in Tennessee?

Yes. GMRS requires an FCC license nationwide, including Tennessee. Apply at FCC ULS ($35, no exam). Family members may operate under the licensee per Part 95 rules.

What GMRS repeaters cover East Tennessee?

NETNRC maintains linked GMRS repeaters across northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia. Example: 462.600 / 467.600 PL 88.5 in the Johnson City area. See local.php and the GMRS channels tool for the full list.

Is there a GMRS SKYWARN net in East TN?

District 7 SKYWARN runs a GMRS training net Tuesday 7:00 PM local on NETNRC linked GMRS repeaters. Ham training net follows Tuesday 8:00 PM on 146.805 MHz PL 203.5.

GMRS programming checklist · MURS channels · Studying for ham too?