The following must be followed when using the SWCRS repeater system. While the GMRS spectrum is public domain, the SWCRS repeaters are private property with their own set of regulations. Users of the repeater systems shall follow the regulations set forth by CFR Title 47, Part 95 and enforced by the FCC in addition to the following set forth by the SWCRS:
1. Operating Practices & Courtesies
- Do not cause problems. Respect all users and functions made available to you on the repeater system, and act accordingly. Do not abuse the DTMF functions made available to you, especially those pertaining to emergency alerting.
- Family-friendly language only; if it’s not conversation or language you’d feel comfortable having in front of your or other people’s kids don’t have it on the SWCRS repeaters.
- Identify with your call-sign at the start of the conversation (SWCRS standard practice), and every 15 minutes and at the end of a conversation (FCC regulations), including when using DTMF commands.
- Do not kerchunk without identifying first.
- Don’t transmit over top of someone else’s conversation: request a break when there’s a pause in conversation if you need to get in and get a hold of someone or test something.
- Transmit only your spoken normal and natural voice or control signals. No broadcasting of sound effects or emission of other noisemakers, including roger beeps, music, or TV.
- Disable ANI, MDC, and other forms of PTT-ID unless their use has been authorized by the admin team for access control. In the event that PTT-ID control is active, use the PTT-ID code given in your profile (each user will have a unique code).
- Do not share programming and operational information with anyone other than yourself for any reason. Clear off all SWCRS programming if you sell or get rid of one of your radios.
- Except during an emergency, radio nets and other scheduled on-air gatherings must be authorized by and coordinated with the SWCRS admin team.
- Follow any special instructions or directions given to you by the admin team.
2. Family Use on GMRS Repeaters
Family belonging to a SWCRS XAP member may use any of the SWCRS GMRS repeaters with the same privileges and restrictions as that member, pursuant to the FCC’s rules for family usage by a GMRS licensee (family members must be authorized to use the license by the licensee). There are no restrictions on age imposed by the SWCRS (kids are welcome); so long as both the SWCRS’ and FCC’s rules are followed by all family members.
If letting your young ones use the system, we recommend taking the time to explain to them how to use the radio, what’s OK to talk about, what’s best to keep private (since anyone can listen), and making sure they have a general understanding of the operating practices.
The XAP member / primary licensee remains responsible for all family members using their license at all times.
3. Amateur Club Station Callsign Use
Individuals who have a GMRS license AND an Amateur Radio license AND are members of the SWCRS XAP in good standing may utilize the club’s callsign to call for other operators on amateur frequencies, by calling for stations using N7GMR / [station number]. Where station number is given, give the ending numbers of the intended GMRS callsign – for example: If I know WRCU527 is also an amateur radio operator, but don’t know their amateur callsign, one could call as follows:
“N7GMR stroke 527 this is K6DSA.”
Once contact is established, members are to use their personal amateur callsigns and disuse the club’s callsign unless explicitly authorized by the callsign trustee.
Stations wishing to operate a special station under the club’s callsign must send an email to, coordinate with, and have approval from the club station trustee: David Adriaanse, WQVS960 / K6DSA – wqvs960@swcrs.org
Use of the SWCRS Amateur Radio Club Callsign does not grant any additional operating privileges above those of the control operator; if you are a technician class amateur license holder, you will still have technician privileges. If you do not hold an amateur radio license personally, you still will not have amateur operating privileges. The club station callsign is just an identification for members to operate under when they also have an amateur license themselves, and are conducting operations in the interest of the group.
4. Mailing List
Upon registering as an XAP member, the SWCRS will register your email address on our mailing list. We only use this to send out pertinent information and alerts regarding the repeater system. We do not and will not sell your information to 3rd parties, however we do use 3rd party services to manage the mailing list for us. You are welcome to unsubscribe from the mailing list at anytime should you wish not to receive our email correspondence.
Transactional emails (status emails originating from this website, such as password resets, and other alerts) are managed directly by the SWCRS – you will always receive these, but these are only triggered by your interactions with the website.
5. Non-Member User Class
Enrolled users of the SWCRS Extended Access Program (“XAP”) posses an informal user class. Enrollment carries no share of the organization, nor does it come with voting rights or other directive privileges capable of directing the Tucson GMRS Association, nor its business as the Southwest Community Radio System. Direction and management of the organization is held solely by the organization’s Board of Directors and its Officers.