Rules note: You need an FCC license to transmit on GMRS (47 CFR 95.1705). Use only FCC-certified GMRS radios, and stay within the power and channel limits for your station type. This is general information, not legal advice. The eCFR text of Part 95 Subpart E is the authority.
GMRS repeaters are often paid for by one person and used by many. The rules allow that, and they also allow a group of licensees to share a station’s cost, but only on specific terms. This page covers what 47 CFR 95.1705 says about cooperative use and the owner’s rights. For how repeaters work, see GMRS repeaters explained.
On this page
Two different things: using a repeater vs sharing a station
- Use (benefit from): a licensee “may allow any person to use … its GMRS repeater, or alternatively, may limit the use of its GMRS repeater to specific persons” (95.1705(d)(2)). The owner may also bar specific people as needed to meet its responsibilities (95.1705(d)(3)).
- Cooperative use (sharing the station): licensees “may share the use of their stations with other persons eligible in the GMRS,” subject to conditions (95.1705(f)).
Each person who transmits needs their own license, or must be operating under a licensee’s authority as immediate family (95.1705(c)(2)) or sending an emergency message (95.1705(c)(3)). Users identify with their own call sign; see call sign identification.
Conditions for cooperative use (95.1705(f))
| Condition | Rule text |
|---|---|
| Ownership | The station must be owned or leased by the licensee, or jointly by the participants and the licensee (f)(1) |
| Control | “The licensee must maintain access to and control over all stations authorized under its license” (f)(2) |
| Money | Shared only without charge; on a non-profit basis with costs “prorated equitably among all participants”; or on a reciprocal basis (f)(3) |
| Paperwork | “All sharing arrangements must be conducted in accordance with a written agreement to be kept as part of the station records” (f)(4) |
So a club of licensees can chip in for a repeater, a duplexer and site rent, as long as nobody profits and the split is fair. A repeater owner can’t sell access for profit.
What to put in a written agreement
The rule requires a written agreement but doesn’t prescribe its contents. A practical agreement covers:
- Who the licensee is, by name and call sign, and that they keep access and control (95.1705(f)(2)).
- Participants, by name and call sign.
- Which model applies: no-charge, non-profit cost sharing or reciprocal.
- What costs are shared (equipment, site rent, power, insurance) and how they’re prorated.
- Operating rules: tones, time-outs, priority for emergencies (95.1731(a)).
- How a participant leaves or is removed (95.1705(d)(3)).
- Signatures and dates.
Records and inspections
The written sharing agreement is part of the station records. If an FCC representative asks to inspect the station, the operator must make the station and its records available, including “any written agreement regarding sharing arrangements” (95.1723).
The owner’s other responsibilities
- Responsible at all times for proper operation (95.1705(b)).
- Automatic and remote control are allowed for repeaters (95.1745, 95.1747).
- No internet linking to carry conversations; network connections are for remote control only (95.1749, FCC GMRS page).
- Identification: a repeater needn’t send its own ID if it only retransmits stations under its own license that identify properly (95.1751(c)). On a shared repeater, plan for ID.
- Power and channels: repeaters may transmit up to 50 W on the 462/467 MHz main channels (95.1767(a)(1)).
FAQ
Can I charge people to use my repeater? Not for profit. Sharing must be free, non-profit with costs prorated fairly, or reciprocal (95.1705(f)(3)).
Do casual users need to sign the agreement? The written agreement covers sharing arrangements under 95.1705(f). Simply allowing others to use (benefit from) your repeater falls under 95.1705(d)(2).
Can a non-licensee transmit through a shared repeater? Only as an immediate family member of a licensee (95.1705(c)(2)) or to send an emergency message (95.1705(c)(3)).
Sources: 47 CFR 95.1705, 95.1723, 95.1731, 95.1745, 95.1747, 95.1749, 95.1751, 95.1767; FCC GMRS page. Checked October 13, 2026.