Terms of Service

Last updated: March 16, 2026

1. Acceptance

By using Gearsmen ("GRS" or the "Service"), including the website at gearsmen.app, dashboard, mobile apps, device firmware, APIs, and all related tools, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2. Description of Service

Gearsmen is a communications and mapping platform for amateur radio, LoRa mesh networking, and related technologies. The Service includes:

  • A real-time map with data layers (APRS, Meshtastic, GRS Mesh, ADS-B, AIS, DMR, PSK, TAK, and others)
  • An APRS and Meshtastic gateway that routes messages to SMS, email, Winlink, and other networks
  • GRS Mesh firmware for ESP32-based LoRa devices, including a browser-based firmware flasher
  • A browser-based device simulator and GRSM mode (your browser as a mesh device)
  • Voice rooms (WebRTC audio), GRS Call (mesh-based voice), and FM radio gateway features
  • Organization management with team rosters, operations control, and search-and-rescue tools
  • GX Identity services: GX phone numbers and GX email addresses
  • GRS Skybridge (satellite gateway via Iridium SBD)
  • Developer API, App Store, and third-party integrations
  • RF scanning, beacon transmission, telemetry and alerts, encrypted storage (GRS Vault), and NodeDrop sharing

3. Use of Service

You will use the Service in compliance with applicable law, including FCC rules for amateur radio (Part 97), ISM band regulations, and telecommunications law (TCPA for SMS). You will not:

  • Transmit encrypted content over amateur RF frequencies where prohibited by regulation
  • Use the Service for commercial traffic on amateur frequencies
  • Harass, spam, or abuse other users through any channel (radio, SMS, mesh, voice, or dashboard)
  • Impersonate another person, callsign, or device identity without authorization
  • Attempt to spoof, tamper with, or forge device fingerprints, node IDs, or callsigns
  • Circumvent device security features including stolen device locks, hardware bans, or rate limits
  • Use the Service to conduct unauthorized surveillance or tracking of individuals
  • Reverse engineer, decompile, or extract proprietary firmware, protocols, or algorithms
  • Submit malicious applications to the GRS App Store or distribute harmful firmware
  • Use developer API keys for purposes that violate these Terms or applicable law

4. Authentication & Identity

You may sign up with email and password, with a callsign (where we look up your email from QRZ), or via supported third-party sign-in (e.g. Google). You are responsible for keeping your credentials secure.

Device identities (node IDs, callsigns, and hardware fingerprints) are assigned by the Service and are non-transferable. Browser-based GRSM devices are identified by a device fingerprint derived from your browser and hardware characteristics. This fingerprint is used solely for device identification and is not behavioral tracking.

GX Identity services (GX phone numbers and GX email addresses) are allocated to your account and may be retired or reclaimed if your account is suspended, terminated, or inactive for an extended period.

5. Callsign Linkage & Fraud Prevention

We use QRZ as a source of truth for callsign ownership. To prevent fraud and impersonation, we may automatically correct which account a callsign is linked to - for example, by transferring a callsign to the account whose email matches the email on file for that callsign in QRZ, or by unlinking a callsign when it does not match. Affected users will be notified. If you believe a correction was in error, you may contact support.

6. Devices & Firmware

GRS Mesh firmware is provided for use on compatible ESP32-based hardware. By flashing GRS firmware onto your device:

  • You acknowledge that flashing firmware modifies your device and may void manufacturer warranties
  • You accept responsibility for ensuring your device operates within applicable radio regulations for your region
  • You understand that firmware updates may be delivered over-the-air (OTA) and that you should keep your device updated
  • You agree that device telemetry (battery level, signal strength, GPS position when enabled, crash reports) may be transmitted to the Gearsmen cloud for diagnostics and service improvement

We reserve the right to remotely disable devices that are reported stolen, banned, or found to be used in violation of these Terms.

7. SMS & Communications Compliance

The SMS relay (SMSSender) operates under TCPA requirements:

  • Recipients must opt in by replying START before receiving SMS from the Service
  • Recipients may opt out at any time by replying STOP
  • Rate limits apply equally to all users (cooldown, daily, and monthly caps) - paid tiers do not bypass SMS rate limits
  • You may not use the Service to send unsolicited commercial messages

Voice rooms and GRS Call are internet-based (WebRTC) and mesh-based communications, respectively. You are responsible for the content of your voice communications.

8. Organizations

Organization administrators are responsible for managing their members, permissions, and content within their organization. Organization data (rosters, operations logs, zones, channels) is shared among authorized members per the organization's role-based access settings. Organization administrators may request deletion of organization data. Individual members may request removal of their personal data from an organization.

9. App Store & Developer API

If you develop and submit applications to the GRS App Store:

  • You warrant that your application does not contain malicious code, malware, or hidden functionality
  • You agree to the review process and accept that submissions may be rejected or removed
  • You retain ownership of your application code but grant Gearsmen a license to distribute it through the App Store
  • You are responsible for providing accurate metadata, privacy policies, and support contact information

Developer API keys are personal to your account and may not be shared. We may revoke API keys that are used in violation of these Terms or that generate excessive load on the Service.

10. FCC & Regulatory Compliance

Gearsmen maintains full compliance with FCC Part 97 (amateur radio) and applicable ISM band regulations. We do not sell or prioritize amateur radio communications. All users receive identical APRS and SMS rate limits regardless of subscription tier. Paid subscriptions pay only for cloud software features (dashboard tools, AI queries, map routing) - never for increased radio reach, throughput, or transmission priority. GRS Mesh firmware operates on ISM bands (915 MHz US, 868 MHz EU) in compliance with applicable regulations.

11. Intellectual Property

The Service, including its firmware, algorithms, protocols, user interface designs, documentation, and branding, is the intellectual property of Gearsmen. You may not copy, modify, distribute, reverse engineer, or create derivative works of the Service or its components without written permission. User-generated content (messages, configurations, application submissions) remains the property of the user.

12. Account Suspension & Termination

We may suspend or terminate accounts for violation of these Terms, including but not limited to: abuse of the SMS relay, impersonation, unauthorized device manipulation, submission of malicious applications, or excessive API usage. Upon account termination, your GX phone numbers, GX email addresses, device registrations, and linked identities will be deactivated. You may request an export of your data before termination.

13. Privacy

Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and protect your data. By using the Service, you consent to data practices described in the Privacy Policy.

14. Changes

We may update these Terms. Continued use after changes constitutes acceptance. Material changes will be communicated via email, in-app notice, or dashboard notification.

15. Limitation of Liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, the Service is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Specifically:

  • We do not guarantee uptime, availability, or message delivery for any channel (APRS, SMS, mesh, satellite, voice)
  • The Service is not a substitute for emergency services (911, 112, etc.) - do not rely on it as your sole means of emergency communication
  • Firmware is provided without warranty - we are not liable for device damage, data loss, or regulatory violations resulting from firmware use
  • Map data, weather overlays, and position data are provided for informational purposes and may not be accurate
  • Satellite gateway (Skybridge) availability depends on third-party satellite networks and is not guaranteed

Our liability is limited to the extent permitted by applicable law. In no event shall our aggregate liability exceed the amount paid by you to Gearsmen in the twelve months preceding the claim.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved in the courts of the state in which Gearsmen operates.

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