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Can’t you download the CPS even though you don’t have the radio so you can see what you think?

Not sure what the system is. Everything I've been listening to has been in the 150-155Mhz range so far. It's been very clear and has amazing range 15-30 miles I've heard it. They just built a new police station and have been moving in. I hear them doing lots of radio checks and sending out the EMS and Fire tones. I've noticed that some of the communications have gotten weaker and have hiss and scratchiness to them when it use to be nearly perfect other than HT inside buildings. Recently the traffic is down from what I'm used to and the wife isn't to happy about that as she enjoys listening to the chatter. Like to keep the little lady happy and keep receiving the communications. I believe the old system was 3 transmitters on a single tower but that's just a guess. The new system on top of the new building has multiple antennas that I haven't gotten a good look at yet. All in a row, maybe 8 of them with a short (24"?) blue dipole on top. Haven't noticed if they have a folded dipole on them or not.

I am very familiar with Baofeng DMR CPS programming and how OpenGD77 (only available in a “limited” number of DMR radios) improves upon that experience. I have no experience with either Hytera or Harris DMR CPS software. Since you express so much enthusiasm about these Hytera and Harris programming benefits, that you say are now being utilized by Baofeng in the DM-32, I was hoping you would share those benefits with us. You assert that the “new” Baofeng DMR CPS software is a game changer on the DM-32 and I am trying to access whether another $75 purchase for this game changer is worth it.

You need to check the reception with the Ditch Light activated to see if the LEDs will interfere with your signal.

After the controller receives a valid / assigned ID for the unit transmitting (P25, LMR or conventional 800/900 trunking) - It allows the received transmission to be sent to the next available repeater for re-transmission, in that assigned talk group. One station (except UHF LMR) is commonly used as a control channel / station to continually communicate with all valid units for use in the system. P25 systems also evaluate the signal strength & may move the received transmission to a different tower location in the system, still in the same talk group for re-transmission.

WOW, I think your muffing got burned in the oven...

Are you familiar with either Hytera or Harris CPS? I'm refereeing to the layout and flow of Baofeng CPS being very very similar. The menu tree, function settings, Zones, Talk Groups, Digital Contact etc. is very similar to Hytera or Harris, even the radio settings. It's a very simple layout, I would suggest downloading the free Baofeng DMR CPS and give it a whirl in programming. If you need help, i'm happy to assist.

The antenna mount doesn't look right. Those teeth should be smack into the steel bracket. Can you get a better picture of your mount assembly ?

Sorta yes. In a P25 MSI system you would have 1 control channel that is alwasy control. Then the remainder of the system is available for voice traffic. However depending on the system channel capacity this gets challenging. For a 6 channel TLMR system you could have 3 channels set for control channels, 1 channel for BSI witch leaves 2 that are first used for voice or data calls. In reality you have 5 channels for use but it is managed to use certain channels before others. Now DMR is different but most P25 stuff is similar.

So frequency hopping to boot?

No, Heliax isn't very flexible. It's intended for fixed antenna connections. You could do two runs, one outside. one inside./

That's correct. Trunked systems pick an unused channel for each transmission. A conversation can have multiple transmissions. l

Just curious at what they are. I've been using my radio to listen to the local police, fire and EMS frequencies that I've gotten off the interwebby and just recently they put in a new police station and the calls on the radio have decreased. I see most the other towns are using a trunked system. Not sure if I understand what it is. Is it where they have a pool of frequencies and when there is a communication need the trunked system picks out a frequency for the system to use that isn't currently busy? If they had 10 different frequencies usually lets say the first 3 are normally used but when they are in use the system will send it out on an unused frequency? I'm sure the receiving radios are setup to receive the communication from whatever frequency likely designated by some tone or digital system. So if I wanted to listen and get all of the communications do I have to find out what all the trunked frequencies are and then scan all of them? Or is this just way off base?

Is 1/2" Heliax very flexible? I'm considering putting an antenna on the roof, but may need to move it inside for the weekly hurricane, so it will get moved around.

Just curious: what specific Hytera and Harris CPS programming features improve Baofeng DMR programming?

Times MW LMR400, or better yet 1/2" Heliax. If you are just doing 50' then the LMR should suffice. Eventually I'll have a 100' run and use the Heliax.

I've been assured that 200 miles is easily achievable.

Thanks guys. I will order the one LeoG posted.

I think you spelled "Part 95" wrong. Part 90 rules do NOT apply to GMRS, any more than Part 97 rules do (or vice-versa). Part 95 has its own definition section (95.303) where we find: Base station. A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations. Control station. A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations. Mobile station. A station, intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified locations, that communicates directly with base stations and other mobile stations, and with control stations and other mobile stations through repeater stations. So as defined by Part 95 (which covers GMRS), if you have a radio at home connected to a power supply and antenna on your roof and are talking simplex to either a mobile (which includes HT) radio or to another 'fixed' installation, that's considered a base station. If you are using that same radio to talk through a repeater, that's a control station. The fact that some think those definitions are "dumb", or don't make sense is not relevant, nor is what Part 90 might say since Part 90 doesn't apply to GMRS. Not sure how this relates to the horrible suffering of those who must bear the burden of hearing people use their callsigns, but whatever.

Get some coax by known vendors. Time-Microwave, Belden, and some even sell their own from various radio stores. Get a minimum of 1/2.

It might be true but none of it really means much. I wouldn’t use it. Edited: I searched for 50-3 cable and found one on Amazon that appears to be the same cable. The part you neglected to copy and paste is the cable designation: RG-58. 15 meters of that on GMRS is worse than worthless. It basically converts your RF into heat. As Leo said, buy good quality cable from a place that sells radios. Order the necessary length fully made from DX Engineering or some other radio dealer and don’t buy cheap.

The 50-3 Pure Copper Coaxial Extender Cable says it's " It is extendable that boosts the signal of your repeater significantly Super Gainer Low Loss Coaxial Cable Suitable for Retevis RT97 repeater Material: pure copper Impedance: 50Ω Return loss: VHF≥20dB UHF≥15dB Connector plug: SL16 Cable diameter: 5mm / 0.2inch Cable Length: 15 meter Weight: 660g" So Is this good or true? Or should I go and spend more cash and get the Browning BR-400 Low Loss RF Coax Cable?

don't know, but a good way to check into that would be via the groups on this site.. I believe the last i check it did see some Atlanta groups over there.. Ha ha. I almost ardently typed Antifa Groups.. Just kidding

I'm new to the community and wanted to know are there any active groups meeting in person to teach radio operation?

47 CFR 90.7 Base station. A station at a specified site authorized to communicate with mobile stations. Mobile relay station. A base station in the mobile service authorized to retransmit automatically on a mobile service frequency communications which originate on the transmitting frequency of the mobile station. Mobile repeater station. A mobile station authorized to retransmit automatically on a mobile service frequency, communications to or from hand-carried transmitters. Mobile service. A service of radiocommunication between mobile and base stations, or between mobile stations. Mobile station. A station in the mobile service intended to be used while in motion or during halts at unspecified points. This includes hand carried transmitters. And yes, GMRS is covered by this section of the rules. Home based stations are not licensed to operate from their home location only.