All Activity

I realize that I am sliding down this radio rabbit hole. I cobbled together a 'repeater' with 2 GMRS50-V2's (BTech). I attempted to use a Surecom SR628 plugged into each ones K1 adapters. That didn't work. I looked at the rj45 schematics and saw that the pin2, for data, doesn't even go to the k1 side of the adapter. OK, line from external speaker jack(no data on that plug) on receive radio to K1 on transmit radio and put that one on VOX. It operates but it doesn't sound good (of course I do not have a second person to help test it so I used an HT with ear piece and my vehicle mobile rig to test at about 150' from the antenna). The BTech has an option for 'forward rep' or something like that but describes being used with 2 radios in X band. I have a feeling X band is something i am ignorant to. previous sentence sets up this thought, could I plug in a RJ45 jumper to both? Not really confident in that one. SOO, I googled some stuff with an idea. Will K1RFD Echostation work as a repeater controller with my PC and the two radios plugged into it with the programing cables (RJ45-USB). I totally spiraling towards getting a legit repeater but I am working and learning with what I have. OR anyone able to set up two Radioddy DB 40g's as repeaters? and how?

Outta curiosity or gaps in my education, Duplexer or no. I'm guessing the RF's occupying the same antenna would still be a problem. If a duplexer is used, would it have to be purpose built or just tuned?

Outta curiosity or gaps in my education, Duplexer or no. I'm guessing the RF's occupying the same antenna would still be a problem. If a duplexer is used, would it have to be purpose built or just tuned?

"I used the PFM" love that sh&$!

(thinking, Is he talking about me?) LMAO

When it comes to radio electronics nothing is impossible as long as you have the funds and the know how. It is really basically manipulating electrons and passing audio from one device to another device. Crossbanding in-band and out-of-band multiple radio devices can be accomplished in several ways, audio tie with a logic controller, voting comparator using COR, console patch, or an interoperability gateway. I've designed several crossband package configurations back in the 70s, 80s, and early 90s and some of them have been written up in various trade magazines. Back in the early 80s, I designed an airborne repeater package using a GE Porta-Mobile II Low-Band Radio and a GE MPD Portable with a Sweet Electronics Logic Controller and put it in an Airplane so two vehicles (car on a VHF Highband Channel and a motorcycle on a Lowband VHF) can directly communicate over 15-20 miles apart in hilly terrain while in motion traveling across the State for a special event. "Some People" not in the know couldn't figure how in the hell I was able to make a Lowband radio talk directly to a Highband radio. My answer to them was "I used the "PFM" technology method. I truly missed those days creating solutions like this to make the impossible possible.

We transmitted into dummy loads as part of a test of our emergency communications trailer. So unless someone was really close to the trailer, no one heard us when transmitting into a dummy load.

Should work for me, I'm in AA near BWI.

You mean you heard from a friend how they did that. Be careful, you don't want to go to radio jail where they desense you and you have to constantly remind them that you do use your call sign....

COSTCO in Avondale, AZ uses it but I've never tuned in to see if I could hear anything. I plan on using Blue Dot or Green Dot when I'm Out and About to keep in touch with friends who have radios since they'll probably be less traffic on it then on GMRS.

Yes it will work. The issue is that the FCC doesn't allow cross band repeating or linking different services. While your GMRS call sign gives you privileges on GMRS channels they don't give you privileges on the amateur bands. And an amateur license does not give you privileges on GMRS. It doesn't matter if you have both licenses or not. We tested some dual band amateur mobile radios with cross band repeat that were MARS Modded and yes you can cross band from GRMS to 2m. I don't suggest doing it though. You will get the attention of the sad hams and sad GMRS curmudgeons really quick by doing this. And again not permissible by the FCC.

Central Maryland (Howard County more than likely) would probably be best for most. If we do future meetups, we could move around.

We'd love to have you! I know you've organized the NOVA meetups.

How'dy folks, Based on another topic regarding using GMRS and Ham on the same radio, I think it was my question about what my UV-5RM was. Preface: Assuming use case is moot or whatever Assuming I have the correct antennas Assuming I have two radios from the same manufacturer Assuming one has both licenses Questions: 1)Can one set up a repeater to RX GMRS and then TX to HAM or vise versa? 2)Would one use a duplexer? 3)Could a duplexer be tuned to two totally different bands? 4) Based on discussion on the UV-5RM would the freakshow over seeing us have a problem with that type of repeater? Asking for a friend...

When you are lost/stuck in the middle of nowhere and trying to get help, knowing your coordinates can be very helpful.

I don't get the benefit of GPS on a HT if it just gives you lat/long type data. I need a map to see where I am or going to. (I used to have stand alone GPS device that worked well, mostly.)

Nice, I'm glad you found a solution. I'm too cheap to pay for software, that's why I run MX Linux on my old AIO computer, LOL. The UV 17(R,H,?,whatever it is)Pro GPS seems to work ok with the Modified Software you can download for it. I just wish I could put different Zones on the A and B channel but I guess the BF F8HP Pro(with GPS) is the model you'd need to do that. It's $70, The 17 Pro was only $33 so about half the price and the GPS actually works too. So far(knock on wood) I've not had any bleed over of channels from the Zones with the 1.07 Firmware. Maybe they've fixed it. I know the 1.03 is newer but I don't want to chance bricking the radio so I'll run what came on it.

I went ahead and bought the AR-5RH Pro GPS and indeed the Baofeng software won't read it. However, the RT Systems software works just fine with it.

Getting twice the distance through the pasture compared to the woods tells part of the story. Southern pines are easily 50' tall.

7.2dBi and the pattern is just fine. The antenna has an 11º output and my declination is in the 10ths of a degree. I have no issues with the house antenna, just the HT which falls below LOS in lots of places. We shall find out when I raise the antenna and put an even higher gain up there.

Agreed that the duplexer is maxed out. I am really shocked. I also agree on the antenna issue as well. @LeoG, I know you mentioned it, but I don't remember what gain your antenna has. Gain between zero and 3dB would be in order for local comms or wildly varying terrain. 6dB or more is good for relatively flat areas and if you are trying to get the most range out of it.

Interesting results, pretty maxed out for a "mobile" duplexer. As for your coverage, I have to wonder if your antenna is mismatched for priority coverage. It's not uncommon to go for higher gain, then shooting your RF pattern over your intended close coverage. This isn't an uncommon problem. No doubts that neighbor's household items and the vegetation can be part of the issue, but unless its all pine, I have my doubts that it is the next biggest issue you have to correct/improve.

The Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club, Inc. is pleased to announce the activation of a new GMRS repeater located on Wopsononock Mountain at an elevation of 2,500 feet. Repeater Details: Frequency: 462.675 MHz PL Tone: 123.0 Hz Location: Wopsononock Mountain (2,500 ft elevation) We invite all licensed GMRS users to give it a workout! Your feedback will help us evaluate its range and performance. Please Report Back: Send your location and signal report to help us gauge coverage in the region. Learn more at: horseshoeradio.com (GMRS page coming soon!) Thank you for your support and enjoy the airwaves! — Horseshoe Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (W3SO) “Stronger Signals, Greater Reach”

I'd likely go. What area?

The 675 Winslow repeater is on the air and working great, there is also a brand new repeater in Lincoln on Ch-22 462.725 with the travelers tone 141.3