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Hi gang! I'm super new to two way radios and GMRS, so please be kind...I'm trying to configure my Midland GXT3000 radio to connect to a repeater that has following requirements: Receive Tone: DCS 053N Transmit Tone: DCS 455N 1st question: Does "N" above mean likely mean "Narrow"? The GXT3000 manual has a DCS PRIVACY CODE CHART which lists number 101 as code 455. But I don't see a number in the chart for code 053. 2nd question: Does "code" in the GXT3000 chart mean "tone" on the repeater? 3nd question: Can I configure the GXT3000 to receive using DCS 053 if that is not listed in the chart, or am I out of luck? Thanks.

After doing much research on the web, it seems that these Maxon units are known to blow their output power transistors when you use them at 40w, their advertised limit, and take the pcb with them. If you have a Bridgecom repeater, it would be wise to keep the power under 20w. Bridgecom modifies the internal software in them so it's not a straight swap. If you send a Maxon together with the repeater to Bridgecom, they will modify the radio and install it for you at $120/hr. Finding a new Maxon is not an option, using one from eBay is a bit dicey considering their reputation for blowing transistors.

They use the 8000 series radios 8402 i believe. You can order the complete Maxon Service Manual for all Maxon radios on CD for $30 last i saw a year ago on RFWiz.com. I have read on Repeater Builder that Brifgecomm uses the actual 8402 boards so the xtmtr board should be the same.. I would get hold of a service manual to see if they are using two boards, may be one board with both XTMT/REC on one and they are using two to complete a repeater.

Bridgecom software is different (slightly) but Maxons software will still make changes.

I've not ever seen this movie, so I'm glad to know I don't know what you're talking about for once!

Some have suggested, “get FRS off channels 15-22.” Hell, I think that FRS should only have 5-7 channels. Eight at most. The idea behind FRS is for people to have radios to BS on. They even sell radios for kids that are on the FRS channels. While more serious services, such as MURS, only has 5 channels. Makes no sense to me. Hell, I would send the FRS crowd over to the CBRS and get them completely off GMRS. CBRS has always been about BSing around. Anyone old enough to have used CB radios back in the 70’s or 80’s knows this. CBRS is perfect for the FRS crowd with their low power radios. Am I right or am I right? And here is one idea that will probably rub some the wrong way. I would require some testing to get a GMRS license. Yes I know that that would defeat the purpose of the FCC’s vision of GMRS. I am NOT talking testing to the extend for a HAM license. Just very basic understanding of the service. E.i. I know many people who have a GMRS license but have no idea what a repeater is or how to use it. They don’t know anything about CTCSS / DCS codes. And then they wonder why they get so much “interference.” All they know is how to get their radios out of the box when they get them from Amazon, turn them on, and press the “button” to start “talking.” Haha! OK, here comes the lynching — “what, testing, are you crazy!”

You're right, apparently Bridgecom has non-standard software in the radios. Can't find any new Maxons anyway, only available used on eBay.

Could FM CB supplant FRS? I wouldn't really say that FM CB supplant FRS, because each radio service has its own characteristics. Traditionally CB was either straight 4 watts AM or 12 watts SSB, which is good for travelling over the road. Now, since the FCC approved FM on CB, I can only imagine the range varies as it has on AM. FRS not GMRS, but FRS simplex only depending on what channel you're using will determine the range. You may get up to 1 to 8 miles with a handheld or walkie talkie using channels 1 through 7 and 15 through 22. Of course, using a mobile would extend that ranger further. However, since channels 8 through 14 aren't available on mobiles, I wouldn't expect more than 3.5 miles on channels 8 through 14 I tried to stay focus on the topic and if it seems that I strayed, I sincere apologize for sounding like the know it Kid from Polar Express.

Gmrs 460mhz antennas don’t need to be grounded however most will be ground plane antennas. And in this case no good ground plane exists. A mag mount won’t work and it’s going to be hard to get access under the roof for an nmo mount. You’re gonna have to go with a no ground plane and an articulating lip mount. A Rear fender might be the best spot.

Oh please people, just relax! Let them give it to us and then we worry about what we do. I am sorry, may be I am the only one with the body of an adult (a sexy one, if you must know, ), but the wonder of a child. They haven’t given them to us and I am already thinking about all the possibilities. Like a child about to get a new toy. Even though, I am sure that the FCC in their infinite wisdom will ruin it but coming up with some crazy restrictive regulations. Our government doesn’t like it when we have too much fun and freedom. Oh well, sometime is better than nothing.

Yeah, we have had that happen around here a few times when a new machine was stood up. It sounds weird when its understandable.

I'd contact Maxon for guidance as the connection between the units may not be standard in their standalone units. "

You will still get some interference from the other repeater in overlap areas due to the phasing of the signals. Overall, it will work with the same frequency/tones.

You got it!

I'm looking for an antenna that is pretty much waterproof as it will be submerged at times. Possibly a Laird Phantom antenna will work? The surface area and curvature of the roof should give ample ground plane and have an optimal takeoff angle. It will need to withstand impacts from underwater obstacles. When on land, grounding shouldn't be an issue as there will be four grounding points, plus one auxiliary ground.

Part of the problem with aluminum wiring in homes was an issue with dissimilar metals and how they expand and contract at different temperatures. Special outlets were used with aluminum screws but if the wrong outlet was used which typicaly had brass srews or copper wires joined with the aluminum and a joint compound (antioxidant, aka Noalox) wasn't used then arcing and oxidation would occur and it's all down hill once the arcing starts. Later people started using stab style connections on new outlets and these are a recipe for disaster. Larger feeders isn't an issue when wire is prepared properly and isn't as prone to outside movement like an outlet in a home that gets plugged into and out of constantly or your DIY people installing things incorrectly. Back in the day electricians would put noalox into wire nuts and use this for splicing. Then some manufacture saw this and made wire nuts with the compound pre installed and got UL listing and a patent. Damn why didn't I do that moment . More info than anyone wanted I'm sure. Anyway it does not hurt to put a thin layer of Noalox when connecting aluminum to another metal. You don't need a lot.

I just got currious about anti-seize and pulled mine out of the cabinet to read. It's a copper base antisize recommend for electrical connections. I wonder if Comet recommends a copper base anti-seize to enhance the electrical connection with their antennas?

Yea, i have as well.. Water and moisture surelty contribute to the corrosion factor. About 10 years ago i restored a 1970 Yamaha 250 Enduro Motorcycle. It sat in my dads back yard for over 30 years. Many of the steel bolt used for the aluminum casing were seized with some destroying the threaded casing. The bolts that were steel to steel cam out with ease.

Once upon a time aluminum was used for house wiring but there were fires in some places. It’s a little trickier to work with aluminum because aluminum oxidizes very quickly and aluminum oxide is a pretty good insulator. We still use aluminum for utility conductors but with quite a bit of extra training to do it right when joining copper and aluminum. Gil @WRUU653 would be much more likely to understand the process than me. But that’s at DC and and 60 hz. RF travels through molecular thin oxide layers pretty well and I agree with you that stainless steel and aluminum don’t appear to bother Comet.

Wouxun in the title...seems to be a trigger for him, was guaranteed a negative response from him.

Depends on the coverage area of both repeaters. If they overlap, you will have interference when both are transmitting at the same time. Having different squelch tones is not the same thing as having different frequencies. My suggestion - Set the second repeater at a different frequency to avoid potential problems.

If the tones are the same, both repeaters would come up and 'repeat' your transmission at the same time. No loop could be created. If you set it to different tones, then the only issue to watch for is mistakenly causing interference. The users of each repeater would probably need to just transmitting a tone, but not using tone squelch. This way they can tell if the frequency is in use. Either that or they would need to 'monitor before transmit' if they have a monitor button on their radio.

So tone is TX. And tone Squelch is TX and RX?

Won't anyone listening on that frequency with no tone set, hear ?

Can two repeaters with same input and output frequencies but with different transmit and receive tones for each repeater work without creating a feedback loop or some other problem? Our situation is we have two repeaters, one is in operation now. It does not cover a critical location in a mountainous area. We have a second repeater set-up that is identical in frequency and tones. If the second repeater's tones were changed to be different from the first repeater could they operate in close proximity (10 miles) with out creating a problem? Anyone out there with similar experience?