Leaderboard

Austin: I am very new to GMRS myself and have yet to learn some things I am sure. However, there are some learned men on this forum and I am sure you will get the right answer. Beside that... even though I am new, I have the Midland MXT275 in my vehicle which is the same radio as yours but the control is in the microphone head. Same power, 15 watts and all that. Being new myself.... I had to go over and over and over my input numbers for the Repeaters and did so. The only MISTAKE I originally made was in the lower 15 thru 22 (simplex) channels I also put the HZ or Tone number... which is "20" in your case. Thinking I had to do that to "receive" or "hear" the repeater: wrong. After I removed the "tone number" from my lower simplex 15-22, channels bingo! Make sure you didn't do that. You only have to put the "20" in the upper Repeater 15-22 (or just for the Repeater you want to hit). Your Midland radio is designed to do the rest. I am using the Midland MXT whip style 6DB gain. Great antenna. I hit a repeater approximately 40 miles away and it was loud and clear. But note I am in Florida and there are no or very minimum hills. The low profile Midland antenna you are using... I believe... is 3DB gain and not 6DB gain. I say that, because I didn't see the Midland low profile in 6DB gain. I just ordered one as I am going to set up a base station in my office on the 2nd floor of my Townhouse and put that mag mount antenna on a 15 inch round pizza tin near by picutre window. I am still deciding whether to purchase the 40 watt Midland model or the MXT115. Probably will go with the MXT115. One other thing to note. I have found on the Repeater channel I can go DAYS without hearing anyone else or even getting a "radio check' and I am in a very populated area, just north of West Palm Beach. LISTEN FOR THE REPEATER TO IDENTIFY ITSELF EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE: you will know ya got it right. Well... sorry to carry on so much but maybe I was able to help with my shot in the dark! Love to hear how you make out.

I know the pain. I've driven my RX7 to Poughkeepsie, NY without working cruise control for the OCC car meet (8hrs). Back on topic

Yep.. I used to go to Thompson Raceway Park every year for a drag race called the Buckeye Brawl. Takes about 5.5-6.5 hours to get there depending on traffic and weather. Nothing like driving a 10" pro-street race car 800 miles round trip.

Fair enough. I'm an engineer as well, spending my days in front of a CAD station. I must say, DMR does have its benefits outside of analog radio, but being that its too related to your work, it might be annoying. For me it's enough of a step sideways from my work, its a fun challenge (not really a challenge). I agree F2F is preferred, and I don't think you and I are too far apart, however, I'm currently not traveling, for various reasons.