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All of us make mistakes. It’s how we react when we learn about them that people remember. Don’t get down on yourself. For the most part you’re amongst friends.

This place just never stops giving...

Lol 2 meters actually, which means the antenna was a little short. I could have got at least 50 yards further on GMRS. Maybe even to the end of the street. Line of sight of course.

The spacing numbers are correct. Channels are 25 kHz wide, but the modulation deviation is 20 kHz leaving a 2.5 kHz guard band to prevent bleed over on adjacent channels.

Not bad for Bluetooth. Oh, wait, you were on GMRS weren't you?

One more line of sight tool for you @cavelamb, map and terrain tool. https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/

I've been using https://www.everythingrf.com/rf-calculators/line-of-sight-calculator but, while the input can be feet or meters, the results seem to only be km. 60 miles requires a very tall antenna tower for LoS (Presuming you are on a Florida beach at sea level, a 1000ft tower only gets you 60km : ~37 miles [I'm ignoring radio horizon which tends to bend over the line of sight by a small amount]). Now, if you are standing on the top of a 1000ft skyscraper, and the target is also on such a skyscraper, you each have a 37 mile line of sight to the horizon for a 74 mile communication range.

It depends on your terrain and how your signal is affected by the ground you’re on. Distance to horizon can be calculated here: http://www.ringbell.co.uk/info/hdist.htm Generally speaking the distance between two antennas that can just barely see each other at a particular height will be twice the distance to the horizon.

The two mobile rigs will work okay, but have to set up the mag mount properly. Since it is a 5/8λ antenna it will need a ground plane at least 1/4 the diameter of the wavelength. So 64cm (wavelength) / 4 = 16cm (6.3") in all directions from where the antenna is placed. Usually dropping it in the center of a 16" pizza pan will work. Keep it away from walls, especially if you have aluminum siding. Better case would be to get the antenna outside, even if slapped on an AC unit. Best would be an actual base station antenna (UHF commercial) at least 20-30' up, with quality low-loss coax (i.e. LMR400 or LMR400UF). As an example I am using a Browning BR-6155 base antenna, that has its base about 24' AGL, fed by 50' of LMR400, and driven by only 15w. I can talk on repeaters over 60 miles away, on low power (about 5w). Also, it is possible no one is being chatty on that repeater tonight. I'd program a few more into your rigs, say out to the 50 or 60 mile mark. You might be able to hear or use the "Temple Canyon Ridge" to the south, or the Nash Forreston to the north.

Great job! That’s right; each level builds on the previous one so by the time you have studied for the extra you understand the previous two pretty well, especially if you do it the way you did, by studying to understand instead of memorizing. Again, congratulations on your achievement!

Is this making anyone else hungry?

Welcome to the forum! My thoughts are that per FCC rules, GMRS channels 1-7 are limited to 5W, so this would explain whey they are not transmitting at high (50W) power - like all "GMRS" radios manufactured after 2017. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service

I agree with most of your post with this exception, 8-14 would not be permitted on a mobile regardless of wattage or antenna gain. “467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5625, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.”

thank you both

Below is some additional text that I did not post from the Colorado SAR Groups (CSAR) lengthy announcement: “In the event of a backcountry emergency: ■ If the subject or party member has an FRS radio, they may describe the nature of the emergency and ask for help from anyone else listening; other recreationists in the area may be able to call 911 or respond to the subject’s aid themselves. ■ Once responders are notified and en route, unless the local sheriff’s office or Backcountry SAR team advises otherwise, CSAR recommends all parties switch to Channel 3.0. Responders may try to contact subjects on this channel, although be aware not all Backcountry SAR teams have FRS radios nor do they monitor Channel 3.0. ■ Responders to a backcountry emergency may ask folks using Channel 3.0, but not involved with this incident, to kindly move to another channel. Please note, Wyoming has the “Be 307 Aware” program, designated after the Wyoming area code. CSAR is going with the simpler Channel 3.0. From our experience, some users of FRS radios may not invest the time to understand the intricacies of their radio. On some radios, setting up Channel 3.0 can be done in advance and users can then be taught simply to go to Channel 3.0 during an emergency. CONCLUSION Having direct communications with rescue subjects can be crucial during emergencies. Although SAR teams do not actively monitor any FRS channel, establishing a common go-to channel when SAR has been activated by other means and are en route can greatly aid rescue operations and ultimately help save lives. CSAR is designating Channel 3.0 as the default FRS option during Backcountry SAR emergencies.” *** NOTE: There are many manufacturers of FRS/GMRS radios, some with more channe

So I believe you are hearing the Crete 600. From Valpo you will probably need a good mobile to make it into it but a base station should have no problem. Here's a link to ask for permission https://mygmrs.com/repeater/6001 Also checkout the Valpo1 and the Laporte repeaters https://mygmrs.com/repeater/2685 https://mygmrs.com/repeater/4944

To find a repeater in your vicinity, use the repeater directory that’s part of this site. You might have to search for all repeaters in Indiana. There you may be able to request access as well. If you are granted access they should tell you what tone the repeater requires in order to access it. Scanning for a tone only tells you the tone the repeater transmits. That may be the same as it requires, but not necessarily. If you are close to the repeater you may be able to scan for a tone on the input frequency (467.600 MHz). I usually tell people not to set a receive tone. If left unset you will receive everything transmitted on the output frequency (462.600 MHz). So, to summarize: find the repeater using the directory that’s part of mygmrs. Ask for access. Program the necessary input tone into your radio as the TX_CTCSS or whatever it’s called for your radio. Leave RX_CTCSS clear, or use Tone Mode instead of TSQL mode or however it’s called on your radio. Best wishes!

I have my KG-935G programmed with all of the railroad frequencies. It doesn't scan as fast as a stand alone scanner but it works well for me. I have even caught a few defect detectors out in the middle of nowhere. I use it on long trips and can hear yard traffic. Sean

Well there is one other way to avoid FRS chatter that's 100 percent guaranteed to work. Find the power control button or knob on your radio and move it to the off position. No programming required.

Did they explain how the radios hack into and connect to a WiFi with a password? PS - I am not only a Navy Pilot, but also an Army General, so you should listen to what I say.

The one in Troy is WRAL242. It has great connectivity from Northern Austin up to West, Tx. If you search WRAL242 in the repeater list, it comes up. I've spoken to the repeater owner and it is an open repeater and free for use for all GMRS licensees.