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I finally had one of my returns come through so I had some funds in my Amazon account. Been going back and forth between the 805g and the 905g and it looks like the 905g won out so I'll be getting my first actual GMRS radio. I've had a lot of other radios(most returned for one reason or another)but this'll be the first one that's actually Part 95E approved. I've already got the factory CPS installed on my Linux Box via WINE so I'll be ready to set it up when it gets here Saturday. I'm going to test fit a Nagoya 701c antenna to see if it has a small enough O.D. to work and if it does I'll order a GMRS tuned Nagoya for it. Anyway, just wanted to share the good news. PS. Also ordered a KG-805g too.

Ahh. Very good. Again, thanks for the explanation. Transmitting data is lightyears beyond the scope of what I intend to do with that unit. I'm going to likely die of old age before I even begin to figure out how to "transmit data" through the airwaves. So, I obviously over-bought, buying some functionality I'll never use. I can live with that. Thank you for that straightforward explanation. And I'll continue to use this blogg to ask earnest questions as I did, in the hope that I'll continue to get solid answers like yours from which I can continue to grow in my understanding.

There is an "ignore user" feature on this site. I would suggest putting him on it. Nothing you have posted violates any written or unwritten rules. Some people just want to be king for a day.

GMRS radios are permitted to have removable antennas if they don’t transmit data, but if they transmit data the antennas are required to be non-removable. That’s why some manufacturers glue antennas in place, in order to receive 95E certification from the FCC, which is necessary in the United States. Other manufacturers, like Garmin, mold their antennas into their cases for the same reason. But frankly, as long as you’re not interfering with people’s radio interception, almost nobody cares.

Unfortunately, the brass part under the blue line is the SMA connector that was supposed to stay on the radio when you removed the antenna. Those little notches are part of the castellated nut that clamps the antenna jack to the plastic case of the radio.

approx 150 miles, Above Palmdale Ca to Lone Pine via the El Paso Peak Repeater. Awesome Repeater, folks have talked San Berdino to Lone Pine, that's near 185 miles, through that Repeater.

It really didn’t take long to toss together once i had everything. Waiting for some of the parts to arrive from ebay / amazon took the longest and slowed the build down.

Nice. I wanna tackle something like this. Just looking for the time!

93 miles from Palm Springs, CA to our old "Delta" repeater, using the XTL5000 in my jeep with the Midland MXTA26 antenna mounted on the rear tail-light, where all of the "experts" still proclaim that the antenna will not work because it is below the roofline and due to the poor ground plane at that mounting location. Initially started using the repeater with my radio transmitting at 40W, and when I switched to 110W nobody could hear any difference. I have heard people in their mobile radios hitting that same repeater from 40 miles further away at Chiriaco Summit for a total of 133 miles, but I cant do it - probably because my antenna wont work where it's mounted.

DCS is digital, CTCSS is analog. They both accomplish the same thing. Tones that have a decimal (even if that decimal is zero) are analog(CTCSS). If you see a tone like D723N it is DCS Normal. D723I would be DCS Inverted. Inverted isn't use much. When a repeater has a tone set on it's RX, it will squelch out any signal not carrying that same tone. Therefore, you have to put that same tone in the TX of your radio so that the repeater will acknowledge your signal and repeat it out to others.

I would agree that you might be able to unscrew the antenna jack from the antenna and put the radio back together. Without knowing what kind of glue it’s difficult to advise you on how to separate them. Heat might help. Some solvents might help. Heat and solvents might also make things worse. We’ll cheer you on either way! Don’t worry about wrxp381’s reaction. He’s not an administrator or moderator on this site. He’s entitled to his opinion, but so is everyone else. There are some very good people here who honestly try to help, especially when a person needs a little handholding. Randy (YouTube Notarubicon, aka Offroaderx) has some excellent videos that you should watch as well, if you haven’t already. In any case welcome to the forums!

Again, thank you, men. All good.

I just checked, and all of my standard SMA connecters fit perfectly into my Q10G - but when I look at the picture of your antenna, it looks like you broke your radio and the SMA connector is still attached to the antenna, leaving what is probably nothing more than a useless ragged-hole (much like my ex-wife) in the radio . Compare the bottom of your antenna to the bottom of my antenna in my pic.

IF you can get the antenna off without destroying the radio, you will discover an SMA 'male' type connector.

It's using a directional antenna. Unless you are in the path, you will have trouble with it.

It's a good thing the FCC gave us the Part 95 regulations and definitions right on their website in plain English, because if we had to rely on MyGMRS interpreters like this guy to explain the rules, we would all be getting fines.

First, there is a common understanding in the world that we should only use as much power as we need. So, how much do you need for your reliable communications? Second, there is a common misconception the you have to quadruple your power to make a usable difference. However, the reality is, on any given instant you never know how much or how little more power will really make the difference between getting your message out or not. Last, in my opinion, you can never have too much love, money or power.

Sometimes I buy radios on the DL without running it by the spousal unit.. I do the purchase in PayPal “pay in 4” so the charges don’t stand out as large on the statement and I’m a ninja about grabbing that package off the porch on my way in and having the item in my pocket by the time the back door opens . Is there a help group for me?

Q1. No. It doesn’t work like that. You would need two radios and a duplexer. Q2. Two radios plug into the high and low ports. For GMRS the receiver is plugged into the high port because it receives on the 467 MHz channel. The transmitter plugs into the low port because it transmits on the 462 MHz channel.

I've no idea how much it costs to maintain a network like theirs, I imagine its quite expensive. I do know they said they had 400 new subscribers last year, according to a video from 3 months ago. So, 400 users times $90/year is a pretty good chunk of change, ( not counting existing users, the website says they have 550 active, not sure if that includes the 400 new ones or what the total is of active/non-active. ) but when they say it costs ~$9000 just to install and support ONE repeater site, that $36k from the 400 new members would only support 4 of their 29 sites! So, I certainly get the need and desire to charge for access. I wish it were a little more affordable for ME, though, haha. I mean its only $7.50/month but with my lack of travel and there being a good, available and open repeater just 6 miles down the road from me, I don't know that I can justify it, yet. I'm cheap. As I travel more, It may be worth it going forward just to have the access because their coverage is quite extensive.

I see. Thanks so much!

Just use one of the simplex channels (1-22) and add tones.

One will definitely get farther range in the open desert or across lakes. And of course the higher both stations antennas are the better for line of sight. Here in mid Missouri, 30-35 miles is about the max to reach the local repeater with it's antennas at 400 feet above ground when using a mobile radio.

I am curious as to how the heliax obviates any common mode current on the outer skin of the shield. Maybe I am misunderstanding the cause of common mode current on the feedlines? I thought it was due to imbalance in the antenna system. The PPT presentation you linked to above, on Page 6, states" "– Coax is not a part of these imbalances" So, I am wondering how your expensive heliax transmission line solves the issue. I have a lot to learn and don't know it all and am open to some mentoring from an "Elmer" It would seem that using ferrite beads of a proper mix rather than the old, trusty "ugly balun" method would be more effective at higher frequencies like GMRS. Thank you and 73 Dave, KJ7WUZ/WRHW845

I recently ordered an Ed Fong GMRS antenna as I've heard many good comments regarding his patented antenna. While purchasing my antenna, I communicated many times with Ed Fong via email and phone conversation. Ed Fong is a professor of Radio Frequency at the University of California in Santa Cruise. Dr. Fong's students build the antennas and also test many antennas manufactured by Tram, Larson, etc. The UC has very sophisticated testing equipment and the test results of various brands are surprising. I asked Dr. Fong if he'd be interested in attending one of our weekly calls to discuss his experience as I think we could all learn from his vast knowledge. Ed Fong is willing and would prefer a session via Zoom. I'm currently checking his schedule but mid July, possibly July 11th, Ed would be available for this Zoom event. Please let me know if you'd like to attend this Zoom event with Dr. Fong by replying with your email address. I'll add you to the Zoom Invitation. Thanks! WRJD357 Clem 630-918-6938 (call or text) wrjd357@gmail.com

I see, thank you for the clarification.

I don't really have an issue with them charging, its their equipment, I just don't necessarily want to be compelled to join because I cant connect to anything else in the area because someone may be monopolizing the channels. Doesn't really matter all that much, as I only got into GMRS mainly for emergency simplex communication, but it would be nice to, say, get some traffic updates or something like that when Im in the car, that might require connecting to a repeater, from time to time. I imagine it wont be an issue if the repeaters don't overlap and/or they use different tones. ....?

Are you sure the paid ones are more powerful? Remember, GMRS is restricted to a maximum of 50W.

@WRXP381 is the kind of sad-H.A.M. that some Youtubers make fun of all the time. If he does not yet actually have a H.A.M. license, then he is a latent Sad H.A.M... Hopefully you get the radio back together - keep us updated.

What have you tried so far? Where exactly are you stuck?

Post a picture of the connector on the radio. There are at least four different permutations of SMA connectors.

I am a "programmer" and programing a radio is nothing like writing code. Randy, aka notarubicon, aka OffRoaderX, has some great videos and Josh, hrcc, has one that covers CHIRP very well. Look them up, they make the info very easy to digest.

I would just like to point out that one need not be "a programmer" to setup a UV-5R radio. Investing a few minutes reading some online articles or watching Youtube videos is all you need to learn how to 'program' your radio. You can even do it all by hand, right on the keypad, no computer necessary. Virtually everyone here learned to do it ourselves, and we all have faith that you can too - We believe in you!

How about just buy a GMRS radio then buy a HAM radio for other stuff.

It's definitely easier to turn the power level down than it is to add power when needed. I'll use low power on my base station or even a HT when talking to someone across town on simplex so I don't blow them out of their chair.

As I've said multiple times I've had GMRS since I was a kid. Dad had a license and we rented a "PL" on a repeater originally. Later on he found a good used repeater and we had it on a telephone pole in town. Years later we ended up at a small tower on a hill. It was always used for "dad" on the way home and "Mom" saying she needs bread or milk from the store. No one else was on the channel. Once in a great while we would travel caravan style and use radio to radio. In those days portable radios were expensive and didn't work well. I dont think we ever had a portable until I got into it in the mid 90's. Even then it was a midland 2 channel xstal radio. During this time we never even thought about talking around the state let alone the country. It was used for utility purposes. We still use GMRS in that way for family use. I also use it now for off roading with JeepJamborree but that's all simplex. No need to talk 200 miles away. I still firmly believe the linking is pushed by unhappy hams. Same with nets and all that. While many think I hate hams I've been one for over 30 years. I use HAM radio for APRS, SAR and other uses. Again each service or technology is used for a need. No different than Cell Phone Apps. we use Zello to Patch SAR channels for situational awareness, Internet for console sites and plain old simplex to talk to teams in the woods. I hope the FCC clarifies further myself and will slow or put an end to linking for those that want repeaters for local use. Also I run 8 repeaters. None are linked, nor can be used in the same area. No need.

It depends. In the parallel universe of amateur radio. the axiom is to use only enough power to make the contact. The same should hold true for GMRS. If you're operating at 50 watts when you could do it on 5 watts, then yes, you are not only wasting power, but you are also putting excessive RF energy into the ether where it does no one any good. But if you're on your side in a Jeep with your antenna pointing toward the dirt and the closest help is 30 miles away and only reachable with 50 watts, then by all means crank it up. Like the axiom says, use (just) enough power to make the contact. Also, running any radio at its full rated power generates more heat, which ain't good for electronics. And some car electrical systems can't keep up with 50 watts anyway. I had a mobile Icom VHF/HF radio that would shut off if I transmitted on 50 watts. So there is that. But like a wise man said a minute ago, you can cut the power if you have it but you can't increase it if you don't have it. I think that's what he said.

Multi-band antennae are compromises and not ideal when it comes to great distances. It's best to use antennae specific to your operating band for optimum performance and for the farz you're trying to achieve.

It is my understanding that that Rubicon guy is really not a Rubicon guy and he is really a Nissan guy with a Chinese made Jeep Key Fob. Real Izarubicon people drive Rubicons with real American Jeep Keep Fobs.

No matter what radio service you have you would be best served to have a plan. Search for 333 Radio plan for an example. Modify the plan as needed. If the channel/frequency on which you are trying to communicate is overwhelmed have an established plan to move to a predetermined second channel. If that channel/frequency is to busy go to another channel/frequency. You can program your radios with the channels/frequency in the order you want to move if needed. Have a time set up for non emergency communications. Like the plan I referenced, try to make contact for 3 or 4 or 5 minutes, what ever you decide. Write your plan down and have it in several different places that offer easy access. If you don't have a plan when SHTF you will most likely achieve chaos. If GMRS is all you have you can make it work, it just takes planning and forethought if you are serious.

Just save your batteries until everyone else's batteries die.

So basically they are not answering the question and instead asking if you are aware of it causing any interference and then directing you, IF you know of it causing interference to report the INTERFERENCE. Not that people are doing it, but if the repeaters that are doing it are causing interference by doing it. We know that they know that it's being done. And they seem to be unfazed by that specifically being done and only seem to be interested if it's causing interference. I have no idea what the take away is on all thins, but is sounds like they really don't care or are willing to take a stance on it one way or another if there is no interference present due to it happening.

Every GMRS radio groups on Facebook has a bunch of people who thinks the handheld GMRS radio is more than 5 watts. To be honest with you folks I've been told that my BTech GMRS V2 is 5 on high transmit power. I sit back and just roll my eyes in the back of my head

Then you probably should have said that, especially since the OP is a self-confessed n00b and prone to confuckulation and at a very impressionable stage in his radio career.

You are correct that the regulations state 5 watts maximum for a hand held and 50 watts for a mobile on GMRS. Unfortunately that won't stop some from running amplifiers. CB is another prime example, it is limited to 4 watts yet people run up to 1000 watt amps on CB.

If you want more range, perhaps an antenna upgrade... Like this. 1

First, you have to understand the history of the restriction. This type of rule is what is commonly referred to as a Sentence Enhancer. Meaning, if you are committing crimes... you are going to be charged with violating the law. If you use a radio to commit the crime, you now have violated another law and will be charged with another crime. If you used codded messages, concealment or some means to hide the fact that you are breaking the law while using a radio to do it, this Rule becomes a sentence enhancer for the Law you violated and you are now charged with 2 counts of violating the law restricting the use of the personal radio service to commit a crime. If you are very obviously talking in some type of code, are caught and are suspected of committing a crime because you are violating this rule, even if you are found not to be committing a crime, you risk getting anything from a No-No letter from the FCC to jail time. So, since I am pretty sure you already know the answer to your own question, just don't be a dumb-dumb about it and you will be fine. Don't attempt to define the undefinable. If what you are saying is public knowledge, generally published, or generally excepted as not a cipher, code or some form of concealment, everyone listing will know. Context is everything.

Hello GMRS "gang", After a few postings and reflection, it is clear that GMRS owners need to make an orientation video, and/or hold a group zoom for new users before allowing access. This will be my approach 100%. In this meeting or video, politely addressing operational guidelines and expectations up front would really help! Because new users have no idea what to do, and seasoned and fresh "hammy's" are already going down the wrong path, sound mentorship is the answer. Not a rigorous military drill set, but a practical and open discussion. New users WANT to know what to do, and many "hams" think they know what to do. It is an unhealthy combo for sure. It's about getting along, sharing the resource, and not making the repeater owner want to get two sticks and gouge their eardrums out...