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You seem to be projecting. That’s a bad way to start a week. I hope whatever it is gets better for you.

This guy just doesn’t know when to stop.

Yes. Tones are filters that filter out everything not on that tone, so if you want to receive everything coming from a repeater just don't set any receive tone and you will filter out nothing.

I ran with a crowd using CB back in my teens. Have a friend who is into Ham Radio and wanted to get a license but back then they still required Morse code for the test and I wasn't so good at it. Later in my early 20's I worked at a local FM/AM radio station as a overnight board op for a few years. I ironically got the job because I knew more about radio that the other applicants. I recently was browsing at a local liquidation store that carries Amazon returns and found a Baofeng GM-15 Pro for $8 and a Baofeng UV-21R the next day for $6. I figured since I had 2 radios that use GMRS frequencies I should apply for a GMRS license so my girlfriend and I could communicate on camping trips while driving or hiking in areas with no cell reception. I'm going to look into getting a Ham license next since the requirements have relaxed in the last 30 some odd years since I was first interested in getting one.

Mostly because people keep responding to him. It's like trying to reason with a jammer on a repeater.

Sorry about that Class A, B, C, D, and so on. When I was growing up in Philadelphia, SEPTA aka the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Regional Rail use to R indication on the various Trains throughout their system. I still some lines as their former indication. Trenton NJ East was R7 Trenton NJ West R3 and so on. Citizen Band Radio Service will always be Class D to me.

Tx encode and Rx decode more specifically. At least that's how it's listed on my repeater.

Same here man ! If I don’t know I ask

Thank you it is working very well and I live life to the fullest, mainly for my grandchildren. I don’t let it show when I am having a bad day, I love them and they love me, I can’t let it show. I have a positive outlook and this

Hey, my ignore list just grew to six, and now this thread is much less aggravating... I highly recommend it!

I wish I knew... it seems like a bad idea, but it has been working so far. If I were to take a WAG at it, I would assume its related to the availability of inexpensive and improved tech, combined with a lot of government radio being moved to higher UHF frequencies, and demand from private persons increased. However, its the other way around. They put FRS and GMRS in the government allotted spectrum. Emergency services and LMR occupied the space before the PRS.

Thank you sir , to be very honest the immunotherapy is working fantastic, all of the tumors in my brain have shrink drastically and my cognitive skills are getting better all the time, I still have days that are not as good as others but the treatment really works well. I will have to take it once a month for the rest of my life unless it goes into remission, I don’t think brain cancer can do that. But thank you

Well I checked several radios and I decided on this radio! I hope I made the right decision!!! I watched several videos on YouTube and this one had a lot more positive reviews than most. It seems to be able to withstand moisture not surmising which I don’t have any desire to put it under water. I sent it to my son and daughter, they have purchased it for me! It will be here in a week or less. Anyway please let me know what you think!!

For the record, he didn't say it was the incident being beaten to death on this thread. He used it as an example.

We have all asked or heard the questions before; “What kind of coverage can I expect” and “how far will those radios reach?” And we have all also heard the exact same text book answers; things like “It depends” and “that is not an easy question to answer.” You’re asking valid questions, and you’re getting valid answers. The only absolute way to know what your coverage is going to be, and how far you can reach is to test it yourself using your actual equipment in the exact area you intend to use it in. That said, technology being what is, there is a better way to get a more realistic estimate. Professionals RF engineers use software to assist them; software that will get them close. An RF Engineer in Quebec (whom is also an amateur radio operator) has a website with a free online calculator that will help the knowledgeable radio user visualize an estimate of what there coverage would be based on many of the fundamental factors that affect radio coverage. Having now contrasted its calculated results with my personal radio experiments, I am gaining confidence in its ability to “get me close.” better than any other way. For example, in some of my tests of base to HT and base to mobile coverage, the software predictions correlate with many of the spots, even along mostly level ground, where I experience complete radio dropouts, where I experience marginal reception, and where I experience highly reliable communications. Here are some of the user supplied factors that go into estimating one’s coverage: Location of Tx antenna. Transmit Frequency. Tx antenna height. Tx antenna gain, tilt, azimuth. Tx output power. Signal loss in Tx cable Rx antenna height. Signal loss in Rx cable. Real-world receiver sensitivity (which may or may not be published accurately). The calculator can be found here: https://www.ve2dbe.com The software takes into account the actual terrain around the antenna. It appears as though it may be adding factors related to ground coverage, which I assume is based on some statistical information. More detail about what goes into the calculations can be found here: https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonlineinfoeng.html I have been wresting with determining whether there would be real-world benefit to me adding another 20-40 feet of height to my proposed GMRS antenna mast/tower. What I really wanted to know is if I would experience tangible or zero benefit from increased height when it comes to simplex coverage around my property. I feel much better informed now. I would be most curious to hear from those of you strong technical types regarding how predictions from the software align with your real-world conditions when it is configured accurately. Here is an intro to the software from a user of it: Moderators, I think this would be a useful sticky post. Happy Calculating! Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

@JoCoBrian deserves full credit. In response to a post decrying the apparent lost of a repeater, I asked the original poster (OP) why he had gotten a GMRS license in the first place. JoCoBrian stepped up and gave a great answer and I realized this might be a good general interest question. I’ve been fascinated with radio as long as I can remember. My parents had one of those tall wooden consoles with a radio and record player and before I was school age I took it apart. Then in the 60s I became interested in two way radios while watching The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Every time a company came out with some kind of small walkie talkie I begged my folks for a set. In eighth grade I became interested in ham radio but I never followed through (a trait I still have). When I got into amateur rocketry a couple decades ago I noticed that people were carrying real radios. Eventually my mentor got a Garmin and I bought a less expensive Motorola Talkabout to talk to him. But neither of us were licensed. I signed up for an FRN in probably 2004 or 2005 but didn’t want to spend the money to buy the license. It took quite a few years but a few years ago (2021 I think) my conscience finally got the better of me. I got a license and started watching Notarubicon videos. Within a few months my interest in ham radio resurrected itself as well and in 2022, I took all three tests. But I still want a Man from U.N.C.L.E. communicator! So, why did you get a GMRS license?

If there is repeater local to me would I be able to hear someone transmitting if I was tuned to that frequency without having programmed in dpl/ctss or any of the other stuff I haven't wrapped my head around yet?

Thanks for the replies.

My experience with longer antennas on hand-helds is you may hear better but it doesn't translate to transmitting further.

The Smiley cost almost as much as a radio kit of one. But that's the one I prefer to have on if I'm not planning on a lot of repeater talk. I figured the 701G wasn't really much better than the OEM so I didn't bother. I did think about it though and watched many videos which is why I have the Smiley.

None of us do, but knowing that is the way to learn.

I knew what you meant, I was just trying to be funny. I love typos.

I am very new to this but willing to learn as much on my own and always open for suggestions and advice! I have noticed a few people on here believe they know everything about everything!! But no one on earth knows everything!! I grew up in the country and I just ignore those people! I let people live their lives and I will live mine regardless of their opinions.

I want to start seeing more of the trails and wilderness, and because of gmrs popularity I knew having a gmrs capable radio would be useful. I also like the idea of having just an extra level of safety for emergency communication needs. I grew up with a grandfather that was a radio engineer in WW2 and was in general, an electrical engineering nerd that used CB and ham from his truck. In a sense, this also been a great way to re-live some good memories and shape the old guy I'm becoming. I'm new though, so willing to learn as much as I can.

I'm with Steve on this one. You seem to be the angry one. Like, I think you might need therapy after reading that pathetic string of posts. You can't win the debate with facts to back your opinion, so you start name-calling, being vulgar and antagonistic. A true sign that you are losing and angry about it. Lets be very, very clear about something... I have zero F's to give. I have no grievance with the FCC. I like the way things are working right now. I don't have a dog in the fight, I'm not buying one, and I have nothing to prove. Frankly, I don't care about your opinion either. The only reason I post what I do is so someone new to the forum or with less information, doesn't come in here, read the crap you post, and mistakenly believe it is correct because there was no voice to oppose it. The truth is linked repeaters are legal (via several means), they are not going anywhere and not one single person whining about has been able to provide a single shred of proof to the contrary. Also, I'm not mad about anything. Though, I do feel bad for you from time to time. Anyway, the mean ole repeater owners aren't going anywhere. Find a new hobby or get over it.

Meanwhile, quite a few here are blowing nothing but angry hot air because 'big man' is putting the hammer down.. And some of us are laughing our a$$ off on the sidelines..

Late to the party... I have the HAM version of the UV9GX and two 935g+ among others. The 935G+ is my goto radio and both of mine have been used and abused. The build quality is good and heavy duty. There is a learning curve but it is fairly easy one. Sorry to hear about you medical condition. Cancer sucks (first hand knowledge). Enjoy your radio. I am off to go take care of my two grandkids for the morning.

Hobby = an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure. If a person's activity is not a career, profession, or business activity, mostly likely playing with radios is a hobby unless you are a coach potato playing video games and using illegal narcotics.

Sounds like the Midland MXT26 is a better performing antenna than that other antenna.

And the only forum with a genuine GMRS Queen that will be straight with the facts and no smelly brown stuff.

I grew up around CB radio, my grandpa and cousin used to use it around town and when they used to go hunting. I got introduced to GMRS when I got my rig and started wheeling with friends and they told me to purchase a couple Midland radios. Wasn't a fan of how quickly the radios I got were dying and how poorly they were receiving/transmitting so I started researching other radios. I came across @OffRoaderX YouTube and after watching a couple of his vids I decided I needed to get my GMRS license since I wasn't aware that I needed one and upgrade my HT's.

Welcome! Relatively new myself to GMRS but this forum has been great, bunch of helpful people and tips.

No truly active repeaters in my area. They seem to be too far away for me to hit even outside after multiple radio checks and a couple of accidental kerchunks because I momentarily forgot my call sign. No nets either within my reach. I am still glad to have the license and radios because they encouraged me to finally test for technician grant very recently (within the last 7 days) and I passed so just waiting for the FCC grant now. Hopefully ham will help fill in the GMRS gaps for me at least a little bit. In my searching, it seems as though there are a fair bit of ham repeaters available near me and if that pans out well enough after some listening, I will be seeking a club to possibly join. Damn you, GMRS! You got me back into seeking radio licenses again and I grumble in your general direction!

You can’t go wrong with that.

Same reason my radios have a set of GMRS channels with tones enabled (so they can talk amongst themselves and not hear anyone else), and another set without so I can listen to anything being transmitted in the open. But for troubleshooting purposes and to make sure there's not something funky going on, it's useful to disable the receive tone on the radio to make sure you're hearing the repeater without a tone set.

It's also worth noting that the FCC didn't shut down the repeater network, as the clickbait subject of this thread would have one believe. Those responsible for administering the repeater network disabled the linking out of an abundance of caution because of an email from an as-yet unidentified alleged FCC employee to an alleged business associate, not as a reaction to an FCC enforcement notice like the example MarkInTampa presented.

It’s probably not worth it to shorten that cable. Calculate the losses and you’ll see that they’re very low, but if you want make sure you buy a good quality pl-259 connector for that exact cable. If the one that’s already on it is removable you might be able to use it.

Yes, he plainly stated this is what a real FCC violation letter looks like. And the reason you can't be shown the one for the repeater shutdown in NY is because there isn't one.

Here’s a Notarubicon video comparing the uv9gx to the 935:

I have the Ham version of this radio. It works well, supper het and has AM bands if you want that. It is not waterproof, it is IP55 which means it can handle water to the face so would likely be okay in the rain. It comes with lots of preprogrammed scanner frequencies. The screen is not great outdoors. Of the Wouxon GMRS radios I would go with the KG-935G Plus. Although It isn’t waterproof either it is slightly higher rated at IP66. It isn’t supper het but you can’t tell. It won’t receive AM air bands but I don’t really listen to that and as for all the scanner frequencies I mostly put my own in. The KG-935G Plus is my favorite GMRS radio, solid and a bit easier to see outside. That’s just my opinion. On a pricier side the KG-Q10G will get you there with the waterproof IP67 rating. It scans a bit slower. My only gripe with the KG-Q10 radios is the lack of an indicator telling you if it was the upper or lower display that received the most recent transmission which would be nice if you happen to be monitoring two channel/frequencies at the same time. Edit- this turned out to be an issue with my radio and apparently is not indicative of the KG-Q10 radios. I recommend watching some reviews on YouTube and think of how you plan to use it. I hope some of this helps. Good luck.

"Common Marc"? I mean, I don't know marcspaz personally, but I've read his posts and I think referring to him as "common" is a bit of an insult. In fact, as much as we do have in common, what with our shared interest in radio, each of us is unique.

@LeoG I have participated in enough court cases to know that the intent of the law/rule means nothing to a judge. Only what is written. I have no choice but to interpret the rules as written with the provided definitions. Not to mention that linked repeaters with voice communications have been around long before the changes in 2017 and there have been exactly zero actions against anyone.... not one single person in a decade or more, with hundreds of linked repeaters and 10's of thousands of users nationwide in that same time frame. Not one single letter, accusation, fine, nothing. And it's not like its a secret. Leads me to think I may be right. Words have meaning. I agree it can be messy, but if they meant something else, they need to amend the rules and issue a clarification, which they seem wholly uninterested in. FCC enforcement agents are on this site... they are here and reading this stuff and say nothing. Though, I'm sure they get a good laugh from time to time.

Okay... I am going to try this 1 more time. Let me put it to you like this... In general, GMRS transmitters may be operated and controlled remotely. Also, in general, GMRS transmitters CAN BE connected to public networks or other networks for the purpose of operation by remote control. Since its a rule violation for GMRS repeaters to transmit on the 467 channels, preventing legal RF linking with repeaters AND remote operation IS allowed... how exactly do you expect people to be able to remotely operate their radios??? Easy. Over the network connection they are allowed to have. Otherwise, the rules allowing remote operation and network connections are completely pointless. OH, wait a minute! Now that I think about it, there are no prohibitions preventing linking of control stations or fixed stations on the 467 channels. I can't find a prohibition of linking GMRS repeaters via amateur radio repeaters or through encrypted tunnels on LMR business channels either. If your goal is to get rid of linked repeaters... you can forget about it. Even if you were somehow able to convince me you are right about the networking issues, it's not going to stop people from using other legal means of linking repeaters. While network connections are the easiest legal means, its not the only means.

anyone not get it?? Internet, telephone etc. is conveyed over a wireline.. PERIOD.. End of story.

Wait.. What??? polite manner? You some kind of kinder gentler leftist that believes words are violence or some stupid crap like that? If someone deserves to be told to F OFF you look them in the eye like a man and tell them to F OFF. There is no polite at that point. If that's what they have coming, that's what they get. You don't try to be polite. You don't try to sugar coat it or attempt to spare their feelings. At the point that F OFF is appropriate, that's what they get. Speaking of F OFF, You sit here going on over and over on the forum that HOSTS the linking servers for the ROGUE REPEATERS and continue to pop off at the mouth about how these ROGUE REPEATERS are the bane of GMRS and will no doubt destroy the very fabric of the GMRS service, and anything else related to Part 95. You don't like the idea of linking repeaters. We get it. All too well. THE HORSE IS DEAD.... leave it be already.

Im a constitutional scholar with a gifted IQ, but my wife said I can't comment on this because it's mean to make strangers on the internet cry.

Will be picking up one of these this afternoon. Much more elegant solution. It has Audio Line-In and Sound Activated Recording. Starts when over a specified level then pauses when below. That’ll work.

Also extremely useful when doing range testing on simplex. Drive around and record to listen how you sounded, later.