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Showing content with the highest reputation on 04/28/25 in all areas

  1. You mean we aren't suppose to inhale any nitrous oxide???? I figured a little for me and a little for the race engine was a good thing.
    5 points
  2. WRTC928

    Propper radio etiquette

    Be polite. Don't curse or engage in rancor. If someone says something that makes your blood boil, push the "up" or "down" button and change to another channel. Be considerate. Listen for a minute or so to be sure nobody else is using the frequency. This is especially important on a repeater. If your radio is capable of varying power levels, dial it down to the FCC-approved level. Those levels aren't arbitrary -- they were selected to limit the degree to which your transmission will interfere with someone else's signal. Unless your radio can limit transmit power to 0.5 watt (most GMRS-capable radios can't), just stay off channels 8-14 and let the kids with the "bubble pack" radios use them. It's pointless and inconsiderate to step on other people when you could simply change the channel. I program my radio to listen but not transmit on those channels. With most HTs you can quickly enable the transmit function if you hear someone screaming for help; mobiles are more variable. Yes, the FCC does require you to ID yourself by callsign every 15 minutes and at the end of every conversation. There's nobody actually timing you and most people don't consider it a big deal, but it is the rule. I usually ID at the beginning and end of a conversation "just because". It's like introducing myself by name, kind of like what we used to do when we phoned someone and they didn't know who was calling. A lot of people don't, especially when conversing within a group, and I don't consider myself the callsign police. I don't think I've ever had a conversation on GMRS that lasted longer than 15 minutes, but that's probably because I don't have friends. Some repeater owners may be particular about it, so follow their rules. I use phonetic spelling sometimes, typically when someone is having trouble understanding me. I have an unusual name and it's common for someone to be unable to understand me unless I spell it. Otherwise, I sometimes do it anyway just out of habit. Probably nobody will say much if you occasionally tell them to "take exit 14 bravo" or something like that. Just don't get butthurt if someone ribs you about it. Remember that "privacy codes" don't make your conversation private. All they do is keep you from hearing anyone who doesn't have the same tone. Don't say anything with the PL engaged that you wouldn't say on a completely open channel. Conversely, don't automatically engage tones unless you need to. I sometimes hear people traveling in groups on the highway talking to one another about road conditions/hazards and I'm unable to add something useful to the conversation because they have the PL engaged, so consider the situation before you use it. If your radio will allow it, you can have one set of channels with no tones and another with tones. If you want to hear other people, use group A, if you don't want to hear other people, use group B. In general, just don't be a jackwagon. Treat other people as you want them to treat you, and you'll be fine.
    5 points
  3. Everyone sounds drunk.
    3 points
  4. Probably, and in most cases, yes - but as @SteveShannon pointed out, there are many other factors - and, as he also mentioned, you need to try it in the real world - and you should listen to him because he is an official & licensed H.E.R.D.
    3 points
  5. I hear you. My adult sons take great pleasure in telling me if I forget to be a "normie" and get a little to military. I usually start with, "well at your age I was blah blah blah," as if they care. LOL
    2 points
  6. Or a bit too much nitrous oxide.
    2 points
  7. Relax. Every "hobby" has subjects that come up from time to time and elicit opinions guaranteed to create chaos. Heck, after over a century of coexistence, asking which is better .45acp or 9mm will result in weeks of debate on firearms forums.
    2 points
  8. The software is compressed with RAR, kinda like a zip file but different format. You can download WINRAR (if running windows) for free and it will extract files. Also, download in install the driver FIRST before installing the software or plugging the repeater into the computer. BTW, stopped at Beef's in Bushnell yesterday coming back from Savannah to Tampa for dinner. It will be nice to have a repeater in the area.
    2 points
  9. Well Negative Nancy, I will correct myself as far as needing to ID at the beginning of your transmission, That is not required. Everything else I stated IS correct. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-E That is directly from the FCC. As you can clearly see I have absolutely no issues admitting to my mistakes and did post the correct information. Now stop being such a negative asshat to everyone.
    2 points
  10. The Amazon man just delivered my BTech GMRS 50Pro - ask your questions now/post your concerns! I will be uploading a video about it in the next day or two and looking for feedback/questions, even from "some people". Update: Here is the video:
    1 point
  11. LeoG

    Found a hidden repeater

    Looks like it is registered here. Members Only. No tones listed
    1 point
  12. No profit, they just spend that to add more repeaters.. It's so easy on GMRS, evan a cave man can do it..
    1 point
  13. Haters gonna hate. The same guys hate other hams that use or don't use digital modes etc etc. As I've said before, the majority of active members in our local club are just into 2 way radios and don't care which license, band or transmission mode you are into.
    1 point
  14. I dont know man, I am not such a petty control freak that i would care about something like that.. jeezus.. go outside and touch some grass.
    1 point
  15. TDM827

    Help with repeater

    Just tell the HAMS this is your "First Step" in your radio journey and will be following up with a HAM license. Probably will get all the help you need, or is that false advertising. lol
    1 point
  16. If you have a type accepted GMRS radio the offset should be baked in for you. A number of diy repeater channels should be also.
    1 point
  17. Another update. RT Systems has released the Mac versions for the following Wouxun models: KG-XS20G/KG-XS20G Plus KG-935G/KG-935G Plus KG-Q10G KG-Q10H KG-1000G/KG-1000G Plus Note: for versions that have a regular and Plus models, there will be two different installers inside the Zip or DMG files. Make sure to select the correct one.
    1 point
  18. Yes, I am familiar with those towers and use them occasionally. You have already granted me access. Thank you for that and thanks for giving me the scoop on Frida 700.
    1 point
  19. I'm sure if it was possible that's what would have been done. Some of the comments I've read said the DVSI code was selected also due to it's low bandwidth requirements, a feature of the algorithm used. That allowed decent sound quality in the allowed bandwidth. At the time some felt it wasn't possible even using digital methods. The simple version of DVSI's algorithm involved a quick analysis of a snapshot of a small time slice of the audio. The resulting info was used to derive variables that were then transmitted. Those variables then were inserted in an algorithm that "simulated" the human vocal track as a filter for multiple sine wave and noise sources. The output of the filter is a simulation of original human speech. That's why it sounds a bit weird because its NOT a compressed direct digital conversion of the original voice. One of the main complaints is the simulated speech lacks some of the subtle nuances of the original speaker, thus for some people making it difficult to tell who it is they are hearing, even though the speech is very readable. One other problem is the algorithm is highly optimize for human speech ONLY. Back ground sounds, like wind noise, sirens etc confuse the crap out of the the process. I was reading a long thread on another forum years back where firefighters were VERY concerned about this. The radio manufactures had to implement various solutions in their radio's audio path to mitigate those issues. Some did a better job that others. This likely accounts for the comments where people claim some digital modes sound better even though they use the SAME EXACT codec. The sound quality likely even varies between manufactures using the same digital voice mode and codec. Also don't forget that modes like DMR uses time slicing, i.e. TDMA slots, so the number of available bits that could be used for improved sound quality are missing verses a mode like P25 which has a higher bit rate I believe. Each digital mode has a fairly complex signaling scheme for communications, which of course consumes bits which could be used for better sound quality by transmitting more parameters to be used in the voice reconstruction process. Some of those bits are used for error correction. Also when Motorola grafted encryption on to MotoTrbo they had to use some of the error correction bits for the encryption info. Some have noticed when DMR enhanced encryption is used the voice quality can degrade a bit. One can really go down the rabbit hole on this topic. It's not as simple as it first appears.
    1 point
  20. And the audio quality is excellent.
    1 point
  21. How are you measuring SWR? How sensitive is the measurement device to reflected power? What kind of coax are you using? How long is that coax? What power are you testing at? Where are you measuring the SWR? All of those questions must be considered in order to understand what you’re actually measuring. But again, a low SWR doesn’t mean an antenna is good for transmitting or receiving. A good dummy load will always provide a good SWR measurement. Nor does a slightly high SWR measurement mean an antenna is bad. A high SWR antenna with no transmission line still gets the power out. What kind of antenna is it? How does it work in actual real-world tests involving transmitting and receiving? Try it.
    1 point
  22. Another good one is the Melowave Shadow. It works just as well as the Midland Ghost. And both work better than the Nagoya UT-72G that I have.
    1 point
  23. Unfortunately just about everyone uses some form of a digital voice encoder. The leading favorite is the AMBE, previously IMBE, by DVSI. Their proprietary codec is based on early work done at MIT. The link below is a short description from DVSI, which doesn't really revel much. https://www.dvsinc.com/papers/iambe.html A much more in-depth description can be found here from a report published by MIT for the US Air Force in 1987. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA181146.pdf My understanding is when the FCC forced the commercial radio services to move to narrow band FM, which was done by reducing the FM deviation, also resulted in a reduction in the signal to noise ratio I believe. At a 12.5KHz bandwidth it's not severe, however at narrower bandwidths it is. The FCC stated at one point they intend to move to a true 6.25 KHz per voice channel width. That's why the major radio manufactures introduced various digital voice technologies. For the moment the FCC seems to be OK with various digital voice technologies that can achieve an "equivalent" voice channel width of 6.25 KHz, example DMR 2 slots in a 12.5 KHz channel. However at some point they may force a move to a true 6.25 KHz channel width, but no official date has been given. This is stated in chapter 1 of the FCC's narrow banding guide. https://transition.fcc.gov/pshs/docs/clearinghouse/guidelines/Narrowbanding_Booklet.pdf In the mean time there are ways to license a true 6.25 KHz channel per the FCC. See attached paper. Splitting 6.25KHz Channels.pdf
    1 point
  24. I've only tested the Midland Ghost, but it did provide at least as much range as the UT-72G with a clearer signal. I know you aren't a fan of the UT-72 series, but IME, if you don't need a lot of range, they work just fine. However, I'd still be running the Ghost if I didn't need an antenna that will also be resonant on 70cm and 2m. There are some similar antennas which purportedly are dual-band in a similar form factor to the Midland Ghost, but I'm highly skeptical that a $15 Bingfu or Anina will do the job. My experiences with their antennas haven't been positive, for the most part. However, I've spent more than $15 on dinner, so maybe I will get one and test it.
    1 point
  25. Welcome to myGMRS! Just ignore the “Bullies!” Many of us here actually enjoy answering questions, and took heed when our Mothers taught us: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say it!”
    1 point
  26. H8SPVMT

    Propper radio etiquette

    First, Thank you for your service. My Brother-In-Law was a CWO4 and I didn't hold it against him.... Just find a long pause in a conversation and ask your question or make a statement, as if you're in the barracks talking to ole buddies. When you're done and the conversation, be sure to ID yourself as you wrap it up. Welcome to the forum.
    1 point
  27. WSDA629

    Propper radio etiquette

    After 22yrs of Army commo this might be a fun challenge for me.
    1 point
  28. Thanks. You helped me. By asking about the other MENU settings related to TDR I went through the others and saw that somehow I had enabled the REPEATER-MODE.
    1 point
  29. FIXED!!! I had MENU #54: RPT-MODE enabled to RPT-TX. I must have done that by accident as I was walking through all the menu options. I turned that to OFF and now everything is working properly. My mistake!!
    1 point
  30. TDR should work as intended in channel mode. Getting the double beep sure sounds like the radio is locked. I tested the TDR on my KG-100G Plus and the only time I get the double beep is when the radio is locked. Double check menu #47 AUTOLOCK and make sure it is set to off. Other than that, I really don't know what to tell you. I tried duplicating your problem and the only way I get a double beep is when the radio is locked.
    1 point
  31. amaff

    Propper radio etiquette

    Generally speaking, the "don't be a dick" principle will get you about 98% of the way there. Despite what you might run across on here...
    1 point
  32. We keep things pretty simple on our repeater. We want you to ID as required and no cussing since we do have kids that do use the repeater. We aren't going to go after someone for forgetting to ID as often as they should. Other than that, we don't want religion or politics discussed on any of our repeaters simply to keep conversations civil. No one likes listening to grown adults arguing like little kids.
    1 point
  33. yah, try that in this neck of the woods and we will berate you right off the channel - go try to impress people somewhere else.
    1 point
  34. i don't think there's any 'etiquette' for operating on GMRS.. Get on the the ch your friends and family hangout. Say your call sign if you wish and talk. Now if you hang out in a 'Club' then i guess you'll have to follow their 'etiquette', which is sometimes pretty comical.
    1 point
  35. It's less expensive than both the KG-1000G Plus and either of the 50W Midland radios, both of which are very good sellers.. So far, based on my sales analytics, this radio is proving to be very popular.
    1 point
  36. Both my mobiles and portables have only a couple or three scan lists. I usually don't scan with my portables, I mostly scan with my mobiles especially when I travel and it is essentially one scan list consisting of the 15 GMRS 462 MHz Main and Interstitial channels in my UHF radio, and some Business Radio freqs in my VHF radio that are used on the some of the trails in Arizona.
    1 point
  37. OUCH!!!! I bet the doctor kicked himself over that. We have an issue with our Motorola Quantar 2m repeater. The inrush when it first transmits will trip the 12v dc to 120v ac inverter. The only way to get around that was to put a line conditioner in between the repeater and the inverter. One of our older club members was trying to catch the inrush to see how many amps it was with an old, but good, analog amp meter. He learned right away that an analog meter was not quick enough to catch the inrush. My new Klein CL800 just barely caught it. We never did find the exact fix for the inverter throwing a ground fault and shutting down when the Quantar firsts transmits. The Tripp Lite power conditioner is the only way to keep that from happening. The weird thing is that our older Motorola 70cm repeater and our Bridgecom GMRS repeater are both plugged into the inverter and there are no issues.
    1 point
  38. Sounds like the violator had better be VERY careful in his response letter to the FCC. Should probably send them a pic of the radio with a bullet hole through it, LOL.
    1 point
  39. Nice job building something that meets your needs and describing it. As long as it does what you want that’s all that matters. Fortunately there are many ways to do something. Your way is inexpensive and simple. Thanks for telling us about it.
    1 point
  40. All I had to do is make mention of having a GMRS license on 2 meters. The attitude that came off of the Hams just about dissolved my speaker. Needless to say, I quit talking on ham. I hop on Ham on a rare occasion to check into a net or something but my days of having conversations is probably over. I got this same attitude over making mention of an experience I had on CB radio. Just say the name of another radio service and the most vile hatred oozes out of some Hams.
    0 points
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