nokones

I may want to forego this trail so I can keep my fenders on.

Jeep Creeps don't drive Jeeps, they wheel them.

Some repeaters will not kickback or have a squelch tail. Also, some repeaters may have a reverse burst or squelch tail eliminator feature setting. If you put your mobile/portable in the monitor (PL/DPL Defeat) mode you may hear a squelch tail.

@Marcspaz Too bad we live many States apart. I would love to join you in your test.

Today was my first opportunity to try out the CB FM mode. I had a friend help me with my own CB radio, I took out of my Dually Diesel, and put it in his Avalanche. He was the transmitting source. I actually like the audio quality of the CB FM radio mode. If I remember correctly, my modulation peaked at 85% and my CB radios are not modified.

About a month or two ago, there was a discussion on that the CB Radio FM Mode may be something that should be looked at to consider bringing back the use of the CB radio for uses such as Off-Road Trail Comms. I stated that the CB FM Mode would probably propagate or provide better communications than the CB with AM modulation, and even better than FRS. Some Forum members disagreed but no one could cite any facts or back up their statements. I related that I think the CB FM modulation would have a better signal-to-noise ratio thus, better communication Farz. I also stated that as time permits, I would conduct a radio comparison test. Well, that day came, and I conducted the subject test comparing the communications with FRS, CB AM, and CB FM. I kept the test simple, and I did not record any RSSI (Radio Signal Strength Indicator) readings. I just did the ol’ hoot & howler type test to see if you can hear the communication and determine the usable distance and audio quality between the three subject radio transmissions. The test was conducted essentially in a desert environment on flat terrain, with a slight dip in elevation for a dry creek bed and a test point was conducted in that dip, consisting a few cacti, pucker bushes, and giggly weeds, with no other obstacles. A 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche was the Stationary Transmitting Point using a Cobra 29 LTD Classic Nightwatch AM/FM CB Radio with a Firestik II 4 Ft. Antenna in the center of the roof. CB Ch. 16 was used for both the AM & FM modes and the antenna was tuned at less than 1.1:1 VSWR. The CB Radio operated in the AM Mode with a Dead Carrier, no modulation, at 3.5 RF watts and was drawing 14.01 DC volts at 1.12 amps; and 3.9 RF watts with modulation, at 14.00 DC Volts and was drawing 1.46 amps. In FM mode, the radio was emitting 3.7 RF watts with essentially no difference in power draw. The data collection vehicle was a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon using a Cobra 25 LTD Classic CB AM/FM radio with a Firestik II 5 Ft. Antenna tuned to less than 1.1:1 VSWR and the antenna located on the rear Spare Tire Carrier Bracket near the passenger side of the vehicle. The data collection consisted of collecting test data every ¼ mile driving away from the stationary vehicle. The test concluded at the 3.25 mile checkpoint. The data collection vehicle operated the radio squelch level at the threshold of squelching out the noise. The FRS radios were two Midland LXT radios with fully charged batteries. The stationary vehicle transmitted on the FRS radio from inside the vehicle as a user would be doing on an actual off-road trail run and the test collection vehicle was receiving the communication transmission from inside the vehicle as an user would be doing on an off-road trail run. The RF output power was not checked due to the inability to measure. The FRS became non-existent passed the ¾ mile mark. The CB AM signal was good and quiet up to the 1 mile mark. The next ½ mile, the signal was readable but RF noisy. At the 2 & 2 ¼ mile marks the signal was barely readable. At the 2 ½ mile mark the signal was non-existent and covered by possible skip interference. In the FM mode, the signal was very good essentially full quieting for the first 1 ½ miles. From the 1 ¾ mile mark to the 2 ¾ mile mark, the signal was readable with some RF noise. At the 3-mile mark, the signal was very noisy but readable. At the 3 ¼ mile mark, the signal was very noisy and unreadable. In conclusion, the FM signal transmissions outperformed the AM signal transmissions. Based on these results on what would be the best Off-Road Trail Comm., I think the FM CB transmission has a good chance of being a very good trail comm. I think a test on an actual off-road trail with trees/foliage would be warranted to see what would be best under trail conditions. There is no doubt that any VHF or UHF mobile radio with RF output power higher than an FRS would perform better. I think that I just may conduct that test once I get my XTL VHF radio installed in my Jeep which will occur in the near future so I can conduct a comparison radio test between the VHF & UHF radios on the trail.

PS: My addiction problem is not an addiction problem. It is an addiction that I enjoy and I am glad that I have this addiction and it has been a load of fun and I highly recommend and welcome it for anyone who wants to indulge. I'm sure our beloved Queen has a term that he can coin for this addiction.

My addiction started in the very early 70s and it wasn't with a CB radio, it was with RCA and Motorola radios and I was a user. Then I got into CB radios in the mid 70s because my Van Club thought it was a good idea to communicate among our selves during the Van runs. My career evolved with the use of two-way radio communications in more ways than I ever could imagine for over 36 years. I saw the technology of radios from the days of "Tubes" to what we see today, well at least up to almost 20 years ago, when I retired from Government Services as a Middle Manager. During my career, I was involved in several radio communications task forces with local and federal agencies. I was also lead in numerous special events (political conventions, Olympics, world cup soccer, world series, super bowls, etc.) and emergency incidents (earthquakes, floods, fires, riots) as part of my responsibilities. When I was not planning for special events and emergency incidents, I was planning and managing numerous communications projects such as developing new communications centers and designing/implementing new simulcast systems and correcting/eliminating radio system deficiencies, and designing radio system and equipment solutions to problems. In the early 90s, I bought my first real radio, a Motorola HT1000. I programmed the radio with GMRS simplex channels and I used them as part of my Motorsports car racing activities throughout the country. Subsequently, I obtained a GMRS Station Authorization, KAG0097. In 2008, I moved and didn't realized that I let my GMRS license expire by a couple months so when I tried to renew my license, I was issued WQJT335. In the mid-90s, my radio equipment started to grow at that point with the purchase of MT2000 radios. Also, I obtained a Business Radio Service License, WPMQ975, with several Part 90 frequencies. A few months ago, I applied for an additional Business Radio Service License and was granted WSEC911. There were virtually no GMRS repeaters in the early days. As of today, my list of radio equipment has grown to a super addiction. In the interest of time, I am not going to list all the tools and support equipment, spare parts & components, I have obtained that helps occupies my time these days and keeps me from being bored when I am not out stirring up the dust off-roading, car racing, or involved with my several radio and car club activities. My equipment list: 1-Motorola HT1000 5-Motorola MT2000 (2-A7 3-A4) 1-Motorola MTS2000 (Model II) 4-Motorola Astro Sabers (1-Type I, 1-Type II, and 2-Type IIIs) 4-Motorola XTS1500 (3-Type II UHF, 1-Type II VHF 1-Motorola XTS2500 (Type II) 3-Motorola XTS3000 (Type II) 7-Motorola XTS5000 (6-Type II UHF, 1-Type II VHF) 3-Motorola XTS5000 (Type III FPP) 4-Motorola XTS5000 (2-Type III UHF, 2-Type III VHF) 3-Midland LXT FRS 1-Motorola DTR700 900 MHz (FHSS) 1-Motorola MCS2000 4-Motorola XTL2500 840 channel (3-UHF, 1-VHF) 2-Motorola XTL5000 Dash Mount (Base Units) 2-Motorola XTL5000 Remote Mount 2-Motorola XTL5000 High Powered Remotes (1-Dually Diesel P/U, 1-Jeep Wrangler Rubi) 2-Kenwood TK880-1 (1-Temp. Porsche, 1-Loaner Radio) 1-Midland MXT500 (Loaner Radio) 1-Wouxun KG1000G Plus (Loaner Radio) 1-Vertex-Standard EVX-R70-G-7 (Repeater Station) (Same as Motorola XPR8400) 1-Cobra 25 LTD Classic AM/FM CB Radio (Jeep) 1-Cobra 29 LTD Classic Nightwatch AM/FM CB Radio (Dually Diesel) 1-Cobra 19 DX III CB Radio (Spare) 1-Cobra 19 DX IV CB Radio (Spare) I do feel like a fix coming on in the near future. I just downloaded the Mototrbo CPS and acquired the Programming Cable for the XPR mobiles and portables and will be diving into the DMR stuff with them soon. I would like to acquire an APX mobile (VHF/UHF) in the future but I'm not sure about the portables yet. I have an extreme high investment in the audio accessories for the JEDI & the Astro 25 Digital (XTS) series radios such as my race car comm interface, headsets, speaker mics, adapter cables, earpieces, etc. and the APX series radios are not compatible with those accessories.

Pine needles, especially wet pine needles, will have a tremendous affect and will fully antenuate the signal on 800 MHz.

You are obviously an Einstein on the subject wireline and microwave.

If the subject repeater stations are within the same capture-affect zone would not transmit a tone or code and run CSQ on the downlink and all the mobile stations would cooperate and share alike and play nice, it would work out very well. In otherwords, no simultaneous transmissions from the mobile stations. Have patience and be courteous and considerate to others.

A microwave link with frequencies allocated and ruled by Part 101, Fixed Microwave Services, is not a wireline link. A wireline link is involving the regulated public switching network of a telephone communications company. So, with that being said, how do you figure that a microwave control link of GMRS stations is a violation of Part 95, subpart E? Please cite the affected rule saying a microwave control link is prohibited. Also, where did you come up with that a microwave control link is a wireline control link? I would like to hear your definition on that one.

Both of the two cited rules refer to wireline control. There is nothing that is wireline control with RF Operational Fixed Stations such as Microwave or 70 MHz control.

Huh? I hope you are referring to the mobile device meaning high up (up link) (transmitting) to the repeater and low (down link) (receiving) down from the repeater.

It depends on how you link the repeaters. I don't see in the rules where a network of linked repeaters by RF such as any operational fixed equipment such as Microwave or even an in/out of band FX1 station, such as 70 Meg control, is prohibited by rule. Anyone?

As 381 stated, GMRS Part 95, Subpart E type-accepted radios have to be locked and not be able to FPP by rule.

He's a member of the Beep clan.

And if you use a Lithium battery you will need the appropriate Lithium Battery charging system for maintaining the battery properly.

What are the VSWRs? My attic antenna is working great under a metal roof tiles. Your need to make sure you're using a non-ground plane and definitely check the VSWRs

The factory Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Rear Window Tint is not a tinting film material. It is actually a dark window known as Privacy Glass. I don't know how the glass manufacturer tints the glass.

Larsen has instructions on how to place the antenna mounting halves on the glass with the defroster elements. Don't let the defroster sway your decision on using their antenna. I've been using one on my 23 Wrangler Rubicon with great success. If my factory window tint had metal in the tint, I'm sure it would do a great job of reflecting power back to the radio and result in the appropriate poor VSWRs. My VSWR on 462 Megs is 1.2:1 and on 467 Megs 1.6:1. I doubt that I have any metal in my tint.

Try "Ohio Solo Tech" for the Kenwood programs to download. The cost is very reasonable, about $25, for the KPG-49D and yes that is the program for the TK-880 series.

I don't think the RSS based programs were ever downloadable from Motorola. Only some of the early/vintage CPS based programs were downloadable up until last fall. Motorola only has the current CPS available for downloads.

Typical characteristics of one cheap chinese junk POS radio desensing another cheap Chinese junk POS radio in close proximity. Real radios in most cases may be a little statically depending on the signal-to-noise-ratio, but at least you would be able monitor the traffic.

Apparently, that is how they do it in Maine. I don't think cell phones is a very expedient method of getting any notifications out to the people during certain situations if that time comes and definitely defeats the purpose when people store their radio equipment in boxes and place them in storage. It appears to me that community is not prepared to deal with any situation if it should arise or could care less if it does.