nokones

Your best bet is get a Business Radio License in the Club's name and use the Part 90.35 freqs. You might want to consider both VHF and UHF itinerant freqs for your license to avoid any frequency coordination. It is my understanding that the freq. coordinators have been reluctant to approve any applications for Statewide use because the itinerant freqs can be used for that purpose. Also, by rule, the UHF itinerant freqs are limited to 6 watts whereas with the VHF itinerants they can be 50 watts with the exception of a couple of the itinerants that are limited to 35 watts, which is no big deal. You can file for the new license on-line, it's pretty easy and I would submit your license for both analog and digital emissions for each freq and for Nationwide, not including Alaska and Hawaii. Your filing fees will be about $205 and again, by rule you won't have to go through any freq. coordination. The positive point of all of this is that your Club members won't need to get an individual license and they will be able to operate under the Club's Radio Station Authorization, but depending on the brand of the radio(s) they own, they may have to buy a real radio because they won't be able to program any Part 90 freqs in their POS CCR junk. In my Area, Phoenix, most of the commercial operations, at least the small operations, have migrated to FRS, or SMRs, or Cell Phones, and the VHF Part 90.35 freqs are no longer crowded. I very seldom hear anyone on a VHF itinerant freq. If you elect to go the Part 90.35 itinerant freq route, I would take a very hard look at the VHF Band since most if not all of your Club members may have to procure a real radio anyways. A lot less restrictions by going a Part 90.35 route. You just need to pick a band to use. One of the downsides to use a Part 90.35 freq. would be if you want to put a simplex base station or a repeater on the air. In that case you will need to go through frequency coordination and in the VHF and finding a couple of available freqs to marry up as a repeater pair in most Metropolitan and if not all rural areas, may be problematic. Finding a freq. pair in the UHF band may be a bit easier since the UHF band freqs are allocated in pairs whereas the VHF Band is not allocated in pairs and almost all of the VHF freqs are not dedicated/classed for just mobile or base operations, and can be used for either operation, except for just a few, and I mean, just a very small number of VHF freqs. are limited to a specific operation. At least you may have choices.

If a station that is located at a fixed location with a fixed base station type antenna, and transmits on a 467 main freq in order to communicate with another station such as a mobile, through a repeater, wouldn't that station become a control station? However, if that same station communicates direct to a mobile on a 462 main freq, wouldn't that station now become a base station? And isn't all that compliant with the rule?

I was in the process of my routine quarterly updating the radio codeplugs in all my mobiles and portables the last few days, and this morning, I had four Astro Sabers, model I. II, and IIIs, to finish up and I discovered that they were not transmitting the Inverted DPL Codes. I spent about an hour trying to figure out if it was a setting in the CPS, or the radios were way too old to transmit inverted DPLs. The radios did fine with the normal DPLs. I did have the Inverted Box Checked in both the conventional personality transmit and receive menus. The Astro Saber Radios would decode the Inverted DPL from a couple of my XTS5000 radios, but the XTS5000 Radios would not decode from the Astro Sabers when the XTS5000 decode feature was enabled. However, the XTS5000 radios would receive the transmission from the Astro Sabers Radio if the Decode feature was disabled and set for CSQ. I went over and over the CPS Conventional Personality and Zone Assignment settings in both the Astro 25 Portable CPS and the Astro Saber & XTS3000 CPS and everything was set correctly, at least I thought it was, and then a thought came to mind what may be contributing to the cause of the problem. As I was staring at the displays of both the XTS5000 and the Astro Saber Radios, I noticed that the "Talkaround/Direct" symbol in both displays was indicated on both radios, which they should be. Although, I do know for a fact that with the XTS1500, 2500, and 5000 series portable radios if you have a simplex channel selected, the Talkaround/Direct symbol (→) will automatically be displayed. After, I went back to a repeated channel with the Astro Saber radio and then back to a simplex channel, I noticed that the (→) symbol was not being displayed. Ah Ha! What I didn't realize is that with the Astro Saber and of course the XTS3000 Series Radios that is not the case now. So, with the (→) not being displayed maybe that has something to do with the "Talkaround/Direct Menu in the Astro Saber & XTS3000 CPS, I went into the CPS and sure enough the menu was not properly setup for the Inverted DPL codes for transmitting if the TalkAround/Direct Feature was enabled. With the Astro 25 Portable CPS when you have a simplex personality programmed, in the Zone Assignment Menu the T/A Direct column is grayed-out and you are restricted to making any entries, but that is not the case in the Astro Saber & XTS3000 Portable CPS and is not restricted, if the "TalkAround" Box is checked in the Talkaround Menu and the portable radio talkaround/Direct Feature is enabled, the radio will functioned as set. When I disabled the Talkaround/Direct Feature on the Astro Saber, the XTS5000 Radio was able to receive the Astro Sabers' Inverted DPL transmission when the decode feature was enabled. Problem solved. This will be the case if you reprogram a previously programmed Conventional Personality from a semi/duplex configuration to a simplex configuration which was in my case. If you add a new Conventional Personality, the box in the Talkaround Menu will not be checked. Over time and after programming a gazillion XTS and XTL radios with both the Astro 25 Mobile and Portable CPS', who would have thought that going back and checking the Talkaround/Direct Menu to disable that feature in any of the early CPS'. Well now, that will be something that I will be doing from now-on. What I did was I created my own problem. As I was going through checking my programming on the various channels, I activated the Talkaround Feature on the Astro Saber Radio so I wouldn't activate a repeater nearby on one of the channels, because I didn't want to take the time to connect the radio to a dummy load, and then I went to a Zone with all simplex channels and some of them with Inverted DPLs. The end result of this was the fact that the radio worked as designed and all I had to do is go back in uncheck a few boxes. Lesson learned. At least, I figured it out on my own.

Same here with the sellers "no returns" or "as-Is", but eBay guarantees that you are getting what is advertised. That means if the listing doesn't say "Parts Only" or if it says does not work, etc. than it is guaranteed by eBay to work. Some will say that it worked when it was shipped and that doesn't matter what the seller says. Don't forget to request a returned shipping label when you contact the seller for a return. If the contact page does not allow you to return than contact eBay and they will take care of it. I have bought new, still in the box, never-used Motorola stuff at great prices like a Repeater Station, chargers, Battery Maintenace System, and various accessories, XTS5000 portables, and recently a Kenwood Mobile. Those new, never-used, still in the box stuff do pop up every so often. A lot of these deals are hard to pass up and that is why I have more radios and stuff than a normal human being would ever need in a lifetime.

Don't run the radio ground/negative lead directly to the battery. Always ground directly to a factory chassis grounding point. The radio manufacturers such as Motorola makes a point in their radio installation instructions where to terminate the radio ground lead and it is not at the battery. You can be rest-assured that their engineers know what they are talking about regarding the proper procedure for grounding the radio and accessories. "Some People" are not Electrical or Automotive Engineers.

The Dash 1 Band Split is perfect for me as I won't be using any 2M freqs. I operate on freqs. between 151 and 159 Megs.

Why is that? You don't like that rule and/or our government?

The Arizona GMRS Repeater Club in the Phoenix Sun of the Valley, as a service to the GMRS community, provides traffic and weather information every weekday morning and afternoon commutes on the 462.550 repeater channel every 15 minutes between 0630-0900 & 1630-1830 hours. More information is available at www.azgmrs.org

Yes it is a VHF radio. The dash 1 in the model number means the band split is 146-174 MHz and the "H" means it's the high powered 45 watt version and the actual RF output is 49+ watts.

It's worth a try! https://powerwerx.com/dc-line-noise-filter-powerpole-connectors

I was able to find a complete brand new still in the box a Kenwood TK780H-1 for $150. I received the radio today.

I have helped a lot of people with their radio programming needs as an Ambassador for one of my radio clubs and I am the radio go-to guy for one of my Jeep clubs and they all bring me their Cheap Chinese Radios or their Midlands to program and/or for mobile installations. Occasionally, I do get real radios such as the Motorola and Kenwoods, but lately there have been a lot of vintage Motorolas like the HT1000, MT2000, and Visars that require RSS with a slow DOS computer, and early CPS version programming such as the MTS2000, MCS2000, HT1250, HT1550, and the CDM mobiles and Astro Sabers. It seems nobody has the ability to program the radios that require a RSS programming application. I have the computer, programs, and cables to get them programmed. Just in the last couple or three weeks, I must have programmed at least a dozen VHF HT1000 radios for a few people and a MCS2000 for a guy in addition to a couple of Midland installs in Jeeps and one Retevis install, one KG1000G Plus, and several portable CCRs. Seems like there must have been a recent Firesale on the HT1000s and the new owners can't find anyone with the ability to program them. You are absolutely right, I don't have any cheap radios and I never will, but I do know how to program them and I have the software and the cables to do the programming. So, with that being said, I guess I sorta know.

Well then, if that is the case, who is occupying their (MFJ) former location/facility and using the MFJ name?

I thought that MFJ closed up shop. The reason why I say that, the subject Instrument I sent in for warranty repair and recalibration in October 2023, showed up on my doorstep from FedEx today. Last year October, I sent in a MFJ 269D Antenna Analyzer and this subject MFJ 849 and if I recall, I received the Antenna Analyzer back in February or March of this year. According to the paperwork, the 849 was recalibrated and certified in good working order on June 6, 2024. The FedEx shipping label indicated a November 25, 2024 shipping date. As soon as I opened up the box I had to compare the accuracy of the 849 with my Telewave and my Bird 43. For this comparison test, I used my Kenwood TK880-1 transmitting on 467.625 Megs that was powered with a Powerwerx 30 Amp Powersupply set at 14.2 volts and a Laird B4502N Non-Groundplane 2.4 dB Omnidirectional Antenna and an Antenex Magmount sitting on a cookie sheet. The MFJ measured 18.8 watts at 1.0 watt reflected and 1.6:1 VSWR. My Bird measured 23 watts with 4 watts reflected. My Telewave measured just over 21 watts and just shy of 4 watts (more like 3.75 watts) reflected. I used the same Messi & Paoloni coax cables with PL259s on all three instruments. The only differences between the three instruments was I had to use SO239 female to N Male adapters on the Bird and Telewave instruments whereas the 849 had the SO239 female connections, so cable adapters were not needed. The VSWR conversion charts indicates the VSWR for the Bird measurement at 2.4:1 and the Telewave measurement at 2.3:1. My RigExpert 650 measured the VSWR at 1.48 at 467.600 Megs. I'm not sure that I want to use the 849, but it appears to be a little more accurate than before I sent it in over 13 months ago. I just don't have any confidence in MFJ products.

It would be best to scan channels 1-7 & 15-22 simultaneously as you travel. If you want to hear everything, don't run with any tone as most cheap GMRS radios do not have the ability of setting split tones.

DPL/DCS is not passing digital data (messages). DPL is a digital subaudio function/activation tone that the FCC says it is permitted/allowed, pursuant to Part 95.1777, otherwise any radio that has that capability would never be Part 95, subpart E Type-Accepted/ Compliant.

Well, I didn't know about their radios and the situation with the FCC, I've never bought one, but I tried to program one and it was a pain. However, I have bought their mounting components and one of their VHF Phantom antennae that had a VSWR of 12.0:1 on 154 Megs. I returned the antenna and got a refund.

Marc: Looks like a fun project. Take a look at Rugged Radios. They have waterproof radios for off-road racing vehicles in both VHF and UHF. They also have Jeep specific kis and accessories along with racing audio accessories. I believe their radio might be 40 watt radios. Their radios appear to be rugged (no pun intended), but I don't like the fact that their radios programming software application was developed by RT Systems which I find some what weird.

Agree, however, if I am out off-roading and being the only vehicle, I have my UHF radio set on ch. 16 with CSQ for receive and encoding/transmitting with 141.3 Hz, and scanning channels 1-7 & 15-22. Also, I have my CB set on AM Ch. 16 and I occasionally do hear distant off-road traffic way off the beaten path. As for my VHF Radio, depending on the Area I am, I'll scan one of the Rugged Radios 4 Zones of about 9-11 channels that are used/shared in Arizona.

One of my Jeep Clubs use Ch. 16 for Trail Comm. The other Club uses Ch. 18

This is not the appropriate forum for the above posting. This is a GMRS forum and you should be posting this on a Amateur Radio Forum or Radio Reference.

I couldn't help thinking about this video all day and no doubt that I may be thinking about it more tomorrow as I get my Jeep dirtier, but a couple of thoughts came across my mind on this video. I have a feeling that there may be some fake body parts and I'm pretty sure that all the body parts are for real on the Jeep because I don't think Randy would use any CCJP (Cheap Chinese Jeep Parts) on his "NOTRUBI". My other thought is, is the video a perfect example of A.I. or at least the video is the real thing? Maybe after tomorrow, I'll drive to Rancho Cucamonga just to get my Jeep RUBI washed. I hope there won't be any missed spots, because my wife has to do her wife thing and point out all those missed spots to me.

Hmm, $200 huh, I think I just might have to get my "IZARUBI" dirty more often. At my age, I think it's time to pay to have someone to wash my Jeep while I watch.

Nope, I'm duckless.

The antenna for my VHF Radio is right in front of the Ditch Light on the driver's side and when the Ditch Light is turned on it will affect the weak VHF signals on 151 and 154 MHz. Yes, my Jeep is dirty from the Trail run last week Thursdsay and it will get dirtier this Thursday. I'll wash it this Friday or Saturday.