berkinet

Well, I wasn't really grumping at you... but I have a (excuse the expression) hair trigger on gun issues. (To be clear, I am most definitely not a member of the NRA).

Ignoring issues of regulatory compliance, and assuming equal use of both services, you would tune for the center of the band range you wished to broadcast on. Otherwise, if you wanted mostly, say, GMRS, you would bias the “center point” upwards a bit. The actual difference between 420 and 467 is only 47mHz, 1/2 that is roughly 25mHz, or around 5%. Easily within the range of most UHF antenna designs. Obviously, the SWR will rise at the ends of the band range, but should still be quite usable.

I suppose that was an attempt at cynical humor. If it was, I have to say I found it distinctly unfunny.

Could it be FRS users on the interstitial channels with either crappy transmitters or in wide band mode?

Oddly enough, clicking Forums on the RepeaterFinder.com landing pages links directly here (forums.mygmrs.com). And, I am able to actually login to RadioReference.com using my MyGmrs credentials. So, my conclusion is they are two interfaces to to the same site. As to why the data would be different... Rich? (Not expecting an immediate answer since he hasn't been online in a month)

My comment was about customer service, not quality. Of course I realize it is the holiday season. USPS has already provided tracking info, the label was printed. However, the package still has not been tendered to them. Scanning in a Priority Mail package is not an option, all such parcels are scanned, regardless of the post office load. I also assumed it was a one-man business. However, I would also assume it would be a well managed business and that means not preparing product as needed, but maintaining a small stock of products that are ready to be shipped when ordered. As to his ham activities... really? If you want to go into business you have to prioritize your life. If you value your hobby over your customers, then expect to get customer comments like mine. (And don't even start with the ARRL). If you order a new fishing rod online for your trip to Idaho and it arrives too late because there was a bass run at the rod vendor's location, would you accept that? My point was, and is, I have no doubt about the quality of W7RF's products, that's why I ordered the controller in the first place. However, I also think people might want to know exactly the type of things other commenters have pointed out, especially if time is an issue. BTW, for anyone in the market for a controller, you might want take a look at this review list from Ham.Net. (Note: the ID-O-Matic clearly comes out on top in a price/feature/quality comparison)

I believe the term "wireline" here refers to use of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) to control a station or interface to a station (voice in the case of GMRS). The typical use case of a wireline interface was to provide a phone patch. You have to go back in time to understand the use of the term "wireline carrier." It was initially used to differentiate from other forms of communication, such as RCCs - Radio Communication Carriers and later differentiated between the legacy wireline carriers and their (at the time new) wireless (I.e. cellular) offshoots. I do not think the quoted Part 95 paragraph was intended to, or does, prohibit interconnection of repeaters or repeaters and receivers by use of dedicated circuits be they from the phone company, competing local exchange carriers (CLECS) or even Internet.

The ID-O-Matic may be a great product. But, HamGadget's customer service leaves a bit to be desired. All orders are shipped via US Postal Service. I normally ship every day. Please bear in mind, however, that from time to time there may be an extra few days delay in shipping. I ordered one on Dec 11 and received immediate order acknowledgement. However, on the 14th I had still heard nothing about shipping. So, I wrote them to ask when it might ship. Again, quick response saying it had been stamped and addressed and would be posted on the 15th. Today, the 16th, the USPS stall does not have the package in their hands.

How about video? I found this on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DAQYfpETDdM

I think you’ve got it... just be clear that the “signal” that is allowed to pass through is the audio output from your radio. The radio signal is being received regardless of whether the audio output is on or not. In chirp’s terms, “tone” is what you send so that others, including repeaters, can know to listen to you. TSql is the setting your radio will use to know when to unsquelch the speaker. Sorry, no pictures tonight... I”m on a tiny keyboard.

According to the Cambridge dictionary, squelch means:to stop something quickly and completely: One professor claimed that the university tried to squelch his criticisms. So, yes, you are correct!

The squelch options (Available by clicking in the Tone Mode column) are: (None) Tone TSQL DTCS DTCS-R TSQL-R Cross The option to use different tones for transmit and receive is Cross. If you select that, the Tone and ToneSql (as discussed above) columns will become populated and you can then set each one as you wish.

A tip on reading the advice regarding radio suggestions. There is a tendency for ham operators to be more willing to use commercial and/or used equipment. On the other hand, those who started with GMRS or came from CB tend to prefer turn-key purpose made gear. Neither is better or worse than the other. But, depending on your needs and abilities, there might be a difference to you. You check under the avatar to see if a member lists a ham license. Most, but not all, hams do. Personally, I like Motorola equipment and the M1225 is a fine radio. But, consider the info under my avatar. YMMV And, +1 on bluemax49ers for your programming cable needs.

Curious minds want to know... what did you do to get it working?

How are you testing to see if you are hitting the repeater? Are you are expecting to hear a beep or squelch tail (a short period of carrier after you unkey your transmitter)? While those features are typical, they are not required and, in many cases, not present. Sometimes the only way to tell if you are activating the repeater is to listen on another radio -- one that is as far away from your transmitter as possible. Other than that, there are several possibilities... - Have you ever heard any traffic on the repeater? It may not even be working. - The PL tone may have changed from that listed in MyGMRS. - You may have set your radio to require a PL tone on receive, possibly a different tone than the repeater transmits or forwards - or the repeater may not have PL on the output at all. - Your signal may not be reaching the repeater. Try driving to some location that is line-of-sight from the repeater and see what happens. - And, finally, just as a test, you could give your Baofeng a try. You will not get arrested. Good luck, keep trying.

Are you looking for a handheld or a mobile?

Part 15 is even Ok, as long as it meets the requirements . (Actually, isn't Part 97 effectively, no Part?) As for other suggestions, I could name many that do not meet our requirements, and they are all in a box somewhere around here. But, I don't want to prejudge any postings, and in any case, we may have missed something on a radio we ruled out. Thanks for your post(s).

Thanks for the clarification. What I really wanted was something like a temporary PL defeat switch, in particular, on receive. I'll edit the post.

Sorry, I guess that wasn't as clear as I thought. I meant, any standardized connector (BNC, SMA, rev-SMA, etc.) as opposed to some proprietary connector, or no connector, I.e. "fixed." Or, more basically... after market antennas are available.

Our CERT group is, once again, evaluating handheld radios. We have looked at, and owned, a bunch. But, none seem to match 100% of our wish list items. Here is our feature wishlist (I.e. the ideal radio would have all of these capabilities): GMRS frequencies (Part 95 compliance is not required)Display (LCD or?)Single VFO or dual VFO with single VFO modeLockable keyboardText name assignable to each channelPower (H/L) and PL options settable for each programmed channelSplit PL support (xmit/rcv on different PL tones)Power settings can be temporarily changed from keyboard without having to reprogram the channelPL receive setting can be temporarily defeated. (I.e. channel monitor)Current production model The following are under the would be nice category (but, not specifically required. Highly desirable features are marked with a *): * Dual band (VHF/UHF)* Option to receive ham and public service frequencies* CHIRP supportPrice $150 or underHigh power option (nominal 5W)Can optionally use alkaline batteriesStandardized antenna connector (BNC, SMA, etc.)Ability to lock out transmit on a channel* Only one transmit button (Some radios have 2, for VFO-A and VFO- B )Programmable function buttons or keys. Could be used for power setting, PL mode, etc.General online availability In other words... we are looking for a fool proof radio. Something that cannot easily or accidentally be reset to another frequency or PL setting and has a clear easy to read display with a minimum of not-lockable buttons.

Yes. You must identify according to the rules defined in part 95. However, the use of optional unit numbers or other modifiers is not required. If you wanted, all three family members could identify using exactly the same call sign. Unlike ham radio, where people usually call other stations using the call sign of the desired station, GMRS users typically just identify and then call someone by name. As in: “WQYR510. jerm, are you on?”

I think you may be missing the main point here. This is not a technological issue, it is about the basic nature of GMRS. GMRS was designed for short distance, reliable communications that can, and are, used for personal, family and commercial communications. Unlike ham radio, you can tell someone to pickup a six pack of beer, or make reservations at a restaurant for you. For those who want to experiment with different forms of radio communications, the ham bands are available for exactly that purpose. Adding unreliable modes to GMRS would totally defeat its purpose, raise the cost of equipment, and change the basic nature of the service.

Besides meteor scatter working best between 30 & 50 MHz, there is this, from the Wikipedia... Because the presence of a meteor trail at a suitable location between two stations cannot be predicted, stations attempting meteor scatter communications must transmit the same information repeatedly until an acknowledgement of reception from the other station is received. On a more utilitarian note, GMRS tends to be used more for practical (I.e. where reliability is required) communications, while ham radio, because any commercial use is prohibited, tends to have more experimentation.

Well, SSB/AM capability AND propagation of UHF beyond line of sight

IF the LT-590 is just a limited version of the MXT400, and, one wanted to build a part-95 acceptable repeater out of “MXT400”s, then one could use the LT-590 as the receiver. I am not saying the receiver would, or would not, be selective or sensitive enough. But, if the MXT400 was de facto “good enough,” then the LT-590 should be too.