COBrien

That's a fair point, and I agree. I want to make it clear that I'm not going to be pestering them about it. Just "here it is, use it if you'd like."

I've operated a local (working on making it more "regional") repeater for about 8 months now. We've got the same 2-3 people using the repeater on a daily basis, and that's okay. But there are at least a dozen licensed GMRS users in my town who could use my repeater. I've started a Facebook group (not much activity), got the repeater listed here, on Repeater Book, and Radio Reference, and I just want to spread the word. I'm considering sending out a letter to the licensed GMRS users in my town, just letting them know who I am, that there is a repeater in town that they can use, providing the frequency pair and DCS codes, and offering to help them get their radios set up. Part of me says this would be a good idea. Another part of me says it might be viewed as "creepy," even though we all had to provide an address to get our license, knowing full well it was available to anyone who knew where to look. What do you all think?

If you're using CHIRP, you'll have to set the offset to +5.00 MHz. When I bought my KG-Q10G and KG-Q10H, neither was CHIRP-compatible yet, so I used the Wouxun software. It's clunky (compared to CHIRP), but it works. In the Wouxun software, you manually input your Rx and Tx frequencies (in that order, IIRC), so there's no need to specify the offset. EDITED TO ADD: You can do this from the radio itself, no need for computer programming. The best thing to do is go to the repeater channel that represents the frequency pair of the repeater you want to custom-program, then choose Channel Wizard to walk you through saving the repeater. This will copy the Rx and Tx frequencies from the channel you're on (IIRC), let you set your Tx and Rx tones, and name the channel. By the way "Repeater" mode does nothing on the KG-Q10G. That's a menu option that is reserved for the KG-Q10H and its crossband repeater function. It has nothing to do with whether or not you're on a "Repeater" frequency.

Heard and understood. I'm in Oklahoma, where the topography is quite flat. Having said that, there are some "hills" that my repeater will never get over unless I'm 120'+ AGL, which isn't going to happen in my back yard (hence the search for a better/higher repeater site). I've got my eye on a water tank/standpipe about 15 miles SW of me that's located on a hill that's about 200' above my elevation, but monthly board meetings mean the time between making a presentation, answering questions, and ultimately getting permission and/or a lease can be unbelievably long. I've been using Radio Mobile to give rough estimations of coverage area, and higher-gain antennas are still beneficial, even taking the topography into account.

Right. And my current Tram 1486 has an advertised gain of 6.5 dBd, which is 8.65 dBi. Comparable to the 712EFC. The Tram 1481 has an advertised gain of 11.7 dBd, or 13.85 dBi. Comparable to the GP-9NC.

@Socalgmrs I looked at the Comet GP-9NC, which is most comparable to the Tram 1481, yesterday. That's what I was thinking of. I may try out the 1481 and see what my NanoVNA shows. If it looks like it won't be suitable, the GP-9NC will be my next purchase.

I was looking at the 712EFC, and I like that it comes with an N connector (which all of my repeater coax uses). Honestly, I'd prefer to buy the Tram because they're an Oklahoma-based business (and the 1481 is about half the price of the 712EFC...), but if the antenna won't work, it doesn't do me any good. EDIT: Wait, the 712EFC is about the same price as the 1481. I must've mis-remembered that. Also, the advertised gain of the 712EFC is comparable to the advertised gain of my 1486. I'm going for 11+ dBd, if possible.

I know, I know. The Tram 1481 is a dual-band amateur radio antenna. I'm fully aware. But has anyone used one with any success on GMRS frequencies? A little background: I currently operate a repeater out of my backyard outbuilding, using a Tram 1486 (trimmed to a 1.2:1 SWR on 462.600) mounted to a telescoping flag pole which is hard-mounted to the building, and it gives me decent range. I'm working on securing a better site for my repeater, where I can mount one of the two DB420-B antennas I have stumbled upon. In the meantime, though, I'd like to eek out whatever range I can from my current setup/location, even if that means spending another $129 on a larger antenna. My flag pole won't support a DB420, and I'm not in a position right now to be erecting a tower in my yard. I see some Amazon reviews (which I'm coming to trust less and less...) suggesting the 1481 *can be* suitable for GMRS, but I'd like to hear some real input from the hive mind here.

"NFM" is narrowband FM, i.e., 12.5 kHz. "FM" is wideband FM, i.e., 20 kHz.

Uhh, hwat?

Reviewing CommScope's documentation, I read that as +/- 7° from horizontal, 14° total. Did I misunderstand? EDIT: I see this post is from 3+ years ago. That's what I get for not checking dates before posting...

This is exactly how I do it when talking to my kids (because they haven't yet mastered the call sign...).

The MyGMRS page for the Tulsa 675 repeater shows a 55-mile radius. You ought to be able to hear it from just about anywhere near Tulsa, if someone is actually using it. Lots of repeaters sit idle for hours or days, just depending upon the number of users in the area and how active they are.

@WSDB286, whereabouts in Oklahoma are you located? I have a McBazel/SureCom SW102 with SO-239 connectors I'd be willing to part with.

Welcome! I'm in Chickasha. Not a ton of GMRS users down this way (though I own the Chickasha 600 repeater, and we're working on a site lease that would substantially increase our coverage area), but there is an active GMRS group in OKC. They do a weekly net, every Sunday at 7:00 p.m. on the OKC-650 repeater. There is also a weekly net in Tulsa, though I'm not sure about the day and time or which repeater they use. You might also join the Oklahoma GMRS Club's Facebook group -- lots of helpful and friendly folks over there.

Anywhere else this would be considered “volunteering.”

I watched Randy's video last night. What strikes me as odd is that the FCC "agent" gave the repeater "custodian" a heads-up, and then asked for the call signs. I mean, is this an official action, or isn't it? If it's not, then I'm afraid I don't know who has used the repeater. If it is, then we're having an entirely different conversation, and likely through attorneys.

Why was this link not posted in the thread about this same product? Licensed for 10 days, registered user at MyGMRS for a week, 11 comments, 10 of them in the same post about this same concept. I understand wanting to get the word out about this new product/concept/whatever, but I kinda feel like creating a Wikipedia page about it and vomiting it here isn't the best tactic.

Let's be real here. You're coming to a forum full of GMRS users and asking if you really need GMRS for your situation. What kinds of answers did you honestly think you'd get? If you don't think you need it, then don't get a radio or a license. If/when you think it would benefit you, get a couple of radios and a license. It's $3.50 per year for a license. Overlanding doesn't tend to be an inexpensive hobby, so surely the entry fee for GMRS won't put you in a financial bind.

Okay, and what program are you using to write to the radio? Did you first read the radio, save the original configuration, and then make changes?

Okay, a couple of follow-up questions... 1. What radio are you using? 2. What program are you using to program said radio? 3. What's a "frec"?

I just wanted to come back and follow up. Based on @Radioguy7268's comment, I went ahead and gave it a try. Honestly, aside from CPS 2.0 being S L O W, the user interface is pretty similar to CHIRP (or is CHIRP similar to Moto CPS? I don't know). I saved the original codeplug, made the changes I wanted, wrote to the radio, saved the new codeplug as a separate file, and got out. I do think shortening the hangtime to 1 second (from 5) was a bit too much. I may go back in tonight and bump it to 2 seconds. Thanks, guys. I'm trying to learn.

Laird also offers the C27 series of antennas. C27: 49" NMO, chrome/silver C27S: 49" NMO, w/ spring, chrome/silver CB27: 49" NMO, black CB27S: 49" NMO, w/ spring, black

I have already activated the EID in the software. That was my primary concern, and I couldn't get it figured out until last night. Turns out there is a difference between a Device License and a Software/Program License. Now that I've figured it out, it makes perfect sense. Someone on YouTube has shared 15 of the CPS 2.0 training module videos, so I watched all of those last night. They don't cover everything, but I suspect the video series was intended by Motorola to bring a tech up to speed on the differences between CPS 2.0 and the previous software, so that makes sense.

@Radioguy7268, I have located and downloaded CPS 16.0 Build 828 from Motorola. I have my wideband EID key. My question is this: Once a radio has been programmed with CPS 2.0, is it best to continue to use CPS 2.0, or can the radio be reverted back to CPS 16.0? In other words, has my radio now been effectively "converted," and no longer compatible with CPS 16.0 without additional work?