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Oh. You're implying to use a BNC to SMA F adapter to connect a BNC antenna to a radio with an SMA fitting? If so, sorry, I guess that's why I didn't understand, I thought you meant to use a BNC to SMA F adapter to connect a SMA F antenna, which didn't make sense to me. I have a couple BNC to SMA adapters, but, all of my antennas are SMA F, I don't often find any BNC antennas that I'm interested in for my wants and needs. I'd also like to avoid adapters to reduce bulk and loss. My current most used antennas have a small base that is about the size of the fitting that is threaded inside, so, most of what's exposed is just the whip, which can take a lot more than the base.

Just trying to understand. So, the stock SMA F of the antenna is removes, a BNC to SMA F is added to the antenna with the BNC end into the base of the antenna?

Sorry, I didn't understand. Where would the BNC end connect to?

Does the IDer sound robotic? I admit, my head turned at a few IDer's around me, they sound so clear like It's not a recording. There's this one repeater that has a seductive female voice. I thought, whoa, that is one of the best IDer's I've heard, It sounds like future.

I wanted to do about 40 or 50 feet minimum, but, that didn't work out well. I was in doubt that my current 27-30 feet mast was high enough, but, as seeing some operators reach good distances with ground antennas or antennas mounted just on the rooftop, I was hoping my mast height wasn't so bad. It's a bit difficult going higher with my mast as my mast is made of multiple segments rather than one piece, the more I add on to it, the more unstable it will be. And I can't afford a proper mast or tower. I have seen a few reasonable priced masts used, but, I would have to pickup, which are not very local, and, I don't have the means of transporting that.

I forgot to update that. I was able to reach a couple repeaters 26.5 miles and one repeater 95 miles, but, those all have very wide coverage. Although some repeater that are about 20 miles away don't have wide coverage, I thought I should still be able to reach it for transmit. One repeater I can hear fine with no noise, but, can't reach for transmit. I considered making something simple such as a j pole, slim jim, coax slim jim, or a vertical ground, but, I didn't think performance would be much difference than what I'm using. At least specifications I see are about the same. I thought it could be the height of the antenna with terrain. There's still trees and obstructions around at that height and higher, the terrain is pretty flat. What's a service meter? Sorry, I'm only familiar with swr, power and analyzers.

Okay, thanks for that. I'll see what I can do, but, I may not come up with that before the price increases, just kind of bad timing.

Last week the SMA Female fitting on one of my handheld antennas got separated from the base of the antenna. I don't know what went on, I didn't lean on it, it just happened. I assume I fixed it, because I was able to reach repeaters I don't think I would've reached, and, radio checks were fine. Meter doesn't indicate anything, either. I threaded the fitting back into the antenna base, which, seems to be how the fitting was connected. But, I just wanted to be sure if anyone is familiar with how most SMA Female fittings are installed? The fitting on the radio seems fine.

Thank you, G.

Oh, okay. A few sources in the past mentioned that ideally, the ground wire would be connected directly to the antenna / coaxial negative, and, straight down to the ground rod that in grounded next to the mast. I have seen a few mention to connect the ground wire from the mast to the rod, though. That's just too much to run down and money. So, I have an eight feet rod with about six inches exposed to allow room for the wires and clips. Ground wire from the rod to the negative of the radio. And, I will connect another wire from the mast to the rod that's next to it? Is it okay to solder copper wire to a galvanized mast or to use, say, a hose clamp?

If there is continuity between the mast and negative of the coaxial / antenna fitting, can I connect a short, say, about three feet of grounding wire at the lower portion of the mast to the grounding rod that is next to it? That would prevent me from paying for about forty feet of wire to connect the antenna to the grounding rod directly which would start to get pricey. PS; I currently have the negative of one of my radios connected to the grounding rod. Is that necessary? I just figured, "why not?"

Hmm, the website still shows the $219 price when I check. A good price reduction would be nice, though. I don't mean to be cheap, but, with me recently purchasing other supplies such as my mast and 9800, I can't dish out over $200 for a dmr handheld right now. lol. I've been pondering if I should go with an MD 380 VHF for the price, I'd just rather not carry two handhelds and I use both 2m and 70cm.

Okay. I was having trouble deciding, as I can't find many dual band DMR handhlds, that are affordable at least. I'd go with a 380 if there was a dual band option. I can carry two handhelds, but, that's annoying. I think I will choose either the MD 2017, RT82 or wait for two more models that are suppose to be released later this year. Thanks for your input.

So, what do you think of the TYT MD-2017? Or, at least compared to the Retevis Ailunce HD1, RT82 or similar? Sorry, I ask you, because I have trouble finding many reviews on new models. And, it seems you and I have been checking out the same YouTube videos, not that I'm spying. And anyone else is welcome to comment. PS, sorry to the original poster for being off topic.

Actually, now that I think of it, if I happen to have a handheld on me scanning around during public transportation or a family member giving me a ride, I notice that the most traffic does seem to be FRS and GMRS. I wouldn't be able to monitor CB while in transit, though. My handhelds are generally enough to reach the repeaters during transit, but, the problem for me would using a handheld antenna inside the vehicle. And I think you're right about the listening. Although I have only been an amateur licensee for a few months, I've played around with hamsat and amateur frequencies for about two years. I never transmitted, but, I feel that I can still learn by listening, studying, and entering frequencies. So, when I was licensed, it didn't feel too new to me, except that I could finally transmit. Besides, listening can still be fun. I listen to NOAA sometimes and there's a repeater that I can't reach in another county for transmit. I listen to the guys chat sometimes at night on the radio, but, have to use Echolink to chime in if I want. I will say, though. Sometimes I wish I had a buddy to chat with. I don't really have any friends, and, although I've met some operators, they and I don't really chat. So, I feel a bit alone in the amateur world and spend most of my time on nets and scanning or listning, GMRS is more for communication because I can use my callsign with my family.

My local Salvation Army did that some years ago, I don't know if they still do. They're kind of in a remote location, though except for a 7-Eleven about one mile away lol.

I don't know how much It'd be used, but, has anyone considered that Chat feature at the top?

Reminds me of a recent event I had with Walmart. Not only they use GMRS, though, but, 2m as well. Sad thing is, a lot of employees just look up to the managers or whomever provides and coordinates the communication methods. So, for the employees that are not familiar with radios or regulations (other than knowing the basics of using it such as power on/off, volume and PTT) they wouldn't know what they're doing is wrong if the coordinator doesn't say anything. That older guy I met at Walmart, he works the shopping carts and greetings, he isn't very familiar with the specifics, he just knows what frequency the team uses and that's all. So, It's not really his fault. Kind of like parents buying children those FRS/GMRS combo radios and let them play around on the GMRS frequencies while none of the family members are licensed. It's not really the childs fault. I kind of feel bad for the guy, but, I can't really do anything.

It usually amazes me how far people seem to chat with mobile or portable radios, a magmount antenna and they're vehicle while driving. Not just for amateur, but, even GMRS and CB. While oddly, sometimes it seems with a base setup, I could never reach that far. I don't drive, though, so, I can't compare. I do hit a few repeaters as well, but, aside from the IDer's, I rarely hear anyone on simplex or repeaters except for nets. Which everyone seems to up and leave when the nets are over. It must be nice for those having fun driving and chatting.

Thank you, G. We appreciate your time with the community.

I don't mean to hijack your post, but, has anyone tried the SDRuno or HDSDR? I generally use SDR#, and, was curious of any other free software. Sorry, I figured with the software being on the SDRPlay website, I could just add on a side note.

I thought the forum died for a couple weeks, then jim comes and sparks it again.

I have a Nagoya UT-108 in the attic on some sheet metal to add polarization and a steady surface. It works fine for GMRS. The Nagoya UT-308 you mentioned should be fine at that location / height. I would advise inside on the air conditioning unit, instead of outside, if possible. Unless you could bring it inside when not in use or bad weather. I just wouldn't trust it in the weather for prolong use.

On a side note, although I don't like being the pacifist, It's been noted from the staff regarding unauthorized used on frequencies with uncertified equipment, and, I'm just trying to follow the rules of the forum. With that said, the Baofeng BF-F8HP is not Part 95 certified to "transmit" legally with GMRS frequencies. I won't tell you what you can't do, but, for the sake of the community and forum, what you're not allowed to do. That is however, for transmitting; as I won't assume you plan on transmitting considering you didn't specify.

Someone in Deland I know uses an Orlando repeater, but, I'm not sure which one. I could try to listen in, but, I'm kind of at the edge of the Orlando coverage repeaters unless it has a very wide range.