GreggInFL

Is 1/2" Heliax very flexible? I'm considering putting an antenna on the roof, but may need to move it inside for the weekly hurricane, so it will get moved around.

Nice installation. Welcome to the party!

Welcome!

Okay, they eventually sometimes maybe respond, but don't count on it.

They probably respond to complaints, and they aren't getting any.

Sorry, I was just joking around. The FCC recently made clear that linking GMRS stations over the Internet was against the regs.

A repeater can't "repeat" to another repeater, because the output frequency from one repeater (462) won't match the input frequency (467) of the other repeater. Obviously, they need to be linked.

Same here. That was pre integrated circuits. Have soldering iron will travel.

Really? What percentage of GMRS users who go H.A.M. eventually drop it and stick with GMRS, in your estimation? I'm tempted to get a DMR radio just for RX. As my primary interest is the SHTF scenarios common here in Hurricane Central, the more info that can be gathered the better. I can see getting updates from HAMS and relaying the info to the neighborhood via GMRS. What's the passing grade for a Tech license? I once took one of those mini tests on-the-fly and did rather well, but I don't recall the score.

Okay, good point. My DB25-G has a jack for a headset. Perhaps some bubble gum and bailing wire could somehow make that work.

Don't many mobile radios have an audio out port for an external speaker?

I assumed that kind of setup (microwave or otherwise) was on a dedicated portion of the spectrum, outside GMRS, but I guess that does not have to be the case. Have I ever mentioned that this is a great forum?

And I see it's fixed station to fixed station only -- no HTs, mobiles, base stations or repeaters. Huh. Use case(s)?

Thanks. You just saved me several hours.

Ouch.

I'll bite. What is a "fixed station" and how does it differ from a base station?

The service is primarily designed for that use, but you are not restricted to that. It is a "General Mobile" service so the only limit is your imagination. You can use it for business as long as everyone is licensed. You can use it as part of a neighborhood comm backup in the case of an emergency. My HOA, for example just announced that channel 15 would be used if all else fails (seriously considering a repeater). Don't forget that it shares channels with FRS radios, so in a close group you can connect to a number of unlicensed knuckleheads. Welcome to GMRS!

How about an aluminum Airstream? Does Al make for a good ground plane, or does the ground plane need to be ferrous? We have an old Airstream. It's the smallest one they ever made; as a matter of fact, the Airstream cult have nickname it the "Toaster." I have given some thought to putting my mobile in it with a mag mount on top when stopped, but the idea of a repeater is very appealing. Should work when moving. I guess that would make it a mobile repeater. I'm game Steve! You're first in line to tell me how to do it.

No, but I like the idea. I'll report back later.

That's what I did, with the same antenna. A good first-step improvement. I still use it occasionally with a DB25-G.

Same here. I ask permission and offer thanks with a note that I will assume "open" means just that and requires no response from the owner. Long pause... ...due to traffic on Daytona 650, which is permission only. Turns out it was the owner asking for a radio check. We chatted for a while and he said the repeater had been unlisted for a couple years and recently made available via MyGMRS with permission only. Nice guy. This is a great example of asking permission, promising to follow the rules and getting to use someone else's gear. DAB650 has very little traffic. If the SHTF I'll move from wide open Orlando 700 to this little guy because 700 will get swamped.

Interesting that there is, apparently, no limitation on using the HT in foreign ports. Then again, perhaps they have done their homework and know there would be no problems in ports they visit. You have to go to the bridge to get the answer. I once asked a non-officer crew member what frequency was being used for port operations at our next stop. He responded, "We don't use frequencies, we use channels".

Sure, just use the GMRS repeater frequency. And welcome to GMRS!

I heard that but have been skeptical. Thanks for the documentation. Wow.

It can be worse than that. Some cruise lines make money renting out radios to travelers who know their cell phones won't work at sea. Scanning around any of the many cruise ports in Florida leads to much hilarity as one listens to conversations about the buffet specials. Hopefully, the crew knows enough to not match the radio freqs with anything important. I've taken radios on cruises to foreign countries more than once. I ask the officers what freqs are used for such things as port operations, on-board comms, ship-to-ship, etc. and underline the fact that it's RX only, no TX, that I'm interested in. Most officers are cooperative and curious, others have told me to lock it in the safe and not to touch it for the remainder of the trip; apparently it is illegal to just listen to some channels in some places. I always bring the cheapest, POS CCR in the inventory in case it gets confiscated. Of course, one could avoid all this by just scanning on a hacked UV-5R; at least that's what I read on the internet.