WRNN959

Most likely this repeater: https://mygmrs.com/repeater/6281

????? My "base station" is an MXT 500 mobile mounted in my shed. I only call it a base station in this context as it's used stationary for the time being. I'm even using a mobile antenna with the setup.

Being very new to GMRS, I can say my intended purpose is for use while traveling in groups camping. Having said that, I've set up a base station in my "radio shed" for the purpose of learning how to use the radio with repeater networks in my region. In the process of doing so, I've discovered numerous users that use the repeater network for social radio conversations. I don't personally know any of those that transmit regularly, but within a few weeks I recognize several dozen call signs and names that are on weekly or even several times daily. I'm beginning to feel at least in the Midwest, the GMRS network may end up working for me like CB radio did back in the 70s with developing social friendships that will likely include occasional meetups. Never expected that to be the case, but I'm kind of glad.

It's the type that is designed for tailgating where folks put the vehicle tire on the base plate to temporarily hoist the flag. I mounted the foot to the bottom of my trailer tongue for a permanent mount that just takes a few seconds to deploy the flag pole. The flag pole is sold by a veteran owned company called Service First. They have several versions to choose from. The one I bought was a complete kit with flag and hardware. There's a 3/8-24 threaded socket at the top of the pole for the round finial. I plan to use that thread to mount and NMO antenna base with ground plane radials. It should just take a minute or two to install the antenna before extending the mast to full height. Here's a link to the flag pole I bought. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BG6NBVC6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

We mounted a 25' telescoping flag pole to the front tongue of our travel trailer. It collapses to about 5' and the pole mounts in a stub that stays permanently attached to the trailer frame. Takes less than five minutes to install and extend the flag pole for setup or tear down. I'm considering installing an NMO antenna mount at the top of the pole for GMRS comms. When traveling the flag pole stows in the bed of the truck. In my case the coax will stow under my propane storage cover when not in use.

Regarding the "radio shed", the south facing slope of the roof could accommodate one to twelve 200w rigid panels like on our camper. Not sure I need to go that far but a single panel dedicated to charge a modest battery bank for the comms system would be a no-brainer.

I'd love to find some research comparing battery banks including things like noise emissions. The nice thing with Amazon Prime is if you can actually buy two or three different brands, compare and return the less satisfactory for free. Not the best way to go but hey, they are all about customer satisfaction.

Both Renogy and Newpowa as well as other quality solar brands are designed to withstand considerable impact such as hail stones. The truck would fair much worse in a hail storm. The power bank has an internal charge controller so the install is very much plug and play. The Jackery brand can be charged with solar, 110v and 12v simultaneously. The charge controller does all the work. It will shut down below 30 deg. f, but for the fridge that's not a problem of course. For significant shade or darkness the truck or a 110v shore power connection can maintain for a the short term. We have 400w of Newpowa rigid panels on our camper with 640AH of LifePo4 batteries for off grid camping. The panels endure a lot and never a hiccup. Needless to say a GMRS base and mobile are in the works for the camper and the truck.

I installed a 1000watt lithium power bank connected to a 200 watt flexible solar panel on the roof of my camper shell. This system is for running a 70 qt portable freezer/fridge I carry in the bed of the truck. The system is able to run indefinitely 24/7 with very little attention. I’m considering a similar installation on my radio shed. It would serve as power supply for comms, and has 110v, USB and 12v outlets for running or charging other devices.

I'm relatively new to GMRS and very new to my MXT500. All this was a bit confusing to me at first also, but it all makes sense once you understand how the TX/RX repeater channels work. I think with the advice above you are very close to success.

I went with a Midland MXAT01VP Grand Vista 7.5db fiberglass antenna. Mine is mounted on the gable end of the radio shed about 20' up and I'm easily reaching repeaters 40-50 miles away. The whip is only about 4' tall so you could easily mount in your attic space. As mentioned above you need an NMO base with ground plane radials. This configuration is working very good for me.

I threw out that part about spare time while rolling my eyes! I've now actually been without gainful employment for over a year and have very little spare time. Between selling or main home and remodeling a downsizer house for retirement, buying the camper and setting it up for our adventures and breaking it in, and the usual other plethora of family obligations, there's no actual spare time as you well know. But we don't have to rub it in to the working folks around us. Yes you picked up on my love for dogs. Been a dog owner since I could walk, never been without a canine friend and someone will likely inherit my last dog some day. The two in the picture are in the middle of the bed between my wife and I as I type this message. Regarding GMRS and forum participation, I'm well past being bashful or intimidated to jump in. Having been very active on multiple other forums of other topics, this is my comfort zone when it comes to learning new information and developing friendships around a specific interest with folks near and far. It's almost strange to me that I'm comfortable with this medium having grown up without social media and even learning to operate within the computerized world and internet at a pretty mature age. But these kind of resources are amazing if a person just gets involved and lets his inhibitions go. So thanks to everyone for the warm welcome and I look forward to good conversations, sharing of ideas and most of all picking your brains for vital knowledge to become a seasoned radio operator with time.

This is my second comment on the forum after joining yesterday, and realizing I should probably introduce myself before just jumping in. Been working my way towards a long term retirement plan over the last two years. Started off with applying for my GMRS license, go figure. Where else do you start the process of retiring? Long story short, travel will be a big part of retirement for the next several years and off grid will be a large part of that. GMRS just seemed like a necessity with that in mind. Got a new truck, mobile radio purchased. Recently got the travel trailer, "base radio" purchased. Just today requested and gained access to a big part of the Midwest network. Still haven't started transmitting other than simplex practice in the neighborhood. Of course monitoring the channels on the base radio in my "shack". I'm looking forward to learning from and perhaps connecting with the seasoned veterans and well as the rest of the community in due time. What else does a retired guy do with his spare time. So here's a "hearty greetings from central Indiana" to the greater GMRS family!

Being an absolute nube at this point and just getting equipment together and functional, two years into a license that at the time I didn't even know if I would really use it. Fast forward discovered OffRoader X on the Ytube and now I'm learning in earnest. I wandered how long it was going to take you to chime in on this thread. Meanwhile having a ball learning about GMRS, but also learning many of the personalities on the forum.