WSAM454

A quick sketch as to how to wire the radio so it will turn on and off with the vehicle: (The relay addresses your point 3 in your original pos, and you should be able to find a fuse on the fuse block that has 12VDC only when the ignition is "on." (Vehicle radio power would be one example.) Referencing the linked relay above, the coil is terminals 85 and 86. Terminal 30 goes to the cable from the fuse, and the radio connects to terminal 87. (not 87a!)

A 50 Watt Output radio will need about twice the current to actually produce 50 W out, so a 10-15 Amp fuse would be close. (roughly 14 VDC at 10 A is 140Watts.) Depending on how the car battery cable is connected to the battery, you might be able to use an existing bolt along with a ring terminal, as nokones said. A current draw of about 15 amps would mean using 12 or 10 gauge cable, especially if it is along run from the battery to the radio. If you want to disconnect when the vehicle is off, then a relay connected to a switch power line would be the way to go. The power cable would connect to the relay's terminals, and the relay would be energized when the vehicle is switched on. You would need a relay capable of handling the possible 10- 15 amps current of draw. One like this: It can be wired under the hood, near the battery, and would need a small gauge (AWG 14 or 16) to connect it to the switched line. https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-0332209150-Fuel-Injection-Relay/dp/B004Z0U1IW/ref=sr_1_10?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6CiXZXcyMGg2s9FmvU_NFD_Mn9BDoW6bjYpTM_FSQloeyDfoCgJX4-e_vZlL8hliWO7eqhhc9Rny31HhLnaQr_ByzSTtIeO-qSFCEnz94bLiGSq90Bsaj8oLEXfxO3qmhnktxHf0D4cMOmh5oREUzHFLd_VpX7bgoHCMHL0HdfvyCRvoCSRPdOL9KLGk-np8QWAVEXBdltaAKnlmg6Bv_VLLxeKePEbJlfcmiGAALos.FszfNxua0PJmmlnp5Kj8u-SpIuFUBOlB0KiRV1-l_bE&dib_tag=se&keywords=12v+relay&qid=1714702608&sr=8-10

Yes, that is a typical 1/4 wave NMO mount antenna, as has been mentioned in the posts.

As '381 mentioned, a quarter wave ground plane is about 6" long, and so would fit and clear the garage, and while not a gain antenna, with a good ground under it, it will probably out-perform the ghost type antenna. If the carrier might hold items that can get in the way of the antenna, then a compromise might be a magnet mount antenna; not ideal, but still might be a better performer than a ghost antenna.

I would suggest a shielded cable, as short as possible, since it will be carrying audio, (possibility of getting hum) and may be susceptible to picking up RF in the shack, especially if the radio is running at full power output. Some thoughts: Any way to re-locate the radio closer to her and keep the mic cable the original length? While 30 feet of extra antenna cable will introduce some loss, it may be acceptable and not impact noticeably on signal strengths. (transmit or receive) The Wouxum's head can be remoted, and comes with a 10 foot extension cable to run from the head to the main unit. Since the mic connects to the head, the mic lead does not have to be changed. While more expensive than the other radio, this might be a consideration. I assume the cable they use is shielded, although it it NOT a straight-through cable, and a regular Ethernet cable CANNOT be directly substituted. (see the thread here: https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/7247-wouxan-kg-1000g-plus-faceplate-data-cable/#comment-77387

Glad you found the problem, and that it was not you! As for programming, make sure that the data cable is securely plugged into the side socket on the radio. When you get it working, their program is fine. Be sure you download the one for the KG-1000+ version of the radio, not the older 'non +' one.

Message withdrawn, I can't delete completely.

M&P is about the only "upgrade" from LMR400, unless you go to hardline! This site will custom make the M&P in the length you specify, with or without connectors: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/messi-paoloni-mp-uf10-mr.html

You should be happy with the M&P coax, which actually has a bit less loss than LMR400 but is not as widely known (yet!) Comet antennas are pretty well regarded, so the station should perform well. Curious to learn the final results in a few weeks.

Yes, SWR is a transmit function, but losing 3 dB is still signal loss, so yes, the length of the cable WILL effect receive!

Actually, it could be the cable, since I have found that sometimes a radio will receive well UNTIL the outer part of the PL-259 connector touches the barrel of the SO-239. To test SWR, you need a device. The most common is an SWR/Wattmeter such as the very popular and relatively inexpensive one that usually goes by the name Surecom SW-102 UV. (about $60 on Amazon) It must be a meter that will work on the GMRs freqs, which are referred to as UHF. If you are not very technically inclined, then I would suggest only the first 6 or so posts in this discussion, and don't get carried away with the rest of the 2 pages! https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/7312-budget-friendly-swr-meter/ If you find the SWR is very high, that may point to a cable/mount problem. If you can borrow another antenna to test the mount, that would also help give more information. Looking more closely at your video, are you sure that is an NMO mount? It looks like your antenna is screwing into an SMA connector, like is used on the top of a hand held radio. Can you remove the entire black part (down to the black rubber washer) and still have something that looks like this mounted to the metal bracket?

Have you checked transmit SWR with the antenna outside, in the clear? You are removing the antenna 'whip' but not its entire NMO mount; could there be a problem with the cable or the actual NMO mount? (either the antenna's mount or the car's mount.) Can you try another NMO mount antenna to see if it may be in the feedline or the mount itself?

If you have regularly have backyard BBQs, I doubt that you will open them up to anyone who may be passing by, although you may be more generous than the average person. As Gortex said, if you are spending the money to get the equipment in place, licensed, and maintained, then you should be able to have some control over who and how it is used. Bottom line is that although years ago Motorola called CTCSS "Private Line" it really isn't totally private!

Flagpole is a good possibility; I do not think HOAs are allowed to control your ability to fly a flag.

If you use their bluetooth program, you can customize the two side buttons (long and short press) and the top button (also long and short press) for a total of 6 settings. Not a whole lot of options to choose from, but you can include NOAA, flashlight, FM broadcast radio, monitor, and a few others that way. Try long and short presses of each button, and maybe that way you can find the light. Also, if you discover the NOAA button, remember that they have a number of freqs that you will have to scroll through to find the one nearest you.

Yes, if you are making the repeater reliably, then anyone who is listening to the repeater will be able to hear your conversation. Again, even if the repeater was crystal clear to you, your low power handheld might not be actually 'holding' the repeater with a good enough signal to be understood. Usually though, if you had tried and were very noisy, one of the others in the conversation would mention that there is a station that is not making the repeater, although sometimes the other users just ignore the station, thinking it is only there to cause interference. The polite thing would be to acknowledge the noisy station. Check your settings to make sure that you are programmed correctly; receive freq, transmit freq with correct offset (+5) and if any tone is needed for repeater access. (CTCSS, aka "PL.") Definitely see if you can hear your transmission using your second radio ( located at least a few hundred feet distant from the one transmitting) to see if you are actually making it in.

Can you clarify what you mean here? How do you hear yourself transmit when the ptt button is released? Do you mean you hear the 'tail' of the repeater for a second or so after you stop transmitting? If that is the case, then possibly you are able to key the repeater, but your signal is too noisy for the audio to be understood. Try this: Have someone listen to the repeater on one of your radios while you transmit, but do so from another location, at least a few hundred feet from the other radio, and have that listener see if you are actually keying and holding and being understood by the repeater. The repeater's transmit coverage might be very good, but your low power HT might not have enough power to make it in reliably from your location. Being able to hear the repeater does not mean that it will be able to 'hear' you.

Not sure I understand. You mentioned testing with a mobile. If you are trying to work a mobile, then trying to aim the antenna will be challenging. Even a 5 element antenna will have a relatively narrow beam width requiring careful aiming. You said the yagi performed similarly to the Tram, which is an omnidirectional antenna. The yagi, properly aimed, should outshine the vertical. Perhaps a larger (7-10 elements) beams at both ends would be better. If you are trying to receive another base station then you will have to aim carefully.

Since the GMRS yagi is mounted vertically (vertically polarized), it could be a problem if the mast was in the middle of the antenna, but most of the GMRS yagis I have seen are mounted from the rear, so the metal mast should not be a problem, since most likely there is enough spacing between the first element and the mast mounting area.

If your home will have an "attic" space, then that would be the highest point you will have it you can't mount the antenna outside. If it is a crawl space type, then your best bet may be a mobile type or a "J-pole" type antenna in that space. Appliance/HVAC wiring through that space can possibly interfere with your reception (or the radio can interfere with the appliances) so it still may not be ideal. Yes, read all the HOA info very carefully! There may be appearance objections to an 'unsightly' antenna, or health objections, to having a 'dangerous' RF source in the community. Good luck!

You asked about antennas and coax, so my thoughts: The Comet vertical antennas are popular. If you plan on a run of more than about 30 feet of coax, then you will want a low-loss type cable, especially if you are using only a 5 Watt HT. You can loose almost half of that power just getting the signal to the antenna if the cable is not of good quality and low loss. The most popular is called Times' LMR-400 cable, which is a low-loss cable, about 1/2" in diameter. Even lower loss, but more expensive,is M & P Ultraflex 10, also about 1/2" in diameter. Avoid the smaller diameter (1/4") cables, like RG8x and RG58, as their loss is too great. Quick searches will give you info on them as well as the Comet antenna GMRS line. As BoxCar mentioned, your best bet would be with a 25 Watt mobile type radio in the house, especially if your surroundings are pretty much flat and not at a high elevation. You mentioned being at about 700', but is the area is flat , then everything nearby is also at 700' and you will need to get the antenna as high as practical. Mounted to the side of the house means it will be about 30 or so feet above the ground; a good starting point.

Will you be talking with others (that are on the move) through the repeater or just with someone at home? If at home, then you may not even need a repeater. (What do fat people have to do with the repeater; will they absorb more RF???)

You will fine extremes on both sides of this discussion, and actually, some feel that the SAE connectors have better high-current-handling properties and a more secure, water-resistant connection than the ever-popular Power Poles. As BoxCar said, for current draw under about 6-8 Amps the cigarette lighter plug is fine, and if you do not foresee many rig/power connections, (using the rig in more than one car, or in car and home) then the SAE should serve you fine. If you want the ability to use your equipment along with others then the PP might be a more universal consideration.

The KB8VBR gmrs antenna that the OP said he is using is a copper tubing type of J-Pole style and mounts to a length of pipe or tubing. https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/ If he were using a twin-lead type "slim jim" antenna, (like the N9TAX antenna ) then yes, it must be hung from the top and remain in the clear. Not the easiest thing to do for a permanent installation. (I am not sure why the OP used the term "slim jim" along with the KB8VBR antenna description, since the link clearly shows it is not that style of antenna!)

Comets are very popular. Just be aware when comparing gain figures that some makers give them as dBi and some as dBd. The dBi ones will be higher; over-simplifying, it is because of a different way of measuring, but the important thing is to compare "i" to "i" and "d" to "d" The more conservative "d" rating is a bit more realistic, (usually about 3 units lower) and a good maker will be sure to let you know which they are using.