Lscott

The method is based on “similar triangles”. It’s one of the first things one learns in an elementary geometry class. No special tools required other than a bright sunny day to get a good shadow on the ground of the tower and short stick. example: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HoYTwic-P-w/U1yOwu2z9RI/AAAAAAAAifw/_wnynMunKx4/w1200-h630-p-nu/picture2.jpg

You’re right. The thread sort of got highjacked.

Ah, yes there is! I have a copy. It will do both wide and narrow band FM. If it wasn’t for the availability of the patched/cracked copy I wouldn’t be interested in the NX-1000 series. So far as I know the software for the NX-3000’s and NX-5000’s has not been cracked.

As a practical mater it can be done using a long tape measure and a stick like a broom handle. A bit of high school geometry applied will give the answer without having to take down the tower. Look in the back of the book for the solution.

If you only need a few radios buying used isn’t bad. Currently I have 10 of the 3170’s and 8 of the 3173’s, which is the same radio except it as trunking. The NX-1300’s are current production. I’m buying the 400-470 MHz band split since they will work for Ham and GMRS. As far as programming for GMRS they can meet the technical specifications except for the 0.5 watts on the FRS channels. On low power they output about 1 watt. The radios can be upgraded, or purchased, to do digital voice as well as analog FM. Since most of the Ham digital voice operation is on UHF this radio model is attractive so all I need is just one. Some of the limitations I’ve read people complaining about in various cheap GMRS radios doesn’t appear in the commercial radios. They have a lot of flexibility on their setup. NX-1200_1300 Num 2.pdf

In fact if you check on the internet there are some very specific instructions on what type of batteries you can carry on and pack in you checked baggage. If one does this often I suggest getting that info and follow the instructions.

I took my Ham HT’s all the time through airport security. The only issue I had was the time I had the Fanny Pack with the 5 amp-hour gell cell and cigarette lighter plug on it in the briefcase. Of course it shows up as a big solid black box with some round cylinder thingy connected to it on the X-ray machine. Poor TSA guy was holding it at arms length with one hand while SLOWLY pulling the zipper open with the other. The cigarette lighter plug jumped out like a jack-in-a-box. The guy tried to throw it but forgot to let go of it. Everyone saw what happen. He was very nice about it when he gave it back and suggested I put it in my checked baggage next time. Nothing further happened at the check point and I was cleared to proceed to the gate. I’m sure the guy felt really stupid.

Oh, forgot. The NX-1300 radios with display and limited keypad are fully front panel programmable. Just have to enable the feature in the radio’s programming software when you write the code plug. Most commercial radios this isn’t possible without a hardware mod, or purchasing and expensive license key for the feature.

Most, if not all, of my commercial Kenwood radios are built in Malaysia. Kenwood has been manufacturing radios there for many years. One recent model I have. Radio was upgraded to analog and DMR. Also just acquired the ARC4 encryption license too. Have three radios to upgrade. It’s Part 90 but functions perfectly on GMRS. You’ll find a lot of people on this forum using Part 90 radios. The TK-3170 also has a Part 95A certification too in the prior post.

Instead of wasting so much time buying cheap junk Chinese radios on eBay just get a pair of commercial rated HT’s and be done with it. I’ve purchased several of the below radios on eBay. Yeah, bit more expensive, if you shop you can score a good deal, and they “just work”.

https://www.wikiwand.com/en/J-pole_antenna

That’s a real shame. This is one case where a special class of GMRS license could be issued by the FCC. It would be strictly for a repeater to be used by park guests. All individuals would still be required to have their own GMRS license however. An alternative solution is to license a business class license for a repeater. Park guests would sign an agreement requesting permission to use that frequency and program it into their radio, likely for a fee, if their radio supports it. Those that don’t have the ability can rent a cheap radio already setup.

Those little radios can get addictive. Trust me on that point.

You have a ground floor unit or a multilevel unit building? If you have a top floor unit up several levels all you need do is clear the roof line. That’s effectively a small tower, better than what a lot of other people have.

At least any you know about. Doesn’t imply there are none.

https://manuals.repeater-builder.com/Kenwood/tk/TK-8180/TK-8180-8189(E)_B51-8714-00.pdf https://manuals.repeater-builder.com/Kenwood/tk/TK-8180/TK-8180_sup.pdf

The FCC got burned on the FRS/GMRS mess. They’re not eager to repeat that mistake.

And that is the issue. You keep reading the forums here and you quickly realize there’s enough people who know the rules but simply ignore them by using uncertified equipment, modified radios etc. just because they can and it’s “convenient” to do so. As long as that attitude persists the FCC will never go along with the idea of a multi service radio. Why? Because once they have it it still won’t be enough so they will push envelope further. There’s no end to it.

When I looked at the FCC certification grants they were for Parts 95E, GMRS, and Part 15, which is usually all you see for Ham gear.

If you can find a radio that works and cheap that’s great. Usually the cost cutting is in the receiving section. The really cheap radios suffer from poor selectivity and desense from strong nearby sources. You get what you pay for, and sometimes not even that.

Most people might volunteer their time and some effort. When it comes to their wallet that’s a different issue. That’s where handing out FRS radios may work better. The volunteers don’t have spend money, the radios are relatively cheap. Tell someone they have to spend $100 on a real GMRS radio, plus another $35 for the license, they might use a few times a month, or until they get bored and quit, isn’t going to fly. Those who are really serious will get their own radio and license.

Perhaps later firmware revisions will make a significant change in the radio’s function addressing the possible use of the radio on both services at the same time.

The FCC is cracking down on radios that are certified Part 90 but have front panel programming enabled. I believe the Part 90 rules prohibit users to have access to any frequency programming controls. So they CYA themselves by locking out the feature. You then need to specifically enable it through a menu setting or the programming software.

That’s not a problem. The GMRS users have to ID. The FRS guys don’t. Main difference is FRS has no access to the repeater input frequencies.

I would be very surprised if it’s really a fully functioning Ham and GMRS radio. That would lead to the exact same mess the FCC created with the combo FRS/GMRS radios before the 2017 rule changes. Almost nobody got the required GMRS license to use the GMRS exclusive channels. Now with this radio someone pays their $35 for the GMRS license and now they’re all over the Ham bands just because the radio is enabled to work there.