Lscott

I thought this might be a topic with general interest. How many out there have specifically prepped one or more radios, chargers, battery packs, programming cables, software and computers to safe guard against an EMP event or similar. That would be specifically Faraday boxes etc. to store the above items. If you have what radio(s) are you going to bet your life on and how did you do the prep? I’ve read about stuff as simple as a “shielded” bag to double storing sensitive electronics in metal trash cans stored inside of another while metallic tape used to seal the edges etc. The “event” doesn’t have to be human generated. Something like a huge CME would do. https://www.history.com/news/a-perfect-solar-superstorm-the-1859-carrington-event

As another mentioned the radio might be flashed with the “Passport” firmware, not the standard Kenwood LMR type. This is NOT compatible with the software you have. You need to locate and use the special Passport radio programing software. If you’re lucky the firmware flashing feature is enabled in the radio. Try flashing the standard LMR firmware for you radio’s hardware version. Then try programming again. Also are you sure the radio doesn’t have a read/write password set? That is guaranteed to screw up when writing to the radio if the write password is set.

Some people unfortunately end up with a USB programming cable built with a counterfeit Prolific chip. The drivers are designed to detect those and refuse to work. Since you’re using Win11 I don’t think there is and old version of the driver that you can download without the counterfeit chip detect logic. Your best bet is using a cable built with a FTDI chip, different manufacturer. People have extremely good luck with those cables. https://bluemax49ers.com The gentleman also is an excellent source for radio programming software when you buy a cable from him. Many on this forum have done business with the vendor. Highly recommended.

That’s almost exactly what I expected for a 65 foot run of LMR-400 based on the cable loss factor. That’s a 1.76db loss.

If it’s real LMR-400 coax you should read about 67% of the input power at the end of the 65 foot run. That’s at 450MHz from a data table I have. GMRS is a bit higher frequency so the loss is a tiny bit higher from that factor. Crappy feed throughs and other poor coax end connectors can reduce the power more.

What do you mean I have to take it off in put it in a separate tray to go through the X-ray machine? It’s a radio, not a shoe!

I see the point. None the less I know a few people who have done it so it’s possible.

I got that part. I just wanted to point out it was rather easy to measure using a simple technique. I would guess there's likely someone who really wants to know how it could be done. For example there are old TV antenna towers free for the taking provided the interested party does the removal. It would be nice to see if it’s really worth it when a minimum tower height is a target.

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.