BoxCar

Sidetone is actually a telephony term and it refers to a small part of the input signal being fed back to the speaker.

I think you are both over thinking the monitoring of radio transmissions at the site of an incident. The only comms that are actively monitored would be the non-encrypted ones as tracking frequency hopping or code encrypted comms requires special equipment not found in most incident command vehicles. They are going after the low hanging fruit as it were.

Rather than move the mount, install a jumper wire from the mount to a good ground point. I would recommend nothing smaller than 14 ga wire.

BINT (Back In The Day) I built a line filter using a bridge rectifier and a feed-through capacitor to cure the engine noise into my CB. Doubt you could find the electrolytic feed-through cap now.

For simplicity, stick with the Midlands. There are many other brands available, BaoFeng, BTECH, Anytone, TYT, Woxun and thirty or more brands. There are several on-line retailers as well but BuytwoWayRadios gets good reviews.

None of my radios have numbers assigned to tones so privacy code 07 means absolutely nothing to me. There is no assurance that a manufacturer would assign the same tone to a code number so a value of 7 could be almost any tone that would be compatible with only their radios. GMRS/FRS still isn't popular enough that a significant number of people would even carry the radios or know how to set a code in the first place. CTCSS codes are something I set using a computer for specific repeaters and wouldn't even begin to fumble my way through a menu on a screen or voice prompt to try to set. No, using or requiring a code on a channel for emergency purposes isn't a good practice in my estimation. Perhaps something such as calling on the 7's would be a better solution, as there would be 6 specific times for beginning a call that would (and should) change to a different channel.

The 403-450 MHz antennas can be trimmed for GMRS but it would be very easy to trim a bit too much ruining the antenna.

Check the packaging on LED and CF bulbs for FCC certification. This helps ensure the emissions are low and will not cause undue interference. You'll pay a few pennies more, but it's worth it in an RF rich environment.

Tim, Good question but the answer isn't easy as there are more things to consider besides wattage. The key piece to distance is the antenna. Figure your antenna radiates in a pattern that could be described as a beachball with the top and bottom squished. Add gain to the antenna and the beachball just gets flatter and bigger around in the middle. The second piece to your antenna is height, The higher it's mounted on your vehicle, the better as height means the horizon is now further away. Your signal doesn't bend to follow the earth, it reaches the horizon and keeps going straight out. More power just means more signal is reaching the horizon and going off into the ether. Your 15 watts will travel less distance than say 20, 25 or even 50W but once it hits the horizon the extra power doesn't do anything. The other thing your antenna does is listen to incoming signals, so again height is important as the area covered is a larger diameter. Here, wattage becomes a factor. Signals lose strength the further they travel so a stronger signal as in higher wattage means you can be further apart. Receiving is dependent on the radio itself and its sensitivity. A HT can receive a lot further than it can transmit so I could hear somebody but not be able to talk because my signal isn't strong enough at their receiver. To sum up, a good balance for a mobile rig is the 15 to 25W radio. It will transmit a good signal to the horizon and comfortably reach most of the stations it receives.

Probably not but I'll bet that shark fin has at least 3 antennas and more likely 4. (AM/FM, Satellite, Phone and GPS)

Often rules set in one section are referenced in other sections and included by that reference,

You'll always be liable for Federal tax on SS, most states exempt it from state tax.

Welcome to the group. You will find a lot of information regarding your radios and their programming.

Coax is easy to find and most of the sites selling radio gear are competitive. Places like The Antenna Farm, DXEngineering, Gigaparts, Ham Radio Outlet and many others are all on the 'net. All you have to do is press a few buttons and shopwith the coax being delivered in a few days.

1. Load C 2. Connect programming cable 3. Start CPS program 4. Turn radio on 5. Set program so it connects to radio. 6. Read factory settings from radio 7. SAVE FACTORY CONFIGURATION 8. Create new code plug 9. Write to radio. 10. Turn radio off 11. Unplug programming cable 12. Enjoy

Buried within CFR 47 are several statements stating it is permissible to use any frequency when there is an immediate danger that would or could result in the loss of life. I don't recall the exact section but I know the exemption is in part 90 and other parts. A few years ago (more like 10) an amateur operator was fined for contacting a public safety agency and reporting an emergency. That was acceptable but, what was not was he stayed on the frequency and continued to transmit after being told to leave.

The Commission has stated if Life, Health or property is in immediate danger one may use any frequency to summon aid. They have also ruled in the past that once the aid is summoned the emergency use exemption has been met and further transmissions are not allowed unless authorization is specifically granted by the responding agency. Once you contact an agency and relay the situation, the emergency is over as far as you are concerned and further transmissions are in violation of Commission rules.

I would put an RF choke (Ferrite ring) around the power cable between the T connector and the radio. Amazon.com : ferrite chokes

BINGO! You got it. As it is a treaty it has to go through the Congress Critters in the Senate who will do everything in their power to politicize it.

Good question. In the Part 90 world a fixed station is primarily used for data transmissions between two points. Fixed stations are usually used for automatic reporting of fluid levels in storage tanks, river levels and the like. They are primarily one way transmissions but they can also be two way such as the control station sending a command to open a valve or flip a switch.

For the price they're asking for it, plus freight to Alaska you may be better off with a Kubota or Deere tractor. The tractor would be more versatile than the single use dozer.

IIRC, international traffic is specifically mentioned in the rules as being permitted but there is no mention of domestic traffic between services. I have a feeling the FCC would frown on it and the ham is subject to contact by a volunteer monitor about questionable operation.

The only Part 97 transmissions allowed with no identified receiving station are CW and test messages.

The Enforcement Bureau is more focused on protecting the commercial users such as FM radio and cellular providers than individuals. They do go after major importers of equipment but not as aggressive as they used to.

If you get the 706 there is no pressing need for the 2730 as the 706 does 2M and 70CM.