plarkinjr
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Posts posted by plarkinjr
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HI folks,
I really don't understand the purpose/function of sidetones (or the 1750Hz alert tone burst for that matter). Note: This is mostly in context of KG-935G software & settings, but I see related items in CHIRP for Baofengs.
None of the GMRS repeaters I have encountered require any DTMF or "tone burst". So what is the use-case for DTMF and ANI in the GMRS context? I've set ANI to transmit a code (305), and I hear it being sent. But why (aside from a "custom" roger beep)? There are several settings in the KG-935G which, despite RTFM, don't make sense to me.
- SIDETONE: can be set to DTMF, ANI, both, or none. Why/when would someone select each of these?
- RING: can be set to a value between 1second and 10seconds, or off. "time to prompt when DTMF signals have been decoded". Huh? Why?
- Call Settings: I can define & name 20 combinations of "ANI" codes. (e.g. Call Group 1 is set to "111" and I named it "CGrp1". There's a drop down at the top to select "Current Group". What does this do?
- Sidekeys can be programmed to "SELEC CALL" which "allows you to send a call to a specific calling group." Why/How?
Is there a video or other document which demonstrates how and why such features work?
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Ya know, a radio could be created which is simple for casual users who never want to touch a computer, and may only really be interested in simplexing with other GMRS users who may or may not be using the same equipment, but at the same time give it the capability to do more advanced things via programming software like:
- Repeaters of same frequencies but different tones
- Repeaters with split tones
- Scan out of band (e..g. 2m/70cm HAMs, Police, Fire, etc)
- DTMFs per channel
- Power level per channel
- etc etc
Such things could be hidden behind an "expert" menu from the keyboard, or even ONLY programmed via computer software (Mac, Linux, Windows, etc).
That being said, @pcradio mentioned "CHIRP is not much better" ... Well, I've got to say it is worlds better than the Wouxun software for KG-935G! While CHIRP has its frustrations, the Wouxun software is absolutely horrendous as far as the channel memory editor is concerned. I have some 10 year old LED Sign software which looks like WindowsXP with menus completely in Chinese, but it is much easier to use than the Wouxun KG-935G software. But there's a wait-list for Wouxuns, so nobody there sees any benefit in fixing/making-usable their programming software.
I've not checked into RT Systems software, but with a proprietary cable, and no trial system that I can see, I'm not sure it is any better than CHIRP. Plus, it does not support some of the weird radios I have (which are supported by CHIRP). Until a radio manufacturer produces quality software to program their under-$200 radios, CHIRP is the way to go. So, not counting RT systems, here's how I see it:
- horrible factory software
- frustrating (but consistent) CHIRP
- wonderful factory software
#1 is the norm, #3 I've never seen. So focusing my effort on #2 (CHIRP) is the forced compromise. It provides a fairly consistent interface across radios, so I don't have to learn the unique design quirks from the various software "engineers" at Baofeng, Retevis, Wouxun, etc. (Why, for example, did Wouxun choose to put the channel label in the 11th column, way over on the far right of the screen, vs CHIRP which puts it in column 2, on the left side of the screen, right next to the frequency, and one hop from the channel number? Why?? WHY??? And "Hello: Copy/Paste" from another program like, I dunno, Excel? Nope, sorry.)
ETA: (I forgot to mention before I hit SEND) It wouldn't seem unreasonable to me at least that a manufacturer couldnt release a "basic" radio for under $100, but sell an add-on "subscription" (if you will) for another $50 to provide great programming software to unlock advanced features and/or long-term support. Missed revenue opportunity on their part I guess.
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Another poster started a similar thread for KG-1000G and I thought it was such a great idea, I figured I'd start one for KG-935G. Some of this may apply to the KG-XS20G (manuals look very similar) or to other KGs.
Here's one I'll start with (and it has much to do with the software):
Scan Groups
Preface: The KG-935G has 999 memory slots. Scanning channels is fairly slow. Priority Channel scan is a great idea, but implemented globally (vs within a scan-group). If you visit different areas frequently, its best to scan only the stuff near you. If you have less than 100 channels of interest in any given area (I have 25 at most in any geographic area), this may help you. Aside from where I live, I regularly visit 2 areas, and less frequently visit 2 others.
Using the (less than great) Wouxun software:
First: Renumber all scan groups to Group1=100-199, Group2=200-299, etc etc (I made Group10=001-099). This makes it such that any channel's first digit is the same as the scan group number. (out of the box, group 2 runs from 100, to 199. Not so intuitive later on...)
Second, create a fake "Channel" at 100, 200, 300, 400, etc. Set it to no transmit, Scan Add = OFF, and give it a name for your areas of interest. For example, I have:
- 100="<HOME>" [settings: Rx 137.1, TX off, TX Power low, Mode narrow]
- 200="<DFW>" (Dallas)
- 300="<ETex>" (east Texas)
- 400= "<Hou>" (Houston)
- 800="<HotList" (stuff I might like to hear anywhere)
- several others. I left channels 1-99 factory stock.
Finally, separate all of your regional channels under the appropriate bank. For example, I have Tyler GMRS repeater in 311, DallasFire at 255. The Northwest Houston GMRS repeater in 401. You could further subdivide these by band, service, interest (e.g. 200=DFWGMRS, 400=HouGMRS, 500 Hou-HAM, 600-HOUfire) so you only scan GMRS for your area, or all the HAMs in an area, or only Fire/Police in another.
After doing that, it is a simple matter to use the radio's menu keyboard to set the scan group to match wherever you find yourself. And here's the true magic: Because you renumbered the groups, and stored a fake "label" channel at x00... if you ever forget, you can just key in "200", "400", etc, to see the channel group label ("<DFW>" & "<Hou>" in my case). Press UP Arrow to quickly find the channel you want, or set the scan group to #2 and you're scanning all the channels you saved for that "region" (Dallas on my radio).
Now it's your turn: Have any tips/tricks for KG-935G (or very closely related) radios? Post them here!
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On 10/31/2021 at 6:22 AM, kb2ztx said:
You'd be better off just running the cable thru the wall and sealing it up. You will have loss in the connectors and bulkhead connector.
At what point would you connect a lightning arrestor and ground?
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1 hour ago, TOM47 said:
SO CAN MY KG-935G! JUST TO BE SURE I TESTED SCANNING BOTH A & B AT THE SAME TIME JUST NOW START THE SCAN FOR EACH BAND AS ACTIVE.
OK, so what is the magic incantation? I'm on "B", press & hold "*" to start scan, then press [BAND] to switch to "A", but all that happens is "scan stop" on "B". Press [BAND] again to switch to "A", then "*" to scan. Press [BAND] to switch to "B", but it only does "scan stop". How do I switch from "A" to "B" without stopping the scan?
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I have a KG-935G and wonder if I'm missing something. It seems you can only scan on the "active" band/area. What I would like to do is put area "B" into scanning, and then switch to area "A", making it "main" and then changing channels, transmitting, maybe even scan a different group, etc etc, all while area "B" keeps scanning. This does not seem possible. Is such a thing possible with the KG-UV9Gpro?
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On 10/13/2021 at 12:39 AM, IanM said:
Easy peasy, but like I said, it's an in-development driver. Download it here. You'll need to run 'developer mode' under Help > Enable Developer Functions. Then go to File > Load Module, and locate that file you just downloaded. Hook up the radio, download, et voila. You won't see anything under the settings tab, because the developer is still working on it, and the 935 seems to have the settings mapped in the memory a little differently. DONT edit anything in the Browser. But you should be able to add and edit new memory slots just fine. ... it'll save you a lot of time adding, or even just rearranging, your custom channels....
THIS is a huge improvement! Editing all the other parts of the config with the Wouxun software is good enough. What they lack (usable memory channel editor), CHIRP makes up for. Thanks @IanM !!!
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I placed my order while it was on backorder, but it arrived in less than a week! I've had it in my hands a few hours, and its nice, but the software... omg, worst bit of code I've ever tried to operate.
On 10/8/2021 at 12:10 PM, TOM47 said:... PROGRAMMING ANY RADIO FROM THE FACE IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME. THE SOTWARE PROGRAMING IS EASY COMPARED TO THE 805G, 905G, 1000G AND XS-20G, HOEVER VERY SIMILAR.
I must be using different software. You can only copy & paste one line at a time. No CTRL-Z "Undo". You can't mass select a large block and edit in bulk (e.g. set "Scan Add" to "off" on 20 channels). You can't import anything, and you cannot copy a line from say Excel and paste into it. No filename on the title bar. File->Save always asks for a filename (how about "same file", until I "Save As"?)
"About" page says "KG-935G Commander VersionV1.02 (20210831)"
I have hundreds of frequencies in Bearcats and Baofengs I'd love to get into this new radio for scanning, but if I have to type them in one at a time on the Wouxun software.... well, I guess that aint happenin'. ;)
On 10/8/2021 at 3:48 PM, IanM said:...There's someone currently working on porting the KG-UV8D CHIRP driver to the 8H, and I tested it out with the 935. It's still a work in progress and likely won't be able to edit things specific to the 935 (different programmable keys, WX radio, etc) but it did let me add GMRS, 2m and 60cm channels....
...and now, @IanM, you have my attention!!!
What's the trick? I've tried to read from the radio via Chirp ("daily-20210930" build) using every Wouxun profile on it and just get error "Radio did not respond", or "Failed to communicate with radio".
What are use-cases for DTMF & ANI sidetones in GMRS? (and related menus on KG-935G)
in Technical Discussion
Posted
Thank you @mbrun for your excellent writeup! These two key points were settings that were unclear to me, but now make sense, and complete the picture. Also, thanks for the walk-thru on how to demonstrate these functions. I only have one 935, but I did try (and fail) to simulate it last weekend with another piece of equipment talking to the 935. Based on your example, and with the understanding of the ANI#DEST, and SP-Mute, I'll try my simulation again perhaps this weekend.
And thank you all who've contributed to this thread!
(BTW, I set my ANI as the last 3 digits of my callsign. BOT helps force me to wait a moment before speaking, and EOT is a bit of a "signature" Roger Beep. Currently they're set to BOTH. Not sure if I'll continue using them as such... I guess it depends on whether folks on repeaters I use raise a big stink over it or not.)