marcspaz

I actually use a wide footprint to tolerate high winds. You can bring them in and reduce the footprint, but it will reduce total tolerated wind speeds. There is some math that can be done to find the critical angle if you want to go that route. I don't have any issues with a ground plane. All of my vertical antennas have built-in ground planes in the mount or are half wave antennas that don't need a ground plane. So, the actual ground quality doesn't matter. It does play in if you try to use a dipole for HF, though. I have seen some creative engineering... and I aways ask "if it works, was it really a bad idea?" LOL Yeah, I was thinking pulling the seat and putting a short mast (5', maybe) and rotor would be good. Not to mention you can climb up there to work on it easily, which is awesome.

That's a good looking tower. Have to be honest. I have access to a couple of commercial towers at 300'+ and at high ASL locations, too... but I still get jealous. I wish I had the land and the money to put one up behind my house. LOL Not gonna deny corruption exist, but in your previous post, you make it sound like corruption is SOP for Hams and government relationships.

@WRKC935 not trying to start an argument... but It will probably turn into one. I don't think any of what you wrote is even close to accurate nor good advice. Nothing says any government agency must enter into a contract or MOU or deny entering into a contract or MOU with anyone. The pricing method you listed on tower leases is completely wrong. Most governemnt agencies already charge to have Amateur Radio towers or equipment on government property unless there is an MOU or contract to support that agency and those agreements includes land/property use. I can promise you that there is ZERO chance the owner or management team (if government agency) of a water tower doesn't know what Hams are doing on their property. Public Works facilities are highly monitored and heavily restrict access. Government agencies, public works, hospitals, etc., don't just let you claim to be ARES/RACES and let you put up whatever you want. There must be proof of association, a contract or MOU to provide a specific service must be executed. Training and testing will be conducted regularly. Depending on the agency, people involved need to get cleared for a Public Trust or possibly some type of addition security clearance, etc. I think this gets to the root of your post. The reality is that when no one else can communicate, Hams can, and that is why the government commits to MOU's and contracts relating to training and support. Thankfully, Honor has its privilege. My guess based on all the rest of your post is that you're jealous?

You can't put the number in both unless you set it to cross, which really isn't needed. If you only want to hear repeater traffic, just set the type to TSQL and add the number to the ToneSQL field. If you want to be able to hear everyone on the channel, including simplex operators, set the type to Tone and put the number in the Tone field.

If you just stick it in a tripod and don't use guys, in low/zero wind it will hold about 5 lbs max at full extension. It will not hold much weight at all. In fact, I was up on Flagpole Knob when some 40 mph winds came through and damn near folded it in half. Now, if its guyed with a good tripod, It will easily hold 25-30 lbs. I use 3 tiers of guys with one set at the top 5 inches. The guys keep the mast straight under the load for max weight capacity. I have had my 10' vertical in 80-90 mph winds. The top of the antenna was moving all over, the the mast didn't budge. The two heaviest loads I have run while fully extended is (1.) a mono-band 20m hex beam with thrust bearings and a rotor at the base, and (2.) a 10' tall 2m repeater antenna, 20m dipole and an 80m inverted V with a balun and choke. That second setup was in a massive overnight snow storm we had during Winter Field Day a few years ago.

Wow! That's actually really neat... but I personally wouldn't spend that much. The platform is only 17' high. The shooting rail is the part that is at 20', and the rail doesn't look like it would hold much weight. You will almost double your range on flat terrain, but we are talking about going from 3.1 miles to 5.9 miles. I bought this instead.... https://mfjenterprises.com/products/mfj-1906h?_pos=25&_sid=bfd1eb1e0&_ss=r I get about a 9 to 10 mile radius (in flat/level terrain) with my antenna on this. A tripod, ground stakes and guy lines, I spent less than $280. I designed it to be portable, but it can be a permanent setup with zero concerns... in fact, right now and for the past 3-4 months, it's actually behind my house in the woods being used to hold up my 80 meter HF antenna.

Looking good.

For sure. We are only a year and a half into the new solar cycle and expected to peak in about 3 years. I have see some SFI number in the 180's recently, though. I'm optimistic this cycle won't be as bad as the predictions are.

During solar minimum, 10m with 100 watts, I've worked most states and 8 countries... mostly mobile. As the solar cycles move to maximum, you can work the world on 10m with just a few watts. Actually, during the last solar cycle, one of my 10m contacts in Ohio was with only 0.5 watts out of my IC-746 Pro. I also worked Mexico with 0.5w with my IC-7300.

QFT!

If you get out of major metro areas like DC, Tampa, LA, etc., there is almost no traffic on CB. The problem is, I live in the DC metro and occasionally in the Tampa area and a vast majority of users are Truckers and local infrastructure construction crews, and they are constantly using the most horrible language, threatening each other, and generally making it impossible for someone to have a conversation.

CB turned into an RF trashcan. I really hope that doesn't happen to GMRS.

That was actually one of the things we complained about when we called. I was worried it would seem kind of petty. There are 8 cameras that are very visibly on the outside of the house. One of them I had in plain view at the front door for 2 years. There are also 2 signs saying there is video recording/monitoring taking place... the bladed edge of one of them can be seen in the video. Sadly, this kid just doesn't care. I ordered an inexpensive frequency counter to use while offroading, oddly enough. It's a Surecom SF401 Plus. I have a commercial grade Sony Tektronix SA and an MFJ frequency counter that works surprisingly well, too. They aren't practical to use when offroad and don't exactly fit the need. A few times a year, I take fairly decent sized groups of new offroaders out into the mountains for their first or second trip ever, and some training on how to do recoveries and navigate the trails. There is a regular problem with the with the new people that we go offroad with. They buy bubble pack radios and never know what frequency they are on or what tone they are using. Like the Surecom SWR meter, the Surecom SF401 Plus is able to be calibrated by the end-user which means its capable of being "close enough" for the task... but along with the frequency, it decodes CTCSS/CDCSS encoding. So we can eassily get everyone's radios working correctly when out on the trails. I was thinking about a PO Box... but I have been working from home since 2016. So delivery at work still ends up on my stoop. LOL

I like the idea. I have been trying to help. The area's I have homes are flooded with repeaters. Multiple friends/acquaintances of mine, as well as several clubs, have put up so many repeaters in Northern VA, that there are 2 or 3 on every pair. I am still trying to get some more deployed. I do have one up at my Virginia home that has about a 15 mile radius. I am also looking at putting up several repeaters in a park in Schuylkill County PA and New London County CT on property that belongs to family and friends.

Amazon Prime Home Delivery FTW! If you buy inexpensive electronics from Amazon and it doesn't work correctly, don't automatically assume it's cheap Chinese electronics... you may want to check your video footage. This 'was' a sensitive piece of electronics... RF Frequency Counter. The second one I bought in a week, because the first one didn't work correctly on delivery either. hmmm... I wonder why. At least Amazon gave me a refund.

I have to be honest... I own a repeater with no ID, but never had a site inspection. However, one of my friends has a repeater on every pair and none of them ID. He has had several inspections over the years at all of his locations and even without his systems ID'ing, his system were found compliant. One of the systems has been on the air for 17 years. It may be anecdotal, but I'm pretty sure under the private and share use clauses, they don't have to ID in those conditions. Again, just my opinion and sharing second hand info... but there it is. I actually really like this idea and generally agree... but my repeater system doesn't support automated ID, nor can one be added without some serious engineering on my part. This is pretty common for an inexpensive repeater.

I'm out with my wife and grand daughter right now... so I haven't read everything yet. I apologize if I'm missing something. I'll swing back and read the thread in detail when I'm home. I did glance through and I can tell you with 100% certainty that there is no chance for that antenna to work well were it is located. I have owned Jeeps most of my life. Every Wrangler I have owned since 2010, I have used a Diamond or Comet lip mount and it is always adjusted to its highest point and at least 7 to 8 inches away from the A Pillar. JL and JT vehicles have a plastic corner cap, so the mount should be a touch further forward than on the JK models. The one I have been using with great success for the past 4-5 years is the CP-5NMO from Comet. My previous Jeep...

Based on my understanding, I agree. The fact that the FCC never asks us what radio we are using nor what radios we own as it relates to qualifying for a license. Also, the fact that there is a provision for allowing station sharing, rather than a limitation on sharing, I have to suspect your statement is true. However, as I mentioned previously, we have to take the rules as a whole... so there are some requirements (limits) beyond simply ID'ing with your call sign that need to be met.

I would always support the idea of getting clarification on actions that are not clear and cause concern. Though, I would discuss stuff like this with a lawyer, not the FCC employees. Most FCC employees would do no better at interpreting the rules than any of us would.

I am not a lawyer and I am not offering anyone legal advice. I am simply sharing my opinion of my interpretation of the rules. This information is strictly 'use at your own risk'. Hey Steve... the disclaimer is not directed at you, but some knucklehead out there may make it necessary. T The situation in your example is a little different than what we are discussing, in that you are talking about borrowing and physically taking possession of a radio combined with sharing a station. That is a bit more complex, but the rules apply the same. FCC Rule §95.1705 (f) is titled "Cooperative use of GMRS stations." It says "GMRS licensees may share the use of their stations with other persons eligible in the GMRS, subject to the conditions and limitations in this paragraph." So, to start, this means we can share, but with limits. Sub-part (1) say "The GMRS station to be shared must be individually owned by the licensee, jointly owned by the participants and the licensee, leased individually by the licensee, or leased jointly by the participants and the licensee. " That tells us that only someone who actually owns the repeater can establish sharing. I am a sharing use of my friend's repeater hear in VA, but I have no ownership over it. So I can't establish a sharing agreement for someone else to share it, only my friend can. Sub-part (2) says that "The licensee must maintain access to and control over all stations authorized under its license. " Meaning my friend, the owner of the station/repeater must maintain control of the station. So, while I am using it, my friend still have enforcement capabilities as to who uses it and when. Sub-part (3) isn't relevant to the current discussion, but sub-part (4) states "All sharing arrangements must be conducted in accordance with a written agreement to be kept as part of the station records." Meaning, we can just have verbal agreement. If there is a site audit, we need documentation of whom is allowed to share the repeater. So, understanding those guidelines... lets look at your use case. Yes, based on my understanding of the aforementioned rules, that is correct. As I understand the rules, that is also correct. To my understanding, when we are chatting with each other, the repeater is considered properly identified when either of us ID. However, because we are both using other radios in the string, it still requires both of us to ID so we stay compliant with our local transmitters. Not just the repeater. If you use the repeater as an open repeater, it would have to transmit your ID every 15 minutes of use or at the end of a single or string of brief transmissions. You can automate it or if you are monitoring it do it manually by voice.

I'm glad you found someone to help get the radio installed! Sounds like you are having a great time and adding a mobile to the toolbox will just expand the fun. We have a good group around here (Northern VA). It's fun to get on the radio and chat with friends, coordinate get-togethers, and have someone to talk to when driving. You are creating the real-world use case for it by simply wanting to enjoy it. That's all that matter... so, enjoy!

@KAF6045, you must take all of the rules collectively into consideration. Not just one half of one qualifier in one sub-part of a sub-section. For example, § 95.1705 (f) allows for legal station sharing. That is why owners setup clubs and/or have you request sharing access of the repeater in writing (via email or the web app here on MyGMRS.com, for example). The request and approval become part of the station record. The licensees who are sharing the repeater operate under their own license... therefore, no special ID system is required. The only time a repeater requires an ID is if it is an open repeater... meaning it's not private or shared, but rather open to the public for any licensed operator, without written agreement or record. If @tdukes plans on sharing, he's fine with no ID. If he plans on providing an "open system", then it will need an ID.

So, two things come to mind. One is, your repeater doesn't have to ID itself as long as the users are ID'ing. If someone doesn't ID... tell them they are not allowed to use the machine. The other being there are no part 95 certified amplifiers. Repeater owners do occasionally get site visits from the FCC for inspection. I doubt you would get more than a verbal to stop using it (if anyone actually came by), but in my opinion, the risk isn't worth the benefit. Especially because there is almost no practical difference in rang or quality of communications between 15-20 watts and 50 watts. Your money is much more well spent in buying a great antenna system and doing what it takes to reduce losses on the transmission line. With that said, you can buy a proper/real type approved or grandfathered type 90 repeater for a touch more money than you are already planning on, but it will have the tech to support heavy use if needed. Some are as cheap as $400... a great commercial grade might be around $1,500. I would recommend searching the forum and talking to some of the active repeater owners on the site to get a better idea of what to expect. I have a 25w continuous duty repeater that was built from two transceivers. It cost me about $1,000 for everything.

I'm just going to adjust against my known good commercially calibrated equipment. Honestly, it's not even important for this stuff to be precise. I just need it close enough to know if stuff is working or not. If it's close enough, I'm not going to mess with them. The frequency counter, for instance, is only going to be used to pull/confirm tones. The Tiny SA is going to be used to see if any harmonics are being transmitted from a device at a significant level or is a neighboring device is causing RFI, etc. Like I mentioned, cheap gear for GMRS radio installs.

Well, I bit the bullet and bought some cheap portable tools. I have a Tektronex SA, a Bird power/SWR meter, and MFJ antenna system analyzer. They all work great, but I'm not thrilled about transporting a bunch of insanely expensive gear when I go help a new GMRS operator with the mobile or base station. Or friend Randy put together a nice video about tools a GMRS user should have and what would be nice to have if you're a geek. LoL anyway, I ordered a Nano VNA, Tiny SA, and a Surecom SF401 Plus frequency counter. Any information, warnings, tips, tricks those of you who have them can share? I know the Nano VNA is a rock star based on all the folks that have been using them for a few years. I can't wait to see how accurate the other items are compared to the higher priced equipment. I'm sure there will be some small variations, but I'm not expecting anything dramatic. Two arrived today. The frequency counter should be here tomorrow.