kidphc

Exactly as Wrxb215 said. Basically, since the cone is narrower then the omni directional antenna's pattern, you can steer the yagi in the direction you want to hear. Effectively nullify any RF interference (ham call it qrm) or noise, well at least lowering the level. If you radio fox hunt generally a yagi, even low gain ones are helpful in pointing you in the direction. They are often coupled with attenuators, you will often see the guys flipping the yagi on the side to attenuate it further. Opposite to the suspects polizaration. To make reception weaker and isolate to a finer degree heading. Yagis generally have a higher gain level than their vertical/horizontal counterparts due to the squishing of the pattern. You generally switch from length of the antenna space to the swing space a yagi needs. Plus you can stack yagis onto arrays, Which will increase their gain levels. So comes down to do you need spray gun (coverage) or an ultra fine pinstriping paint brush (detailed control). Each have their pros and cons. Just an fyi: the amateur (hams) that are into eme and moon bounce (considered weak signal due to the distance). Use stacked arrays with high gain levels and 1500 or so watts of power. To get as much signal to where they want it instead of scattering it around them. Same with the guys that work satellite. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

We have an owner out here, he has about 6 heavily used repeaters. Equipment for way more. 1. He has the resources. Ie. Equipment, knowledge and the network of people (for repeater sites locations) 2. It's a hobby for him Originally it was set up for the Red Cross, as the primary user. He has it open for everyone licensed although it isn't published. We all acknowledge, should the Red Cross need them, we give way. Some people do it so they can. Some people do it because they feel they are helping the community. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I like to think of antennas like and adjustable flashlight. Omni kinda like a donut from the side 3d wise. It would be like having the open without a shroud like a latern. As you you increase gain. The beam becomes flatter and flatter into a disk. When you speak of yagis you have put the shroud on and focusing a beam. A beam that shoots more light out the front but spits some out the rear. Hence why yagis have a front to back ratio for gain. There is a technical expectation, and some design that focus more forward? But I am skipping that. All antennas create lobes so generally, they measure the strongest lobes. The attached with the donut is omni directional. The phallic looking graph is the yagi. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Forgot about slot antennas. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Very good antennas. Ed is a professor, he explains alot of the theories in YouTube videos. Keep in mind follow the directions closely. He has accounted for the pvc tubing, which is a bit specific. Personally, 90% of complaints of the antenna come from using the wrong pvc. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You raised your hand. Because that is the only way to change some absurd laws. My birdhouse random wire hf bird perch antenna and slim jim in electrical tracking inside the house salute you. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You could paint and hide, base antenna, or slim Jim's in trees. If you are a bit from the road or have trees that kinda hide you roof line. You could use a slim mobile antenna, and a groundplane nmo base mount to the eaves of your house. Me I am using a combo of a ham 2m/70cm antenna in the attic and a mag mount on my ac. I do have home brew gmrs yagi and 2m/70cm yagis that will go in the attic. Whenever I get my lazy butt around to it. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Have you tried to reach out to amateur clubs locally? Texas seams to have a healthy group of nice amateur radio operators. They probably have spare repeater hardware, duplexers, cabling and sites that can be used. As well as the know how. As well as some funding. Most of amateurs are willing to talk to anyone about radio, irregardless of the service. I say most, because well no matter what hobby there are always the aholes. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Nope, no way to get it out of range. The filtering is awesome.. but it's too tight. The guys that took it apart said it wasn't worth it. They guys I was with, is where his conversation came from. They said they might be able to hack the software, but it would probably damage something in the radio very shortly. After spending 5 minutes with them talking I gave up. Of course, what do these guys care. They are running around with full apx setups in their trucks. One of them a volunteer fd, setup his personal f350 like a command radio truck. Shit you not.. looked like 30k in radio gear alone. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

It's only good for really listening. The harris low band amplifiers are terribly expensive and incredibly difficult to find. One of the group of friends I have about 6 of the radios. They also have several vhf lowband commercial repeaters. They are intrigued by setting a lowband network from Shenadoh up to New York. They have been trying to figure a way to get an amplifier to work. Btw.. Most of them are local FD, some at the Homeland Defense regional level. So if they an find it they would of. Primary problem, is the output for vhf low is a ridiculously low . 9mw.. which means it needs to be amped up to 1-2 watts at least to work with any other amplifier. But eww on an amplifier to feed another amplifier. Secondarily, no low band vhf public systems minus a handful of municipal pd stations around here. Frequency range is only 33-48 MHz. Outside of ham and cb, so unless you have a commercial license for the band, then useless. Good news is band is emptying out so you can apply for one easily. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You have the canbus terminators? Unlike the motorolas you need the canbus terminators to close the unused ports. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Haven't not installed. Played with my buddies'. Wish I had the money for the touch head, heard the operations and fpp will mimics the ht. But sadly can't even afford the triplexer right now...lol Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Awesome self Christmas gift.. enjoy Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Never had one so can't comment. But Alinco makes decent amateur gear. Really like the motorola xtl5k. Need to swap it out for a Harris 100m in the garage. Stopped due to the triplexers I want range between $200-600. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Sometimes... Switching between 1/4, 1/2, 5/8 over 5/8 (4505). Even tried a ³/4 wave. Each had its pros and cons. The 4505 reached the furthest. But worked the worse in some areas, due to the rolly terrain here. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

It is rough for us Hams because the 70cm and GMRS bands are to close to use a duplexer for separate antennas. But far enough apart that anything that cover both bands, that we either sacrifice part of each band, or have silly SWR at the ends of both bands. Personally, I shoot for about 450-453 Mhz, when tuning them to try to get the most bandwidth. Usually, start ending up with 1.67-1.75 on the band edges. Acceptable, for a really compromised antenna. Easiest route is to go 1/4 wave for either band and usually will cover both bands with below 1.6 SWR. Lowest SWR will end up being in the commercial band. But they are the broadest bandwith designs you will find. I don't use them because the roof rack shadows too much of the antenna, I end up with worse performance then with a 5/8 wave and coil design.

The 4505 can be tuned. The recommend lengths for the parts below the enclosed collimator coil (where cut is ) is printed on the bag. The 4503 can be tuned a bit. First check the bottom of the coil to make sure they sent you the right one, and not miss packaged. If that fails contact the vendor. You maybe able to add a Laird spring, and cut the antenna to get it close to where you want it. If all else fails you can buy some .150 (i think that is the right size) nitinol wire/piano wire or bug a HAM for left over whips from over cutting. Then cut it first to larger then the original whip and tune for the mid of the GMRS band. With nitinol you will have a very flexible whip that will be near indestructible. Nitinol is basically, what laird cause a super flex, STI and signal stick/signal stalk make their antennas out of. Do not user wire cutters, it will get destroyed. Best to use a cut off wheel, still takes a while. Just be aware without a corona ball glued on it will easily take an eye out.

Yeah something isn't right... it's not even in the specified ranges. How big is the ground plane? Aka where on the roof is it stuck to? Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Readings? I was actually asking what meter. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I don't remember a tuning chart for it. But you should be in the middle of the factory tune. What is "red"? What are you using to analyze it? Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yeah, it's a really small petition. Can't see why they want to bypass a 30 second retransmit rate. Well short of trying to stay inside of transmission allowances. Maybe an attempt to get small changes made for a bigger end goal. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Looks like Midland is pushing for something like aprs, well bit by bit. Really right now, more like a mobile unit vs the currently approved hts. Why more then one beacon in a 30 second time frame? Is the only question I have. From a reddit thread (contains Midlands pettition. https://www.reddit.com/r/gmrs/s/aaCXcecUYt >To Amend the Commission’s GMRS Corporation Rules to Allow Non-Handheld Radios that Utilize a Non-Integrated Antenna to Automatically Transmit Digital Data and Digital Voice Data More than Once within a 30-second period, and to Operate at 50 Watts. Sounds like it's saying they want mobile units, with removable antennas and up to 50W (all already legal) to be able to do digital data more often than is currently allowed AND to be able to use digital voice. Possibly both at the same time. Best comment is... "gmrs needs to allocate one channel to ft8" Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Funny enough at dinner with a local guru/ multiple repeater owner. He was joking around about not doing or changing his antenna presentation. Kinda focusing on the basics. This, after hearing how Marc's presentation was received. I said please no.. let Marc handle the new guys. We all want to reserve you for why a bed spring may not be an optimal antennan even if resonant type questions. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Highly recommend. It got a lot of positive feedback. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Get them as far apart as possible, especially if they are close in frequency or hamonics. Mine are about 6 feet apart, on two different planes. 22w low 48 watts high, out from the rf port on the xtl5k Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk