kidphc

Fug, my bad..... Turns out it was an APX7000 UHF R1 still learning

I thought i was looking at an all band XPR7550 all band this past weekend. I will have to double check with a friend. I also thought it was a rarer vhf/uhf 2 model.

I had looked at buying a FT5DR. Which would require mucking with SMD. Kinda why I added the cavet of not doing a mars/cap mod.

All band commercial/lmr/amateur HTs. Not looking to mars/cap mod it, want it built so it is capable. Trying to keep it below $2500 All legal discussions aside. Do you know what old commercial/amatuer ht gear falls into this terriotory? -all Band ( capable of 2m,70cm, gmrs, so has to have analog built in. -front panel programming I have come up with three so far that fit the bill. - Anytone 878 uvii plus -Motorola Xps7550 all band -Harris Unity Xg100p

You can go to the map section. On the right side "control panel" under ""My Request". That is one way unfortunately, only going to list the ones you ask for access to and get a reply.

You might have a better chance if your city has a REACT team or emergency communication team. Kinda like https://mcacs.net/ whom has P25 repeaters in our area. Maybe even amateur radio clubs might be able to help. We are fortunate, here we have REACT repeaters peppering D.C. (you need to be a REACT member to use). I also got access to a repeater, part of a several repeaters, which are not "LISTED" on purpose. Their main function is for the Red Cross. I guess the owner of the repeaters select users to limit usage. Most of us that have access do not mention them, nor do we share the information (mostly out of respect for the owner and its purpose, not to be selfish). The real repeaters (the one I have access to) are big $$$$$, commercial antennas, commercial gear on commercial sites. You may get the city to budget repeaters for emergency communication usage. Stating regular use of the system by locals can assure the system is ready when needed. I do imagine it being tough with a city that has a small population. Plus most municipalities will want to set up a emergency communication system on p25 (preferably encrypted) for interagency interoperability (most likely P25 phase2). A Retvis 97 is just not going to cut it for city coverage. Maybe start a local GMRS Club with the amateur radio operators?

Marc, I had my Comet 2x4sr mounted on a ditch light bracket (used hood hinge screws as mounting location) right off the corner of the hood on my Landcruiser. I was having issues with RFI on half of the GMRS frequencies. Wrote a thread on it. Also was getting wiper motor noise etc. Well recently i moved it half way down the hood on a different mount about 2 feet further. Mostly because the ditch light mount was rocking. New mount the antenna is too damn stiff and rocks the mount as well. Not as bad since its secure to the fender and not the hood. Side benefit seems to be (still testing). That there is a metric crap ton LESS RFI. Even though its now next to the fuse box and battery. From what I figure on my truck 90% of the noise was being generated from the Vacuum accumulator motor (not a stereo typical booster setup). Super long winded. Sorry. Chrysler products are not known to have the best ecus nor wiring. Have you tried moving the antenna further down the hood (towards the bumper). Although hearing wiper motor noise from another vehicle is a bit much. Was this an issue with your old 400?

Sounds like you did the math and experimenting. I'll trust you on it

If that happens I would be more worried about the Fusible links going up in smoke. Unfortunately, cigarette lighter plugs tend to be 12 gauge or less on the back side.

Same location, same mount, same antenna, and same car. Moved from a massive metal ditch bracket/antenna mount. There was way too much rocking of the mount with the Comet, combination wind load, stiffness and weight. Wasn't a problem with the 2/70b. Only thing I noticed is a hair more deafness , and a bit more picket fencing at some locations recieve/transmit at gmrs frequencies. Great antenna if you need combo 2/70/gmrs. Location of antenna usual so so so performance. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

For a bicycle although not cheap I would look for something with Bluetooth and a remote ptt (so you don't have to use vox and have everyone hear you puffing on a hill.) Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Serious QRP there. I would probably be throwing it at the wall in about 5 minutes of use.

Kind why i am asking. Tired at times of the song of our people, antennas twacking off of everything. I was just wondering if there was a huge difference between a 1/4 and 1/2. Barely any dbi change. But yes longer is better, that I get. Just wondering if it was worth the twanging.

i wouldn't expect to be able to. Most chinese made gear actually everything now a days pretty much everything is not made with upgrades in mind. Your best bet is to check with Midland to see if it is even possible with replacing the entire main board and installing a new flash rom with the new firmware.

1/4 vs 1/2 So lets talk real world experiences. I live in the rolling hills of Washington D.C. Rarely, caravan with other GMRS/Family, although it does need to stay a consideration in choices. My Landcruiser well, is just tall enough that hood mount and trunk mounted antennas are twanging a bit. i plan on mounting a nmo for a GMRS antenna ,to the back 1/3 of the roof. Should have about 9" of ground plane behind the antenna. Has any noticed any really differences between a 1/4 and a 1/2 wave? I think the 1/2 wave should be short enough that the antenna is not whacking everything under the sun. 1/4 should extend just above the roof rack. 5/8 over 5/8 not doing it. I do have experiences with mobile antennas but most were going from a 1/4 to 5/8th over 5/8ths, so coverage was pretty drastic, especially on 2m. Prime concern is picket fencing both on simplex and with repeaters. Hence, going to the roof on this one versus the hood and lip mounts for the other antennas.

How do I get a repeater that is showing stale in the maps to show as current? For example, locally Alexandria GMRS repeater is showing stale and was last updated 12 years ago. A comment was left 5 months ago and I added a comment to try to get it to show in the current listings. However, it only shows up when I select "show stale repeaters". It is very much up, in use and has excellent coverage. Just wanted to be able to keep it refreshed so the information was available for new people. If I remember the correctly, the old maps had a last heard check box. Anything like that or how do get the list to reflect currently available repeaters outside of having the repeater owner refresh the information?

I just REALLY DON'T need it. The chinese stuff are decent for the price, I just don't expect reliability over the long term, you know you get what you pay for. Not like I could not take mild steel and make the ground plate myself for the NANO VNA, which might be another project to add to the list. I have a different rabbit hole I am working on outside of the DXCommander antenna. Which is I was basically gifted by some of the local Gov/Commercial friends 4x CDM1250's. Need to acquire the cables, software and terminology, which looks like it could be a pain. Only because I know nothing about the radio or software. Still working on setting up my new to me Landcruiser. Really want to do a fun run to an ORV park with you and your son. Enough of me derailing the topic.

I think because as you know it can be difficult to get a repeatable reliable number. Although watching Offroaderx/Notarubicon's videos on the surecom units I might pick one up for ht testing. He show cased one with a ground plate adapter. For the OP. Get a decent mag mount if using mobile you will get better range. If you are stationary, then a nice slim jim like N9Tax's (if you want pre built) thrown up a tree with a leader line will work. I made a fake blade antenna inside the house by using wiring track, fastening the slim jim (N9Tax's version) inside and stuck it to the wall inside. Connected to an Anytone 779UV i get reliable connections to a friend's repeater on a commercial site (approximately 6 miles, through rolling urban hills) . It wasn't doing it reliably with an HT and the 771g from indoors.

Never asked if it was a soft top or hard top. Another option would of been to mount the antenna inside. Definetly, not ideal, but the fiberglass and soft top would of been some what transparent to the rf. Hopefully, (kinda expect) it's not mounted to moving glass. Which is a no no. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

They work. Lot of hams don't like them. Why you are going to waste energy transferring between the inductive coils. They don't work well above 800mhz, not a problem for gmrs. If it works be happy. They only way to know is to use it and get reports. You really won't know the differences till you throw a mag mount on the hood or roof. Then you'll get a better idea of the differences. I went from a through the roof nmo to a hood hinge mount. Were there noticeable differences? Yes. More picket fencing a bit loss of range, (some repeaters I can't even hit in certain locations). Was trade off acceptable to me? Jury is still out. Don't sweat it too much. I looked a the Larsen glass mount to get idea of losses, even they don't publish them. They tend to publish almost all their spec some where or another. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Actually, a field strength meter with be awesome. You can set up multiple test and remove variables to get the answer. Knowing the gain of the antenna, coaxial losses etc. You could derive a formula. In conjuction with the swr meter, you could get some more of the values. Unfortunately, the swr meter is deriving power and swr readings using some calculations. But really are only good to see if you have a resistance mismatch for the tune circuit ( radio, antenna, feedline). It however is better then nothing. Glass also is unfotunately, has great thermal and magnetic insulation properties (emf and ir for instance). Magnetic forces can make its way through, they have to be strong enough though. Easiest way to calculate the losses is to ask the manufacturer. Hopefully, they will be forthcoming. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I would say the Wouxun KG-1000G is a better option and cheaper. It is the sister of the Wouxun KG-UV980P (which is the ham 2m/70cm version. The UV980P can be unlocked, haven't found the files for it. The KG-1000g no one has seamed to unlock it yet. Hell the 2x Wouxun KG-1000G can be configured as a makeshift repeater using 2 antennas (you would need to space them appropriately), the PC cable. One is set to receive and the other to transmit. Personally, I would research ammo can SHFT ham or ammo cam SHFT gmrs radios. These guys have setup systems that use lipo, solar or generator power to quick deploy. Kinda like this for a quick $$$ commercial unit https://shack-in-a-box.com/. Better yet make your own. As far as antennas quick slim jims and jpoles come to mind, like Ed Fongs antennas. You could use a slingshot with mono filament (fishing pole) to quick deploy the antenna up trees. Crap even tethered helium balloons could hold up the antennas. On flat terrain a pushup pole with tripod could elevate the antennas. https://youtu.be/xRmLJUzOPRg

Avoid the troll.Move on. Your equipment, your time, your money. You react how you please. Generally, speaking this is why we can't have nice things. Look at gun contol and the arguments. Don't waste your brain cells or a moment on it any further. Like he said YOUR resources. He is entitled to his thoughts. Just proceed to ignore, you are giving them power otherwise. Just document the jerk abusing the repeater and send it to the fcc. Shutting down the repeater when you heard him absolved you of your responsibility after your ignored request. Yes, you are responsible for the repeater, but can't contol everyone using it. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

How's about fabricating something that will mount to the spare tire or even a hood bracket? I usea ditch light mount to mount a pod and an antenna. Another ditch light mount on the driver rear hatch to mount another antenna. You could always also find a flag pole mount (used for sand dunes) as a basis. At least you won't be scratching up the hood to mount an antenna on/off. Also could be left semi permanent just routing the cable and using a bnc adapter to connect to handset. Personal favorite: https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/gmrs-wouxon-kg1000g-installation.33535/ Other ideas. https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/antenna-mount-for-cb-gmrs-ham.24936/ https://www.google.com/search?q=bronco+antenna+mount&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwjRmunoqvj3AhXln3IEHYiiByYQ2-cCegQIABAC&oq=bronco+antenna+mount&gs_lcp=ChJtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1pbWcQAzIECAAQGDoECCMQJzoECB4QClDqGlj2ImDPJ2gAcAB4AIAB1gOIAawIkgEHNC4zLTEuMZgBAKABAcABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-img&ei=-OmMYtG-F-W_ytMPiMWesAI&bih=634&biw=360&client=ms-android-att-us-rvc3&prmd=sivn#imgrc=xsm-C6R-9CQpmM&imgdii=sGNHyz8TJOftXM Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Kinda sucks. I feel for you. Only takes one bad apple to spoil it for everyone. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk