kidphc

Yup sounds like tropopheric ducting. Vhf and uhf pass through the ionic sphere where hf bounces off it (skip). Yes, I know 11m is technically also vhf, but it's low band vhf. Tropo occurs a lot more in the spring and fall. But can occur early and late summer. Not uncommon to get NY and parts of NC in the fc area when it occurs. Our tropo tunnels are more n/s directions due to the mountains and ocean. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I believe gmrs call signs are just sinply sequential. The ham call signs are sequential but also have a geographic designation. My ham call sign is a vanity from a silent key extra W3HRD (1x3). My original technician call sign was KC3NSR (2x3). Both are from the same geographical call area. Hence the "3", I live in the land of 3 which is md, pa, Delaware. Doesn't really matter i could move to Ca and keep my 3 callsign. Back in the day I would of HAD to apply for 6 callsign. I do not believe any of the gmrs call signs have a geographical location. But rather a class and individual identifier. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Are they made in the us? I mean the pro's fccid shows it was tested by a chinese firm. Well I guess 98% of shit now adays is made in china. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

For rx only, you have the options of a ht scanner. Although, a half way decent sdr will have some serious sensitivity. No suggestions on hts. Only because I found that the more you spend generally you, after a certain point, you get more features (ie ruggedness, color screens etc.) But I will say I have been more impressed by the selectivity, and sensitivity of commercial offerings by motorola, kenwood, harris than any of my amateur radio gear. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Well yeah. To be honest. No one cares as long as the callsign gets thrown out. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Should you don't really need to put the callsign with their unit/or whatever. Since they will be answering with it. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

However you want. Provided the callsign is included. Callsign base to callsign mobile. Callsign Vicky to callsign Billy Callsign ht1 to callsign ht2 Callsign unit 1 to callsign unit 2 My favorite Callsign actual to callsign unit x Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yeah it went up and came down in less than an hour. But the repeaters haven't been thr same. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Mostly in the nova group on facebook. Original post was removed. But the damage was done. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Curious. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You are hearing several of the aforementioned dc area gmrs repeaters. They weren't messing with you. Yes those repeaters (not often), can reach deep into the heart of va. Try programming bull run, Warrenton, blue mountain and possible Capon mountain (wva). Prime example, I was passing your neck of the woods on 95n comming from north Carolina. I could hear, Warrenton, loud and clear. Keep in mind she sits basically in Warrenton proper. She talks a lot better than she hears, unfortunately. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

In my area, D.C., we "use" to have heavily used multiple repeaters. Well, this was till, some one bitched on an group where a tons of people in the area where part of. Openly bitched, about it not being ham. That people shouldn't rag chew yadda yadda. This killed almost all the traffic. He was not the repeaters owner. Both the repeater owner and I are friends with him Then a member whom everyone knew passed away. He was always listening and always talked to everyone. God speed Roland, 42. The repeaters then fell silent because of the two events. Now all we get is radio checks. Myself, I am a ham, I have tried to keep all the ham crap off of gmrs. Trying to teach radio basics, get the antenna up high etc. I am at this point done with radio as well due to the anti-ham rhetoric. So much so I have been trying to return all my borrowed equipment, and ham disconnected and boxed much of of my gear. I am sorry for the way you feel about the hobby. There are great people out there. It isn't easy to connect with them at times. But is well worth all the efforts I will say amateur technician test isn't hard, in fact, it's barely an effort. Most that have taken it will agree. But, if you are into rag chewing, experimenting with antennas, or "feeling better than your fellow radio operator", according to non-amateurs. It's for you, and offers some incredible things. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

To fold, grab a meaty part pull up, then try to fold it over. Go slow it's fairly stiff the first couple of times. The hinge has been known to fail over time. Another thing get extra grub screws. They are really only designed to used once. But go through clean them with isopropyl alcohol and blue loctite them. They have been also know to loosen up overtime. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Nope it doesn't. I have had mine fold over before the spring did anything on a solid whack..lol Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

First it's a heavy stiff antenna, part of the reason it is broadband. Marc and myself, as well as others could not get the swr into a manageable number in the upper gmrs regions. Other have had it lower than 1.7. Not me, it was floating closer to 2.5 in the mid of the band. It heard well, but was starting to be iffy on transmit. I got good audio reports. I don't know about Marc, but mine was on a hood mount. So that certainly doesn't help with the ground plane. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Repeater distances, are at best a guestimate by the owner. Obstructions will be the main cause. If you can climb on to the roof, and see the antenna of the repeater you have a good chance. I have been up almost 50 stories locally and am surprised by the amount of antennas I can see. But the rolling hills here tell me there are tons of rf shadows. Plus some repeaters, transmit better than the hear and vice versa. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Give or take about 1x1 foot square. Usually about 6" radius is enough for gmrs. For 2m 2.5x as much. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I suppose to believe that an ai said "fars"..lol [emoji14] Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Since ssb suppresses the carrier and other ssb. It is more powerful than fm, from my knowledge. The signal to noise ratio is better so it gets out further. Ssb is also narrower so it does get out further. In short yes. Maybe some will expand on it. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I was saying between the two, I would probably go for the ed fong. Personally, in the attic I have the x300a (hoa restrictions). Till I have the home brew 4 element gmrs yagi and the 5 element 2m yagi up. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Good review. Not shocked by results. One antenna was designed by a Professor that teaches antenna design. The other by an amateur radio operator, whom visually reads of cue cards in his videos, not knocking him. But I would choose the antenna designed by an RF Professor with some very sound design. The ed fong should last years, the pvc maybe not so much, depending on sunlight. Have fun! Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yeah other hams i talked to at least when it came to mobile antennas. Recommend the following 5/8 better than 1/2 which is better than 1/4 for the reach on flat ground. Most of my testing shows 5/8 over 5/8 was thr best for my area for reach and gain levels with mild terrain. So it is my preferred antenna style. Too bad because I was so disappointed with my signal stalk on uhf. An antenna is still better than no antenna. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I was told by others that ³/4 antennas don't work well. Since the patten is different from 1/2 waves and 1/4. It is suppose to have a medium elevation lobes.. which for me i thought would work well with repeaters. But the opposite was true. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Be warned ³/4 is iffy. I used one for a while and went back to a ⁵/8th. Just didn't get out too well due to the weird radiation pattern. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I do not "need" 7/800. But it was real easy and nice to non-affiliate link to several of the different counties systems. Some in my area have not gone full encryption. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk