kidphc

Roger that, I understand the concept. There is no tone set on either memory slot, everything for the GMRS radios are set to carrier squelch. Channel 1 is programmed to say 675. Channel 2 was programmed to 675 repeater pair. If it is in fact a repeater, Ig et the fun of decoding the tones, only because it isn't published. That was more of my gripe. An unpublished repeater. Can't really say much, I don't own or maintain it. I will have to play with it, to figure out what is going on. Just didn't have the time because I was driving. Would of been nice, since one of the guys call started with a K. From what I gather he has been licensed to GMRS since the 70's or so. Referred to the service as GMR....

Finally, got to hear what sounds like a repeated GMRS call, on 462.6750. The reason I say repeated, is because I have that 6750 repeater pair as a separate channel from the regular 6750 call. Couldn't hear squat on the normal channel I had programmed but heard the entire conversation on the repeater pair channel. I did hear them mention that the call was on a repeater, everything points to it. Didn't get much of either parties calls or the repeater's call. Way too much picket fencing while I was driving. By the time I stopped the call was done. Probably, going to have to try the channel tonight. Just so I can figure out where the hell this repeater is. Really, wish a lot more of the GMRS repeaters were listed. I would love to ask for permission. I should say that this is more of a rant then anything else.

I've been told that by every general or extra ham out there. That the hobby really starts there.

Wanted to thank all that took the time to participate in this wonderful program. This is what makes the Amateur radio community so great. So now. I have been requested by the kids to upgrade my ham ticket to general so they can talk to him next year. Wife's face when they said that in front of us... Maybe daddy, can convince mommy a IC9700 would give us the best shot. Knowing full well a used IC7300 with a good antenna could do it for a 1/5 of the price and NO I have no HF gear nor a shack even setup or planned.. Either case, thanks once again to all that participate in programs like this with your own dime and time. It is these hidden gems and the people that take the time to do this that make the world a better place. http://www.cqsanta.com/

I thought that FRS/GMRS minus some of the grandfathered licenses were for non-business use only. Crap if I had a business and needed radio comms, it would probably mostly on MURS.

It is kinda sad..

I was driving back from West Virginia heading to Frederick, MD. Wife was in my truck, I was driving my father's truck. I had taken the two BTech GMRS-V1 radios with some mag mounts on the trucks so we could talk on the way to Frederick. All was fine till I hit Charleston WVa, We were on 462.7125 and we started getting what sounded like Motobro or DMR. It was interesting to hear, I really am not sure what it was actually. Anyone have any idea? I do know were were close to the hospital and casino at that point.

I was driving back from West Virginia heading to Frederick, MD. Wife was in my truck, I was driving my father's truck. I had taken the two BTech GMRS-V1 radios with some mag mounts on the trucks so we could talk on the way to Frederick. All was fine till I hit Charleston WVa, We were on 462.7125 and we started getting what sounded like Motobro or DMR. It was interesting to hear, I really am not sure what it was actually. Anyone have any idea? I do know were were close to the hospital and casino at that point.

I don't have one..If I were to put one up it would probably be something like a ed fong, jpole home brew or a dnd production. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Can verify this... Tried both on my 2m/70cm and my Btech GMRS-v1. The 771 simply doesn't work as well on the Btech. Works great on my cheap chinese 2m radio. Tried the different combinations with counterpoises and without as well as different lengths. Not so great for gmrs worked much better with the 2m/70cm radio. Just ripped off the counter poise of the 2m/70cm radio since with a 771 and counterpoise it was an annoying radio to walk around and use.

Station identification. Usually the call sign of the repeater owner. Not required for GMRS. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Found a real time CW decoder that can do it off of audio, in this months QST magazine. I don't think you want to spend a $100 +shipping for a decoder though.

This is over simplifying things a bit. A base antenna usually can be put up higher. Not that it is more powerful. Db values and wattage are misleading also. UHF is pretty much line of sight. So being higher up with less obstructions makes for futher contacts, all else being equal. Higher DBi values are not always better then lower DBi values. Note the "i", indicates compared to a reference antenna. Although, a lot of manufacturers never state what reference antenna. For instance off roading a 3 DBi antenna can be more beneficial then a 6 DBi antenna. The radiation pattern of the 3DBi antenna is going to be more sphere like and easier to make contact with vehicles below you on a berm. Where on flat lands the flatter radiation pattern of a 6DBi antenna is going to reach out further. Mind you DB and DBi are just the gain values of a given antenna and irrespective of it's wave length. Although, it may seam related all the time.

Then i guess you buy a frequency scanner that can decode the tones. Conversely try to find the repeater owner and ask. The trial and error way is going to be painfully long. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

There are apps that will decode CW for you.

Thanks that opens a different possibility of putting the second 2m antenna on the fender, if I even go that route. Then place the CB where the 2nd 2m was going to go.

I don't plan on DX'ing, so a SSB and a perfect antenna setup won't matter much to me. I really was just expecting close to 3-7 miles at most. Directional to the front won't be so bad fo the intended purposes of just listening for road hazards and such. I had considered a No ground plane install, on the front fender by the windshield with a Firestick. I just didn't know what to do with all the extra coax. The FTM400 and all the other crap will be in the center console. The power line is coming through the steering column cover grommet, and there are additional power lines across the firewall for the dual battery and isolator. There really isn't any space inside of the engine bay to loose roll the coax and tuck it away. A bumper mount would shield about 4' of the antenna. A front fender mount, about 2' would be masked by the truck. A rear fender mount would be about 3.5'. I was going to treat it as an HF install and start bonding the truck. Atleast, I would be prepared if I decided to go HF. Might have to revisit this later. Especially, after the FTM 400 is in and I can start getting an idea of what my noise floor looks like.

It's a 02 Suburban. The whip was the first choice. There are alot of trees lining the roads so I was thinking left side was better due to it being in the center of the road. I figured a 1/4 wave was better. How much degradation in signal is there with going with a trucker style antenna. What can I expect with a bumper mount vs rear fender mount? Thanks for responding.

Marc had mentioned he believes the current commercially available antennas are too small. So that had brought up some questions. I had planned on getting a CB radio for the interstate road trips. More comms, more situation awareness, or at least I hope. Currently, FTM400 CAP/MARS being installed with a Larson 2/70SH dead center in the roof. Probably will switch it out for a 2/70B in the center. Maybe a second 2/70B installed 20" inches aft for a ID 5100a. Stock AM/FM antenna is mounted to passenger side fender by the windshield. Yes, parking garages are a big want, so I will need a reasonably flexible or lashable antenna. It was going to be a small cheap 5 watt cb radio with one of the following: -108 whip and breedlove ball mount on the rear driver fender. --- This one is tough since the previous owner had damaged the rear fender and the gas fill port is on that side. -108 whip on the rear bumper ---This one is tough since the whip will contact the body when it is lashed down. -5" firestick or trucker whip with top loaded coil on the driver front fender. --- Passenger fender has the am/fm radio I know none of the mounting points even come close to a terrible ground plane. Any suggestions on radio, antennas, placement any thing else? Things you guys found on previous installs.

Welcome.

Good to know. Thanks Marc for taking the time to explain why you started down that path.

Settled pulling the 12 gauge run for the 4 gauge. What in the signal report gave you an idea that there was a problem? Lower readings then expected? I appreciate any information. Since I am still learning. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Yes about the atas 120. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Curious what your long term opinion is. Everything I have read has not much nice to say about. Could just be everyone comparing it to its predecessor which a lot seemed to like. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk

Marc how did you figure you had a powerloss? Swr? Also, an ATAS 120 on a Camry... that should be a sight to see rolling down the road. Now I am thinking I should pull the 12 gauge out put the 4 gauge to the secondary battery power and ground. Run that to the dual 4 gauge distribution blocks. To run everything. What are the chances of getting RFI that way? Especially, if i run multiple batteries and usb hubs off of that as power and ground? Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk