kidphc
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Posts posted by kidphc
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Speaking of infrastructure. I wonder how many of millions $$$ cumulatively clubs have spent to set up digipeaters.
Just for the end user to have aprs functionality, not talking about the hobbies style with a Pico and baofeng. But rather an actual integrated ht or or mobile. There are no ht units sub $250, avg about $400+. Mobiles are the usually $300+. Higher then most gmrs users are willing to pay.
If the FCC was considering having aprs down the road, I don't think they would of specifically said, ok you get a little digital (thx garmin for lobbying for this, not aure how much you guys paid), but you can't use it on the repeaters. In fact, any radio that has the capability must not have the functionality on the repeater pairs for type certification.
This alone leads me to believe the FCCs attitude to be. You want it? We got a tech license for you to get, they have it.
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One way is to listen for a repeater tail after you unkey.
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Not really better. But amateur uhf does offer some advantaged gmrs can't.This ^^^!!!
- majority of digital repeaters are on 70cm
- the ability to crossband repeat with our mobile radios between 2m/70cm
- unlink/down link for duplex satellite coms
- secondary aprs frequency (not many 70cm digipeaters near me though.)
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My question is how many radios (gmrs/public safety) have any of this available in the firmware or even a sdk.
I am not aware of any gmrs/public safety radios that have cat controls.
Personally, a pi with potentially a adruno attached wired to the radio. The adruno and pi handle the work. The radio simply transmitting, with out some type of cat control I am not sure if a radio can change frequencies.
Do dispatch consolettes have the ability to be cat controlled?
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Nor really answering the question.
I do have an xts5000 that was converted to model 3 from model 2. Never reprogrammed it, because one can not simply copy the old plug.
On my Harris xg100p. I can't move personalities. I can change about everything about the personality.
But moving personalities from one zone to another without a cps kinda goes a bit against how part 90 was designed imo. Part 90 radios weren't designed for radio people, more for non radio people to use under a broader license of an entity. So it could be managed by an administrator.
He'll even my anytone at878 uvii + which is part 90 type accepted. Even in amateur mode doesn't let you move personalities in zones. Fpp not really even available when set to part 90 mode. They do have a mode that allows some fpp in part 90 mode, that is still very limited.
For me It was more to change tones. I have different zones, for the p25 and ham stuff.
Is there a reason you are moving personalities from one zone to another?
The xg100p works off a mission plans, all radios need to have that feature. I thing the apx series from motorola is more in line with the xg100p.
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Don't expect big differences with hts. However, the antenna outside in the air is certainly a step in the right direction. The higher up the better.
With antennas in the attic. Make sure you don't have the metallic roof barrier, metal shingles. It will be better but not leaps and margins.
I made my own indoor blade antenna with n9tax twin line jpole and electric track (to hide wires). It's mounted to the kitchen area and goes up 2 stories. Coupled with even a 20 watt radio it gets quite far.
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Going to have to read up, but not tonight.Well, I am going to invite you to go back through my posts on the topic and consider my thoughts. I certainly ain't typing all that again, other than say be careful what you wish for. People that don't understand how TDMA / MOTOTRBO / DMR works are all wanting that technology so they can have twice the channels. They don't know, don't understand or don't care about the interference issue it will create.
It's in the amateur/lmr/public safety world for a good reason. At least with those groups it has admins, for good reason.
Local p25 repeater got replaced with a dmr capable repeater. It was down grade (older repeater unit) so it could run a fn pi unit to handle dmr traffic. Pissed a lot of us off. Since, now I have to reprogram 6 of my radios with useless talkgroups to use p25. Only work around we could find, adding 6 p25 local talkgroup to each radio. Complete bs... still isn't being used for dmr.
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My question is who would manage the talkgroups and networks? The manafacturers?Has there been any real push from manufacturers? FM on CB happened since those radios exist in other countries, DMR on FRS and/or GMRS doesn’t seem too far fetched. That said I don’t see it happening anytime soon. I think keeping GMRS/FRS “simple” is part of the service’s charm, get a family license with 22 channels (8 repeater) to easily use.
Every family or group would want their own talk groups. Unfortunately, with gmrs/frs there are only so many carrier frequencies available.
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Or $$$..I don’t see this happening if for no other reason it takes anto get the FCC to do something.
Mananafacturers pushed for FM on cb and digital in the GMRS world.
FCC appeased both (especially by limitting digital and giving it at the same time), wonder who got the pay off.
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Very possible many mdc users are ignoring the rule.
To be fair though, it generally would sound like a Motorola roger beep.
People would really hate the sound of digital over the radio, especially if they couldn't decode.
Tune into 144.390 with no pl, see how long your sanity last. Most hams turn on receive pl or stay away from the aprs frquencies.
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Technically illegal.. with the recent changes they allowed gmrs to send data. Such as gps location and small text messages.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-E
"Digital data. GMRS hand-held portable units may transmit digital data containing location information, or requesting location information from one or more other GMRS or FRS units, or containing a brief text message to another specific GMRS or FRS unit."
But went as far as saying not over the repeaters.
"Digital data transmissions. Digital data transmissions are limited to the 462 MHz main channels and interstitial channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz bands"
"5) GMRS units must not be capable of transmitting digital data on the 467 MHz main channels"
FCCs way of saying don't do it on the repeater inputs.
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Not noticeably. You will lose a little more gain, with the additional cable and connectors. But it will be marginal.This is good information. So I should keep it on the roof. Now I need to figure out how to extend the cable to get it inside the cab. Will I loose signal with say 5-10 more feet of cable?
Usually, more of a problem with longer runs, say +50 feet. Then coax choices and connector choices start being critical, to reduce loses.
Many of us have long runs of lmr400 with connectors that cost almost as much as the cable. Only to have jumpers of 3-5 feet of rg58 (due to the flexibility and size).
By the way chances, are the mount you are using has rg58.
Most f150 guys just use the third brake light mount due to convienence of routing and installation. The ones I have spoken to have said they feel it isn't optimal. But easy of install and not drilling was worth it. Not sure if any of them tried bonding the mount (ground strap) or if they are even isolated (to prevent dissimilar metal corrosion). One fire dept guy on his f350 went with an aluminum cap and drilled out the cap for 4 nmos. He likes to listen to the boys when he is off duty and will go to call if he thinks he can help.
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Must be nice. Can't even get that range with my 2m radio and antenna.I mounted a Midland MXTA26 to a Third Brake Light bracket i got on Ebay on my Ram.. Very clean install, no drilling and coax easily routes within the headliner through the back side of the third brake light. .. The bracket mounts between the brake light and the roof chassis and looks like a factory install.. I was going to drill the 5/8" hole in the roof but i ran into this bracket a guy was selling, he never used.. I can easily hit repeaters 75-80 miles out, The bracket i got was unpackaged and has no manufacture name tags, otherwise i would share that info.. But i'm sure you can find with a google search.
Edited.. I found the info on the bracket.. It's made by Bullet Proof, here is a video... These things are a bit pricey... I got mine for $75, not sure if i would pay the $300 new price.. It is a high quality item....
Damn rolling hills of the d.c. area.
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You will lose range. The antenna will also transmit more directionally. Be slightly more deaf and often have much higher swr, due to the weird shaped/smaller ground plane (compared to the roof).
If range is a concern. Then center of the roof with a high gain antenna, is the optimal answer, almost always.
The cab (windshield and a pillar) will partially shield the signal. Not to mention the 2-3 foot difference in height. The ground plane differences lead to 2db or greater loss compared to a center roof mount. Remember, to get 3db gain (roughly one signal bar) you have to double the power with everything else equal roughly speaking.
Comparably, although it is not as bad as you think. My hood mount antenna hears about 60-75 percent of what it did on center of the roof. Transmits about 75-80 of the center roof mount.
Hence why we always recommend grabbing the drill and mount a nmo. When you do no ground plane antennas, stealth antennas, mag mounts, sub optimal locations. You take a comprimse and add more comprimises. Really comes down to what you can live with.
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I think you have covered the 10 paragraphs already
Foe the op..
How far are you trying to go? If the terrain has a lot of obstacles, try getting to the highest points you can.
Baofengs uv5rs can actually do worse with higher gain antennas. They get overloaded fairly easy (they go at that point).
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Shouldn't be a problem. (Big shouldnt).
Remeber, 70cm is third harmonic ( I think) of 2m.
So best practices would be shut one down when in use.
My xtl 5k will overload my ftm400 when transmitting on occasion. But that is when the frm400 is listening to 70cm, the xtl5k is used for gmrs. It's to be expected at 4.5 feet between the antennas, especially since 70cm and gmrs are so close in frequency. I haven't seen issue on the 2m side when transmitting on gmrs.
I say if, since Marc had problems with his 2m xtl 5k, that one he thinks it might have been the gmrs xtl5k, that damaged it. Hopefully, he can chime in with his real world findings.
But if you are really worried. Run some cheap filters.
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Yes sir, you got it. The alpha deltas at the shack would because of the sdr, and the fact the ft991a has a uhf/vhf port and hf port.That’s correct, with a patch panel you run coax to each antenna and then switch at the radio end like an old fashioned switchboard. That allows you to use multiple antennas with multiple radios simultaneously.
I think I understand better now what you’re talking about. You’re trying to use multiple antennas with a single piece of feedline, using a remote coax switch near the antennas. Is that right?
Are you then switching that single coax to multiple radios at the bottom also?
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That is the plan for at the radios. To limit the amount of coax comming from upstairs. The plan is for a remote switch, for the 2m/70cm x200a, 2m/70cm yagi, the dipole and potentially a pair of moxuns on one feed line. The gmrs yagi would have its own dedicated feed line.
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Doesn't work for hf. But a 5/8 mobile on a groundplane mount at the eaves came to mind.You could do a stealth antenna placed on your roof vent of your home. They make one that does not require a ground and that would be a simple option
and have some elevation.
https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/uhf-stealth-antenna?variant=39745864433760
However, it would be viewable directly from the street. Thus in violation of 2 hoa rules.
Currently, I have everything ( minus an antenna switch)for a 7 element gmrs yagi, 11 element uhf and 5 element 2m yagi. As well as a fan dipole for 40m to 6m... as well as a dx commander classic for 80-6m.
Just not the time to set it all up.
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Correct me if i am wrong, I wouldn't be able to disconnect an antenna remotely. Didn't want to feed both at the same during transmission.A patch panel is cheaper and more flexible than two coax switches connected common to common, if that’s what you’re thinking about doing.
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It is only going to get worse. With more repeaters coming online, more licenses and a limited set of repeater pairs.
I don't see any easy solutions. With mobile radios ( most cant go below 15w) not being able to use lower channels. It is all compounding to be worse.
I told Roland many moons ago, that gmrs will in time become uhf cb radio sadly.
Kinda of why I preach, open the squelch, or use monitor to disable pl tones. To listen before transmitting. That still doesn't help if your station has poor ears. Best operating procedures are the only way to help clear up the clutter.
I mean come on even in the Ham world people trample on each other tuning up, just because that can't hear the other station.
No quick solution, if I think of anything, I will chime back in.
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It's my go to ht. Can do 2m,70 cm, gmrs and listen to local public services. It's also easier to inhibit when affiliating.[mention=2261]kidphc[/mention] Long term impressions? What about battery life? I've still got an eye on these.
Only time I choose something else, is when I want aprs or dual receive.
The long antenna... well buy 2. Why? I am having one fail because it just is kinda long and interferes with a lot.
Cons...
price (its high) still cheaper than a comparable Apx, in radio, licensing and hardware.
Weight, she is heavy.
Buttons are chinzy (soft touch)
She's a bit slippery, shaped like a box with no real grips. Motorola puts Dumbo ears on their high end for a reason.
No parts availability.
Gl, getting a widebanded model. If you have friends at a harris dealer. They still may not open it up.
Battery life is meh.. even with the lith-ion. About a day with low usage, screen swallows a lot of power.
Overall, still love the radio. Especially, the zones and how it is configured, very flexible. It hears and transmit at par with a Motorola in my estimation.
Currently, hardest decision is 878 or big old clunky...lol tough decision right?
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It was in my plans to be a tertiary/fourth antenna... but it is on hold till I can buy multiple coax switchesFor my hf antenna in HOA I use a gutter. Works great with a 9-1 unun. Here is a facebook group that has a lot of good suggestions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/292984397532571
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What would have to happen for GMRS to include APRS?
in Technical Discussion
Posted
Having aprs like service for family is kinda a cool idea.
But omg, that would make gmrs so much worse. With the network being over congested with packets. Hmm, i want to update every 30 sec, so I can track everything. To loosing, a channel for a dedicated aprs frequency or worse having aprs packets on every channel.
The unaware don't realize that the amateur aprs frequency is lost to anything but aprs traffic, yes i know voice alert. As well as it is noisy as hell. With voice alert, any transmission basically halt traffic till it clears. Depending on the node, it can have a backup from 13 billion weather stations ¹/4 mile apart.
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