JB007Rules

LMAO! No dude, I mean not as far as line of site is concerned.... That website sucks and you shouldn't use it.... It doesn't take into consideration the curvature of the earth... Try https://ispdesign.ui.com/ instead I seriously wonder why anyone uses that website... Unless someone thinks the world is flat????

Sorry, it's 120.42 miles to your location per your call sign, not 118. Where did I get that from? I mean, I used Google?... Here's a snip to your address.... You realize that RF travels in a straight line and doesn't follow roads right? I'm not making little that 120.42 miles is SUPER far for a GMRS repeater to travel, don't get me wrong, and that Baraboo repeater is a BEASTTTTTT... I'm merely correcting your inaccurate distance making it appear further than it really is is all. Thanks, ROB

Hello community, This is a formal letter to inform everything that the Crete 600 GMRS repeater will be shut down some time between 11/1/2024 and 12/31/2024. Until then, you can continue to use the system as it sits. Between the FCC changing the rules to not allow GMRS repeater linking and the lack of funding to even cover tower rent to keep it on the air, combined with fact that this repeater isn't used much is what weighs in on this decision. This has been a hard decision to make but know that even though this GMRS system will be shut down, an even better system will be put in its place. As such, I encourage everyone to please email me regarding the new system that will be put in it's place. My email is my call sign @ Gmail: WRDU235@gmail.com I look forward to hearing from everyone interested in the new system over the next couple of months! Please also know that the Rugged 575 GMRS repeater is not going anywhere. Those of you that are within coverage of both of these 2 fantastic machines are encouraged to use the Rugged 575 as well. Thanks ROB - WRDU235

That repeater is only about 118 miles from you, not 160 FYI and I frequently hear it in Montgomery, IL as well just south of you primarily during band openings. But yeah, use it! OffRoaderX is Randy from the "NotaRubicon" Youtube channel. He's a well known master troll! Seriously though, he's freaking hilarious and you should watch his videos and be amused!!!

The Crete 600 is 310' feet tall and I'm on the very tip top extending up to 330' AGL. ASL is 825' at that site so it's quite a screamer to say the least. Easily 40-60+ miles of mobile coverage in all directions with HT coverage being 30+ miles all day. Coverage here: http://crete600.com/ Thanks!

Quick update. From the time of posting until now, $552 in donations have been received, which yields $533.88 after fees. Tower rent is or course paid as of 10/31/2023 and the donation savings account is now at $364.68. Hopefully we can raise $1579.32 by 10/31/2024 to pay for another year! Over and out!

Thanks Rich! We're at $537 additional now. Barely enough to cover rent payment though. I paid the bill so we're good. Now we have 11 months to come up with another $1944.... Thanks!

Attention Midwest GMRS users, Tower rent is due for the Crete 600 tower on 10/31/2023 for a sum of $1584 for the year of 2023 ($132/month) which doesn't include the Verizon bill which is another $360/year ($30/month tax included on my grandfathered Verizon plan) totaling $1944. As of now I have a total amount $1408.89 in donations to pay for this rent leaving me at a negative $535.11. keep in mind that I've kept the donations in a high yield savings account as of April 2023 which has needed me an additional $25.35. Better than a stick in the eye I guess. $660 was covered and paid on 11/29/22 which was rent for August 2022 thru December 2022 - 5 months $1584 is for 12 months and while it's due on 10/31/23, rent is good through December 31st 2023 To cover rent through 12/31/2024, the total now increases to $2479.11. I've updated the Gofundme page to show a new goal of $4109 to reflect that. I was clear out of the gate that I put this repeater in for hobby use and I'm not within it's usable coverage footprint (which is quite massive) 99.99% of the time. As such, to keep it in the air, I'm encouraging everyone to donate here otherwise, if I cannot cover the operational costs, I have zero incentive to keep this repeater online. https://www.gofundme.com/f/crete-600-yearly-operation-costs Thanks everyone who has donated thus far! Here's to a great 2024! ROB - WRDU235

Check this guy out: https://www.youtube.com/@LifeAtTerminalVelocity That's what I thought of after reading this post!! Thanks!

Which repeaters?

I'm sending you a PM. I have a codeplug for a TKR-850 V2 which is set to work using the RTCM's from MicroNode International. That's all we use for the midwest network. Thanks!

I have a DB-408b for my base station. 420 is better but it's YUGE!

Negative. I have my own dedicated TX antenna. Up here, there are people using T-Band! (470+ Mhz)... 478.8625 and 481.8625.

For the RX, the receiver multi-coupler is tuned to accept 460 - 470MHz. The repeater is a Quantar and has a preselector built in to accept 467.575. Thanks!

I only use folded dipoles on my repeater systems and I find that 50' of vertical separation is good. So for my Rugged system, I have RX at the top at 300' extending to 320' the TX antenna is at 240' extending up to 250' My my 2 cents

Ebay - Old Toughbook.

https://mygmrs.net/map

GMRS repeaters, unlike HAM repeaters are *NOT* required to ID by FCC law FYI. Many do out of courtesy but some don't. For example my Crete system is linked to the Midwest network and I don't have it ID'ing. *Most*, if not all, repeaters have this function standard and will ID based on whatever parameters are set. For example on my Rugged machine I have it set to *NOT* ID unless it's been keyed. So for example if it sits for 3 hours with no one keying it, it's not going to be ID'ing every 15 min like some HAM systems I hear (Terribly annoying). Then say someone uses it or keys it, it will wait 5 seconds for inactivity and then ID. Say someone keys it in the middle of ID'ing it will stop ID'ing and let the conversation take place. Once it's dormant for 5 seconds it will attempt to ID again. Once it fully ID's the 15 min timer starts and the process starts over. I also have it set to ID in the clear without any PL/DPL tones as having it ID with the tone is the worst cuz then all your users can hear the Morse code which is dumb. There are some repeaters that ID with the PL and I cannot stand that! There is *ZERO* reason to do it this way because if you want to hear the ID just open your squelch on your radio. When you have a receive PL/DPL set on the radio and the repeater is ID'ing in clear, your radio will receive the signal and the RX light will be (in my case) green but no annoying Morse code would be heard unless you open the squelch. Hope this adds some more clarity from the repeater side of, in my opinion, correct repeater CW ID setup.

Good point!! Mine of course gets skinnier the taller it gets!!

I mean.... Just use guy wires no?? I have a DB404 as a portable antenna for my fiberglass system.... Never had an issue with it. Here it is up at about 30- 32' or so to the base of the dipoles clamped 3 times without guys and also with guys (7 x 6' pieces with 18" inside the tube). It's possible IMO but you need guys. I'd say 3 at the top and 3 in the middle to be sure but I just did 3 at the top. It's worth noting that as the suggestion of of Bob at TN076 engineering who is the maker of this set that you want to do 18" inside the pipe, not 12" with this heavier 404 antenna. So you get about 32' with 7 pieces. If you just did the 12" inside the tube you'd get 35'. https://mgs4u.com/product/38-feet-heavy-duty-fiberglass-push-up-mast-mk-6-hd/ - this is what I have. Hope this helps! Thanks!

Allegedly the tower climber is going to get this done tomorrow I was told - 1/28. Don't hold your breath. Will update later! Thanks!

Weather was snow all day yesterday and today so our tower climber cancelled again FYI. We cannot win it seems! Will update more when we have more details at a later date!

This appears to be fixed!!!

This appears to be fixed!

Appears to be a side-wide issue. Thanks!