gman1971

My fault then, I didn't pick it as a joke... I am sorry. G.

LMAO... and I can attest to the VHF hack for the BF-888s, as I had mine all programmed for MURS and GMRS... totally legal... b/c it was cheap and could do multiband, what else could anyone ask for!?... I still have a dozen or so on buried in the basement scrap pile... they still work, well, if you can call it that way...

What kind of backhanded comment is that? All good but...? Seriously dude?, the test is pretty much conclusive, as is, the harmonics are undetectable on the Yaesu, but the CCR not so much... These results, coupled with ISO-tee measurements of ~15 dBm lower effective sensitivity should be more than enough to make anyone skip these things.

Well, what do you want me to say? Wayne seems to know a lot more than I do, and someone he trusts has tried it, and I have not... so I am going trust their opinion on this one, rather than sow doubt... but you are welcome to try it if you think the "b/c I saw it on the internet, it must be true" mantra... If I understand correctly how isolators work, then I don't think so, the two port Isolators won't work, b/c only whatever signal spills over the first circulator goes onto the 2nd one, so you'll have a 30dB attenuation at the 2nd circulator dummy load (which is where you'll place the receiver radio). You need a switch, unfortunately. The two SLR1000s I've looked at had the switches installed already, so perhaps it is my assumption that the switch comes standard.... G.

CPS for Vertex Standard EVX radios is free. Its two radios you're talking about here, not just one. The CPS for those is pretty straightforward for FM, DMR requires a bit of tinkering to get the hang of it... but for GMRS those are excellent radios. And those have the enhanced display too... so you'll need CE151 to program those, not CE142. G.

And since you asked, here is a good answer about finding EVX radios. Now, this is a step up. 2 Vertex EVX-539 UHF 403-470Mhz 512 Ch 5W DMR/Analog Mototrbo compatible https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Vertex-EVX-539-UHF-403-470Mhz-512-Ch-5W-DMR-Analog-Mototrbo-compatible/353291862989?hash=item5241d603cd:g:pbQAAOSwthtflhS7 G.

The SLR 1000 already has the antenna switch. All SLR repeaters can do SFR, but they need the solid state PIN diode switch to work. You can't use a circulator, its been tried. G.

Most people only seem to care about new vs used, it seems that we've been brainwashed to think used == garbage... new == good. So, until that mentality isn't eviscerated, people will keep buying garbage new CCRs no matter how atrocious the specs are... As a recently rehabilitated CCR addict, I can tell you this: none of those specs tables, spec comparison, etc, none would make a lick of a difference, a) b/c most people don't understand what the specs mean b ) all CCR specs are "made up" to match whatever the radio they are trying to "oust" in the market. are... The best analogy I can think of ATM is cheap flashlights made in China, using China Lumens, using a knock-off CREE leds too... like the infamous CREE XML-T6, which puts about 800 lumens under most realistic scenarios... but the cheap china flashlights manufacturers claim their cheap knockoff magically produces 5000 Lumens now... again... this is the same exact thing. Until you don't try a real CREE led, on a high quality flashlight housing/reflector etc, and see the massive difference in color temperature, CRI level, beam pattern, etc... you'll keep buying the cheap flashlights.... The same applies to radios, and I can safely state that nothing short of a real world demonstration would've convinced me to believe that the CCRs I was buying were actually crap... G.

Sure... and produce all kinds of RF noise all over the band while at it too, as clearly shown in n4gix post. Also, the problem doesn't end there, with just the first radio, the problem is that these people come hungry for more... more powerful CCRs, dazzled with screens and lots of useless features that serve no purpose when the radio can't hear its way out of a paper bag, and now we are talking about PAs, just to boost that CCR RF dirty signal up to the wazoo, and lets not forget the fact that the cheap RF PA is also a CCR too, so you get even more spurious garbage on the airwaves... All that is assuming that the FCC tag is even valid... so its not a little "oh, you're using a Part 90 radio on GMRS"... its a flat out illegal radio to use in any band, a radio that should've never been imported to our shores... and again. Most people seem to have enough money to keep doing things wrong many times over, but never enough to just do things right, once. It is well known that I am all in for Motorola, as I've found them to be the best price/performance for used gear, but there are other very decent brands out there that will offer excellent performance too, like ICOM, Kenwood, Harris, to name a few... etc. If you buy a used XPR6550 in good condition you can always sell it for the same you got it for, provided you didn't trash the radio, that is, in the even that radios don't cut it for you. I yet have to find a CCR that you can sell for the same you bought it for... and I've sold a bunch already... people want cheap... that is the sad state of reality... G.

How much you paid for this wonder? G.

GMRS can be linked via internet, there are entire GMRS networks already in place... now you're saying its illegal? G.

Thank you n4gix... again... sometimes it feels like I am preaching in the desert... nobody cares, all people see is the low price tag and they buy it... (I am cursing at myself now b/c I did the same thing too, dang it)

Like I said, I got mine (the E model, not the D) also with 2 batteries, 2 antennas, got both for under 100, new... two radios for what you paid for one.... sounds like you got ripped off, if you ask me. You see, CCRs go up in price, but the performance remains the same mediocre one... And what difference does it make if its used or new? Can you please elaborate why, say, one of my used XPR7550e radios is less than a new XPR7550e? With that said, I also know what these TYT radios are capable of, I've tested them, I've evaluated them for weeks as my belt worn radio, also compared them to dozens of other radios with ISO-tee tests, under many different real world conditions, and all I can say is that you're wrong about these being a step up... but seems it doesn't matter, so enjoy the radio... I'll enjoy my used XPR7550e with simplex range measured in miles rather than tenths of a mile. G.

And just to keep gMan comments consistent, here is my daily batwing recommendation, err... Motorolian Empire propaganda... Get an XPR4550 UHF... I think you'll really like that radio. Here is a good one: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorola-XPR4550-Two-Way-Radio-AAM27QPH9LA1AN-403-470-MHz-25-40-WATT-UHF/114491711393?epid=1901496480&hash=item1aa83cdfa1:g:EhwAAOSwNDVfnQra Mic here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/RMN5052A-Mic-For-Motorola-XPR4300-XPR4300-XPR4500-XPR4550-XPR5550-XiRM8260-radio/124480973478?hash=item1cfba4eaa6:g:p1AAAOSw96Ff0lMp Here is the cable: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Programming-Cable-441-Motorola-MOTOTRBO-XPR4550-XPR4580-XPR5350-PMKN4010B-USB/351924161247?hash=item51f0508adf:g:Kh0AAOxy0rZRFnXY Here is the CPS: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Programming-Disk-CD-For-M-16-0-SL300-XPR7550-XPR4550-XPR6550-CM200D-CP200D-DMR/264975585174?hash=item3db1c68f96:g:YkcAAOSweMZc5GfY That should get you started in the world of Motorola radios... if you need help with the programming send me a PM... I walk you through the basics. There are also a lot of Motorola CPS tutorials on youtube... either way. /End of daily Motorolian Empire propaganda... G.

Well, I own 2 of those (the E model) 1 is for sale, btw, as listed in the Miscellaneous Forum here. In VHF the receiver is still fairly weak (around -13 dBm effective sensitivity loss vs. my Vertex VHF LMR gear) in UHF the receiver seems a bit better, only -8 dBm effective sensitivity loss measured against my Vertex LMR gear, probably due to some sort of internal diplexer to filter the VHF side. The radio is quite prone to intermod due to poor selectivity/filtering/front end, even when not much desense is happening, the signals that come in pretty clear with my Vertex/Motorola radios come completely garbled with the 8000e. The sensitivity takes a huge dive when you use it in crossband repeat... it seems to desense itself when operating at high power, as measured. As for being one of the better HTs available, that really depends on what you want to do with it. With that said, and being a great salesman (not), if anybody wants one I have one for grabs... G.

Wow, you say you paid 69 dollars for that Bao...?? man, that is bad... sounds like you got ripped off... I paid 29 bucks for an UV-82FHP (8w) back in 2018... G.

Well, I think you get heated more from sun exposure than by 25w VHF/UHF RF exposure... we are exposed to so much RF that a few extra watts here and there I don't think is going to make much of a difference in the long run... G.

Replied.

Settle down? Well, I so happen to be an American... so while the comment wasn't targeted towards me directly, it was targeted towards Americans.... and seriously, the world can think whatever the heck they want about Americans, and that comment wasn't relevant to this thread in regard to Rugged Radios FCC violations, there was no need to share what you think the world thinks of Americans... You promote CCR garbage, and now you say this... I think perhaps you should consider moving to another country... hopefully where they'll care more about the "world"... Next to impossible? I wouldn't be so sure about that... And that point you made was perfectly valid, until you stated "Americans think they are the world", then you lost me. The same way you are asking me to not extrapolate, I'll ask you to keep your personal opinions about what others think of Americans to yourself, and I'll say this again: If you don't like this country then you are more than welcome to leave. G.

You could try with your handhelds while sitting on the roof of each house (if possible, and if its not too dangerous). If the portables reach, when both radios are on the room, then all you probably need is a roof mounted 1/4 wave antenna. 2 miles out is at the edge of radio horizon for high end portables... so if you don't want to invest a ton of money I think a couple of 1/4 wave antennas on the roof of each house is going to do it nicely. G.

Of course, there are no Batwings on this thread, that would've been uncalled for, right? I like Kenwood too, that is before selling my soul to the Moto gods I debated whether to go with the Nexedge radios instead, the NX-5000 series sure are appealing too but...

Welcome! and congrats... So, 2 miles, is this in suburban environment? flat terrain? Love the money tree analogy... but you are going to need more than water and fertilizer if you caught "the bug"... it starts with the house a couple of miles down the road, and by the time you realize it you're in a few or so grand... G.

So? because it might be difficult to enforce doesn't make it right to fake FCC certificates, or telling people you can use their radio license... if you don't have one... The comment about "Americans thinking they "are" the world... " was absolutely uncalled for. You can save your opinions, and you disdain towards Americans wherever the Sun doesn't shine. You totally sound like a CCR (or CCP?) shill, and these radios do suck, and in many instances are actually illegal to use on any service or band. G.

Intermod is exactly like that, bursts of energy. I know the problem well, sadly. Is not cheap to address it... To begin with, you'll need a preselector, at least if you just want to "get by" for the time being, but after a while you realize that nothing but top end radios are going to give you the range you seek (if you want to have your own radio network). I have Vertex Standard on all my infrastructure radios/repeaters, the EVX-5300 have a 5 varactor tuned front end, good, but not enough and required an additional EMR preselector, otherwise in weak coverage areas I was getting blitzed with a lot of RF mixed up... thus range sucked... I have to say: never underestimate the power of those "RF firebreathing angry towers"... At 6 miles its signals shows up like a -10 dBm signal on the radio front end, without any filters, it goes right through and wrecks all kinds of havoc inside the 1st stage... Glad it could help. G.

I vote Kenwood... G.