gman1971

1/2 mile is about right with those Baofengs on UHF. Reaching further distance will require to use a better antenna placed at a height higher than 20 feet AGL. That would be the cheapest option IMO, if you want to increase range. Going with higher end walkies will probably increase the range too, and depending on conditions it might almost double the range, but that could end up being very costly... and in the end a better antenna placed higher is always the better route. Going mobile (instead of walkie) will give you 10dB more power (x10 power) but range might not increase much, as the higher placed antenna will be a far better solution. I don't think repeaters can be made dual duty due to the hardware involved in making one, you need two different repeaters to do Ham and GMRS. G.

welcome

Nah, the Diamond X500N would've been an even bigger monster antenna... G.

Yeah, for now seems likes most radios also support analog FM, so that should be good for "compatibility". Motorola seems to be pushing for DMR P25 P2 and probably TETRA overseas, truth is when manufacturers support a variety of modes, they usually end up winning b/c they force their user base to buy compatible gear to they can operate their other "supported" digital modes... a radio that can do it all is probably not a business savvy decision... b/c if the make the XPR7550e speak P25, the APX series might suffer in sales.. etc.. Here pretty much hoping DMR wins due to the dual timeslot tdma, which allows for two concurrent voice calls without requiring additional frequency space... and radios are affordable and plenty available too, CCRs have their use for cheap floor intercom usage... I was able to tinker with Echolink with my TM-V71a radios, and you can also link analog radios using that. Like you've stated, digital modes have their advantages, and DMR isn't meant for discovering new people over the air like say, SSB is, DMR is meant for organizations which require a more precise of radio usage, to know who is talking, etc, and to avoid external people from trying to "open the squelch" and say dumb things, with the added benefit of true digital encryption. G.

Nice!! I have also tried it, and since then I've made the decision to purchase all my future radios all DMR capable so when GMRS officially allows for digital modulations I'll just switch a channel # and be good to go. I've programmed several intercom systems and I love the features the DMR standard offers, can't really do that in FM analogue. Radios like the Baofeng BF-1801 or the Baofeng DM-V1 DMR capable are like 45 bucks or 29 bucks... not quite as cheap as the BF-888s, but getting there. Love no picket fencing as well.. its crystal clear all the way to the end of reception, then it drops... G.

Good choice, the Kenwood will be leaps and bounds better than the BTech

Until it fills out with water and SWR goes up to 1:8, if you get this antenna make sure you add a PVC radome over it. I had two of these, both developed high SWR. I am using the Diamond X50C2 for GMRS now. G.

Figured it wasn't as simple Thanks man! I am debating what to do with the radio TBH. The C.N.Y. measn there will be no updates for at least another 2 weeks... the radio froze twice yesterday. It is pretty much unacceptable at this point. G.

Radio froze again today. With firmware 1.06. Absolutely unacceptable, the worst radio I've used to date. It freezes just by sitting idle for a couple of hours... utter trash. So, if you feel tempted to get one, DON'T. Right now this is the radio to avoid. Maybe when all firmware bugs are worked out, in the mean time, AVOID IT... WHAT a piece of excrement.... G.

Nice! some lemonade coming, out of some lemons. I had a house like that, it was more of a very steep backyard, it was pretty hard do anything on it, even mowing it... Water in the loop... sounds like a good buzzword to reach further Marc... nice. G.

Time to pour some concrete then LOL... G.

Do you think it will freeze? Maybe dry out should be a better thing to hope for... freezing doesn't sound too hot (no pun intended) G.

Welcome!

Hey Marc, Busy is the name of the game, glad to see you posting! thanks! So far so good, on hold until spring, roof is covered in snow, so not much can be done. I am sticking with the single 5/8 wave, going to raise it a few more feet up in the air... Did you get that loop antenna setup? I remember you were going to build that loop... any progress? G.

Radio looks good man, I'd say look for a used one on eBay, might be cheaper, but if money is no concern, 175 isn't that bad... in fact, is not bad at all considering how expensive LMR gear is these days. G.

Very cool Marc, how you've been? G.

Well said.

Agreed, the MD5 is way better than all CCR's I have, even better than the Anytone N-STG8R... The MD5 has been (prior to losing it) pretty reliable, it has never frozen on me, maybe Alinco did something on their own firmware and why they are slow to put the firmware, to deal with bugs coming back... not sure. I hope they get the bugs worked out (and keep them out) on the 578, b/c like you said, the hardware is really nice, even nicer than the 878/MD5... G.

Very nice. Thank you for the password, now it is interesting they managed to get the 220 added on the latest firmware.... My 578 had no password to enable Band plan or mode 00014, but I am running mine on Band plan 0, US Commercial mode no VFO. I can switch it, but I prefer to run it so it is "legal" Wish they fixed some of the bugs I am running into on the 578, other than that I am hopeful. It is a pretty decent radio otherwise. G.

One more to pile up to the list. Radio froze up... not sure how long it was frozen... the 878 also freezes too, guess someone at Anytone can't program his own way out of a paper bag... pretty sad. G.

Usually is firmware related, like taco6513 stated... Anytone has been fairly quick to fix things for the 878, not sure about Btech tho... I ended up with the Alinco MD5 b/c of the much smaller size; however, the simplex repeater on the 6x2 might tip me to get one too. You should try the Anytone 578 mobile... has a few teething issues but its going to be a real winner once they iron out the bugs... G.

Well, 1.7 miles seems feasible considering only one GD77 is used, and being in Florida with a low RFI environment helps too. The Anytone and the Midland probably have a much better front end than the GD-77S too, which is as bad as they come, worse than the UV-5R/GT-3 radio G.

Yet another bug, SMS won't go through in DMR crossband mode. Vertex DMR repeater works just fine.

LOL, yeah, I know, I was one of the silent whiners.... so I got right what I deserved... oh well... I really like it tho, when it works is fantastic, and the fact it has 1W on low is amazing. G.

More bugs, looks like private calls only go one way while in crossband DMR mode. This thing has more bugs than Windows ME... (for those who remember) G.