Extreme
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Posts posted by Extreme
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12 hours ago, StogieVol said:
@Extreme It's the Jeep Badge of Honor Trails.
Haven't done any BOH. Was to go to Moab last Spring with some friends but my dog got very ill and had to back out.
We run the many thousands of acres of BLM/USFS trails.
Great Basin high desert is perfect for GMRS and repeaters.
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49 minutes ago, StogieVol said:
@Extreme Very nice! I hope to get out your way sometime to wheel and get BOH trails done.
BOH?
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25 minutes ago, StogieVol said:
@CTarna Welcome! And I see a Jeep!!!!
One more. Where I use GMRS most
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19 hours ago, WRYD530 said:
I have looked on this and another site but can’t find a repeater in my area. I’m in the Warren/Youngstown Ohio area. The closest I see is in Painsville which I believe has a 25 mile range. It’s about an hour drive from me. My equipment is a Midland MXT575 with the 3db mag mount in the center of my GMC sierra roof. Also anyone want to comment on my “fars” with this setup. I don’t really have anyone else to talk to other than my handhelds which don’t give me more that a few miles in my area.
When you pull up the Map be sure to go to Settings wheel and select "Offline" and "Stale" repeaters to maximize your search. I have a few of those in my area that are fully functional.
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4 hours ago, gortex2 said:
Are you sure they didn't program a DIR button for Direct. That's how all my mobiles are setup. Worth checking.
No idea how to check that. Only 1 button does anything and that switches A-B
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On 9/2/2023 at 3:30 AM, gortex2 said:
Channel 8-14 aren't supposed to be in mobiles so that's most likely why they didn't put them in. The rules state handhelds only.
The 221 is a much more solid radio than any of the CCR units. I run them for SAR work and have yet to have one go bad. 128 channels and scan works well.
I mis-spoke. The channels I want that are not programmed are 15 - 22 Simplex.
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4 hours ago, gortex2 said:
Channel 8-14 aren't supposed to be in mobiles so that's most likely why they didn't put them in. The rules state handhelds only.
The 221 is a much more solid radio than any of the CCR units. I run them for SAR work and have yet to have one go bad. 128 channels and scan works well.
They had no issue inserting those channels in multiple Kenwood's I've purchased there.
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Found it in the software and it satisfied the install but then threw me another curve ball and I stopped without the correct data it wanted.
I punted and ordered a wouxun 20w unit. Kinda done with the used stuff.
Seller was to program with my spreadsheet but they inserted 1-6 and none of the useful 8-23 simplex, but did get the repeaters correct. Sent it back and they returned with no changes.
Maybe someone here wants an Icon 221?
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On 12/22/2022 at 9:30 PM, WRUT935 said:
Just got the replacement mic from buytwoway. The new mic has the same issue as the first. I wrote the vendor back and hopefully will hear tomorrow. I hope I just got another bad mic and that the radio is not defective.
those who own the kg-xs20g plus, have you tried to switch from spk1 to spk2 and is the mic speaker working properly?
On 12/22/2022 at 9:30 PM, WRUT935 said:Just got the replacement mic from buytwoway. The new mic has the same issue as the first. I wrote the vendor back and hopefully will hear tomorrow. I hope I just got another bad mic and that the radio is not defective.
those who own the kg-xs20g plus, have you tried to switch from spk1 to spk2 and is the mic speaker working properly?
...and...?
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I have the correct programming cable and software but don't know where to find "Product ID" for software install/setup,
TIA,
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12 minutes ago, WRWM492 said:
WRWM492 asks where are the gmrs repeaters in the bend, Oregon area
10 of them.
Be sure to go to Setting icon, upper left of map and select both outdated and stale repeaters for maximum results.
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8 minutes ago, kidphc said:
Well I should some DCS/DPL tones are not supported by some radios. Yet another reason they could not be used as much as good old sub audio tones.
Even sub audio tones, I was reading somewhere 100hz and below tones are often not used due to harmonic issues and. Tones above 200Hz some where weren't used often due to being audible to some users.
Wondering if Kenwood TK8180 supports DCS..
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I've used only CTCSS in all my GMRS radios, both HT & Mobile. I've run into a situation where the folks I'll be running with use D223N on the trail. I don't know if they have newer GMRS radios or what. I have the Kenwood software and cable so should be good but I thought I'd ask here if it's an issue before I dive in. Daily use I run with no privacy codes in the remote area where we use our radios.
Also wondering why this particular group is using DCS and if you know any advantage, etc.?
Thanks..
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Missed the net. Buddy had emergency dryer replacement and needed me to pick it up at just the wrong time.
Maybe next month.
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13 minutes ago, Sshannon said:
Notarubicon did a recent video which showed pretty surprising results for a Ghost antenna.
Same guy (hi there) who claims in another video that the 6" 1/4 wave is the worst performer. There are likely variables in terrain, etc. that might counter that claim. My personal experience has been pretty impressive in the mountainous high desert (hit 16 miles, not quite LOS mobile to HT 5x5).
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1 minute ago, Sshannon said:
Usually on a net you just listen until called on to check in. Sometimes it’s very difficult to get in to check in, but there’s almost always a bit of a lull.
Once they build a list of checked in people they might go around again, asking for a report, which can include anything from weather to signal reports to type of radio and antenna you’re using.
My advice is to listen until you feel comfortable. For me that sometimes takes a while.
Ya, kind of what I had planned.
Thanks.
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30 minutes ago, marcspaz said:
I have a 5/8 wave rubber ducky antenna fir when I'm wheeling and I don't want to risk breaking the mount or stripping the antenna off the mount.
Looking online for the Rubber Duck in NMO... ??
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A pal and I are going to join the Net tonight via a local repeater that I've recently been informed is linked. No problem hitting the repeater from my easy chain via HT. I think he's in the same range.
Should be a hoot.
Ground rules? Do we need to ID when we join? What are protocols?
I don't want to be that guy and interrupt or break some rule first time actively in (I've listened in via laptop and the Tucson group in the past).
We're with a bunch that use GMRS and local repeaters for our off-road gang trail runs. Getting more and more friends onboard with GMRS.
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https://www.buytwowayradios.com/melowave-anm-133g.html
Anyone? I have the phantom stubby antenna and it works ok but no 'testing'. I've reverted to 1/4 6" on a ground plane and it also works well but have torn one off in the trees in the past.
Is the Melowave Shadow (specifically 'tuned to GMRS') really a step up from the Phantom? I get a lot of stuff from and refer a lot of folks to BTWR.
Working on an install for a buddies Wrangler JK and considering his rear high mount cargo rack/basket as a place to put a ground plane plate.
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Any issue installing a "No Ground Plane" antenna (1/2 or 5/8 wave) on a ground plane? Any benefit?
Just brainstorming on a 2nd antenna with some gain to play around with where my 1/4 wave is mounted.
Likely makes more sense to get a ground plane antenna in 1/2 or 5/8 wave, eh?
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On 4/24/2022 at 10:23 AM, Sshannon said:
I’m in Butte, so SW Montana, but as far as ham radio there’s a DMR repeater on 70 cm in Eureka. I assume you’re in that area, maybe Troy or Libby. It’s networked to the Brandmeister network so you can literally talk to people all over the world.
https://www.dmr-montana.net/radio-site-data/eureka-dmr.html
Ham radio is much more active than gmrs in Montana although Billings now has gmrs repeaters.
Good luck!
I have some lots in Walkerville if there's interest in putting a GMRS repeater up there. Not living there now but don't know why it couldn't be done. Should provide hella range from there, overlooking the valley toward the Highlands, Fleecer Mtn, Pintlar, I-15 corridor and toward I-90 West toward Deer Lodge.
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20 minutes ago, WRFP399 said:
I found zero difference between a 1/4 wave and a 5/8 over 5/8 collinear antenna where I am when talking to a repeater. We have mountains as well as wide open flat area. I go with a 1/4 wave because there is no reason to have a larger antenna if it doesn't do anything better.
Agreed. I've been trying to say just this to my off-road buddies who're getting their first mobiles. A lot of them are in Jeeps with fiberglass tops so that's an issue and they're leaning toward longer antennas to get them above the top. I was lucky enough to have a perfect spot for an 8 x 8" ground plane for my 1/4 high at the rear of the LJ.
It is cool that they're getting away from CB and into GMRS. Better in every way on the trail or hunting in my experience.
Guess I could take this to the Jeeps & Radios thread.
Thanks for the feedback and reminding me of radio 101.
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5 hours ago, marcspaz said:
The best antenna for you is going to vary a bit, depending on where you are going to be using the radio and what you want to accomplish.
On a vehicle, a 5/8 wave antenna is going to show at least 3dB gain over a 1/4 wave, and at least 1dB of actual gain (depending on design, it can be much higher). This antenna has the least amount of elevation tolerance. So, if you live in a hilly/mountainous area, this may not be the best option, but it would be good in large geographically flat areas.
A 1/2 wave doesn't require a ground plane and has about 2.1 dB of gain over a 1/4 wave, but it has no actual gain... its straight break-even. It also has a bit more tolerance to elevation.
A 1/4 wave actually has a loss of about 2/10ths of a dB. While it doesn't provide as much range, in hilly or mountainous areas, its going to be the best choice due to the very high elevation tolerance.
Based on this, I actually carry a 5/8 wave antenna that is about 32" tall and about 6dB gain, and a 1/4 wave antenna. Then I just swap them on and off the vehicle depending on the terrain I am in and the range needed.
Thanks Marc. As soon as I read this I realized I'd been taught this here a few years ago when pondering antennas... sheesh.
My 1/4 is great in the mountains but we do have some extremely long shots with potential for more reach. I've hit a repeater from 50 miles so don't know what better I could ask. I might consider a 5/8 to play with.
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Will I gain any performance (distance and/or clarity) with one of the base loaded antennas over a 6" 1/4 wave? Both would be on the same 8" square ground plane on my Jeep. Wondering if the added height above the roof will be of much benefit. The 1/4 is working fine, just nit-picking. Spring loaded base would be a must if I go taller. The ground plane would remain the same.
Assuming all will screw onto the existing NMO mount.
If they need tuning, I'll likely opt out. Guess I could experiment and be careful to swap to the shorty in the overhead brush.
UHF High Gain Antennas: Laird TE Connectivity B4503S (theantennafarm.com)
5/8 wave is 15"
UHF High Gain Antennas: Laird TE Connectivity B4505CS (theantennafarm.com)
1/2 wave is 31"
UHF Quarter Wave Antennas : Laird TE Connectivity AB450 (theantennafarm.com)
1/4 wave is 6"
Wouxun KG-805G programming
in Technical Discussion
Posted
Why not use the free wouxun software?