wayoverthere

I think I've mentioned it a couple times, but I've backed off of trusting fcc.io much due to inconsistencies in the data. One of my vertex HT shows on there as being certified for "part 9" ? Actually looking on fcc.gov shows it as part 90.

I ran the authorization number on that @SteveWpprovided through FCC and it appears to show it's 95e certified...Am I misreading this? https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/tcb/reports/Tcb731GrantForm.cfm?mode=COPY&RequestTimeout=500&tcb_code=&application_id=pP6r2RsPtcaptv0L45it7w%3D%3D&fcc_id=2AJGM-P51UV

Glad to help. And I know...it's often easier to find things via Google, rather than navigate to it on their site.

Keeping an eye on the outcome of this. I was actually eyeing that one in particular for an inexpensive dual bander to use in the beater car and to throw in rentals on road trips.

Here is the search form for a gmrs license (I googled "FCC uls lookup gmrs"): https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchGmrs.jsp

how much power do you suppose they're running for these things?

I know; I tried to make the comment as general as possible, as I'm basing it off of things that have been said not just in this thread, or even this forum in general, but in other venues as well...kind of what I see related to GMRS overall. I personally won't assume a repeater as open unless it's listed as such, and have reached out for (and received) permission on a couple. I do wonder if there's some in the listings that were listed to help with coordination but intended as private, but weren't clearly marked so when the owner set them up. As was discussed in the open/closed repeaters thread, they're still property of the owner, who does get to dictate who can or can't use it, despite the limited spectrum we get with GMRS. While I can see wanting to know what's around, I would also agree that it's extremely bad form trying to muscle into an unlisted repeater; if it's the ONLY thing around, I wouldn't see an issue in taking a shot and reaching out (by mail, if that's the only way) and ASKING if they'd be willing to allow access on an emergency basis, but if not, that's their option. 100% agreed that being respectful is the best way to win friends, whether catching someone on simplex, or when it comes to repeaters. Jumping in the middle of someone's conversation (especially since they probably aren't expecting other users, its definitely something to take into account if you try to 'approach'), or on their repeater unexpectedly isn't likely to win friends. Personally, I have to practically twist arms to get my family to touch a radio, even off grid, so my actual use on GMRS is minimal, though I do monitor here and there, or respond to a radio check if I hear someone asking. Like some others, I did get my hopes up based on the enthusiasm here, trying GMRS as a 'ham-lite' while everything was shut down, but my area is almost entirely more like 'FRS-plus", and once things started picking up I expanded into ham. The mindset on the ham side is definitely more open, and the attitude toward repeaters is also definitely more open. Finally, I'll also admit to being a little more 'flexible' on some rules than others, mainly based on "will my actions affect someone else?" and logic behind it, but I also feel a responsibility to encourage others on the "right" path as much as possible, and help them have realistic expectations of what they'll find in each.

I feel like there's a perception among some of the long time gmrs users, especially with the influx of users the last few years (between boredom and disasters), that the growth of a hobbyist mindset is going to turn gmrs into a free for all like cb became. I think this is where some of the discouraging attitudes stem from toward hobbyist mindset on gmrs. I'm in the camp that, while hobbyist usage isn't the main intent of the service, there's also nothing in the the regulations that prohibits using it in that way. It just means I need to temper my expectations of what I'm likely to find on the radio waves. And I've been trying to walk that line with a lot of the new user threads...show then the reality without making it like I'm trying to totally rain on their enthusiasm for a new hobby.

I'd have to look for the specific procduct name, but I know 3m (and others) make a tape aimed at this kind of sealing. If you can do it better outside the connection point, I still would. DX Engineering even has kits, and a how-to document. https://www.dxengineering.com/search/part-type/weatherproofing-kits/product-line/dx-engineering-coaxial-connection-weatherproofing-kits https://static.dxengineering.com/pdf/weatherproofingcoax-techtip.pdf

That would work to make the connection; on a side note, the female side of pl259 is the so239 (pl=plug, so=socket) However, if the cable run permits, I'd be tempted to run a a couple to a few ft of cable with N connectors on both ends if it let me get the changeover point inside the attic. N connectors are better protected from the weather than the uhf (pl259/so239) connectors.

I forget if I posted it here or on one of the FB groups (I think here), but one test I did was coiling the cable vs just winding the extra around the room...though I atwont say that no effect is possible, least in my case (unmarked Midland mag mount cable), coiled together had a negligible effect on swr...I'll see if I can find the post. That said, since you'll be up there anyway, not a bad thing to do, especially as you secure it. Getting the extra height is a bonus too Edit: went digging for the post and found it pretty quick in the swr meter thread. .09 change on one channel, .01 on the other, and no change in the middle. https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/2426-decent-cheap-swr-meter/?do=findComment&comment=27863&_rid=2738

My need to experiment, I might test a little more before calling it done, though you're in pretty good stead where you are, and could just keep it as it is. My thought process, but take it with not just a grain but a helping of salt...id test swr on simplex 15-21, and again on the repeater channels. If it's tending downward on as you go up in simplex, and rising as you go up the repeater Channels, you're likely pretty close, and your lowest swr is in the gap between simplex and repeater frequencies. If you're in that dip and the repeater channels (overall) are higher swr than the simplex, you could probably take a small amount more off to bias it a tiny bit more toward the repeater channels. If the repeater channels are already lower swr than the simplex, or the top of simplex (22) and the bottom of the repeaters (15) are about the same, I wouldn't take any more off. And if I'm off base, by all means, let me know...I'm approaching from a logic/theory side of it, and know the real world doesn't always follow, and I'm always willing to learn. I know my 5/8 wave laird instructions said I should trim a good 3/4" to be centered where I want it, but nanovna and swr meter said it was almost spot on as is.

Fair point. Some extra headroom in what the PSU can supply doesn't hurt anything except maybe the wallet ? And yeah, what it needs in terms of current to power up and program, and what it needs to transmit are likely a bit different. I've run the btech off of a little 1amp cig lighter like the one linked earlier for programming, and a pair of 6v lantern batteries in series for a noise test...it only draws 100mah at idle.

No good source of 12v in the RV? For perspective, per the display on my alinco psu, my 50 watt Btech draws between 10 and 11 amps on high, while the 15 watt Midland drew 3.5 amps. If your wouxun is in the same ballpark, that would put it in the 4-5 amp range on high. This pyramid is likely sufficient, though not a lot of headroom. Reasonably priced, and it's a linear regulated (rather than switching) power supply. https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Compact-Bench-Power-Supply/dp/B000A896GG/ (I had an eye toward more than just the btech when I was setting up, so I over-spec'd on power supply, 22amp continuous, 30amp surge Alinco from DXE)

It depends on the hardware the radio is based on. Afaik, even the wouxun kg805g's will receive uhf outside gmrs, the VTech and wouxun kg1000g mobiles receive a lot of both vhf and uhf. Fairly sure the uv5r based radios can receive a lot of vhf &UHF as well. I know my 95a vertex stuff can do it also. (On a side note, i have the transmit side of all the public safety channels saved on the vertex set to low power on 462.5625...better to accidentally key up there where it's already a bubble pack mess anyway than a public safety channel) That said, as @axorlov provided the code for, one would have a hard time arguing the other station isn't in the amateur service if they're talking back to you on 446.000. I'm fully with you on the "why?" though, especially on the MURS scenario, since that's effectively license free.

I wonder if the gmrs repeater owner would be amenable to getting it linked...somewhere...elsewhere in state, neighboring state (depending on location), somewhere that might be likely to have some traffic. nothing begets activity like some activity, but getting it started is the hard part. Bonus if you're near popular off grid outdoor areas that might be crying for coverage, linking might be key to making talking home via network a reality. That aside, if you haven't already, you make poke at some other listings for repeaters that may not be listed here. Imo, this site is the most complete listing, but repeaterbook does have a couple gmrs repeaters listed, along with all the ham stuff. on the ham side, if it's currently barren outside of hf, I'd be looking toward digital modes (fighting with setting up for dmr, myself...)

I can try to get pictures in a day or two, but for my single cab Ranger-clone, I have the mount centered on the roof. For cable routing, I tucked the cable beind the back edge of the outer top door seal at the top corner of the passenger door, following along the outside of the inner seal down to the bottom of the door, then looping up and toward the back to cross the seal, to create a drip loop and discourage water intrusion.

The reality of gmrs is that most areas, it's treated as a utility, in line with the stated intent of the service, and people pretty much sticm to their 'group'. Some areas, as you found, there just isn't much activity, though I'm surprised you aren't at least hearing some activity on the lower channels if you're scanning...kids with the off the shelf ("bubble pack") radios. Some areas do have a bit of hobbyist activity, but they're more exception than norm....I ran into that realization too. It's been a little experimenting with radio, but not a lot of activity, talking to an empty repeater or two. It sounds like you're doing about all you can do to scare up some activity, it's just about incorporating it with activities where you can. For the hobbyist side, though, the reality is that it may be worth looking into ham as well...more hobbyists there ?

I believe the proper term, if you want to get technical, is "counterpoise" ? And free upgrades are a definite win, on top of the fun of experimenting.

Same here. It's in the Notes just after the name of the repeater in the first line, in parentheses, notated as PL. In the little description flag on the map, you do have to scroll down, and if you arent logged into the main site (it should carry over but doesn't always, same login as the forum) it will say "log in to view"..tone is the same for input and output, though I put is the most important to using the repeater (this is your tx tone).

Are you just looking at the list itself? Or did you click into the listing for a specific repeater? Some repeaters do not post the codes, requiring a permission request to receive them, which is done to give the owner/trustee a method of tracking who has been authorized to use the repeater. Other listings may have the tones right there on the listing. It may help to post a link to one of the listings you're having a problem with.

bookmarking these in the same list as Jocko's. will have to make a list of repeaters to try as well.

you're not alone on missing that last MENU press to commit the entry...i've done the same maaaaany times with my uv5r's that mostly get used as scanners ?

i had less luck with the gp1 (2.4 on 462.xxx, and 3.0 on 467.xxx) that is my 2m/70cm. This is why i chose to keep the dual band ham radio at home (doing 2m/70cm together) and run gmrs on a separate midland 5/8 wave, rather than combining 70cm and gmrs (dual cert vertex), with a 2m monoband radio. the vertex went to the truck instead. and this one should work (for the gp3 photo):

Given that it's got some gain in vhf, it will likely help, although not quite as much if it were focused in the range you want (gain helps both transmit and receive). On the other hand, if it were focused lower, the UHF side would likely be focused lower as well, which we don't want....where its tuned is more critical for transmit, and that 460-470 is the range you want for gmrs. Some Dual band antennas for the ham 2m/70cm bands can work well, and others, less so, given they're generally tuned for lower frequencies in both bands.