wayoverthere

I don't think the mygmrs one is linked to a node. Fairly sure the Tucson group has one (that is password protected), and I think there may a Midwest one and one in either Bronx or New Jersey that is either linked to a repeater, or linked to a node with access to a repeater.

There's a couple options to join the net; first is if there's a linked repeater in your area (check the map), and if so, whether it's linked in for the net. i CAN vouch that CHIRP absolutely can assist with inputting the codes you need to access a repeater (CHIRP is just programming your radio; you tell it what tone you need, and it generates them as needed in use), but you will need to know the appropriate code for the repeater you want to use (which, if the owner is making it available, will be listed on the map/repeater listing. aside from repeaters, it's possible to join the net via the zello app..i know there are 3 or 4 zello nodes that are either repeaters linked in, or a simplex node that's able to access a linked repeater; some of the groups will allow users access via a protected zello channel to join the net (but protected to ensure only licensed users have access to the actual radio hardware.

I'll check in a bit and edit if needed, but I believe the menu option you want for DPL is called T-DCS, you can enter R-DCS if you'd like, or leave it off to receive everything on the channel. edit: yep, T-DCS is what you're looking for to get into the repeater; usually if it's given without the letter, it's assumed to be the normal version of the code (411N) rather than inverted (411i).

That's the story over here too, a few mixed mode (analog/p25) linked to other analog and p25 machines. I have 1 dmr radio (radioddity gd73), 3 potentially dmr capable (evx539) and 1 p25 (vx-p824 uhf). Haven't set up the gd73 And hotspot yet, but the p824 is one of the two I grab for out and about, though I haven't really gotten a good test in with the p25.

There's definitely been some learning curve with all of this...other than messing with Chirp and a couple Baofengs I grabbed for cheap scanners, I only really started digging into all this last March during the shutdown/shelter in place, and then dove into the deeper end with the commercial gear in January. It's definitely taken some trial and error and learning. On the narrowband thing, it looks like 1/1/13 was the deadline for most of the public safety/commercial to be rolled over to that, and i'm sure the software would have been pushing it leading up to that date. on versions, i finally went digging through my computers (it's spread across multiple, the CE76 doesn't get along with one of the other versions), and it looks like i have: CE59 ( Export V5.04, for the vx4207 & vx924), CE76 (US V3.12, for the p824), CE115 (US & Export V5.01, i think this was said to work for the EVX, but only worked for the prior version) and CE151 (US V1.12, for the enhanced/dot matrix display EVX539s I have). on the CE59, i believe i bought that from The Antenna Farm, $49 with a cable (as Bluemax49ers didn't list that cable). quality2wayradios.com also has a good selection of software, and are where i got the software for the EVXs, though some of their stuff is explicit that it's the US/Narrowband version.

Hello from down the hill! The Auberry machine was getting a little activity not too long ago, though I haven't been listening a whole lot lately so I'm not sure if it's died off...I've been hanging out more on the 70cm side, on a couple repeaters linked to a network along the coast around Monterey/ Santa Cruz. I think the Tenmile one is out of range, so not sure how much activity that one gets. Haven't heard much on the Central one (coalinga) though.

It took me a couple tries with one of them, I had to make sure the automatic time updates were really off before changing the time, then change the time, THEN open the software again. No solid info, but it wouldn't totally surprise me of the very latest versions (after narrowbanding went into effect) shut that loophole. I'll try to remember to check after work to see if ce49 is one of the versions I have to compare version numbers.

I still have to check what cps versions I have ? some of them you can fool into letting you have wideband by shutting off automatic time updates, and then setting the system date back to like...2005, though not so much for the evx539.

shot in the dark, but did you try just signing up for an account? i tried making one just now (never purchased anything direct from retevis), and it looks like it will let me download the files, though i cancelled the windows download dialog. could it be some other browser issue preventing it?

The way I understand it, they won't NOW certify it if it can be used on both gmrs & non certified bands. However, the older rules (when gmrs was in 95a), this was allowed, and some manufacturers did so; you have your Kenwood, I have my vertex, and some others have Motorola.

so...one other tidbit i noticed when reading poking around 95e (https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/95.1761) is (c), which seems to imply 95e/90 dual certification is still POSSIBLE, but can't overlap with ham (being a non-certified service). also found some interesting (good) suggestions on radioreference, for text to go into 95.1735, since that section is currently "reserved".

okay, the P1 thing makes it seem it's not the key lock you're running into; p4 sounds like a test sequence. I think you're on the right track on them having wiped the memory, and they just didn't program anything for those keys. (i have p3 & p4 as group up/down). other than a lot of settings being in the menus, i don't think the learning curve is TOO steep, especially if you're familiar with something like chirp. It's also seemed fairly similar across the 3 versions of Vertex CPS I've used (the 4200 and the 924 both use the same CPS, the 539's and the P824 each have their own version, and the P824 CPS won't go on the same PC as the 924/4200). I don't have it open in front of me to say which item it is (I'm on the desktop, the programs are scattered between a stick PC and a laptop), but the help file has a section that covers the menu items, and it's actually reasonably helpful.

I think it's probable it's either the key lock enabled (try pressing and holding the front panel keys one at a time and see if that resolves it) or someone goofed the programming and disabled the front panel keys (I want to say it's just a drop down in one of the screens) If it comes to programming, Bluemax49ers cables have worked well for my vertex stuff, though he didn't have one available for my vx4200; you can get the software from him as well (All the vertex stuff I've seen was free).the cables are also pretty reasonably priced as well.

i will second hard wiring it. both my 50x1 (rated for 50 watts on high) and the vertex (45 watts on high, if i remember right) both draw between 10 and 11 amps transmitting on high power, according to the meter on the PSU.

Michael, One minor correction: while the prior models did not support split tones, Midland appears to have updated the current mxt115 and 275 with split tone capabilities (and a usb-c port). https://midlandusa.com/product/mxt115-micromobile-2-way-radio/ Edited to add: i'm tempted to grab one to have a free radio to throw in the better half's car. Talking her into a decent antenna is hard part so I might just go with the one it comes with to start with.

If you are using a RX code, the person you want to hear has to use the same TX code. I think the best analogy is to think of the RX tone as a gate, and the tx tone as the key. No tones is like leaving the gate wide open, anyone can come in. If you want to get in when the gate is locked (RX tone set), you have to bring the right key (tx tone). If you want to hear everything on the frequency when working simplex, you can just use no codes on either rx or tx. (The gate is open, so no key needed). Does that make it a little clearer?

Thanks for the tip on PCH..haven't picked up Ethernet cables in awhile, and more of the tabs have been breaking off (and I needed some longer ones anyway)..put an order in saturday, and they came in today....good prices too!

Congrats, Mac!

think they'd appreciate someone directly asking for towels? ?

i'm not sure what the setup is on the repeater sides, but there's a couple repeaters around 30 miles out from me, up on the hill NE of me at around 5000 ft; one GMRS, one UHF ham. 15 watts from the mxt115 into a browning double 5/8 wave gets into the GMRS one okay if i'm on the north end of town. on the other hand, 5 watts from a ham HT gets into the ham one pretty well from most areas of town. The GMRS one used to receive better, but had to move locations due to last years massive wildfires.

Here's one that looks pretty similar: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_192_196_213&products_id=4476 Here's another style: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_192_196_213&products_id=796 Both list a height of 6", but no gain.

Fair point. I seriously consider grabbing one of those simplex repeater boxes, mainly for experimentation.

I don't mess around off road too much anymore, but I've tagged trees a few times in parking lots and neighborhood with the browning 5/8 over 5/8 (around 30" tall) on a mag mount, and no issues. It does have a spring built in, and it's on a mag mount, which hasnt come off or moved. It is kind of an invitation to get hit sitting where it is, though (center of the roof). I do also keep a little 1/4 wave in the glove compartment for low clearance situations like parking lots...I know Laird and some others make small flexible quarter waves, some with springs.

Yeah, I think my use case makes it easier being linked repeaters...all my HTs are UHF only except the baofengs, so I listen and transmit to the base on the UHF side, and the base transmits out on vhf. Been testing with a baofeng, but once I have it all set, I'll program the channels into the one of better radios. On topic, it would seem like a lot of work to go through for the power a ht offers, except in a pinch.

I still have some setup to do with mine, but I'm working out something similar with my icom base. I can get good signal from the repeaters with the ht, but not get out strong enough to open them consistently Planning to set the codes on the base so I transmit ht to base and it retransmits crossband, (since both I generally use have vhf and uhf linked). However, through codes and/or squelch, I'll set it so the base isn't transmitting back to the ht, so I think I'm okay without autoid as the only transmits will be carrying mine going out carrying my call