krvw
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Posts posted by krvw
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Thanks, @Rogers4133.
I spend a fair amount of time traveling, so I'll definitely seek to sample a bunch of repeaters around the country.
I suppose it's a bit of a tough balance. We want GMRS to be popular enough to be used, but not so much that repeaters get over crowded and channels become difficult to use.
Still, I'm a bit surprised our local repeater doesn't see more traffic. I've been making it a point to check in from time to time with my call sign. Every once in a while, someone responds or a stranger drops in for a radio check. The other day, I asked folks for a situation report on a huge plume of black smoke a few miles away. (Turned out to be a construction fire. News reported today it was an accident, but with a cost of $48 MILLION... It was big.)
As I said, my main justification is for emergencies, but I'd also like to see a fun and thriving hobbyist community. I'll be checking some ham repeaters as well once I pass my tech exam.
Cheers,
Ken
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Yeah, I ask a lot of questions for a noob. Sorry about that, but I'm playing the role of an information sponge right now. Trying to learn all I can about this stuff.
My question is about GMRS popularity. How popular is it?
I see a lot of "SHTF" prepper-types getting into the BaoFengs and such. I get that.
I'm within pretty solid reach of a GMRS repeater here in Alexandria, Virginia. I have myself and my wife on it just fine. For those unaware, Alexandria is at the southern end of the Washington, DC area "Beltway". As such, the repeater hits a pretty broad swath of a fairly densely populated region.
For a couple days, I was convinced I had made a mistake in configuring my radios because I wasn't hearing any activity at all. I did a few radio checks and didn't get any responses.
I must have programmed and reprogrammed my repeater offsets a dozen times to ensure it wasn't my fault -- which I entirely assumed to be the case. I openly admit I'm a newbie here, after all.
Then, out of the blue, I heard from someone driving through the area and checking in on the repeater. I responded with a radio check and we had a short chat. All went fine. At least now I knew my radios were set up correctly for the repeater.
Since then, I've had a few more casual contacts and have even had a couple conversations with the repeater's owner. All good.
But, candidly, I expected more traffic here. Yeah, everyone has an iPhone or Android in 2020, so back to my questions.
How popular is GMRS? Is it growing? Is it shrinking? Are equipment manufacturers producing new products in this space? Or are the BaoFengs taking over and all the big guys' profit margins shrinking to 0 or negative?
Basically, among you experienced GMRS jockeys, how does our future look?
I'm not trying to sound pessimistic, trust me. For my primary use case (emergency comms with my family), I'm committed to GMRS. My wife will never sit for a ham exam. The shared license model here fits us perfectly. Is GMRS as committed to me as I am to GMRS?
Opinions welcome, with gratitude.
Cheers,
Ken
WRFC318
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"The intent of the rule is both to segregate the services by license type and to ensure the radio is type-certified over its entire operating spectrum."
That is a shame, IMHO. I would gladly spend a bit more $$$ on a radio that can lawfully operate in both spectra.
And, I have to admit an observation here: With BaoFengs and other CCRs running $20-25, being easily (CHIRP) programmable to run GMRS, FRS, MURS, ham, etc., and the likelihood of being caught doing so nearly 0, the FCC policy engine is well and truly hosed.
Oh, I get that the CCRs aren't as good, objectively speaking, as their higher $ counterparts, but that's another issue entirely.
Does someone make a BaoFeng-like radio that offers the feature set of a Bao, but also higher quality components?
NOT trying to encourage anyone to break the law. I'm just pointing out the utter foolishness of said laws and that the momentum of the masses will eventually doom those laws to failure, IMHO.
As a hobbyist, I want to swim in an unroped-off sea.
Cheers,
Ken
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As I'm pondering the path in front of me, it seems there is quite a minefield with regards to FCC Part 95a and such.
Let me say clearly that it is my intention to be lawful.
That said, I'd also like to be able to operate in both the GMRS and ham spectra. (GMRS for comms with my family and ham for my own hobby purposes, assuming I pass my ham tech exam in a couple weeks.)
So, my question is this: Is there a single handheld (and mobile) radio that can be lawfully used for both GMRS and ham?
Or, am I describing a proverbial unicorn?
Yeah, it looks like the various BaoFengs can be programmed for both freq bands, but not lawfully. What are my lawful options?
Thanks folks.
Cheers,
Ken
WRFC318
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Inspired by https://www.scadacor...-line-of-sight/, I decided to run another test quickly. Grabbed a ladder and climbed up into the attic crawl space. Sent a GMRS check to my wife.
In the past, it did not even rise above her squelch level, but this time she at least got a staticky signal.
Hoping the improved antenna will clean that up further so that simplex comms are workable.
Plus, having the antenna better placed, I'm hoping for more hobby time on a couple repeaters in my area.
Cheers,
Ken
- scottmckinney67 and Duck218
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Wow, that's a helpful site, @ScottMcKinney67, thanks.
I placed an antenna at my wife's office and one at my home, and then I estimated heights. My wife is on the 2nd floor of her building, so I estimated 4 meters above ground.
And then I tried different heights at my end. When I hit 5 meters, I got a green line of sight. I can achieve 5 meters in my attic.
Let's hope that pans out in practice.
Oh, and I did ask my HOA about an antenna on my roof. Surprisingly, they didn't just say no. If I ensure it won't be an eyesore and that the cabling would be well hidden, they will approve it.
So there's hope.
Thanks for all the great advice here. I'll post after I've built the Ed Fong.
(I'll add this... Whenever I've explored a new technology and/or hobby, I've always sought Internet fora to discuss with those more experienced than I. I've been on the Internet since the 1980s, and this has always been helpful to me. I appreciate this kind of human advice based on experience and tribal knowledge immensely, folks. Thank you all.)
Cheers,
Ken
WRFC318
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@Berkinet, yes I do plan on being GMRS active. The main justification was for emergency comms, but I'm at heart a hobbyist and want to dive deeper in here. I'm already on one of our local repeaters and am hoping to get onto 2 others a bit farther out of town. Clearly, repeaterland is where the fun is. I just don't want to have to rely on that for emergencies.
@Spaz, I've done a bit of testing, but am equipment constrained. When I send a test tx from our top floor, she gets static at her end, despite squelch turned up to 4 (out of 5). That is with the NA-701C antenna on both handhelds.
Oh, and Google Maps puts the drive (nearly direct up Beulah St.) to her office at 2.1 miles, so my earlier estimate was too far.
Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I appreciate the guidance from those with far more experience than I.
Once the Ed Fong kit arrives, I'll report back on my success or failure. Honestly, if I can get it to work without having to put it outdoors, I'll be happier. But, we shall see.
Cheers,
Ken
WRFC318
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Good questions.
1 - Building to building, mostly. She is on 2nd floor, but on the far side (from me). Building is 2 floors tall, as is my house.
2 - She has a handheld in her office in a charge cradle. Sits on her window sill.
3 - There is a small cluster of buildings more or less in line between home and her office, near the Franconia-Springfield Metro. Office buildings about 6-7 floors high, mostly.
4 - Elevation at home is 223 feet above sea level, and 249 feet at her office. Between here and there are very small rolling hills. Definitely not completely flat, though.
For driving, I'm fine with cellular and/or GMRS repeater. The Alexandria repeater gives me pretty darn good coverage, actually.
Cheers,
Ken
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So, that DB-404 antenna sounds pretty amazing, Spaz, but it's a bit much $$$ for me to justify (yet).
Instead, I've ordered an Ed Fong DBC-1C kit (see https://bettersaferadio.com/shop/anytone-handhelds/anytone-accessories/at-d868uv-accessories/ed-fong-dbj-1c-gmrs-murs-ps-lmr-commercial-base-station-antenna/)
Reviews seem good, and it's the kind of kit project I'm happy to work on. Outsource the precise math to the PhD and do the PVC and cabling work myself...
Now, my question is this: Which of the following deployments is most likely to work for me?
Background: I'm trying to achieve simplex comms for emergency purposes with my wife at her office, roughly 3 miles away. Terrain is soft rolling hills in a suburban (northern Virginia) environment. She's already on the Alexandria repeater just fine, but I don't want to rely on that for emergencies.
Option 1 - Set up the antenna indoors near a bay window facing in the direction of her office.
Option 2 - Set up in my attic crawl space, semi-permanently mounted. (Town house with 3 floors. Attic is roughly 25 feet above ground.) The down side of this deployment is running the cabling.
Option 3 - Set up in the front or rear of the house, semi-obscured from view (so I don't get the wrath of the nanny state HOA). Again, cabling is an issue. I can put a hole in the wall, but I'd prefer to not add additional connections in the cabling. (Planning on a 20' stretch of high quality coax, with SO-239 connectors on either end.)
Side question - I've read in several places that the SO-239 connectors aren't optimum for modern UHF bands, but they seem to be the most common on antennas. Is it worth going with Type-N connectors at each end, or are the 239s adequate for normal use?
I should add I'm initially going to be working this with a BTECH GMRS-V1 handheld, hoping to get a 40-50 watt mobile at some point in the future.
First goal is simplex with about a 4 mile reach. (Yes, I said 3 above, but I'm adding a margin of error due to terrain and such.)
Clearly, I can test option 1 really easily, and if that does the trick, I'm home free. Both options 2 and 3 will require a fair amount of drilling. If option 1 fails miserably, are options 2 and 3 worth the effort?
Thanks for any advice. I'm a newbie, but I learn pretty quickly.
Cheers,
Ken
WRFC318
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So, I posted my question about the BTECH vs. Midland mobile radios out to a Facebook GMRS group. I quickly got an offer to buy a used version 1 Kenwood TK-880.
Is this still a reasonably current device? Should I bother, or pay more for a brand new BTECH or Midland?
If I went with it, can/should I upgrade the firmware to version 2? Can that be done via a Mac? (I'm 100% Mac here, but could easily enough get a windows VM running if I needed to.)
Thoughts, please? Pros and cons?
Cheers,
Ken
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I've been considering one of these for mobile and home use. It seems to be a lot of bang for the buck, including being FCC Part 95e approved.
I saw some here had some problems when they were first released and I'm hoping those were early production teething problems.
Anyone here using one of these on a regular basis? Impressions?
If you're using it as a base station at home, do you have a recommended power supply for it?
My aim is to have a semi-transportable rig between my car and home. Thoughts?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Ken (WRFC318)
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Okay, I'm hooked.
I was walking out to our local crop share pickup today when a neighbor texted me and asked if I knew what the huge plume of smoke is rising from near Alexandria, Virginia. Nothing (yet) on the news.
I had my radio with me because I was doing a couple of antenna/signal tests anyway, so I hopped on the local repeater and asked for anyone nearby to provide a visual situation report. Within a minute, I had 3 separate responses.
Turned out to be a huge construction fire, now at 5 alarms.
The local news story hit their web site and alert system > 30 minutes later. (See https://wtop.com/fairfax-county/2020/02/massive-fire-engulfs-fairfax-county-construction-site/)
No big deal, I suppose, but I will add that from my vantage point, the smoke was along the glide path into DCA (Reagan National) airport. I'm the son of a retired 747 pilot (and fighter/aerobatics RAF team), so big plumes of smoke near airports have always made me uneasy, since long before 9-11.
Anyway, LOVE my GMRS comms now that I've learned about the world of repeaters out there. I'll be taking my Ham technician class exam in a couple weeks as well.
I'm hooked.
Cheers,
Ken (WRFC318)
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Thanks Marcspaz,
I'm far from expert, but this seems to me that the X50a would perform acceptably well on GMRS? I really appreciate your guidance. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm a newbie in the RF world. Just want to have a good emergency comms plan in place with my wife. (And enjoy a new hobby at the same time.)
Cheers,
Ken
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I think I've found 2 viable candidates for an antenna that will suit my needs (attic configuration due to HOA):
- Comet GP-1
- Diamond X50A
Any first-hand experiences here with either, good, bad, or otherwise? Price is similar. Diamond is a little longer. Both seem to get excellent reviews.
One other deployment option is to run either antenna outdoors on my deck using a pole I can extend during emergencies. If I keep it low, but still outdoors, the HOA won't be able to see it and I won't need to worry about them.
(To recap, I'm in northern Virginia in a fairly suburban setting. Terrain is largely flat with a few rolling hills. Primary goal is to be able to reliably hit a repeater in Alexandria, but my secondary goal is to be able to communicate in simplex to my wife at her office, roughly 3 miles from home. I can reach her now via repeater only. I can reach the repeater from home, especially if I step outside. Hoping to improve indoor coverage as well as simplex to wife.)
Thanks.
Cheers,
Ken van Wyk
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Greetings folks.
I'm new here and to GMRS in general, but I'm glad I found out about GMRS.
I'm trying to set up emergency back-up communications between myself and my wife, for those times when power, internet, and cellular are out especially. Yes, not often, but it has happened. (We're in Virginia and have lived through 36+ hour power outages due to hurricanes, etc.)
My goal is to work towards simplex communications with my wife, but for now, I'll settle for a local GMRS repeater. Her office is about 3 miles away, and the terrain is fairly flat suburban area.
I'm working (for now) primarily with handheld radios. BaoFeng UV-5Rs. I plan to upgrade to at least having a base transceiver at home. (One that does 2M and 0.7M HAM as well.) But, for now, handhelds.
I have a GMRS license (WRFC813) and am sitting for my technician class ham license in a couple weeks. (I will NEVER get my wife to go ham, so don't go there. Hence, GMRS for the two of us, but ham for my own hobbyist fun.)
So, that in mind, here's my issue...
I can communicate with a nearby repeater just fine. That is, just fine from one of the handhelds when I'm outside my house. I also have a mag mount antenna on my car roof and can hit the repeater pretty much anywhere in my area.
But, when I step inside the house, I often can't quite get there.
I tried the car antenna (Nagoya UT-72) inside the house, and it doesn't seem better than the whips (NA-771). Then again, inside the house, I do not have a good ground plane steel plate on which to mount the UT-72...
I literally step out the front door or back door onto my deck and I can talk with the repeater. Inside, not so much.
Suggestions for a home antenna rig that will improve this? I'm in a HOA, so I really don't want to bother with trying to get permission from the crown to install an outdoor antenna. I have an attic crawl space, but if I'm going to go that route, I want to be pretty certain it'll work.
My preference is something that can sit here in my living room and still be enough improvement of the NA-771 that I'll be happy. Perhaps better mounting for a UT-72? Suggestions?
Thanks.
Cheers,
Ken (WRFC813)
Which antenna, Nagoya NA-771, Nagoya NA-701C, or something else?
in Technical Discussion
Posted
Yeah, I don't doubt that at all. I've so far had better luck with the 701C than I ever had with the 771.
Cheers,
Ken