tweiss3

I'll send you a PM, I don't want MOL mad at me for posting it.

the long and short, narrowband is required after 2013, you agree to use the wideband entitlement correctly, and will follow all the rules of Part 90 for Narrowband mandate...... At least it was simple and the bare minimum to keep the FCC off their back. The cable I bought is the bluemax49ers, it's just late (USPS). Cable is minor. The timeframe to do things legitimately is insane though: 3+ Weeks to get an account started 2 days to get an account number assigned 3 days to get them to turn on your LXP access 3 days after narrowband training 3-5 days for purchase to process and be sent to you.

@Lscott Have you managed to program via bluetooth? I tried last night (cable is in route) and didn't have any luck. I'm sure I'm missing something simple, and it probably need to be programmed via cable first, oh well. Also, completed the Narrowband "training" (15 minute video), but then it now can take up to 3 days to apply to your purchasing account. You would think these computer automated things would move quicker. I have more time in waiting then anything else.

To be fair, 90% of their business comes from government contracts in public safety, and those radio techs have accounts complete years ago. The new "business" radios they are pushing is DTRs, and 99.99% of that they want to push you through a dealer anyways.

Well, for what it's worth, there may be differences between 16 & 2.0, but overall, if you can find it in 16, its the same place in 2.0. The most annoying thing is the lack of cut/past or import features, resulting in mostly building the entire codeplug from scratch. Just made me recheck everything I've used in the past. My biggest issues is MOL taking forever to give you permissions to do anything, 3 weeks to get an account, 3 days to update account information, "72 hours" to get access to the learning center (past 72 hours, but after calling I get a "should be available tomorrow morning").

Thanks. That's what I thought I read, but I just wanted to confirm. I just got a message back from the seller that the last codeplug write on the radio was made with 2.0. I had already considered software costs in the purchase price. I guess I'll just start in 2.0 making this codeplug.

If a radio was programmed on CPS2.0, can't ever use CPS16, right?

That's a good deal. I just need MOL to process things at this point.....

That's true, however, I've come to the conclusion that any used radio I pick up is getting a new antenna, for the price and guarantee it is the right band antenna/working order, wrap that into the purchase price of the radios when I make my decision to buy. I did pull the trigger on that 7550e, I also order the CPS last night. Lets see how long it takes for that purchase to process.

If you are worried about cost, a brand new antenna from Motorola is $9.95 on the MOL site. Same with the older Vertex Standard stuff, I needed to get a few covers and screws, and saw the VS/MOL antennas were 1/3 the price of ebay versions, and just straight up replaced all 5 that I was going to "live with" for the time being.

Thats unfortunate. It took mine 3 weeks to get approved after multiple chats and an expedite ticket. Ordering from them is interesting too. I'm debating on pulling the trigger on a 7550e, but not sure just yet.

@Lscott, did you ever get the CPS help you were looking for? I'm just starting to look myself, but even though I got an account, it seems they still lock you out of things.

Correct.

Connect Systems CS760/761 & CS580

If between the two radios you mean they in the same room, you have a desensitization problem. You need more separation, 50-100 feet likely to hear the repeated traffic.

For that price one can buy 8+ commercial mobile radios that have Part 95 certification and better audio.

AntennaFarm lists the 1480 at 8'4", which seems about right. If you are working with 3' right now, you could use the Larsen 2/70 (not SH) https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_192_200_450_453&products_id=1712 and put it on a mobile to base adapter (https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1289_1243&products_id=1649). On the plus, it would be a small black whip and very difficult to see.

Mine is the Tram 1480, it is 8' tall. The 1481 is a 3 piece at 17' tall. I'm, not sure what you have for your current setup, but if you are looking for attic placement, you could likely find a dual band antenna in the 6' tall area, or utilize a mobile antenna on a NMO mount.

Are you looking for base station antenna or mobile? Mobile: Larsen 2/70SH works well in both ham 2m&70cm as well as GMRS, of course being slightly out of band for GMRS, but quite workable. Larsen 150/450/758 works well in ham 2m&70cm as well as GMRS, but is better for GMRS, and a bit out of band for the ham stuff. I have both, but use the 2/70SH since I talk more on ham than GMRS. Base: I have a Tram two piece on my roof designed for ham. Once again, you will have to choose a compromise of one service over the other. It works well for GMRS, though it's not listed for GMRS. Typically, when you go HF or VHF low band (6m), you use an entirely separate antenna than your UHF/VHF antenna.

I have a RF birdie from the dash in my wife's car. Not a problem with the mobiles, but a HT in the front seats is useless. Take the antenna off, and take the open SMA connector of the radio (with it on) and track around in your car, over the dash, etc......

@WRKC935 This is also the argument (both GMRS/HAM/LMR) when one claims they want to put up a "high power repeater" or "add more power" to their repeater. The question is why? Thinking logically, at the same antenna elevation, 99.99% of your users are going to be 50W or less. It doesn't help if the repeater can get out 1000 miles your users can't use it. Most repeaters utilize good antennas (9-12db gain), and after you figure your cable losses, fittings, jumpers, duplexer, etc. you end up at a break even point, or a small amount of gain. Anything between 100W and 50W to the feedline ends up with a nearly identical in/out range and decent coverage, provided the antenna placement is decent. For GMRS, your primary concern is build something that the duty cycle won't burn up.

There are a couple of ways to do it. The most expensive is cold shrink wrap, which is used in about 50% of the "professionals/commercial" installs at cell sites: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=627_656_660. At $50/each connection, its pricy. The LMR guys like to wrap the connection in multi-layers. First tape, then a waterproofing tape/butyl layer. This is less expensive, and many LMR guys like it because after 20 years, you can still take it off and the connectors look new. https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=627_656_657&products_id=1956 Good Luck! This is just 1 of the many things that Nickle and dime your installs, but its important.

Antenna farm is a good place to purchase. You will be sure its actually Times Microwave cable. Don't forget, you will need to weather proof the connection at the antenna after you hook up the coax.

Turn to 144.39MHz and see if you would ever be able to get a word in. Now think you had out a handful of radios to family members and just let them go.

Yea, you aren't going to find one new. One of them to track down is the Vertex Standard HX470s, you might get lucky and find one used. It did FRS (0.5W), MURS (2W) and VHF Marine.