tweiss3

With a nanoVNA or antenna analyzer. Open the view to 20MHz and see where the dip is. If its below 462, you can trim, if its above 467 its too short already.

Not terribly, but it's there. For me, it's the one place we use kind of like the lounge where the ragchew drifts from the normal weather/medical ailments without someone getting bent out of shape.

It's probably DMR. There are DMR pirates all over GMRS, and usually nothing you can do about it, as the FCC shrugs when you file a complaint. DMR has a beacon every 60 seconds, and the "minute" long version is a conversation. https://www.sigidwiki.com/wiki/Digital_Mobile_Radio_(DMR) The only reason the one around here got taken down is someone knew where the tower was, and knew the tower owner. She did not like the idea of the liability and pulled the repeater instantly.

I know a handful of guys running both DB404 and DB411. Both will be a step up from the "hobby grade" tram. The considerations above do apply.

I think what he is getting at is if the repeater is dormant for 10 days, it wouldn't need to ID. It's the reason many ham repeaters push the ID rate out to 30 or 60 minutes instead of every 10 minutes, and it changes when there is traffic.

DMR isn't too bad to understand. If you understand P25, its not much different. Though I did buy the MOL software, so I won't hesitate to buy more Motorola radios in the future. The Alinco is discontinued, and Bridgecom was removed from Bridgecom's site, and DXE no longer has it in stock, I doubt it will ever arrive if I order one. I'm not buying a "base" radio for 220 that does the same 5W my D74 puts out. I'm pissed off I couldn't find a Kenwood.

@JCRAre you experiencing a significant amount of interference? While yes, almost all of the above utilize RF or can cause RF interference, there is no point in tracking down RFI around you if you are not experiencing any issues. Based on your list above, I have specific comments: Anything "wireless" Wireless (turn wireless off on your computer and phone so they do not transmit) - This is extremely broad spectrum Bluetooth - This is less than 7mW in the 2.4 GHz spectrum (2.402-2.48 GHz) Cordless telephones - These are typically low power in the 1.9 GHz range Remote mice and slide advancers - These use bluetooth or other 2.5 GHz in the ballpark of 3mW Mobile phones: Edge, 3G, 4G, LTE... - These technologies have their own protected spectrum that cell companies pay a ton of money for. Their spectrum does not affect LMR. At home Microwave ovens (keep your radio observatory petryon-free) - Don't put anything next to a large transformer or microwave Flourescent lightbulbs (compact flourescents as well) - This can cause issues, but usually dont. Make sure you use the correct transformer/bulb match to avoid RFI. Hairdryers with DC motors (AC okay) - Why would you leave a hair drier on long enough to cause lasting RFI? Electric shavers or trimmers? - Same as above. Significantly short term RFI you shouldn't worry about. Anything with a switching load above 2 amps transmitters - obviously another radio can cause interference toaster ovens - large transformer inside electric blankets - transformers inside electric bug zappers - transformer inside touch controlled lamps - transformer inside CRT monitors - transformer inside. also, HDMI and video cards often use 433 MHz as a clock speed, and can cause RFI. anything with a de-gaussing coil (we flatscreens) an obsolete comment DC motors (food processors) Short term air conditioners not so much anymore anything with a circuit board yes, but likely hood of all circuit boards causing any noticeable RFI is zero electronics in general (rather than electrical things) yes, but likely hood of all circuit boards causing any noticeable RFI is zero Audio and visual electronics camera shutters - Maybe, but very minor video cameras - Maybe, but very minor In other words, unless you are having issues, don't worry about it. If you are having issues, track them down. You are not going to get RF free home. You can shut off your phones and wifi, but your neighbors wifi will still be in your house, and cell phone RF from the towers will still be all around you.

DMR is quite interesting. I use the local repeaters, but I also use my hotspots. I recently added the TGIF DMR network on my D-Star hotspot. I also bought a SL7550 (DMR only) for around the house hotspot use, its smaller and runs 1/3W, and cost me something like $50. Still, DMR is secondary to most of my conversations. I recently saw a few threads on the XG-100P. Nice radio, but seems problematic, but if used on amateur radio, should be simple. So I've found that while VHF is important to me, it isn't important in a HT. Since carrying the XPR7550e for 6+ weeks, that Skywarn is simulcast on UHF, ARES is on UHF, I have great DMR coverage by repeaters in the area, and the other few repeaters I talk on often are all UHF. For carrying around in an emergency, I'm not concerned with VHF. I also enjoy the 26+/- hours of battery on a single charge (I now have 5 batteries). I did just buy a Retevis 9000D for 220, only because I literally couldn't get anything else for less than $500. I hate it. It's only been up a day. If I could come across another 220 radio for a reasonable price I'd be return it in a heartbeat.

I think the big thing is have you done your part to attempt to stop interference or bad transmissions. If not, then yea, the FCC will throw the book at you (if they ever cared). The problem is, they have kneecapped GMRS from tools that would be useful. They don't even want MDC1200/Fleetsync to be used https://swcrs.org/?p=644. If I was really having an issue, it would be nice to have current solutions like RAS keys commonly used with P25/DMR. That being said, the only way that I know to truly restrict access to the repeater would be to convert it to a single site/frequency LTR system (which is allowed by emissions designator), but I'm not 100% sure if that actually stops access from a user not in the database, or if it just makes it significantly harder to figure out how to program access. Either way, its something I am looking into as well. I just found a group of local amateurs that I talk to often (and have really good covering repeaters on the air) also have their GMRS license, and we recently talked about adding a repeater to the air. This thread does bring up some decent concerns.

Could be anything. Brake system, injectors, PCM, even just running lights. It could also be any screens (radio, dash, etc) Can the noise be heard on a permeant installed antenna on the roof, or is it just an HT inside the car?

It's an important line. My house lies about 1000' north of the line. Lines A and C also affect Part 90 LMR and Amateur Radio where every UHF LMR system requires coordination with Canada and and ham radio cannot use 420-430

I have used the EdFong version for 2m/70cm ham, and 220 ham. They work pretty well if constructed correctly. My dualband is currently a scanner antenna, the 220 is going back up this weekend.

Yep, brand new antennas on my Vertex HTs from MOL for about $1 cheaper than the ebay special, and got to my door much quicker.

https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/frequency-coordination-canada/ Channels 19 & 21 cannot be used above line A or east of line C.

19 is a terrible idea, as 462/7.65 is strictly prohibited above line A.

That is probably in the help file, which seems to be impossible to open in Windows 10.

I had to use the wideband recovery tool once on VX-427 radios. Worked just fine with the standard programming cable. All the other vertex radios didn't require the recovery tool when programming (yet).

I don't, but if it was something I was look to use, I would get Icom V10 or a Moto. Both make current models for MURS.

This is hilarious. The show bandwidth on the chart, then recommend Midland radios.

From the FCC: "RR holders are authorized to operate most aircraft and aeronautical ground stations. They can also operate marine radiotelephone stations aboard pleasure craft (other than those carrying more than six passengers for hire on the Great Lakes or bays or tidewaters or in the open sea) when operator licensing is required." https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/commercial-radio-operator-license-program/commercial-0 I would take that to mean that you may be authorized for any band, but only for Marie or Aeronautical uses. Similar to one using marine radios/frequencies inland for hunting, its outside the authorization and highly frowned upon. If you have your RR license, you have some knowledge. Getting your General is not much more information to review than Tech, and you get 99% of the Amateur spectrum.

It has a few uses, not necessarily related to GMRS. I have used it for packet stations, that way I dont have to use an expensive sound card to key the radio. It is also used at times with headsets where your hands won't be free for use, like climbing, skiing, etc...

That's where you need to think about the above questions. Where do you intend to listen? Where do are you located? Public Safety radio has made some significant changes the past 10 years, and most (not all) have gone to large digital trunked systems which cannot be listened to with basic scanners. This is really beyond the scope of this GMRS forum. I suggest you go to RadioReference and take some time reading through the database for your area and the scanning forums. You might be able to listen to all you want with your computer, then again, maybe not.

I can't find the documentation for bandwidth at tuned frequency; however, you should have tuned for 465Mhz, which would cover 462 simplex and 467 repeater inputs. I know it sounds different, but when you tune for 462 to be the lowest SWR, 467 ends up out of the curve with rising SWR.

This is going to depend on many things, including your area, and where you intend to listen (car, home, etc.). It could be as simple as a small antenna on the window and an RTL-SDR usb dongle and some free software or as expensive as a Uniden SDS100/200 scanner.

And there are many people that do this. In fact, there was a thread on here not long ago about a 10W repeater on a mountain in Alaska that has incredible range.