tweiss3

They are packaged in the same installer, we will let it slide.....

It's an excellent tool. There is a version for android phones, but it's too old. They published the source code, I just don't know what I'm doing when it comes to recompiling it to the current android, otherwise I would have done it already. It's nice to be able to decode announcements on the go.

FlDigi is way more than just text messages. It's used by our ARES group for a weekly digital net using MT63-2000L with a 1500 passband, and at the end all the announcements are sent back via the same mode.

I have crossband repeat available in the cars. At home I use an analog hotspot for home coverage when I don't want to jump on the base. It's simplex and connects to other repeaters with allstar. I have tossed the idea of building a small repeater that I could connect to one of the base stations, but haven't gone down that road yet.

The published operating temperatures are -20°C ~ +60°C, which is -4F to 140F. You were definitely outside the operating temps. Most of the commercial stuff is rated for -22F to 140F or better. I've never had an issue with my Kenwood stuff, and that comes on when the car starts.

Did you have logging on? Is there any error codes pulled when you connect to CPS? It sounds like there was some kind of internal protection that tripped, but it's hard to tell if something actually fried, or if it needs something reset.

Spreadsheets are one's friend when building large codeplugs. I also save every revision as a new file, with SN, version # and date as the file name.

Same, considering I just bought another HT, maybe 3.......

Any time I do listen at Walmart, you can't hear them once you leave the parking lot.

Grab a scanner and spend some time listening. It's usually either not used at all, or overrun with wireless driveway alarms. It never seems to be in between.

That is a great PSA. Thinking through it, I can understand why the programming is that way, but I don't think I would prefer that vs. manually changing DCS/CTCSS.

Why would you buy the roll up version if you are going to stick it in PVC like the standard version? His instructions are very specific on the type of PVC pipe to buy that it is designed to work with, anything different changes it's effectiveness and match. I'd suggest buy the other one for next to nothing and put it in PVC.

I use the Larsen's.

You do have to keep in mind lighting requirements over 200' AGL I believe, that is FAA safety.

It depends entirely on what radio you are using. On the Midland radios, I think you can only program 1 repeater for each pair, meaning you have to switch the tones when you want to switch repeaters. Others are similar to the Midlands. The Part 95 certified LMR radios (Motorola, Kenwood, etc.) can just add another entry for another repeater.

Same

I'd listen to both.

FB2 Mobile Relay FX1 Control Look at RR wiki for more information: https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/Missouri_Department_of_Transportation_(MODOT)_(MO)

Any CERT team should not be using the cheapest radios they can find. In that case, stick with cell phones or zello. For a club, why wine, just use FRS radios for $15/each and not worry about licensing. For GMRS, you are required to use a GMRS certified radio, not a MARS ham radio. I've bought plenty of Kenwoods for what a majority of those certified CCRs cost. There are too many places that people want to be cheap where they absolutely shouldn't. CERT is working with someone's life. Motorcycle clubs, you are riding a $45,000+ bike, and won't spend a few hundred bucks on a decent radio? I just don't get it. It's not like you won't spend money, you just won't spend it on the appropriate radio communications because there are $11.99 radios on amazon and "that's such a deal, it just has to work well enough". The options are there, you just won't hear it: 1) Stick with FRS, and have no licensing, 2) Have every member responsible for their own GMRS license or 3) get appropriate LMR licenses and radios, which in the long run doesn't actually cost more when you drag it out over a 20+ year lifecycle.

I'll add a +1 to a power issue.

Low cost? The $200 fee is cheaper than 6 users being licensed under GMRS. Your biggest issue is going to be using good equipment certified for Part 90 LMR, not MARS modified ham radios. If you read all of Part 90, it's not hard to identify how to get licensed for county wide/state wide operations without coordination, you can even license a mobile repeater without coordination, but you have to prove eligibility under 90.35 (a). As @gortex2 said above, a non-profit may be able to get out of the fees, but you will need a federal tax ID.

I will add that I have a DMR only radio (SL7550) that has a super stubby antenna, and it works good around the house with a hotspot and the 1 repeater that has great coverage. I never tried to test it's overall distance between two radios, but I've heard it's not great. The antenna

If the antenna isn't a helical antenna (many VHF antennas are), then it's easy to tell the performance from length. A 1/4 wave antenna is 6", and requires a ground plane/counterpoise which is the radio/you holding the radio. Any longer and it could be a 5/8 or 1/2 wave antenna, and you do get increased performance from those. A 1/4 wave antenna is unity gain, 0 db, or 2.1dbi all of which mean the same thing but many manufacturers don't properly publish which unit they mean, either in ignorance or purposefully to get better sales. The half wave (12") antennas work better because they don't need a ground plane/counter poise to work, so the undersized counterpoise of the radio doesn't reduce the antenna's effectiveness. I stopped going with the "stubby" antennas long ago, and just deal with however the antenna needs to be. My Harris uses the 9" long multiband whip, and it honestly isn't really an inconvenience.

I've used ebay with caution, and https://used-radios.com/ is an actual radio shop, so what they sell works.

The Ham VOIP image has both Allstar and Echolink baked into it. Allstar is best for linking repeaters together, and hotspot nodes, but Echolink is a nice addition for when you only have your phone and are out of town.