tweiss3

So, moving on to my wife's car, the second TK-8150 is going to be installed, main unit in the back and remote head somewhere up front. Its a 2015 Transit Connect with the roof rack, see attached photos (pulled from the internet). Seeing as we use the roof rack quite a bit, for lumber, drywall and a snail pack when going on long trips, I did attempt to debate drilling the roof, but decided against it since it would make the antenna useless on road trips. In talks with Mark and his comet hood mount on his jeep, do you think it would work ok on the back hatch? I will be using the same Tram 1126 1/4 wave antenna. I guess I don't understand the ground plane with these mounts. Thanks!

Technically, in order to have a repeater online, it has to have a licensed owner/operator, and thus would have a valid callsign, since that device would be broadcasting your input.

The 8180 is Part 95 certified, but only 30W, the 8180H is 45W. I recently bought two 8150's and really like the Kenwood stuff. That 880 you should be able to get for about $100.

Nevermind, it was a mechanical issue. One of the wires in the remote cable came out of the connector and didn't make contact with the pin. Inserted it into the connector and I'm in business.

I did take my HT out. I can transmit from the mobile, but receive is silent (green light still comes on). I also pulled the cover off the head and the speaker is intact and plugged in.

So I found quite the deal on a pair of TK-8150 radios with remote heads, from a local PD that went to 800MHz. Tonight I installed the radio, programmed it using KPG-79D. I got all the standard GMRS frequencies in, plus the known repeaters I might be close to when driving for work. Anyways, it starts up like it should, I can select channels and zones that I want no problem. My problem is I have no sound. The radio came with Pins 5&6 jumpered from the PD, and from what I read, that should make it use the internal speaker in the head. Is there something I'm missing in the programming? I did check one repeater that is in range, 1s keyed up, when I release the key, I get the green busy light for 2 seconds after, but no sound. I'm just feeling defeated today.

I have been scanning on my way to work for a few months now. I've found a repeater by the morse code identification. Now, as far as I can tell, its got a tone on it, because I can't seem to hit it. I've also attempted to hail the owner on the corresponding non-repeater frequency with no response. My method to try and hail the owner: "This is WRFV692 attempting to hail the owner of the repeater on frequency XXX.XXX, commonly know as repeater channel XX." Is this the correct method to hail them? Secondly, other than using the RTL-SDRV3 that just came in the mail to record the morse code identification, any other way to figure out who it is/where it is? based on my commute, and assumption it's about 10-15 mile radius of reach, I have an idea, but have no idea how to reach the owner. Is it rude to identify the morse code, look up the call sign and send a snail mail letter to the owner based on the registered address?

I think my questions got hidden by photos, so I'm breaking them out here. Question #1) Am I correct in the fact that its too close to the sun roof, based on the photo above, so it won't transmit in the forward direction well? Question #2) If I were to install a radio in the back, will it cause problems if I loop the excess cable on itself to tuck it away? Question #3) I'm just starting to understand some of this theory stuff while simultaneously studying form my Amateur Technician, so I'm on data overload right now. Is there anything else I should test on that antenna? Is there a way to verify my little 2W radio is getting out and not loosing too much through the cable, or is that what the SWR/Return Loss is identifying.

What frequencies are you testing your SWR at?

Yea, not drilling a company vehicle, especially one we are getting rid of in less than a year. Also, the sunroof makes the area to drill microscopic. (I'm using Flickr for photos, if they are not working, let me know please) Anyways, I got Tram 1267 mount (5.5" base, my screw up, didn't read the size) and a Tram 1126B quarter wave antenna. My problem generated by my screw up, the corrugation pattern on the roof sheet metal makes it so I have to set the mount forward of the corrugations. See the photo: GMRS Antenna by tweiss3, on Flickr Question #1) Am I correct in the fact that its too close to the sun roof, so it won't transmit in the forward direction well? Secondly, I want to set it to the back so I can tuck the wire nicely, like I have my CB antenna. Will it cause any issues if I mirror it from the CB along the back? Won't overload the car radio? S the photo below. Roof Antennas by tweiss3, on Flickr This is my GMSR-V1 for now, but if my bid goes well, it will be a 45W mobile mounted in the back. Question #2) If that were to happen, will it cause problems if I loop the excess cable on itself to tuck it away? Thirdly, I bought a NanoVNA due to its wide availability of use. I tested the Tram antenna as installed above in the car. I'm pretty impressed. SWR 1.3 is pretty good (-16db return loss). SWR@467.6 by tweiss3, on Flickr SWR@462.2 by tweiss3, on Flickr Question #3) I'm just starting to understand some of this theory stuff while simultaenously studying form my Amateur Technician, so I'm on data overload right now. Is there anything else I should test on that antenna? Is there a way to verify my little 2W radio is getting out and not loosing too much through the cable, or is that what the SWR/Return Loss is identifying. Thanks for all the help so far. This place is a mountain of information and help.

You are still getting better than 80% transmission to the antenna (less than 20% reflected) which is a little bit worse than ideal, but still acceptable. https://antennatestlab.com/antenna-education-tutorials/return-loss-vswr-explained

I reset my password because I must have wrote it down wrong. I can log into the forum (obviously) but can't log into the repeaters section. Help?

I've read over and over the discussion of using Part 90 commercial radios from ebay, however, I'm not finding many options for new units that are Part 95 certified. While I still evaluate my options used, what are my options brand new, must be repeater capable: MTX400 (not bad, downside is NFM) BTech 50X1 (mixed reviews) Any other options 35-50W?

Lscott, thats along the lines I was thinking as well (i do occasionally have to send a young engineer with my truck to drop things off). What brands should I stay away from? I'm currently looking at Nagoya and Larsen, though the Larsen are considerable more money.

P25 scanner I hope to get at some point is an SDS100/200. I'd like to pick up the 140's, since that's what the county skywarn is on. When looking for for an antenna, is the ideal 1/4 wave? For my conditions atelast? Right now I drive an equinox, but will be going to a silverado in about a year (less roof area). I'm looking at the UT-308UV due to the price point (a bit hard on money right now). Any other reasonable priced brands I should be looking at? Thanks.

I'm a bit new to radio. I drive a lot, traveling with my company car. I've been using a CB with a magnetic LilWilly whip antenna. I also have to have access to the weather (outside of my phone) and always thought radio was cool, so I have a BF-F8HP that I have been using for analog scanning, which is a benefit because I get the county skywarn channels for weather alerts as well. Anyways, I decided to grab a GMRS-V1 to be legal since I filed for my GMRS license. I have noticed, half the time if there is GMRS chatter, it is only picked up on the F8HP and not the GMSR-V1. Since I'm in a company vehicle, drilling is not an option. Should I go with a magnetic mounted antenna or just get a better 8" whip that is 1/4 wave. If i went magnetic, i'd get a triband that would have me ready for either a true 50W mobile rig or digital mobile scanner (P25 capable). If it helps, I currently clip the radio to my sun visor while scanning. If magnetic, will there be a grounding plane required (similar to CB)? How large? Will it interfere with the CB? If upgraded whip, any affordable optiosn other than Nagoya NA701C? I'm currently studying for my amateur technician test, but I still have so much theory I don't understand yet as far as antennas. Thanks,