quarterwave

The problem I see with some of the Zello channels, be it "radio" related or not is owner/admins that spend way more time on air barking at people, asking who is xxx and who "trusted" them in. I can't even log in to Zello on my PC without 3 seconds later some admin yelling my handle wanting to know what I am doing on the channel. Well...you "trusted" me in....that's why I'm here. I really laugh at the ones that are setup as "anyone can listen" but they still get all bent when you appear online. I don't spend 10 hours a day on Zello, so no, you probably haven't talked to me. When I log on to see what's being discussed, stop acting like I'm an intruder. You let me in. In one case you emailed me a password. Today some dude went in a level 13 panic calling people trying to find out who I was and who let me on....I never had a chance to answer, so I just let him go on sounding like he thinks he is so important, if he wants to play radio cop...have fun spazing out! There is nothing that ruins human interaction, like.....human interaction!

I was able to hear it on a mobile and base yesterday South of Circleville. It's definately around Obetz - Rickenbacker area. When I was up there it was strong and right on frequency. Hearing it two days in a row means the system did not change control channels each day. If I had to guess...someone needed another channel for their system and figured no one would notice.

Not practical right now. Not worth the drive! It sounds just about like the control channel data on an old Moto SMR.

If so can you hear trunking data on 462.575 at full quieting? I'd like to think it's a mix, but it sure sounds right on to me. Heard very strong in Obetz and can hear as far South as Circleville on mobile, so it makes me want to rule out harmonics, etc.

Quarterwave antennae on VHF and UHF were always highly recommended when I ran the radio shop. I could solve alot of problems when I took a gain antenna off and put that little 6" quarter whip on instead.

Hi Jason. I don't want to repeat the previous reply, but I'll support his response. Midland has told me they intend to "update" the product line this year and that the Micro Mobiles will be wideband capable. They basically screwed the pooch. and didn't mean to, on those, with the oversight being that wideband GMRS repeaters (which are 99% of them) don't play nice with narrowband only radios. The split PL thing has never been a big deal to me, as in 30 years of working with radio commercially, and being a GMRS licensee for 25, I have never used or setup any repeater in any service with split PL's. I see the reason why someone would, but I have not. I own a good many mobiles and portables, and a MTR2000 repeater...all have a "M" on them, so I am spoiled. I have a couple of Boafeng 888's that I kind of play with on a secondary repeater, and a UV5R, they all have their place. It's all about expectations.

You could use something like this and some bigger clamps. https://www.americanradiosupply.com/am-403-nmo-stainless-steel-antenna-mounting-bracket-type-nmo-connector/ or https://afxmotorsports.com/products/antenna-mounting-base-for-universal-accessory-mounting-system?variant=19628245188677&currency=USD&network=g&device=c&keyword=&campaign=6631212632&adgroup=pla-823740043424&gclid=Cj0KCQiAovfvBRCRARIsADEmbRKYs17ssfHF7ZyyYf2Pf2UG1WpZGXqZeHbdTEYxCaToIhPqSLtuy4IaAqCFEALw_wcB

Those radios are narrowband, and may not produce enough PL/DPL deviation to open a wideband repeater.

I've had one of these on a secondary repeater (a couple of Radius or Maxtracs) for a number of years. Adjustable audio, hang time, and it works great. https://www.ebay.com/itm/RA-1M-Repeater-Adaptor-Motorola-GM300-CDM1250-RICK/120729366251?hash=item1c1c07eeeb:g:AYwAAMXQOT5Q-Fsy

FB2 is Single User Repeater FB4 is Multiple User, "Community Repeater", Each user group (Ex: Bob's heating and cooling) is licensed for the repeater pair and their mobiles/portables. FB6 is Multiple User, Common Carrier, Only the system (Repeater) is licensed, users are licensed as part of the system when they become users. FB7 Same as FB6 but non-profit FB8 is a trunking repeater (centralized)

This is probably the best way to answer... http://www.nat-com.org/frs-gmrs.html

I will stop reading the peacocking and grandstanding responses some people type because they need everyone to know they are the expert. LOL. The comment wasn't political, it was administrative, many FCC changes occurred under that administration.

Thanks for the reminder of what we know. Is the pulpit free now?

I was probably thinking of that, and you had to not be representing a foreign nation to get a GMRS license....but Hell, after Obama who knows!

Gotcha...so do they even have a momentary monitor function? I haven't partaken yet...as they are not wideband....but Midland assures me they will be updating the product in 2020 to do wideband.

Update... This fall we have had a lot of local projects started (roads, industrial, commercial) and I am hearing a lot more of what is probably newer FRS radios which can use the GMRS mains now at 2 watts, they are all using roger beep, and most can't be heard over a mile. Tell tale signs. Also, alot of Spanish, which would be illegal, and the radios are probably coming from Walmart, Grainger, Fastenal...etc. People just don't know what questions to ask and what is right anymore.

The work around is to TX the right tone and RX with no tone (CSQ) or leave the monitor engaged and listen CSQ regardless. I'm not familiar if the MTX radios have a latching monitor function or not...

M1225's are good radios. I have 3, one still new in box. The 20 channel one I have has outlasted 3 trucks!

How about another repeater part way into the coverage area you want to expand to, and part way in the existing coverage area. Same Freqs, just use a different PL to get into the second repeater, but same output PL. Think of it as overlapping circles. I know of an entire county's fire system that was setup that way years ago, we called it poor mans trunking.

It's also being operated illegally....it says they run digital modulation over it.

GMRS requires a user license, FRS does not. FRS "Rules" are generally non enforceable. 'FRS is licensed by rule. This means an individual license is not required to operate an FRS radio provide you comply with the rules. You may operate an FRS radio regardless of your age, and for personal or for business use if you are not a representative of a foreign government.' And you are right...businesses need to be on MURS if they want cheap comms. Maybe the good thing is that most of the cheap radios that people buy from a "store" are good for 2 watts at best. Really what was done with the rules was to make what people were (uneducated about radio) doing illegally with store bought radios that did GMRS and FRS in being legal. The fcc should have never allowed combo radios to begin with.

I have noticed the same. In my area there is an automotive supplier or two, and a hotel using FRS/GMRS channels and shouldn't be....however..... With the rules change where FRS radios can use the GMRS mains at 2 watts....you don't know who is legal and who is not. I say about 50/50 illegal (seller put them on GMRS), and then business using FRS because it is cheap on equipment...even though it's not right, it is legal. I hope they get tired of replacing junk radios and buy some real ones and a license (part 90).

There is alot (at least there used to be, it was preferred band) UHF commercial and public safety/services in that area. There were a ton of UHF community repeaters which are now probably LTR trunks. It is possible you were hearing a mix, where multiple high power repeaters are on air at same time, especially if your radios have a broad receiver.

Ha ha! It just reminded me of a new employee I had (inherited from another location for the week, I did not hire him) at the radio shop way back in the day. He introduced himself as the FNG and then proceeded to say the words, to a customer no less. I sent him to my office and then home for the day. Dang kids...

Introducing yourself as the "FNG" was probably bold enough to break the ice.