fremont
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Posts posted by fremont
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On 1/25/2022 at 7:56 AM, Over2U said:
In Wyoming, people frequently need the assistance of Search and Rescue. No matter how small or large the situation might be, Search and Rescue volunteers are there to help get people home safely.
Here are some steps you can take to increase your chances of being rescued.
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Buy an FRS/GMRS capable radio or walkie talkie and program the 307 channel into the radio. Program to UHF 462.6125 Privacy Code 85.4 or Channel 3 and Privacy code 07 (307).
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I'm familiar with a local backcountry skiing group that coordinates not a SAR effort, but a way for each other to communicate around who's there, what their plans are, etc. All are on FRS channels 1-7 and use PL 85.4. The sponsoring organization makes a big point around how it is NOT a monitored channel. I believe this particular program was patterned from this initiative in Telluride.
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5 hours ago, Lscott said:
The only problem with standards is there are so many of them.
It seems one of the issues is there is no common protocol to use. I've read about several on this forum alone. There is even one used in the Ham world I haven't seen mentioned yet. A number of posts in other forums claim they didn't have much luck with this one either.
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Amateur radio Wilderness Protocol
I was not aware it was on other bands vs simply 146.52. Good to know.
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On 1/18/2022 at 11:45 AM, PACNWComms said:
there are also Coast Guard stations in Port Angeles and Neah Bay, with listening stations that monitor for radio traffic.
Interesting post/thread. In addition to the typical marine VHF channels like 16, do they monitor FRS Ch 1? Any GMRS repeater channels or other FRS/GMRS?
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I loaned a pair of KG805M's to a buddy who lives near where we hunt. In the winter, he and his wife are out frequently to XC ski, snowshoe, etc. My email back from him about 5 days after receiving my care package: "We bought two MURS radios." And, this was with the stock antennas, not the Smiley 5/8 155-tuned antennas I sent along as well.
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Michael, thanks for starting this thread. I have a specific KG-935G question. In scanning RPT15-22 channels, I'll often have someone's transmission stop my scan, however, I'll not hear anything with a squelch setting of, say, 5. Is there anyway to more efficiently "sync" transmissions, e.g., only stop scan for transmissions that I can actually hear?
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Laird claims here that my Phantom (ghost) GMRS antenna (4503) has an expected < 2:1 on a 2'x2' (!!) ground plane. Mine gets 1.94:1 on a fender mount with my 25w TK-8180 (at high power; close to 1:1 at "Low" 4.2w).
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I'd like the flexibility of entering a repeater tone into my TK-880 without needing to reprogram; albeit imperfect, this seems possible via the Operator Selected Tone (OST) command whereby you can selected one of 16 tones that you previously programmed into the radio. (If the tone you need is not one of those 16, you need to link up to the software on your computer and reprogram.) My issue is that I assigned a key ("B") to OST, but, after programming, I follow the directions to access OST and get nothing. Nothing on the screen, no beep--nothing. I even tried changing key assignment; no change. Zippo. Any clue what I'm screwing up?
Operator Selectable Tone When this key is pressed, the “OST” appears and encode/decode QT/DQT is switched to the OST tone pair. If pressed again, the “OST” display goes off and encode/decode QT/DQT returns to transceivers preset. When this key is held down for one second, the transceiver enters “OST select mode”. In this mode, the display shows OST No. or OST name which is set to the channel and operator can select one of OST tone pair using [Channel up], [Channel down] key. If pressed this key again, the displayed OST code is memorized to the channel, the transceiver exits from the OST select mode, returns to normal channel display and “OST” display. 16 kinds of OST tone pairs can be programmed in the operator selectable tone window. While in the OST select mode, the transceiver does not look back at the priority channel in the scan resume mode.
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Again, thanks to everyone who lended a hand. Jeff Bezos dropped off a new coax and NMO mount. Given the last few days, I first checked them with a MM and they were good to go. Here are the SWRs using 1) Wouxon KG805M MURS and 2) TK-8180 (std; not H model) GMRS frequencies using SW-33 Surecomm.
KG805M to MURS45 with 3-4" SS antenna spring and 3/8x24 stud-to-NMO adapter: 1.44 Without spring (only stud-to-NMO adapter): 1.04
I first checked TK-8180 fwd power with dummy load: 4.2w Low; 25.0w High
TK-8180 to Tram 1181 dual band: Ch 7 (Low) 1.01* Ch 21 (High) 1.47
TK-8180 to Laird GMRS ghost: Ch 7 (L) 1.01* Ch 21 (H) 1.94
* Is "1.01" as low as the SW-33 will go?
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Great suggestion on the zones (N and W). I simply hadn't thought of that. Same goes for my HT.
The listed specs are for the TK-8180H which I don't have; I have the standard 8180. Power maxs out at 30w. Specs are here.
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In programming both my KG935G and mobile (TK-8180), I'm trying to decide between narrow or wide--specifically with Ch 15-22. A lot of this revolves around outdoor recreation situations wherein a few of us have GMRS but most have FRS. We tend to set all radios within Ch 15-22 so our GMRS mobiles can be used full power to talk to FRS. So, 1-14 is set on narrow (just in case). Repeater channels are always wide. But, what is best within Ch 15-22 where our GMRS (both HT and mobile) are used to communicate with both FRS and GMRS? Between the two types of radios, it's most critical that we can hear and be heard from the FRS (for example, a situation where a FRS user is lost)--does that mean a narrow setting is best for Ch 15-22? THANKS
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4 hours ago, WRAM370 said:4 hours ago, WRAM370 said:
-The NMO mount you are attaching to your vehicle is actually the best mount to use for V/Uhf, and there are many inexpensive VHF and UHF (and dual band) NMO antennas, so those would probably be better options for most people in these applications (MURS/GMRS). The PL type mount is also fine, and widely used in ham radio applications, but when we get to GMRS frequencies, the NMO is better.
-If you feel the need to have a spring on your antenna to endure strikes from tree limbs, etc., antenna companies like Larsen and others do make V/Uhf antennas with spring bases, that have been factored into the design for the operating frequencies.
-There is an antenna manufactured by Comet antenna (CA-2x4SR) which is designed to cover both MURS and GMRS (as well as the amateur 2m and 70cm bands), which is available in a PL (PL-259) mount or NMO mount.
I understand now the issue of an add-on (vs. integral) spring. What about a 3/8x24-to-NMO adapter (assuming the use of an antenna with a 3/8x24 base)? Does its height play into the equation at all as far as increasing SWR?
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First off, @marcspaz and @mbrun, I really appreciate the patience and help. On the PL-259 end, I have continuity between shield and pin; same for outer nut and NMO center pin. I didn't bother with removing the mount; new coax/NMO on order. Thanks again. (PS Since this was a first for me--using a MM on coax--I did the three tests--pin-to-pin, shield-to-shield, shield-to-pin--on a new PL259/PL259 cable and it passed with no continuity on shield-to-pin.)
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11 minutes ago, mbrun said:
Are you measuring this between the center lead of the coax and the exposed metal portion of the mount?Now I'm confused. ;o)
I measured at 1) the NMO's center lead (which contacts the spring-loaded "button" within antenna's base); 2) the NMO outer nut, and 3) the fender mount itself. All returned essentially the same reading. As a check, I compared these readings with a ground strap from my firewall to the engire block--same reading.
Apologies if I'm still missing it.
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Quick update
On 1/20/2022 at 12:24 PM, marcspaz said:If you have an ohm meter, disconnect the cable from the radio and the antenna from the mount and see if the center lead is shorted to ground.
Checked this and center lead is same as mount (< 1 ohm).
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1 hour ago, WRAM370 said:
You mentioned you were using a SS spring. It this a typical SS spring that is used on 102” CB whip antennas? If so, that may be impacting the SWR as it may be coupling to the 3/8” mount of the antenna and electrically lengthening it. Just a thought.
Yes! Probably 4". Will remove and report back.
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This question popped into my head: Much (all?) of Firestik's product line uses 3/8x24 threaded connectors. For their CB antennas, most use a 1/2" opening mount to which a Firestik (or other) 3/8x24 connector is secured. The coax uses ring terminals for the connection. So, this is different than my NMO setup. I bought an adapter which is NMO-to-3/8x24 threaded. The adapter sits atop of a rubber gasket which is resting on my fender mount. There is no metal-to-metal contact as far as the antenna assembly and the mount. Now, the same is true for my ghost GMRS antenna with no apparent issue, but it made me wonder if a lack of metal-to-metal decreases a ground plane's effectiveness.
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5 minutes ago, wayoverthere said:
I think 19.9 is just the "max" it can display
Yikes!
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2 hours ago, jgillaspy said:
Make sure you have the SWR meter connected correctly. I had this issue when I had the meter connected backwards. . . Really made me feel stupid when I realized it later. I lost several hours of troubleshooting to my mistake. Mine read 19.9 as well. The meter ports are labeled - verify your connections.
JG
I could easily do that.....but this time I had it right. Weird how the readings are the same, though.
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1 hour ago, wayoverthere said:
I did a couple quick tests to see if RF affected the readings, though i used GMRS since i don't have anything approved for MURS. With both meters and my KG805g HT, I used channels RP21 (467.700 tx) and simplex ch 3 (462. something...the number slips my mind at this second). SW33 said 1.05 and 1.02, while the SW102 showed 1.0 for both. Then, I freed up some slack in the cable, and held the HT up within a foot of the antenna, and tested again with the SW33. Same 1.02 on Ch 3, RP21 actually dropped slightly, to 1.03. At least for UHF, it seems pretty unaffected...I can try to retest with a different handheld and VHF this weekend..will need to switch antennas and try messing with the ground plane and see if goes that bad.
What's your antenna setup?
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2 hours ago, marcspaz said:
The meter should have come with a ground plate for testing HT's with antennas. I though the meter was at the base of the antenna. If you are 4 feet away, especially if the meter is inside the vehicle, that should be plenty of distance and shielding.
I screw the SW-33 meter (using SMA-F adapter) into the top of the HT then connect coax to the top of the meter.
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4 hours ago, marcspaz said:
Are you using a grounding plate/shield to stop rf from the antenna soaking the meter?
No. I was sitting in the driver's seat with the antenna 4' away. What's best way to operationalize your recommendation?
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Used a fender mount (with NMO adapter and SS spring) to install Firestik MURS45 on truck. Attached to Wouxon KG805M and used a Surecomm SW-33 meter. Got reading of 19.9 SWR on "Blue" (154.570). Would you chalk this up to "HTs give wacky readings*," lack of ground plane, etc? (* I love Surecomm's instructions, e.g., hold vertical, place BOTH hands on meter then depress PTT...... feels like ham Twister.)
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On 12/18/2021 at 2:42 PM, fremont said:
We'll see how they do with 5/8 Slim Ducks tuned to 155 MHz.
Wouxun KG-UV7D 2M/6M
in Amateur Radio (Ham)
Posted
I did. Also bought telescoping antenna for 6m from Thailand via ebay. 6m comes booming through!