dwmitchell61

I bought the NanoVnA from R and L electronics. It is well built and has N connectors rather than SMA. Used with nano Vna saver software it’s a piece of cake to use. But it’s not my favorite. 

I’ve worked on an MFJ 269D analyzer. They’re poorly built and I would never buy one. 

Now I have two different RigExpert analyzers. I really like them. They are my favorites. 

BIG BIG BIG thanks to Jack for fixing my bricked 805G.

Greetings!  New to the forum.  I've had my GMRS license for about 9 months and I'm also an amateur radio operator.
 
I recently purchased a Wouxun KG-805G HT, which is Part 95 type accepted for GMRS. It comes pre-programmed with the GMRS channels, including the repeater channels. The repeater channels are identified by number and repeater designation ("RPT20", for example). This makes things a bit unwieldy, because you have to remember the channel number and its relationship to the repeater frequencies you wish to use and then you have to manually go in and set the CTCSS or DCS tones every time you use that channel for a different repeater.

Mostly out of curiosity, I checked CHIRP to see if I could identify other unprogrammed channels in the radio. My objective was to program specific repeaters and their tones and names in those unprogrammed channels, if they existed. I found that CHIRP does not identify the KG-805G as a radio which it can program; however, I also found that if you use the program for the Wouxun KG-816, it does, in fact, allow the uploading and downloading of data from and to the radio. Doing so revealed that the KG-805G has quite a few unprogrammed channels. I put in my favorite GMRS repeaters into the CHIRP programming matrix and then successfully uploaded them to the KG-805G. I also stopped scanning on the pre-programmed channels in the radio and allowed scanning on the channels I had programmed, so now I can scan my favorite repeaters.

This may already be known to other KG-805G users, but I thought I'd put it on here in case someone didn't know.

Incidentally, I really like the radio.
 

What kind of feedline (RG-58?) do you have to the base station Ed Fong antenna and how long is it (guessing around 40 feet)? Receive will be sensitive to excessive feedline losses. It isn't a big deal at the lower frequencies of CB radio, but when you are operating at GMRS in the UHF spectrum losses build rapidly. Forty feet of RG-58 has 5.4dB of loss at 450MHz (more at 465MHz GMRS). Every 3dB of loss halves the power, 6dB halves that. So you'll end up at about 16.7W at the antenna using RG-58. Forty feet of LMR400 has 1.08dB of loss and with it you'll 30.6W out of your 40W.
In North CACKALACKY (my late wife and love of my life grew up in Havelock) you have humidity and storms. I would suggest N-type connectors and look up how to seal up the connections properly to keep moisture out of your feedlines. I use a connector silicone paste made to seal connections, it goes right in the connection. Then wrap the connection tightly with the silicone rubber "self-amalgamating" tape real good. Over that use the black vinyl electrical tape. And lastly, put a wire-tie (tie-strap) around the vinyl tape to keep it from unwinding on you. I use Times Microwave LMR-400 coax and it will cost you a "Ben Franklin" for 40 feet with N-type connectors. Don't forget a loop just at the antenna in the coax for strain relief (takes cable weight off of antenna connectors and puts it on your mast).
Shhhhhheeeewwww! Did I forget anything? Hope this helps.
 

LMR 400 loses about 2.7 dB over 100 feet at GMRS frequencies. So 40 feet would be 40% of 2.7 dB or 1.08 dB so you lose 20.6% of the power your radio inserts into the cable. That’s just the cable loss. That’s really not terrible; it’s just something to be aware of. 
 

It looks like there might be a cause to this.  However I am still testing and investigating, as it doesn't adequately address the "dropout" problem.  I just looked at my saved codeplug and PRICH-SW is OFF but on the radio it was ON. I also see that PRI-CH is set to 001 (which is GMRS-01 on my radio). What must be happening is that I inadvertently turned on priority scan and that by default it was set to memory slot 001 so any time a signal was received on 001 (GMRS-1) it would break through my normal channel. However, there only seems to be one PRICH-SW setting (not separate for the A & B sides), yet I was only having this issue on the A side of the radio and not the B side.  Maybe it only works on the A side?
 

Ed Fong, PhD is an electronics engineer that is reputable and knows what he is doing. He developed these antennas from a request that he design an antenna given explicit criteria for a corporation in the communications business. There is no need to criticize unless you are willing to back your critique with explicit engineering facts. You don't have to buy Doctor Fong's products, but the proceeds do go to supporting the college students in his college courses.
As for the big brand name antennas, I would suggest you take the time to look inside the next one you buy before you put it on your tower or mast. You might just be shocked by what you find, and maybe even a bit disappointed if you know anything about soldering and antenna theory. 
I intend to purchase his antennas for my use when I go portable. I just don't want to have to carry around some 10 foot to 17 foot fiberglassed fragile antenna that could be broken, then spend another $200-300 replacing it.
Stay well, see you on the air, stay well and try to stay positive
73
Dave, KJ7WUZ/WRHW845

I am curious as to how the heliax obviates any common mode current on the outer skin of the shield.
Maybe I am misunderstanding the cause of common mode current on the feedlines?
I thought it was due to imbalance in the antenna system.
The PPT presentation you linked to above, on Page 6, states"
"– Coax is not a part of these imbalances"
So, I am wondering how your expensive heliax transmission line solves the issue. I have a lot to learn and don't know it all and am open to some mentoring from an "Elmer"
It would seem that using ferrite beads of a proper mix rather than the old, trusty "ugly balun" method would be more effective at higher frequencies like GMRS.
 
Thank you and 73
Dave, KJ7WUZ/WRHW845

Mine came from Midland with the repeater channels set to wide band (25kHz). The simplex channels were set to narrow at 12.5kHz. We have a repeater in my area that is operating narrowband and with my radio set for 12.5kHz it sounds just great. I programmed the repeater pairs in my area into the 8 channel slots that are unused due to FRS (8-14) and set them to display by name (OR CTY, GRESHAM, TABOR, OVRLOOK, and PORT1).
 
But the bandwidth, spilt PL tones and reverse offsets cannot be entered through the front panel. That is true.
 
The radio does the job for me. I rather like my radios simple in user interface...
 
For bells and whistles and gadgets I have my cell phone.

Thanks folks. I found it before I found your messages. Sure appreciate your help, none the less.

If they're touching, an ohmmeter will show continuity between the shield and center conductor. But once you straighten out the coax the short might no longer exist.  If your installation puts the coax in danger of getting bent consider using a right angle coax adaptor:

It depends.. on many factors... BUT:
If you will be installing it on your roof, a large fiberglass type "base" antenna like the Tram1486 is probably a better choice as it will perform better and does not require a ground-plane.
If you just want to put it in the window, then the MXTA26 is probably a better choice as it is smaller and will fit in the window better than a 5-8Ft long fiberglass type base antenna and you can slap a pie-pan under it for the groundplane.
 

The LAK17R GMRS repeater (id’s as WRKT697) operates out of Lake Oswego, OR on 462.600 (+5) and a PL Tone of 123.0. It’s an open repeater set up for local emergency communications in the city but available for general or casual use. There is a weekly net on Monday nights at 7:00pm. If you are in the area or passing through, reach out and say hello.
 
Coverage spans well beyond LO into Wilsonville, Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Milwaukee, Oregon City and up into parts of Camas, Vancouver and Battle Ground, WA.

It should.... And will have NOAA channels as I understand.
 
My MXT400 came from the factory with the repeater channels set to 25kHz (wideband), contrary to the rumors circulated by those with a bias against Midland radios that it does not support wideband. It is simply amazing that those who do not own one make all these claims as though they are the "gurus" chanting the mantra from the mountain top upon which they seated themselves. It will also do 20kHz if you like.
 
It can also be software programmed to do split tones, CTSS and  DCS even, on same channel.
 
You must buy the DBR1 cable from Midland and they give you a limited-life link to the software download when you call them.
 
I programmed mine to display my call sign on startup
 
All my simplex channels are programmed as wideband (25kHz).
. 
I programmed the four local repeaters into the empty channel slots that were empty for the 0.5W FRS channels, displaying the repeater names OR CITY, TABOR, OVRLOOK and GRESHAM when they are chosen.
 
Someone also said programming the radio invalidates the certification. Midland denies this. The radio was certified under Part 95A and as such, is grandfathered under the new parameters specified under Part 95E. As long as the radio is still operating within the Part 95E specifications when programmed, you are fine.
 
It does what I want., and I am satisfied with my purchase. It doesn't have 10 billion "bells and whistles" to clutter up the menus and programming like some other radios. It doesn't have FM, but my car and my Sangean WR-11 and ATS-909 take care of that.

I guess you won't mind if I sit in the chair next to you at the doctors office and pass some gas, then? LMAO..... Sorry, poor analogy but it seemed funny at the moment...

You said it's not a hobby, then listed a whole bunch of hobbies that it's used for, and then said those hobbies don't sound like hobbies. That's not an opinion... that is silliness.

It should.... And will have NOAA channels as I understand.
 
My MXT400 came from the factory with the repeater channels set to 25kHz (wideband), contrary to the rumors circulated by those with a bias against Midland radios that it does not support wideband. It is simply amazing that those who do not own one make all these claims as though they are the "gurus" chanting the mantra from the mountain top upon which they seated themselves. It will also do 20kHz if you like.
 
It can also be software programmed to do split tones, CTSS and  DCS even, on same channel.
 
You must buy the DBR1 cable from Midland and they give you a limited-life link to the software download when you call them.
 
I programmed mine to display my call sign on startup
 
All my simplex channels are programmed as wideband (25kHz).
. 
I programmed the four local repeaters into the empty channel slots that were empty for the 0.5W FRS channels, displaying the repeater names OR CITY, TABOR, OVRLOOK and GRESHAM when they are chosen.
 
Someone also said programming the radio invalidates the certification. Midland denies this. The radio was certified under Part 95A and as such, is grandfathered under the new parameters specified under Part 95E. As long as the radio is still operating within the Part 95E specifications when programmed, you are fine.
 
It does what I want., and I am satisfied with my purchase. It doesn't have 10 billion "bells and whistles" to clutter up the menus and programming like some other radios. It doesn't have FM, but my car and my Sangean WR-11 and ATS-909 take care of that.

If only the US offices based here selling the Chinese, Singaporean and Malaysian radios would just bring the manufacturing back to the US.... SMH....
 
I know everyone says use a Part 90 reprogrammed... Plentiful and low priced used units. I would love to. But at my age, with cancer, a year in jail for doing so is just too expensive, and with my medical conditions having a $10,000 fine would be impossible for me to pay... So I just bought a Part 95A/E unit. I am the guy that gets a ticket EVERY time I do 5mph over the speed limit. 
 
So I live with the FCC rules and buy an overpriced CCR radio. They seem to do okay for me. My ears don't hear too well either, so intermodulation hasn't been detected by them and "hi-fi" wideband FM is a waste with my hearing.
 
I have a Wouxon KG-805G handheld and the Midland MXT400.... I am tempted to get a couple of these CCR's and a duplexer just to see how well it works. 
 
I know for some, it is like a religion and they are very devout, something like the whole Chevy/Ford debate in the auto discussion groups, it is getting like the whole left/right political environment... Everyone just seems so passionate and devoted to a singular view with a closed mind approach.  It actually makes me want to duck out of here.
 
SO.... I think I will just talk about my home brew antennas... They are made in the USA... LoL

Hey Corey, Looking at it from a different viewpoint makes a difference. Other than my own trailer mounted repeater, there are none where I live. Gaining that kind of difference in distance is impressive. Sometimes the Symantecs overwhelms the subject. Then again, I do love a good rant.

The MXT-400, if you buy the DBR1 cable and ask Midland support for the programming software download, has a few options that can be changed.
 
1) On power up, mine displays my call sign
2) I have the four local repeaters programmed into CH 8-11, they were empty due to unused FRS not permitted by FCC.
3) You can program display names into your channels.
4) Bandwidths that can be programmed into the channels are: 12.5kHz (narrow), 20kHz (medium) and 25kHz (wide). The factory had the repeater channels set for 25kHz on mine.
5) I can also program the repeater frequencies for which no repeaters are in use in my area for "talk-around" operation as a preset.
 
The MXT400 isn't very versatile in programming from the front panel.
 
I think I am going to try one of those Wouxon KG-1000G's.
 
I'd like to try one of those old rigs, Kenwood or Motorola, if I can get the software legally and it is 95A certified. I have a deep respect for Motorola products, but I don't want any risks in getting on the FCC's bad side. I get a ticket EVERY time I do more than 5mph over the speed limit... It's like they're just waiting for me to make a misstep!

Do you hear the other repeater all of the time or just when your system is active?
 
When YOUR PL opens squelch on your radio on a frequency you will hear ALL active traffic on that frequency regardless of the PL used by the other transmitter. 

Forgot to click "Attach this file..." button.... Ugh 

For the TK-8180 I think you need to download and install the programming software for the radio. It should be the KPG-89D located here. There are other locations to find the software. The latest version is V1.61 I believe. Older ones will likely work too. Just make sure you have the serial install key. Normally most of the packages include one in a text file.
 
http://rsws.zapto.org/RadioSoftware/Kenwood/
 
You will also need a programming cable for it too.
 
Commercial radios are great to use on GMRS but are impossible to setup, or nearly so, without the programming software.
 
Any used commercial radio you are thinking about buying make sure you can get the correct programming software and cable for it FIRST. If you can't the radio will end up being an expensive paper weight.

Could be a few things. many newer vehicles use all sorts of sensors, including some that use RF. I would try an external battery and putting the vehicle in drive and see if you still get static. If you do, you have some form of RF interference, if not then the interference is electrical based. For electrical based interference a line filter (20-40 USD) will usually resolve the problem.

It should.... And will have NOAA channels as I understand.
 
My MXT400 came from the factory with the repeater channels set to 25kHz (wideband), contrary to the rumors circulated by those with a bias against Midland radios that it does not support wideband. It is simply amazing that those who do not own one make all these claims as though they are the "gurus" chanting the mantra from the mountain top upon which they seated themselves. It will also do 20kHz if you like.
 
It can also be software programmed to do split tones, CTSS and  DCS even, on same channel.
 
You must buy the DBR1 cable from Midland and they give you a limited-life link to the software download when you call them.
 
I programmed mine to display my call sign on startup
 
All my simplex channels are programmed as wideband (25kHz).
. 
I programmed the four local repeaters into the empty channel slots that were empty for the 0.5W FRS channels, displaying the repeater names OR CITY, TABOR, OVRLOOK and GRESHAM when they are chosen.
 
Someone also said programming the radio invalidates the certification. Midland denies this. The radio was certified under Part 95A and as such, is grandfathered under the new parameters specified under Part 95E. As long as the radio is still operating within the Part 95E specifications when programmed, you are fine.
 
It does what I want., and I am satisfied with my purchase. It doesn't have 10 billion "bells and whistles" to clutter up the menus and programming like some other radios. It doesn't have FM, but my car and my Sangean WR-11 and ATS-909 take care of that.