mbrun

Enter VFO mode on the radio. The manual explains how. Select a frequency that is valid for GMRS use. Press PTT. The Wouxun Part 95 radios sold by BTWR with VFO modes have special firmware that has the FCC limits baked into it. The firmware knows the GMRS frequencies, the power limits, the offset and bandwidth limits. So whether you are in VFO mode or Channel Mode, the radio will only transmit in accordance with Part 95 rules. This is confirmed true on the KG-1000G & Plus, KG-935G & Plus, KG-S88G, KG-Q10G. The 805G and 905G do not have official VFO modes so switching to and Tx’ing in VFO mode is not applicable. If memory serves, even the 20-watt mobile can do this, at least the first generation could. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Yes. I have both. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Yes they will absolutely interact with one another. Whether they interact with one another in an undesirable way under your specific circumstances is a complete unknown. However, given that the wavelengths of the GMRS antenna and 11m CB antenna are substantially different, I suspect you would be hard pressed to detect any adverse effect one had on the radiation or pickup pattern of the other. The concern I would raise is the potential damage a transmitting radio could have on the receiver of the other. If too much power makes it into the receiving radio from an adjacent transmitting antenna you could damage it. The manufacturers do not widely publish a maximum input power rating on there radios so it is a bit of a guess. The number I use for basic max input calculations is 20dBm, which is based on a max permissible value I found from an ICOM service manual aways back. If two antenna are used for both Tx and Rx and cannot be sufficiently separated horizontally then installing them co-linearly is preferred as it allows you to take advantage of the off-axis nulls in their radiation patterns to increase loss from one radio to another. That is how I fly, and I have ample loss from one to the other at the frequencies in question. I wish I could give you a specific distance value, but absent the ability to measure the performance of the specific antennas proposed any numbers are a pure guess. If I where in your shoes, I would mock up my proposed mounting solution(s) in my back yard and take measurements to confirm which solution(s) yielded adequate RF path loss. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

There are a couple of settings on the radio that can affect what channels are actually scanned when you initiate a scan operation. The first one is the ‘SC-Group’ setting (function menu #43). Within this menu, there are 10 ranges of channels you can select for scanning. These ranges are always selectable for use from the radio but are configured via the software only. The second is the ‘SCAN-ADD’ setting (function menu #33). This is a channel-specific setting that determines if that particular channel is scanned. If value is ON, then the channel will be scanned, if it is OFF, then the channel will not be scanned. It should be noted that a channel will only be scanned when the channel is within the range of channels included in the active SC-Group’ setting and the channel’s SCAN-ADD setting is ON’. If the radio did in-fact scan all 30 at one time, but now only scans 20, then it is likely that either the current SC-Group setting has changed and/or the SCAN-ADD settings for some of the channels has changed. You will find further information in the manual. Hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Press Menu, scroll to function Menu 14, press Menu, then press the PF2 button to cycle thru CTCSS, DCS normal, DCS inverted options. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Internally, repeaters consist of at least two radios. The MXT500 is only one. Depending upon how you built everything else in the system out, including whether you used one antenna or two, whether you were using a duplexer, and whether or not you built custom circuitry to allow you to integrate a mic while the two radios are interconnected, then perhaps. The Wouxon KG-1000G is the only Part 95e radio I know of that is built to be used as a component of a custom limited-use repeater build, and OffRoaderX did it. It has the internal circuitry necessary for interconnecting two like models, and has modes for changing the radios behavior to operate as components of a repeater system. If using this model, yes you could use its mic to transmit while the radio is configured as a repeater, but only on the repeater Tx frequency. However, to use the radios for general comms you would need to be using separate antennas and you would need to switch the radios back into standard mode. My advice, if you want a repeater, buy and put up a purpose built repeater. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

For me studying for an exam, including the amateur exams, is all about real knowledge acquisition. Some of that knowledge comes from memorizing simple facts, some from deep dives into particular topics, some from doing and learning the math. The memorization part is the hard for me. I used and recommend the ARRL’s official study guides for the exam as a starter (e.g. https://www.arrl.org/shop/ARRL-General-Class-License-Manual-9th-Edition-Spiral-Bound/ ) I read the books cover to cover at first, at least once. Then more and again as needed. I then leveraged the questions at the end of the book to guide where I needed more study. Every time I got something wrong or felt i was guessing, I would re-read the relative section of the book and use the internet to seek out more information. I did use the Kindle version of the ARRL’s books on my iPad. The hyperlinks and ToC of the book made navigating easier work. The book is structured to make is possible to hop to the questions relative to what you are studying, and possible to hop back from the questions to the area where the supporting information lives. While I never hear it talked about, the ARRL has their own sponsored website for practice testing. https://arrlexamreview.appspot.com. I did eventually leverage that site to test my preparedness, but again used it inform where I needed to study more. As just a point of note, some of the best written explanations of various topics I found on net during my studies I found here: https://www.hamradioschool.com. While some topics are not related to current exam question pools, the information is definitely relevant. Congrats on passing your Technician exam. Enjoy your journey moving forward. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I hear you, and the whole point of my post. 73 Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I concur on the ‘its a dud’ responses as well, and I feel your frustration. Fortunately G you are both wise and experienced enough to know something was wrong. The less experienced might have taken readings at face value for a long time. I always question the performance of test equipment, especially the cheap stuff, and feel the need to contrast it with readings from other brands and models before I give it any form of credence. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

When testing, also make sure that voltage into the radio is 13.8vdc at the radio input during your power tests. While the voltage can be good at power up, it typically drops during TX, and this is when it matters most. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The reseting of the codes is typically related to user action. TX CTCSS and DCS codes are mutually exclusive as are RX CTCSS and DCS codes. So, for example, if you set a TX CTCSS code and store it and then go to the TX DCS menu to view its value you will see it is Off already, even if it had previously assigned a value to it. If you hit ‘Menu’ again while viewing the current DCS code you will actually clear the CTCSS code, and vice versa. This is a nuance of every Wouxun radio I have ever used. Setting a TX code on one, automatically disables the other. RX codes work the same. Get in the habit of never hitting the menu button again while viewing any CTCSS or DCS code if you do no intend to change the value. Hit the Exit button instead. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

To my knowledge, they are the only group lobbying on behalf of amateur radio. Without amateur backing, we could loose the only voice we have Washington and could find ourselves without spectrum for our craft. They publish a couple of good magazines that are free to members and publish educational books that are useful to us all. In addition, they keep us informed of legislation that affects us. I have heard opinions that perhaps at times they have not lobbied hard enough and that we have lost spectrum as a result Perhaps that is because there was not enough funding to wage the necessary defense, I do not know. I find membership an appropriate support of their mission to serve and protect amateur radio. Such efforts are not free. Just one man’s opinion. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

@Over2U it sure sounds like you are experiencing differences between the two. I do own the 905 but not the UV3D and do find the 905 to be on par with the other Wouxun models in my possession. Yeh, the vary some but not by a lot. Most break squelch between -124dBm and -118dBm. @gman1971 I acquired a HP-339A. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I am genuinely curious how are you comparing the two? Subjective while using? Using a signal generator wired direct to both units? What is the signal source? Are you using antennas? If using antennas, are you using the exact same antenna with each radio in exactly the same spot using the exactly the same signal source? With or without PLs? Squelch at minimum on each radio? When I am doing basic sensitivity comparisons of my radios I am using an FM signal generator wired directly to the radios so that I can objectively compare models. Just recently acquired an HP distortion analyzer so that I can confirm sensitivity against the rated SINAD value rather than relying on when the radios open squelch at the lowest setting. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

This comment is a little off topic, but relevant. A vendor’s presale customer service can be a sign of what post-sale service will be like, so perhaps that should be taken into consideration as you make future decisions. 24-48 hours should be more than enough for sales to get back with you. 4-8 is much better. I have no first hand experience with Bridgecom. From posts I have read online, and even comments over the radio, I have developed a personal feeling that there is lack of meaningful support after the sale. Continue to do your best to get first hand feedback from real Bridgecom owners to help you determine the facts. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Big national internet-enabled net for GMRS, No. Organically formed local net with a clear local mission, perhaps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

@KG5UV , I agree with Sshannon. Amateur Radio and GMRS are separate services. Each service requires its own license. While clubs can be issued callsigns by the FCC in the amateur service, new GMRS license can only be issued to an individual. There is nothing to say that the club cannot purchase and put up the repeater, but it would need to be operated under the authority of one individual’s licensee. That could be the club’s trustee or another board member; perhaps another member that has full access to the repeater site. If at any point the GMRS licensee dies or decides they no longer want the liability, another person would need to step up, volunteer their callsign, and assume the liability. Callsigns are not transferrable. BTW, LCARA has a series of YouTube videos regarding putting up a GMRS repeater at their club tower site. Perhaps you could reach out to them to see how they have decided to handle it. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Agreed. However, I don’t view it as a downside at all. The light’s presence and behavior means I need to use the monitor button far less frequently which improves the overall user experience. If checking the monitor function every single time I wanted to Tx, it would incredibly annoying. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

So, one of the things to look for in a radio, is one that has a LED/Light that illuminates when the frequency is being used, regardless of whether the party transmitting is using a squelch code and regardless if your radio requires a code to un-squelch. Of all the radios I own, only the cheap Midland radios do not have the frequency-in-use light. That light prevents the need to manually open squelch to check to see if the frequency is in use. The light tells you it is busy. Good job Marc. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

. Darn Apple! Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The thing about companders is that they intended to be used on all radios that are part of your communications circle. You don’t receive the full benefit except when your other party’s radios have the same feature and it is enabled their radios also. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

@donniefitz2 I would seek replacement. Sounds like you received a dud. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The bubble wrap FRS are always narrow band per FCC requirements. Perhaps with a few rare exceptions, GMRS bubble wrap radios are exclusively narrow band as well. If your primary communications is with these radios, narrow is the way to go. It seems that most GMRS repeater owners choose wide-band as do users of current crop of programmable GMRS HTs where improved audio performance is desired. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

@Flameout you’re making progress! Regarding the direction of the radials. I have not experienced to my knowledge, nor read anything material that suggests a horizontal directional component based on radial direction. Does not mean there is not one. However, it is known that the quantity and downward angle of radials does have an effect on both the impedance and the vertical coverage pattern of the antenna. Do keep in mind that when you see yourself rotating the radials that you are also indeed changing the physical location of the vertical component of the antenna as well, since to rotate the radials you rotate you typically have to rotate the whole assembly around the mast. So you are actually changing two things at once, not just one. While that small amount of movement may seem insignificant, you are working in UHF where the wavelengths are smaller and smaller changes have bigger effect than HF. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Sidetone refers to the ability of the transmitting radio to reproduce DTMF tones via its local speaker. If turned off, none of the DTMF tones transmitted by your radio will be heard locally. The other choices refer to whether you hear the DTMF tones sent out from key-presses, whether you hear the DTMF tone sent out as your ANI ID, or both. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM