mbrun

The reseller has videos on how to use the software as well. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Officially, No. Unofficially (partially), Yes. Use at your own risk. Channels can be configured, radio settings cannot. You must read from the radio first as your starting point. Do not start a fresh file from scratch. Use the model with 816 in it (if I recall correctly) You cannot use offset settings of + or -. Instead you must use the ‘Split” option to establish Tx frequency. Failure to do this will program the radio incorrectly. Make sure you have a factory backup of the original settings before you use chirp. You could do something that makes the radio non functional. To date, I have programmed (4) KG-805G successfully using Chirp. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If I may make a suggestion. Consider taking one or two FRS/GRMS radios and hooking it up to your computer and use the computer as a recorder. Set the computer to record on low quality so you can record for a long time with minimal memory consumption then let the computer record continuously. The headphone out of the radios can easily adapt to the sound card input of a typical PC. This would certainly be easiest if the offender is predictable in terms of frequency. Even better if they are predicable in terms of time. If you are technically inclined, you could rig up two radios to record at a time, one to the left channel of recorder, one to the right channel of the recorder. The basic gist of the idea is to be configured and actively recording before you actually need it, just like a video surveillance system. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The frequency coverage for the tool is quite extensive in the online tool. Supported frequency ranges include the full range of frequencies in the GMRS 462 and 467 MHz spectrum. There are currently 17 discrete frequency ranges supported by the tool that range from 10 MHz to 250 GHz. The complete list can be viewed here: https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonlineinfoeng.html Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Correct. Here is an example. If you are programming for what many would call a ‘550’ repeater. Your radio would be tuned to 462.5500 MHz (this is the the frequency you listen on). Your radio would be configured to transmit +5 MHz higher on 467.5500 MHz. This is called a 5 MHz positive offset. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The output is the frequency that the repeater transmits on; the same frequency that you listen to. The input frequency is the frequency that the repeater listens on; the same frequency that you transmit on. In the GMRS world, when using repeaters, the repeaters always listen to frequencies in the 467 MHz band, and always transmit on frequencies in the 462 MHz band. Convention has it that there is always 5 MHz difference between the transmit and receive frequencies. Hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We have all asked or heard the questions before; “What kind of coverage can I expect” and “how far will those radios reach?” And we have all also heard the exact same text book answers; things like “It depends” and “that is not an easy question to answer.” You’re asking valid questions, and you’re getting valid answers. The only absolute way to know what your coverage is going to be, and how far you can reach is to test it yourself using your actual equipment in the exact area you intend to use it in. That said, technology being what is, there is a better way to get a more realistic estimate. Professionals RF engineers use software to assist them; software that will get them close. An RF Engineer in Quebec (whom is also an amateur radio operator) has a website with a free online calculator that will help the knowledgeable radio user visualize an estimate of what there coverage would be based on many of the fundamental factors that affect radio coverage. Having now contrasted its calculated results with my personal radio experiments, I am gaining confidence in its ability to “get me close.” better than any other way. For example, in some of my tests of base to HT and base to mobile coverage, the software predictions correlate with many of the spots, even along mostly level ground, where I experience complete radio dropouts, where I experience marginal reception, and where I experience highly reliable communications. Here are some of the user supplied factors that go into estimating one’s coverage: Location of Tx antenna. Transmit Frequency. Tx antenna height. Tx antenna gain, tilt, azimuth. Tx output power. Signal loss in Tx cable Rx antenna height. Signal loss in Rx cable. Real-world receiver sensitivity (which may or may not be published accurately). The calculator can be found here: https://www.ve2dbe.com The software takes into account the actual terrain around the antenna. It appears as though it may be adding factors related to ground coverage, which I assume is based on some statistical information. More detail about what goes into the calculations can be found here: https://www.ve2dbe.com/rmonlineinfoeng.html I have been wresting with determining whether there would be real-world benefit to me adding another 20-40 feet of height to my proposed GMRS antenna mast/tower. What I really wanted to know is if I would experience tangible or zero benefit from increased height when it comes to simplex coverage around my property. I feel much better informed now. I would be most curious to hear from those of you strong technical types regarding how predictions from the software align with your real-world conditions when it is configured accurately. Here is an intro to the software from a user of it: Moderators, I think this would be a useful sticky post. Happy Calculating! Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

In my view, you are on the right track. Do consider that at the point at which you announce you are listening that there is no one else actually listening, or that someone may be listening but not in a position to talk or does not want to talk right then and there. Whether I am using my amateur radio or GMRS, my radios are frequently on scan when I am not actively engaged in conversation. So consider too that your announcement may have fallen on deaf ears. When the airwaves are quiet, do not hesitate to announce yourself like normal, then ask explicitly if there is anyone else listening. If there is, this could invite a more prompt response. I have had some success with this. In the lower bands bands of amateur radio (10 meter and lower) they use use a repetitive calling phase that includes the use of the letter code CQ which explicitly means you are “looking for a contact”. This is not practiced on VHF or UHF amateur voice frequencies nor on GMRS, but it is effectively the same as ‘Is there anyone out there?” If repeater actively is frequently dead, perhaps you can change things up by arranging certain times of the day with your friends to get on the radio and start making traffic. Others may hear your conversations and take your lead. Personally, I generally allow about 5+ minutes between any subsequent announcements of my callsign and listening. As a listener, when I hear it more frequently than this during periods where I cannot jump in to talk, I find it an annoying. So I do not do things to others that I personally find annoying. Hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is excellent first-hand discovery on your part indeed. What you’ve discovered is that design of an antenna can make it work well on multiple frequency ranges and this is very, very common. Consider the worst antenna of them all, the rubber duck. The ones used with an amateur portable radio for example. These antennas allow the radio to service the VHF and UHF frequencies nearing 145MHz and 445MHz. Coincidentally, these are separated by approximating 3:1 ratio. You most certainly have heard the term ‘wavelength’. One man’s 1/4 wavelength antenna is another man’s 1/2 wavelength or 5/8 wave antenna. Same length of radiator, serving different frequencies. While one length may not work as well on one frequency as it does on another it does indeed work. MURS and GMRS frequencies are separated by an approx 3:1 ratio also. So don’t be surprised to find a GMRS antenna that works well on MURS too. So how do you know? If the manufacturer does not tell you, you can test it yourself. Recently I was watching some YouTube videos of folks using their antenna analyzers to scan the response of their antennas to find all the frequencies ranges the antenna served well. The recent popularity of the NanoVNA makes it possible for the technically inclined to scan their antenna and discover where it performs best. Again, Nice Find. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Not knowing what it is you’re trying to achieve it is hard to say. There are cases where some form of directionality may be desired, but I suspect those are few and far between. Generally speaking, repeaters are positioned towards the center of their intended coverage area. A Yagi in that environment would be counter productive. However, if your repeater is located along a coast line or the edge of your desired coverage area you may favor directional antenna to maximum power into your target area. I would speculate however that there are few cases where a highly directional Yagi is the appropriate solution. Conversely, I can definitely see where a Yagi could benefit the distant base station trying to hit a distant repeater. Now, a collinear antenna with high gain is different story. With a collinear design you can achieve high gain and uniform horizontal (azimuth) coverage all around then antenna. I believe you will find some variant of the collinear design to be the most common for high-performing repeater sites. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Edited for spelling. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The dominate way it seems to be done around me (on amateur and GMRS) is to merely announce your call sign in between the transmissions of others. Then you wait for the courteous radio operator to acknowledge you. I have heard ‘break’ only a once or twice in recent months. On the amateur side of things, when you really need to use the radio immediately, announcing your call sign followed by ‘Priority’ is protocol; followed by ‘Emergency’ when radio is needed for life safety reasons. Locally it is also protocol here to to let the repeater drop before keying up. As has been said by WRAK, this is for multiple reasons, not the least of which is to allow time for others to break in. The locals seem to encourage this process when new hams join in. Sunday on the local GMRS training net the SME was advocating the same thing. I agree it is an excellent practice. Personally, I allow 3-5 seconds after another person in a conversation has un-keyed before replying, just so others have the space to jump in. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Welcome aboard. Glad you are here. Make yourself at home. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That was a good move on their part. I like to see manufacturers providing more customer service things like this. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Welcome to the club. Enjoy the reading and the conversation. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is fantastic. Glad you have finally had success. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hello O-B-1. I use the cable on my ham and GMRS radios. Both models of radio with have o-ring like seals around the two mini-phone jacks seals that need to be compressed, so that could be a contributor. I presume these are for some measure of moisture protection when using headset and speaker accessories outdoors. Perhaps that little o-ring is a contributor. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have my radios marked “Unit 1” and “Unit 2”. When both are mobile we use our Callsign plus the unit number. We use ‘Base’ when referring to the radio in the home. E.g. WRHS965 Base calling Unit 1. WRHS965 Unit 1 calling base. Etc. We only add the unit number or base when talking within the license (multiple family members talking to each other). Michael WHRS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I am not fully familiar what QST has to offer. I have only recently received my first issue. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This discussion has gotten me to wonder if there is an unbiased independent ‘Consumer Reports’ like group that performs high-quality objective measurements and practical A-B tests of radios. If said group exists, I wonder if they would be able to shed light on the degree to which some radio brands and models objectively perform better than others. Such information could help folks make decisions based on more than price. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is a good idea for those radios without that capability. If I were doing that, I would configure the split channel as a Rx only channel so as to avoid its accidental use as a simplex channel which would/could interfere with repeater operations. I would also configure it without tone so nothing would be blocked. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Lscott that is a very good point. I made my decision to get the Wouxun Radio with knowledge that I may receive zero support from the Chinese manufacturer. Given, the price of the product thought, it was worth the experiment. I truly expect little or no support from them. I did/do expect some support from the dealer. If I do not receive support when I need it, I never buy products from that dealer and/or manufacturer again. Never have, never will. For me, manufacturers get one shot. So they may win in the short run, but only good support will result in my future business. Yeh, I did not like what I read about how the manufacture treated their dealer. Had I read that before I purchased the product from BTWR I would not have purchased their radios. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Looks like Wouxun may be taking the FRS, GMRS and MURS radio market seriously. They already have the KG-805G and KG-805M. Looks like the 805F is imminent, and they have the KG-UV9G which is projected to have FCC approval yet this month according to the Better Save Radio site. One can now infer from the following link that they have multiple additional models on the horizon. For GMRS alone I see a 905G and 1000G model in the list. https://fcc.report/ELS/Cricket-Ventures-LLC/0591-EX-CN-2020 Cricket Ventures is the parent company of BuyTwoWayRadios.Com. For what it is worth, I own (2) KG-805G and would buy them again without hesitation. They are an incredible value at their price. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Agreed. If it were not for the commercial world of LMR radios, GMRS would not have any repeaters to use, which I understand is where GMRS started. The market is probably just too small for a repeater manufacturer to justify the added expense of type certification for GMRS given that, since its inception, Part 90 radios have been appropriate. I think FCC is probably more concerned with type certification for the products that are manufactured for the masses. And one of the things I have concluded that they do not want is radios in the hands of the masses that can be configured to perform outside FCC specifications. Theoretically speaking, a type certified GMRS radio is not supposed to be able to be changed by the user (front pane or via software) in anyway that would allow it to perform outside Part 95e limits. While the FCC may have a hard time cracking down on illegal use of portables, they most certainly can pull their weight with the manufacturers to control what they can and do sell. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It is all part of the journey. There are multiple facets to the issue. The first is licensure. If you have your license, step 1 complete. Second facet is equipment. As a licensed user, you are expected to use equipment that meets the requirements of the FCC for the services in which the equipment is used. This means frequencies, power, modulation type, bandwidth, frequency stability and more. The FCC is expecting users to use only equipment that has been been type-certified for GMRS. You can read the federal regulars here: https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/47/part-95/subpart-E or on the FCC website. Part 95e not only covers your obligations as a licensee, but it also covers the equipment. While some ham radio equipment (Part 97) may technically be capable of transmitting on GMRS, it is not legally permitted to be used there. There is some legacy Part 95a equipment that I believe may still be legal to use on GMRS and there is much Part 90 equipment that folks still use for GMRS because its performance is superior to current generation GMRS product. My conclusion from all learned to date is that the FCC seems to be turning a blind eye to the use of Part 90 equipment on GMRS because a) it used to be used to be legal for use there and it is far more superior to current GMRS equipment (and many times the price). In any case it must be programmed so it remains in compliance at all times. I own separate radios for amateur and GMRS operations so can remain legal on both fronts. Both radios are capable of transmitting only on the frequencies for the services in which they are certified, both are capable of listening on a whole lot more. As you read the posts in this forum, you will learn of some of the high quality products some are using. Purchasing used commercial Part 90 equipment seems to be a favorite. I recommend reading the FCC rules for GMRS. Things should become more (but not perfectly) clear. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Wouxun KG-805G. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk