mbrun

Love it! I recognize it is your money, your property, your right and only with your permission that I and others may use your property. Thank you for sharing the use of YOUR repeater. Use by my family would be the number one reason I would put up a repeater, if i could afford it. I too would want to share it with others so long as it was not illegally used or abused and remained available for my family use when we needed it. I was listening (partially heard) to a local net a couple of days when I heard an emotional announcement that the owner of a couple of high-profile repeaters in the area was shutting them down for reasons related to disrespect, inappropriate, improper (illegal?) use of radios and his/her equipment. Michael WRSH965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I admit this sounds like a fair question to ask. Perhaps certain protocols or best practices could be established regarding this. Michael WRSH965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

That is an EXCELLENT idea regarding setting a squelch tone for the undesired channel. I can’t believe that never crossed by mind. Thanks. I have many GXT1000 and have used them for scanning (and talking) for years. The Wouxun KG-805G radio has the ability for you to avoid scanning of any channel you want. It is an $80 radio, but still requires software to full by-pass the channel during scan. There is a new one pending FCC approval (KG-UV9G) that will have the ability to by-pass channels using the front panel controls. Price is estimated at $160+ Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes. Ground wires used for lighting protection and antenna grounding outdoors are typically without insulation. Less expensive and one less thing to catch fire if you hit. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Hello roc54, and welcome! I own multiple KG-805G and have 80+ memories configured for local repeaters and ready-made spots available to receive codes for repeaters when traveling. That is an excellent find regarding KG-816 in Chirp. I will need to give that a try. The software that came with the radio works, but it is a featureless dog of an application. Yes, I like the radio too and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Makes sense, and nice job. I am a new General myself and learned about the group in my studies. Sounds like something I could have fun doing as well. I would love to undergo the training. 73s Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Great job tracking them down, and keeping a level head and avoiding the confrontation. If it occurs again, and you have similar luck tracking them down once again, get photos (if possible), license plate information and address info to share with FCC. Amateur’s also have an official FCC sanctioned group that specializes in such tracking. If you have ham friends, perhaps one of them could help to engage the local tracking team to help. It could be fun for them, and their word/work carries weight. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Start a new thread, and if you want, add a link to that thread in a message within this one. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You will know your area better than I, but here is a list of repeaters in New York State. I only saw one for Long Island specifically, so I broadened my search include all New York repeaters registered here on MyGMRS. https://mygmrs.com/browse?name=&location=&state=NY&frequency=&output_tone=&input_tone=&type=&network=&ori=&travel=&sort=State&step=25 Enjoy. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The 712EFC will work as a repeater antenna and base station antenna. I bought it for use as a base station antenna. If you use a J-Pole Antenna it will work too, as long as you get one that is made for GMRS. J-Poles are designed to normally work on two different frequency bands, the 712EFC is designed for GMRS. The gain of the two antenna’s are different. Both are omnidirectional horizontally. Both will work at 40’. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I own a Comet 712EFC commercial GMRS antenna. It is an collinear design with omnidirectional horizontal coverage and 9dBi of gain, appropriate for me because my terrain is relatively flat. A cheap antenna high in the air and above the trees and other obstacles will almost certainly outperform a premium priced antenna mounted low to the ground surrounded by such obstacles. Remember, antenna height is your friend. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes and no. I have commented on some of my activities in other posts. At present, the highest I have been able to test has been 41’ to top of antenna. Still strategizing how I can the get the antenna to 60’ to button of antenna in a temporary manner at limited expense so more coverage tests can be performed. What I am wanting to determine is, if I clear the trees only marginally, will that get me the local simplex coverage I seek (solid coverage >= 3 miles base to HT and >= 9 miles base to mobile). If my simplex coverage does not increase notably at 60’, then I won’t go for the expense for permanent installation. I have been pondering the purchase of DX engineering 46’ telescoping mast, but that still does allow me to clear the trees. So yes, I am done testing for now. No, I have not completed testing at my desired height...yet. 73s Michael WRHS954 KE8PLM Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If you were successful, when you let off the PTT button, you should receive a signal without audio for about 1/2-2 seconds. This is because it is fairly common for the repeater to continue to Tx for a short duration after its input signal has gone away. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Glad you figured it out. The manuals for the GMRS and amateur radios less than optimum. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

All I can say is Wow! Thanks Berkinet for saying what was on my mind. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The Wouxun KG-805G, of which I own 2, has 128 memories for storing your choice of GMRS repeater pairs and squelch codes. Each memory can be custom named as well. The radio has full legal access to all 22 GMRS simplex channels plus the 8 main GMRS repeater input channels. Wouxun also has a new one expected to be released in October. A web search will turn it up. It is the KG-UV9G, a GMRS specific version of their KG-UV9D amateur radio. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

LScott, I appreciate you bringing this point to life. Having given it some thought, I am landing on the “Just because you could, does no mean you should” position. Some things settle out in time as “It is just good practice”. Why, because in time users determine that certain practices contribute to the best mix of mix of value. Just like there is value in the FCC rule which defines the center frequencies that must be used. Imagine the value of GMRS if a users could choose their center frequency within the GMRS spectrum. How friendly and useful would that be? The uncoordinated and inconsistent use of frequencies would lead to the death, not growth, of GMRS. In the amateur radio world, 5MHz offset are not mandated either, but after 100 years +/- Hams have settled on 5MHz as their best practice. Does not mean they can’t do something different? Each variable that gets thrown into the mix for using a radio makes it more difficult for more and more people and therefore increases the barrier to entry and persistence. As a systems engineer I personally have done a lot of things that were technically correct and very feasible, but in the end they contributed to reduced value for client. Less value because it made the system more difficult to understand, use and maintain and contributed little material to ultimate user. Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Regards, Michael WRSH965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes, you should find that factory pre-programmed radios already have the correct Tx frequency offset for repeater channels. When you are doing the programming, it is your responsibility make sure Tx is correct. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Sorry Dan, I don’t believe I understand your last question. Here are a couple of videos on the KG-805G that might prove helpful. If you have not watched these already, do so and they may provide further insight. Regarding Frequency, the KG-805G always and only displays the Rx frequency. Regardless of whether you are in repeater mode or not. When the radio is in repeater mode you will see a +- icon on the display. That is your way of knowing you are on a channel memory configured for repeater use. One thing I can tell you about the KG-805G is that you cannot add frequencies into memory without software if that is what you are trying to do. You can only change between memory locations that have the frequencies already stored in them. The KG-805G comes pre-programmed with 22 simplex frequencies in memories 1-22, and the 8 repeater frequency pairs programmed into memories 23-30. To use the radio with a repeater you need to do the following: 1) Learn the frequency of the repeater you want to connect to, then select that frequency on your radio (typically memory between 23-30). 2) Learn the CTCSS or DCS code required to connect to the repeater and enter it into the radio under the T-CTC or T-DCS menu option associate with that memory location. 3) Learn the CTCSS or DCS code required to open the squelch on your radio and enter that too into the R-CTC or R-DCS menu option for your memory location. 4) Make sure you are in good radio range of the working repeater, then press PTT and announce your call sign. If the Green light on the radio comes immediately after you release your PTT button that is a great indication you have connected to the repeater. I hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Danny, On an official GMRS radio you generally only see the receive frequency. For GMRS, the companion Tx frequency for repeater operation is always a standard (and FCC mandated) +5MHz above the Rx frequency. However, when using software, the software may require you to enter the correct Tx frequency. Michael WRHS965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You seem to have it backwards. For GMRS, the operating radio (your radio) receive frequency is always the lower of the two frequencies. So an HT configured for repeater will use the lower frequency to listen on, the higher frequency to transmit on. (This is what is called a positive offset) The repeater then does just the opposite. It listens on the higher frequency and transmits on the lower. If you are using the factory software for this radio, the listen frequency is the always the first frequency the software requires you to enter. Once you have a listen frequency, for simplex operation you enter the same frequency again or, for repeater operation, you enter the frequency 5MHz higher than your listen frequency. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Just wanted to add a little to this topic. On the amateur side of things I read in 95.207(e) that “Limiting the use of a repeater to only certain user stations is permissible.” So at least from an FCC perspective, amateurs too have the right to restrict use of their repeaters. And under 95.1705 of the GMRS regulations the following appears verbatim: (d) Individual licensee duties. The holder of an individual license: (1) Shall determine specifically which individuals, including family members, are allowed to operate (i.e., exercise operational control over) its GMRS station(s) (see paragraph © of this section); (2) May allow any person to use (i.e., benefit from the operation of) its GMRS repeater, or alternatively, may limit the use of its GMRS repeater to specific persons; (3) May disallow the use of its GMRS repeater by specific persons as may be necessary to carry out its responsibilities under this section. So it clearly seems the that it is an licensee’s choice whether a repeater is open to the public, or restricted. And perhaps this is made even more clear by the responsibility assigned by the FCC to the licensee to determining even which family members may use it’s station(s); of which the repeater is just one such station. In Cincinnati, there are multiple high-profile open repeaters. But there are also seems to be a multitude of lower-profile ones that are not listed or that are otherwise publicly listed as “permission only”. I have communicated with a couple repeater owners that require permission. One granted it, one did not. I’m ok with that. I don’t own them and am not subsidizing it. However, I would be happy to contribute to one(s) which provide value within my area of concern. 73s. Michael WRHS965. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I purchased a Comet 712EFC 9dBi commercial antenna that I will be putting on my house. The narrower vertical pattern of this antenna is appropriate for me given that the land around me is mostly flat for miles and my elevation is on par with the highest in the area. The measured SWR is better than manufacturer’s spec. No complaints at this time. I have an Midland MXTA-26 6dBi installed on my car and use it with the handheld. SWR measured SWR is better than manufacture spec. I have verified that it improves range when compared to all of the rubber ducks I have. I have, on multiple occasions now, worked the Cincinnati 700 repeater while driving between Cincinnati and Dayton on I-75. Best performance so far was about 38 miles with uninterrupted conversation the whole way. I also have a DIY 1/4-wave ground plane antenna and an Ed-Fong roll-up J-pole. Currently I use the Ed-Fong antenna indoors hooked up to my HT. Once the Comet gets installed, it will be used for camping and other outdoor events. I have had a few weekends where I have experimented with the antennas at my home. From there, I can break squelch on two repeaters with the HT and rubber duck alone, but usually with no usable audio. So clearly I am at the edge. As I switch through all the antennas (rubber ducks, the mobile, Ed-Fong, ground plane, and comet) I get in better and better according to the folks I radio tested with. Since I get in the best with the comet, clearly that extra gain is helpful. Even then, I still need to find an economical way to get the antenna high so I can hit the repeater solid and improve local simplex coverage which is a very small fraction of what I can get with the repeaters. Michael WRSH965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Danny, Yes, you would know you hit (and opened) the repeater if when you release the PTT you hear squelch tail from the repeater. Around me the tails seem to vary from 1/2-2 seconds, but always enough to know that I triggered it. I have limited ability to hit a repeater from my home with the HT. I have two repeaters that I can break squelch on, but most days my level into the repeater is less than usable. If I put the HT in the car and use the mobile antenna, then I can get it sufficiently to hold a conversation. Repeaters are about 20-26 miles away. Early on I was not sure if I was configured right, so I drove much closer to where I believed repeaters to be, made sure I could break squelch on it, opened a conversation and then drove towards home. This gave me as sense of coverage in my direction. Getting close gave the opportunity to change radio settings while in close proximity so I could rule out signal strength. As far as antennas, I have a bunch. For direct mount I have the Nagoya 771g and 701g, and the factory supplied one. I have been using the 771g when I take my daily walks because it give me just a tad more range. Maybe 5 percent more? Once I get my base antenna permanently installed at the home, I image I will drop down to the 701G on the HT in-order to loose some of the whip length of the 771. Michael WRSH965 Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

After you set it to Off, make sure to press Menu again. Pressing Menu is what saves the current setting. Exit cancels the operation. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk