mbrun

Welcome to myGMRS.

First, seven miles distance is very doable, even at low power, if the antennas of both stations are sufficiently elevated and minimum obstructions between them. Every single obstruction between the antenna degrades. In my location, semi-rural SE Cincinnati, 60% Trees, mostly-level to mildly rolling terrain, I can just reach my mobile from the home when home antenna is at 56’ AGL. You YMMV because of obstacles in your area.

There are four blocks of frequencies in GMRS as you can see in mack jack’s post. (7) 1/2W simplex, (7) 5W simplex, (8) 50W dual purpose repeater/simplex and (8) 50w repeater only input frequencies. The two groups of 8 are referred to as the GMRS “Main” frequencies in the FCC regs.

When and if you really need high-power simplex communication, you use the main frequencies in the 462.xxxx range. You can use any of those frequencies. In my case, my home simplex channel is 462.6500 (19). I use that one because there is not a high-profile active repeater in the area that is using it. And if one showed up, I could merely move to a less active frequency. I have 14 others to choose from.

I run 5w normally on simplex for normal comms. Seldom do I need or benefit from more. But I do kick it up to high-power when needed.

BTW, I am using a KG-1000G in the home, a Comet 712EFC GMRS antenna, real LMR400 coax and a heavy-duty 46’ push-up fiberglass antenna mast attached to the house. Multiple pictures of it on this forum.

Rest easy my friend. Yes, you can operate at 50watts simplex on GMRS if you really do need the power.

Regards,


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

The Red Cable should work just fine. The issue is with the software. Software needs to be run either in Admin’ or ‘Compatibility Mode’. There is a FAQ about it on the BTWR site.

As I recall, you can right click on the desktop shortcut for the 905 software and choose compatibility mode setting from on one of the tabs accessible from there.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2021/05/how-to-install-the-programming-cable-and-software-for-the-kg-905g.html

I recently learned that there was some prepper movement towards establishing a channel to use for a future SHTF event. It does not address GMRS specifically, but it does address FRS, so since they share the same frequencies it may be worth a look. Here is a link.
 
https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/3-3-3-radio-plan-for-shtf-communications/
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM
 
Edit. I reviewed list again, and they do advocate a GMRS frequency as well. 462.6000
 
 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Very good question. I am utterly amazed there has not been more talk about this topic. While I am not an expert on the subject I will share what I do know.

- There is no official need for DTMF in GMRS. It is a feature that can be used when you have a special need for it.
- DTMF codes are commonly used to remotely control repeaters and to control other electronics that might be monitoring the frequency.
- In some radio circles (outside GMRS) some repeaters and other radios might require both a tone burst to trigger a remote receiver to open up. This is a feature that equipment that long pre-dated CTCSS and DCS sometimes needed for operation. I know of no cases in GMRS where is applicable today. Perhaps someone else will have a current day example where it is being used.
- Sidetones refers to the feature of your radio that allows you, the operator, to hear the tones that your radio is sending out. This could be your radio’s ANI-ID, manual DTMF from button presses, or even select-call calling tones. The term ‘Sidetone’ comes from telephony and refers to the sound emitted from the ear piece portion of the phone. If you press a button on the phone’s keypad you will hear the tones from the ear piece. In your radio, when sidetones are not active you could very well be sending out DTMF tones and have no idea that you are. If you are using DTMF for anything, turn sidetones on so you know when and what you are sending.
- The ANI-ID on your radio is a number that you establish that identifies your radio. You have six digits available and values must be greater than 101.
- If you have ANI-ID turned on, when you press and/or release your PTT, your ANI-ID is sent out. The BOT, EOT and BOTH values you see in one of you radio’s function menus determines if your ANI-ID is sent out when you press PTT, release PTT or press and release.
- If a receiving radio has a DTMF decoder within it, your ANI-ID will appear on their display suggesting to them which radio is transmitting.
- The ‘Ring’ feature is one that, when properly enabled, allows other radios in your group to cause your radio to ring to attract your attention. For this to occur, the transmitting radio must have a valid ANI-ID value configured, the receiving radio must have an ANI-ID configured, and the transmitting radio also needs to have the receiving radio’s ANI-ID entered into the Call Group it is using. So, for example, if you have two radios, one with an ANI-ID 101 and another with an ANI-ID 102, radio 101 can cause radio 102 to ring, and radio 102 can cause radio 101 to ring. The Call Group fields are where you enter the ANI-ID of the various radios you want to be able to call/ring. Think of them like speed-dial memories. For radio 101 to call 102, radio 101 would have 102 in one of its Call Group cells.
- When you have one of your PF buttons configured to make a Call, that button causes two things to be sent out in rapid succession: your ANI-ID and the receiving radio’s ANI-ID. Using the 101 and 102 radio example above, this takes the form of ‘101#102’.
- Some wildcards are supported in Call Groups. Instead of entering ‘101’ in a Call Group, you could enter ‘1**’. The later would case all radios whose ANI-ID begins with ‘1’ to ring.
- Ringing is not enabled by default on Wouxun radios. One must expressly enable it.
- One way to enable ringing is to set the current channels SP-Mute mode to “QT*DT” or ‘QT*DTMF”. Since SP-MUTE is a channel-by-channel setting you can have some memory channels configured to ring when called and others that do not.
- ANI-ID needs to be programmed, but it does not need to be turned on to always send out to use the Select call feature.

I have found zero Wouxun documentation or videos that covers this. Admittedly I struggled for sometime trying to piece it together. Thanks to [mention=5881]IanM[/mention] who provided some enlightenment to help me bring it all into focus.

I have found some BF stuff that covers the subject a little, but terminology is slightly different.

These features have, in my view, practical use in large organized group and family outings. They have also had merit, and perhaps still do, in some LMR circles.

I recently have been configuring all my radios to have unique ANI-ID, and setting up Calling Groups.

I have yet to work to work out the specific details of the SP-Mute mode called ‘QT+DT’ or QT+DTMF. But my current understanding is that the radio will not break squelch until it hears an ANI-ID in DTMF form and then when it does there is some other unique behavior. I will soon be exploring that and documenting its behavior.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: If you to do some experimenting and to see things work with little complication do this:

1) Configure multiple Wouxun radios. Give each a unique ANI-ID starting a 101 and going up. Use 101 in your KG-935G.
2) Set each radio to GMRS channel 01 (462.5625), low power.
3) Make sure all radios are using the same CTCSS. Say 67.0 Tx and Rx.
4) Set the SP-MUTE mode for channel 01 on all radios to QT*DT.
5) On your KG-935G radio, enable sending out of the ANI-ID each time the PTT is pressed.
6) Turn all radios on.
7) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 102# and watch what happens. Then repeat using the ANI-ID for all other radios. This simulates a select call.
8) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 1** and watch what happens.
9) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press *# and watch what happens.

When you have made it this far and have seen ANI-ID show up on the radio displays and you have successfully experienced ringing, then move to programming your call groups in the radios if you decide you want to use them.

You may also wish to explore the different behaviors you get if some radios are in the 100 series, some in 200 series and some in the 300 series of ANI-ID values.

BTW, Despite PTT-ID being a menu option on the 805G, the ID is never sent out of that radio, nor will the radio ever display one if it receives one.

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

Very good question. I am utterly amazed there has not been more talk about this topic. While I am not an expert on the subject I will share what I do know.

- There is no official need for DTMF in GMRS. It is a feature that can be used when you have a special need for it.
- DTMF codes are commonly used to remotely control repeaters and to control other electronics that might be monitoring the frequency.
- In some radio circles (outside GMRS) some repeaters and other radios might require both a tone burst to trigger a remote receiver to open up. This is a feature that equipment that long pre-dated CTCSS and DCS sometimes needed for operation. I know of no cases in GMRS where is applicable today. Perhaps someone else will have a current day example where it is being used.
- Sidetones refers to the feature of your radio that allows you, the operator, to hear the tones that your radio is sending out. This could be your radio’s ANI-ID, manual DTMF from button presses, or even select-call calling tones. The term ‘Sidetone’ comes from telephony and refers to the sound emitted from the ear piece portion of the phone. If you press a button on the phone’s keypad you will hear the tones from the ear piece. In your radio, when sidetones are not active you could very well be sending out DTMF tones and have no idea that you are. If you are using DTMF for anything, turn sidetones on so you know when and what you are sending.
- The ANI-ID on your radio is a number that you establish that identifies your radio. You have six digits available and values must be greater than 101.
- If you have ANI-ID turned on, when you press and/or release your PTT, your ANI-ID is sent out. The BOT, EOT and BOTH values you see in one of you radio’s function menus determines if your ANI-ID is sent out when you press PTT, release PTT or press and release.
- If a receiving radio has a DTMF decoder within it, your ANI-ID will appear on their display suggesting to them which radio is transmitting.
- The ‘Ring’ feature is one that, when properly enabled, allows other radios in your group to cause your radio to ring to attract your attention. For this to occur, the transmitting radio must have a valid ANI-ID value configured, the receiving radio must have an ANI-ID configured, and the transmitting radio also needs to have the receiving radio’s ANI-ID entered into the Call Group it is using. So, for example, if you have two radios, one with an ANI-ID 101 and another with an ANI-ID 102, radio 101 can cause radio 102 to ring, and radio 102 can cause radio 101 to ring. The Call Group fields are where you enter the ANI-ID of the various radios you want to be able to call/ring. Think of them like speed-dial memories. For radio 101 to call 102, radio 101 would have 102 in one of its Call Group cells.
- When you have one of your PF buttons configured to make a Call, that button causes two things to be sent out in rapid succession: your ANI-ID and the receiving radio’s ANI-ID. Using the 101 and 102 radio example above, this takes the form of ‘101#102’.
- Some wildcards are supported in Call Groups. Instead of entering ‘101’ in a Call Group, you could enter ‘1**’. The later would case all radios whose ANI-ID begins with ‘1’ to ring.
- Ringing is not enabled by default on Wouxun radios. One must expressly enable it.
- One way to enable ringing is to set the current channels SP-Mute mode to “QT*DT” or ‘QT*DTMF”. Since SP-MUTE is a channel-by-channel setting you can have some memory channels configured to ring when called and others that do not.
- ANI-ID needs to be programmed, but it does not need to be turned on to always send out to use the Select call feature.

I have found zero Wouxun documentation or videos that covers this. Admittedly I struggled for sometime trying to piece it together. Thanks to [mention=5881]IanM[/mention] who provided some enlightenment to help me bring it all into focus.

I have found some BF stuff that covers the subject a little, but terminology is slightly different.

These features have, in my view, practical use in large organized group and family outings. They have also had merit, and perhaps still do, in some LMR circles.

I recently have been configuring all my radios to have unique ANI-ID, and setting up Calling Groups.

I have yet to work to work out the specific details of the SP-Mute mode called ‘QT+DT’ or QT+DTMF. But my current understanding is that the radio will not break squelch until it hears an ANI-ID in DTMF form and then when it does there is some other unique behavior. I will soon be exploring that and documenting its behavior.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: If you to do some experimenting and to see things work with little complication do this:

1) Configure multiple Wouxun radios. Give each a unique ANI-ID starting a 101 and going up. Use 101 in your KG-935G.
2) Set each radio to GMRS channel 01 (462.5625), low power.
3) Make sure all radios are using the same CTCSS. Say 67.0 Tx and Rx.
4) Set the SP-MUTE mode for channel 01 on all radios to QT*DT.
5) On your KG-935G radio, enable sending out of the ANI-ID each time the PTT is pressed.
6) Turn all radios on.
7) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 102# and watch what happens. Then repeat using the ANI-ID for all other radios. This simulates a select call.
8) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 1** and watch what happens.
9) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press *# and watch what happens.

When you have made it this far and have seen ANI-ID show up on the radio displays and you have successfully experienced ringing, then move to programming your call groups in the radios if you decide you want to use them.

You may also wish to explore the different behaviors you get if some radios are in the 100 series, some in 200 series and some in the 300 series of ANI-ID values.

BTW, Despite PTT-ID being a menu option on the 805G, the ID is never sent out of that radio, nor will the radio ever display one if it receives one.

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

Very good question. I am utterly amazed there has not been more talk about this topic. While I am not an expert on the subject I will share what I do know.

- There is no official need for DTMF in GMRS. It is a feature that can be used when you have a special need for it.
- DTMF codes are commonly used to remotely control repeaters and to control other electronics that might be monitoring the frequency.
- In some radio circles (outside GMRS) some repeaters and other radios might require both a tone burst to trigger a remote receiver to open up. This is a feature that equipment that long pre-dated CTCSS and DCS sometimes needed for operation. I know of no cases in GMRS where is applicable today. Perhaps someone else will have a current day example where it is being used.
- Sidetones refers to the feature of your radio that allows you, the operator, to hear the tones that your radio is sending out. This could be your radio’s ANI-ID, manual DTMF from button presses, or even select-call calling tones. The term ‘Sidetone’ comes from telephony and refers to the sound emitted from the ear piece portion of the phone. If you press a button on the phone’s keypad you will hear the tones from the ear piece. In your radio, when sidetones are not active you could very well be sending out DTMF tones and have no idea that you are. If you are using DTMF for anything, turn sidetones on so you know when and what you are sending.
- The ANI-ID on your radio is a number that you establish that identifies your radio. You have six digits available and values must be greater than 101.
- If you have ANI-ID turned on, when you press and/or release your PTT, your ANI-ID is sent out. The BOT, EOT and BOTH values you see in one of you radio’s function menus determines if your ANI-ID is sent out when you press PTT, release PTT or press and release.
- If a receiving radio has a DTMF decoder within it, your ANI-ID will appear on their display suggesting to them which radio is transmitting.
- The ‘Ring’ feature is one that, when properly enabled, allows other radios in your group to cause your radio to ring to attract your attention. For this to occur, the transmitting radio must have a valid ANI-ID value configured, the receiving radio must have an ANI-ID configured, and the transmitting radio also needs to have the receiving radio’s ANI-ID entered into the Call Group it is using. So, for example, if you have two radios, one with an ANI-ID 101 and another with an ANI-ID 102, radio 101 can cause radio 102 to ring, and radio 102 can cause radio 101 to ring. The Call Group fields are where you enter the ANI-ID of the various radios you want to be able to call/ring. Think of them like speed-dial memories. For radio 101 to call 102, radio 101 would have 102 in one of its Call Group cells.
- When you have one of your PF buttons configured to make a Call, that button causes two things to be sent out in rapid succession: your ANI-ID and the receiving radio’s ANI-ID. Using the 101 and 102 radio example above, this takes the form of ‘101#102’.
- Some wildcards are supported in Call Groups. Instead of entering ‘101’ in a Call Group, you could enter ‘1**’. The later would case all radios whose ANI-ID begins with ‘1’ to ring.
- Ringing is not enabled by default on Wouxun radios. One must expressly enable it.
- One way to enable ringing is to set the current channels SP-Mute mode to “QT*DT” or ‘QT*DTMF”. Since SP-MUTE is a channel-by-channel setting you can have some memory channels configured to ring when called and others that do not.
- ANI-ID needs to be programmed, but it does not need to be turned on to always send out to use the Select call feature.

I have found zero Wouxun documentation or videos that covers this. Admittedly I struggled for sometime trying to piece it together. Thanks to [mention=5881]IanM[/mention] who provided some enlightenment to help me bring it all into focus.

I have found some BF stuff that covers the subject a little, but terminology is slightly different.

These features have, in my view, practical use in large organized group and family outings. They have also had merit, and perhaps still do, in some LMR circles.

I recently have been configuring all my radios to have unique ANI-ID, and setting up Calling Groups.

I have yet to work to work out the specific details of the SP-Mute mode called ‘QT+DT’ or QT+DTMF. But my current understanding is that the radio will not break squelch until it hears an ANI-ID in DTMF form and then when it does there is some other unique behavior. I will soon be exploring that and documenting its behavior.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: If you to do some experimenting and to see things work with little complication do this:

1) Configure multiple Wouxun radios. Give each a unique ANI-ID starting a 101 and going up. Use 101 in your KG-935G.
2) Set each radio to GMRS channel 01 (462.5625), low power.
3) Make sure all radios are using the same CTCSS. Say 67.0 Tx and Rx.
4) Set the SP-MUTE mode for channel 01 on all radios to QT*DT.
5) On your KG-935G radio, enable sending out of the ANI-ID each time the PTT is pressed.
6) Turn all radios on.
7) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 102# and watch what happens. Then repeat using the ANI-ID for all other radios. This simulates a select call.
8) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 1** and watch what happens.
9) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press *# and watch what happens.

When you have made it this far and have seen ANI-ID show up on the radio displays and you have successfully experienced ringing, then move to programming your call groups in the radios if you decide you want to use them.

You may also wish to explore the different behaviors you get if some radios are in the 100 series, some in 200 series and some in the 300 series of ANI-ID values.

BTW, Despite PTT-ID being a menu option on the 805G, the ID is never sent out of that radio, nor will the radio ever display one if it receives one.

Very good question. I am utterly amazed there has not been more talk about this topic. While I am not an expert on the subject I will share what I do know.

- There is no official need for DTMF in GMRS. It is a feature that can be used when you have a special need for it.
- DTMF codes are commonly used to remotely control repeaters and to control other electronics that might be monitoring the frequency.
- In some radio circles (outside GMRS) some repeaters and other radios might require both a tone burst to trigger a remote receiver to open up. This is a feature that equipment that long pre-dated CTCSS and DCS sometimes needed for operation. I know of no cases in GMRS where is applicable today. Perhaps someone else will have a current day example where it is being used.
- Sidetones refers to the feature of your radio that allows you, the operator, to hear the tones that your radio is sending out. This could be your radio’s ANI-ID, manual DTMF from button presses, or even select-call calling tones. The term ‘Sidetone’ comes from telephony and refers to the sound emitted from the ear piece portion of the phone. If you press a button on the phone’s keypad you will hear the tones from the ear piece. In your radio, when sidetones are not active you could very well be sending out DTMF tones and have no idea that you are. If you are using DTMF for anything, turn sidetones on so you know when and what you are sending.
- The ANI-ID on your radio is a number that you establish that identifies your radio. You have six digits available and values must be greater than 101.
- If you have ANI-ID turned on, when you press and/or release your PTT, your ANI-ID is sent out. The BOT, EOT and BOTH values you see in one of you radio’s function menus determines if your ANI-ID is sent out when you press PTT, release PTT or press and release.
- If a receiving radio has a DTMF decoder within it, your ANI-ID will appear on their display suggesting to them which radio is transmitting.
- The ‘Ring’ feature is one that, when properly enabled, allows other radios in your group to cause your radio to ring to attract your attention. For this to occur, the transmitting radio must have a valid ANI-ID value configured, the receiving radio must have an ANI-ID configured, and the transmitting radio also needs to have the receiving radio’s ANI-ID entered into the Call Group it is using. So, for example, if you have two radios, one with an ANI-ID 101 and another with an ANI-ID 102, radio 101 can cause radio 102 to ring, and radio 102 can cause radio 101 to ring. The Call Group fields are where you enter the ANI-ID of the various radios you want to be able to call/ring. Think of them like speed-dial memories. For radio 101 to call 102, radio 101 would have 102 in one of its Call Group cells.
- When you have one of your PF buttons configured to make a Call, that button causes two things to be sent out in rapid succession: your ANI-ID and the receiving radio’s ANI-ID. Using the 101 and 102 radio example above, this takes the form of ‘101#102’.
- Some wildcards are supported in Call Groups. Instead of entering ‘101’ in a Call Group, you could enter ‘1**’. The later would case all radios whose ANI-ID begins with ‘1’ to ring.
- Ringing is not enabled by default on Wouxun radios. One must expressly enable it.
- One way to enable ringing is to set the current channels SP-Mute mode to “QT*DT” or ‘QT*DTMF”. Since SP-MUTE is a channel-by-channel setting you can have some memory channels configured to ring when called and others that do not.
- ANI-ID needs to be programmed, but it does not need to be turned on to always send out to use the Select call feature.

I have found zero Wouxun documentation or videos that covers this. Admittedly I struggled for sometime trying to piece it together. Thanks to [mention=5881]IanM[/mention] who provided some enlightenment to help me bring it all into focus.

I have found some BF stuff that covers the subject a little, but terminology is slightly different.

These features have, in my view, practical use in large organized group and family outings. They have also had merit, and perhaps still do, in some LMR circles.

I recently have been configuring all my radios to have unique ANI-ID, and setting up Calling Groups.

I have yet to work to work out the specific details of the SP-Mute mode called ‘QT+DT’ or QT+DTMF. But my current understanding is that the radio will not break squelch until it hears an ANI-ID in DTMF form and then when it does there is some other unique behavior. I will soon be exploring that and documenting its behavior.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: If you to do some experimenting and to see things work with little complication do this:

1) Configure multiple Wouxun radios. Give each a unique ANI-ID starting a 101 and going up. Use 101 in your KG-935G.
2) Set each radio to GMRS channel 01 (462.5625), low power.
3) Make sure all radios are using the same CTCSS. Say 67.0 Tx and Rx.
4) Set the SP-MUTE mode for channel 01 on all radios to QT*DT.
5) On your KG-935G radio, enable sending out of the ANI-ID each time the PTT is pressed.
6) Turn all radios on.
7) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 102# and watch what happens. Then repeat using the ANI-ID for all other radios. This simulates a select call.
8) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 1** and watch what happens.
9) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press *# and watch what happens.

When you have made it this far and have seen ANI-ID show up on the radio displays and you have successfully experienced ringing, then move to programming your call groups in the radios if you decide you want to use them.

You may also wish to explore the different behaviors you get if some radios are in the 100 series, some in 200 series and some in the 300 series of ANI-ID values.

BTW, Despite PTT-ID being a menu option on the 805G, the ID is never sent out of that radio, nor will the radio ever display one if it receives one.

Here is a general video on the subject within the context of ham radio. You may find it informative.





Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

I use the antenna. Currently installed at 40+ feet. LMR400 into the radio shack, then adapter cable to radio. Excellent SWR at the antenna and in shack. No complaints.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

The following post got me to thinking about how much current the Wouxun mobile radios might be drawing from the vehicle battery if left connected.
 
Wouxun 805G Battery Drain
https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink/topic?share_fid=112680&share_tid=3397&url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums%2Emygmrs%2Ecom%2Findex%2Ephp%3F%2Ftopic%2F3397-Wouxun-805G-Battery-Drain&share_type=t&link_source=app
 
I decided to put the amp meter on the radio and take two measurements. One with the radio On and scanning using both receivers and one with the radio powered off.
 
- Radio turned on, scanning, but not reproducing audio: 410mA (.41A).
- Radio powered off: 31mA (.031A).
 
So, similar to the handheld radio in the reference post, if the radio is left connected to the battery it will draw down the battery. If left connected long enough, it will completely discharge the battery; how long it takes is clearly of function of battery type and capacity.
 
This residual draw is not terribly significant if the vehicle is being used regularly. However, if you have a vehicle that perhaps is sitting idle for an extended period, perhaps as I had during the pandemic, the residual load is going to discharge the battery at a faster rate than if the battery was not connected to anything. The residual loads of one of my vehicles caused a two-year old battery to go completely dead 3 times during the pandemic.
 
Worth noting.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Welcome to myGMRS.

I own many of the GXT1000 radios. They will permit you to hear, but not talk on repeaters. They are designed for simplex communication only, and are in the same league as bubble pack FRS radios.

The FRS and GMRS share 22 frequencies, all of which are used for 2-way simplex communication (radio-to-radio). Because the two services share these 22 frequencies FRS and GMRS radios may intercommunicate in the same way that FRS-to-FRS radios can.
The gem of the GMRS is that repeaters are allowed, and to support this the FCC has allocated 8 additional frequencies that are reserved for communication to and through a repeater. The GXT1000 does not have those frequencies.

A repeater uses two frequencies. One that is listens on, one that it transmits on. A repeater-capable GMRS radio will have the ability to use two frequencies as well. When communicating through a repeater your radio will also transmit on one frequency and receive on another. If, for example, your handheld is working is working a 575 repeater, then your radio would transmit on 467.5750 MHz, the repeater will receive your signal on 467.5750 MHz and then retransmit it on 462.5750 MHz and your radio and others will receive it on the 462.5750 MHz frequency as well. This is called Duplex communications.

You can hear the repeaters on you GXT1000 because the 8 frequencies that repeaters transmit on are 8 of the same frequencies also used for simplex communications. So, the bottom line for you is that if you wish to communicate through repeaters you will need the following:
- A repeater-capable radio.
- Permission from the repeater owner to use their repeater.
- Correct programming of the radio so that is transmitting on the correct frequency using the CTCSS or DCS code given to you by the repeater owner, and receiving on the frequency that the repeater transmits on.
- Operate within the usable 2-way coverage range of the repeater and your radio.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

I recently learned that there was some prepper movement towards establishing a channel to use for a future SHTF event. It does not address GMRS specifically, but it does address FRS, so since they share the same frequencies it may be worth a look. Here is a link.
 
https://radiofreeq.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/3-3-3-radio-plan-for-shtf-communications/
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM
 
Edit. I reviewed list again, and they do advocate a GMRS frequency as well. 462.6000
 
 
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If you’re looking for simplicity, familiarity, ease of remembering for the masses then what about FRS/GMRS ‘19’ (462.650) simplex, no tone. Those from the CB world can easily relate to it because 19 has been engrained in our culture for 50+ years. Simplex to keep the radio traffic mostly local to you and ensure greatest pubic participation (FRS and GRMS) and because it does not rely on repeaters you may need permission to access. No tone because the masses will struggle to remember it and how to set it while traveling and because a tone is also not set in most radios on their channels when purchased.

The downside to this frequency choice is that it is one of the high-power repeater frequencies and it will at times interfere with some folks being able to receive the repeater. A downside to not using a tone is that cheap legal radios will have no standard squelch control. As radio noise picks up, the users will be faced with more un-squelched audio they may find undesirable.

All-in-all, I would predict 19 could have the greatest chance of success for the reasons I gave paragraph one.

If some individuals repeater owners wish to specifically support travelers, they can either choose to support it on 650 (PL in, No PL out), or in the form of the alternate 675 with the 141.3 traveling tone as a quiet room for licensed traveling users to side-bar.

For me, in reality, I would likely not monitor the channel once radio traffic picked up substantially, and definitely not once the CB trash-talk emerges, except perhaps during extended traffic slow-down situations.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Here is a general video on the subject within the context of ham radio. You may find it informative.





Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

By ‘monitor option’ are you referring to the ability to manually open squelch and monitor the frequency regardless of tone settings? If so, the radio does have that. The small button on the mic, located below the PTT button, does just that.

Regarding SWR, SWR values change based on the frequency used for the test. Based on the tuning of the specific antenna, the best SWR reading may be obtained higher or lower in its operational range. A key point however is that SWR has zero to do with the radio being used and everything to do with the antenna system (coax/feed-line and antenna). So if you are using an inline SWR meter (the typical type) between radio and your antenna system, the SWR should not change whether you are using a $50 radio or $1000 radio so long as both of them are outputing the same frequency for the test.

In repeater mode your radio is transmitting on 467.xxxx frequencies. In simplex mode your radio is transmitting on 462.xxxx frequencies. If you have better SWR on the simplex channels then your antenna is better tuned to those frequencies.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Yes. But in reality it is not that big of a deal (IMO).

I am both a licensed amateur and GMRSr. Because of the large volume of amateur repeaters in my region, I did find it helpful to be able to download all of the area repeaters from repeater book via Chirp and the organize them for my radio. But 1/2 of them have no published tones, so I can’t use them unless I contact the owner. In contrast, the number of open-to-the-public GMRS repeaters in Cincinnati and Dayton is about a dozen, and 1/2 of them are not in any public GMRS database. Regardless, in about 15 minutes or less I can program a radio for them. Not a big time investment.

I also developed a pattern for programming all my GMRS radios to make it simple to add new repeaters on the fly to handle those that may exist in a city I travel to. That technique involves creating a series of several dozen place holder memories pre-configured for standard repeater pair frequencies (labeled 550A-G through 725-A-G). If I travel to say Columbus or Cleveland, I already have plenty of empty repeater pairs in my radio. All I need to do is enter the CTCSS/DCS tones via radio FP controls and I am good to go.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Very good question. I am utterly amazed there has not been more talk about this topic. While I am not an expert on the subject I will share what I do know.

- There is no official need for DTMF in GMRS. It is a feature that can be used when you have a special need for it.
- DTMF codes are commonly used to remotely control repeaters and to control other electronics that might be monitoring the frequency.
- In some radio circles (outside GMRS) some repeaters and other radios might require both a tone burst to trigger a remote receiver to open up. This is a feature that equipment that long pre-dated CTCSS and DCS sometimes needed for operation. I know of no cases in GMRS where is applicable today. Perhaps someone else will have a current day example where it is being used.
- Sidetones refers to the feature of your radio that allows you, the operator, to hear the tones that your radio is sending out. This could be your radio’s ANI-ID, manual DTMF from button presses, or even select-call calling tones. The term ‘Sidetone’ comes from telephony and refers to the sound emitted from the ear piece portion of the phone. If you press a button on the phone’s keypad you will hear the tones from the ear piece. In your radio, when sidetones are not active you could very well be sending out DTMF tones and have no idea that you are. If you are using DTMF for anything, turn sidetones on so you know when and what you are sending.
- The ANI-ID on your radio is a number that you establish that identifies your radio. You have six digits available and values must be greater than 101.
- If you have ANI-ID turned on, when you press and/or release your PTT, your ANI-ID is sent out. The BOT, EOT and BOTH values you see in one of you radio’s function menus determines if your ANI-ID is sent out when you press PTT, release PTT or press and release.
- If a receiving radio has a DTMF decoder within it, your ANI-ID will appear on their display suggesting to them which radio is transmitting.
- The ‘Ring’ feature is one that, when properly enabled, allows other radios in your group to cause your radio to ring to attract your attention. For this to occur, the transmitting radio must have a valid ANI-ID value configured, the receiving radio must have an ANI-ID configured, and the transmitting radio also needs to have the receiving radio’s ANI-ID entered into the Call Group it is using. So, for example, if you have two radios, one with an ANI-ID 101 and another with an ANI-ID 102, radio 101 can cause radio 102 to ring, and radio 102 can cause radio 101 to ring. The Call Group fields are where you enter the ANI-ID of the various radios you want to be able to call/ring. Think of them like speed-dial memories. For radio 101 to call 102, radio 101 would have 102 in one of its Call Group cells.
- When you have one of your PF buttons configured to make a Call, that button causes two things to be sent out in rapid succession: your ANI-ID and the receiving radio’s ANI-ID. Using the 101 and 102 radio example above, this takes the form of ‘101#102’.
- Some wildcards are supported in Call Groups. Instead of entering ‘101’ in a Call Group, you could enter ‘1**’. The later would case all radios whose ANI-ID begins with ‘1’ to ring.
- Ringing is not enabled by default on Wouxun radios. One must expressly enable it.
- One way to enable ringing is to set the current channels SP-Mute mode to “QT*DT” or ‘QT*DTMF”. Since SP-MUTE is a channel-by-channel setting you can have some memory channels configured to ring when called and others that do not.
- ANI-ID needs to be programmed, but it does not need to be turned on to always send out to use the Select call feature.

I have found zero Wouxun documentation or videos that covers this. Admittedly I struggled for sometime trying to piece it together. Thanks to [mention=5881]IanM[/mention] who provided some enlightenment to help me bring it all into focus.

I have found some BF stuff that covers the subject a little, but terminology is slightly different.

These features have, in my view, practical use in large organized group and family outings. They have also had merit, and perhaps still do, in some LMR circles.

I recently have been configuring all my radios to have unique ANI-ID, and setting up Calling Groups.

I have yet to work to work out the specific details of the SP-Mute mode called ‘QT+DT’ or QT+DTMF. But my current understanding is that the radio will not break squelch until it hears an ANI-ID in DTMF form and then when it does there is some other unique behavior. I will soon be exploring that and documenting its behavior.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Edit: If you to do some experimenting and to see things work with little complication do this:

1) Configure multiple Wouxun radios. Give each a unique ANI-ID starting a 101 and going up. Use 101 in your KG-935G.
2) Set each radio to GMRS channel 01 (462.5625), low power.
3) Make sure all radios are using the same CTCSS. Say 67.0 Tx and Rx.
4) Set the SP-MUTE mode for channel 01 on all radios to QT*DT.
5) On your KG-935G radio, enable sending out of the ANI-ID each time the PTT is pressed.
6) Turn all radios on.
7) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 102# and watch what happens. Then repeat using the ANI-ID for all other radios. This simulates a select call.
8) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press 1** and watch what happens.
9) Press PTT on the KG-935G and immediately press *# and watch what happens.

When you have made it this far and have seen ANI-ID show up on the radio displays and you have successfully experienced ringing, then move to programming your call groups in the radios if you decide you want to use them.

You may also wish to explore the different behaviors you get if some radios are in the 100 series, some in 200 series and some in the 300 series of ANI-ID values.

BTW, Despite PTT-ID being a menu option on the 805G, the ID is never sent out of that radio, nor will the radio ever display one if it receives one.

Welcome to myGMRS.

I own many of the GXT1000 radios. They will permit you to hear, but not talk on repeaters. They are designed for simplex communication only, and are in the same league as bubble pack FRS radios.

The FRS and GMRS share 22 frequencies, all of which are used for 2-way simplex communication (radio-to-radio). Because the two services share these 22 frequencies FRS and GMRS radios may intercommunicate in the same way that FRS-to-FRS radios can.
The gem of the GMRS is that repeaters are allowed, and to support this the FCC has allocated 8 additional frequencies that are reserved for communication to and through a repeater. The GXT1000 does not have those frequencies.

A repeater uses two frequencies. One that is listens on, one that it transmits on. A repeater-capable GMRS radio will have the ability to use two frequencies as well. When communicating through a repeater your radio will also transmit on one frequency and receive on another. If, for example, your handheld is working is working a 575 repeater, then your radio would transmit on 467.5750 MHz, the repeater will receive your signal on 467.5750 MHz and then retransmit it on 462.5750 MHz and your radio and others will receive it on the 462.5750 MHz frequency as well. This is called Duplex communications.

You can hear the repeaters on you GXT1000 because the 8 frequencies that repeaters transmit on are 8 of the same frequencies also used for simplex communications. So, the bottom line for you is that if you wish to communicate through repeaters you will need the following:
- A repeater-capable radio.
- Permission from the repeater owner to use their repeater.
- Correct programming of the radio so that is transmitting on the correct frequency using the CTCSS or DCS code given to you by the repeater owner, and receiving on the frequency that the repeater transmits on.
- Operate within the usable 2-way coverage range of the repeater and your radio.

Hope this helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Welcome to myGRMS.

From a portability standpoint, the FRS & GMRS radios are smaller than the CD handhelds have historically been. And because they operate in the UHF band their antennas are naturally much smaller.

FRS and GMRS both use FM modulation which means that atmospheric static is not introduced into the audio. CB(CBRS) using AM, USB, LSB. FM has recently been approved by the FCC for use in the CBRS, so in time that difference will become moot.

FRS and GMRS hardware supports squelch codes (CTCSS & DCS) that give you and your group the ability to prevent the squelch on your radios from opening except when a transmitter using that code transmits. So if you are on a camping trip and your family all uses CTCSS 67.0, you will only hear radios that use that code.

FRS and GMRS are not subjected to the gross degree of daily signal propagation changes that affect your range and the ability to communicate locally as CB is. Don’t expect skip to suddenly permit you to talk to Texas from New York because of temporarily atmospheric condition change. But you may experience conditions were perhaps you can talk another town or two away.

FRS and GMRS radios can mostly interoperate because they share 22 or 30 frequencies in common.

GMRS radios are permitted to use wide-band modulation, which can give some GMRS radios an audio quality advantage over FRS. FRS is limited to narrow-band modulation.

GMRS requires a FCC license whereas CBRS and FRS do not.

The GMRS service permits use of radios up to 50 watts. FRS maxes out at 2 and CBRS maxes out at 4.

The GMRS allows for the use of repeaters. Repeaters make it to possible to increase the usable coverage range, most notably when the repeater is installed in a prime high location. It is not uncommon to have repeaters that cover an entire City, even some that will make it possible for two handhelds 40 miles and more apart to communicate.

A GMRS license gives you the permission you need to put up and operate your own repeater.

Antennas for GMRS do not have the 20’ above building or tree rule that the CBRS is subjected to. Instead, height limit rules are the same as for Cell Towers, TV Towers and other tall structures where the FAA rules dominate. If you can afford to put up a 200’ tower and get approved to do so from your local AHJ you can put it up.

Regarding hardware. FCC rules require the use of part 95 certified hardware for CBRS, FRS and GMRS. Each service has its own set of technical certification criteria. I know of no equipment that is dual-service certified. This does not mean there is not hardware that can be modified to operate on two or more services, just that doing so violates your authority to use it. Many, including some members of this forum, choose to operate outside the rules.

Hopefully this information is useful.

Regards, and again, welcome to myGMRS.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

It just got to wondering how many KG-1000G owners are actually familiar with and use the Priority Channel feature on this radio. So this post is for you.

If you a KG-1000G owner, are you aware that you can set a priority channel? Are you aware that, unlike many other radios, even when you are tuned to different channel, and even when both of your receivers are tuned to different channels, that transmissions from your designated priority channel will still come through? Did you realize it will do this when you are not scanning?

It is a very cool and useful feature. Yes, it requires the software to preset the channel, but once the channel has been set you can enable and disable the feature from the radio. It makes it sort of like a poor mans “Three-Watch” (as contrasted with Dual-Watch) radio. Of course, poor is relative.

When the feature is enabled (function menu 23), the radio checks the priority channel in the background every few seconds. If a transmission is detected, the priority channel breaks through, no matter what channel(s) you may currently be tuned to.

Admittedly it has some weaknesses. Recently I submitted recommendations for improvement to make it more useful and convenient to set up.

Since this a tips and tricks thread, I thought I would pass this on.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Assuming the meter is working correctly, and installed in circuit correctly then there is a problem with your antenna system (feed-line, adapters and antenna). Now begins the process of elimination. You may wish to try your measurements again using the shortest possible cable length and different adapters as you have them available to see if results change.

I am not a fan of cut-by-chart trimming of antennas. When an antenna is known to be long for its intended purpose, I prefer to trim a little and measure, then repeat as necessary so as to sneak up on the target value. Doing so helps you know where you are getting close (because SWR gets better with each snip) but also when you have gone too far (because SWR starts to rise). Be aware that at high frequencies, minute length changes can cause big changes.

It is possible that you may already snipped it too much, but also that you have not snipped it enough. Further, If you are testing using repeater input frequencies (467 MHz range) and the antenna is actually tuned for 462 MHz range, then the 467 numbers will appear higher than the 462 numbers.

Snipping of course should only be done on a basic antenna, or one that is, by design, intended for sniping and/or you have advanced knowledge antenna designs. I don’t own your specific antenna, so I cannot cannot from experience comment if it is designed for cutting or not.

For what is is worth, there no such thing as an SWR of less than 1. The first number is always 1 or greater, and the second number is always 1. Collectively they would appear as follows: 1.5:1, 1:1, 1.15:1, 4.7:1, etc. So .8:1, 0.5:1, 1.25:2 are all examples of invalid SWR values.

Hope there is a little nugget of assistance in there.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

To create groups you will need the software. But you can select the ‘ALL’ scan group on the radio and remove the channels you don’t want scanned. Each channel has a setting that allows you say if you do or do not want it scanned. No software needed for that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice observation.
 
Don’t let the SWR power reading mislead you. I have that same meter. The readings I get when using that meter with an antenna will at times appear as though less power is being put out and at times more power is being put out. However, when I replace the antenna with a purely resistive dummy load, that same meter has shown consistently that power of all my radios to be within a 1-5% of what the manufacturer’s rating is.
 
One time I was using the meter with a 5-watt HT. Radio measured 4.9+ watts into the dummy load but about 8.9 watts into an antenna. Wow, big difference. Bottom line, don’t trust the power readings you get with that meter while using an antenna. Give the readings you obtain while using a dummy load more weight. After all, that is how the factory determines power too.
 
Just a little nugget of experience for you. Hope it helps.
 
Regards,
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM