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WRCQ487

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Posts posted by WRCQ487

  1. 13 hours ago, Riktar said:

    That should not be a problem since I have a specific set of mixed (repeater and simplex) channels that I seldom change. The ability to set volume control for either speaker is paramount to this project.

    I know what you mean, I originally used the high side input for a external speaker and quickly found out that was not going to work and switched it the other way. 

  2. 6 hours ago, Riktar said:

    Thanks for confirming the volume question!

    I never considered that possibility. I will check the back the manual for my TK-8180 and see if the back ports have that same capability!

    One draw back is that you can't change channels from the remote area, it's not really a problem for me because I use it for family communication and not really bouncing around simplex or local repeaters channels. 

  3. So I do that very same thing with my Motorola CDM1250. They have a jack in the back that allows for a second mic and speaker. I use the low output side for the second speaker along with a set of amplified computer speaker so that I have separate volume controls. I have three base units. One at the front of the house with the unit in the leaving room with a second mic and speaker on the front porch. The second base unit is in the back of the house with the unit in the office with a second mic and speaker in our up stairs bedroom. The third unit is in the unattached garage with a second mic and speaker outside in the back yard, so no matter were you are at you can hear it and transmit back. 

     

    This is the kit I use. 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/120938110357?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=2EZBpsHPQDa&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=U2rvV5ATT8G&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

     

    This is the speakers I use. 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/185624807591?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=75Sw-arjSmK&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=U2rvV5ATT8G&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=MORE

    IMG_20230814_163450.jpg

  4. So you are hearing the Chain of lakes repeater which is a out 20 miles from you. A HT may be a stretch to reach it but a mobile or base unit would have no problem.  https://mygmrs.com/repeater/1710

     

    It's part of a very large repeater link system. Most of the time it's just linked to other Wisconsin repeaters but a few times a week it links into Illinois, Indiana and Ohio with a few other repeater outside of those states. 

    Also here's the linking map and if you click on the dots it will tell you which repeater it is. 

     

    https://network.mygmrs.com/map

     

  5. Astron makes a nice power supply that is specific for the Motorola CDM radios. I believe the model number is astron SS-25CDM. If you are patient you can find them on eBay for around $150 or you can find brand new old stock online for around $220. 

    Here's my setup. I did upgrade to the astron ss-25 with the meters. Also have a back up battery setup that charges the battery from the power supply plus switches over with out missing a beat if I lose power. 

    IMG_20230814_163450.jpg

    IMG_20230814_163522.jpg

  6. 8 hours ago, Wolf1 said:

    I heard the Midwest net on the way home tonight how do I get the pl tones to get on there or do I need my own repeater. I am new to this i just started connecting to local repeaters.

    What repeater were you using?

    You can find all the Midwest group repeaters on this site. If you go to the map click on the repeater you want the tones for and click on the get permission and file out what is needed and send it. Please give a week or two for a reply back. 

  7. 2 hours ago, Papatree said:

    Monday improvements and update:

    Rod cut to 8-7/16, on 462.650 (my nearest repeater)at 1.67 swr for high power, 1.22 for low power.

    Manufacturers specs say 460 cut to 8-3/4 and 465 cut to 8-1/4, so I imagine that's about the best I can do.

    Should I just leave it be or take it down a tiny bit more?

    I would say you are good to go. Now try it out and see what it can do. I run the same setup as you have but my antenna is in my attic. I get about 8 to 12 miles from base to mobile radio and I've reach repeater 30 to 50 miles away but those were big commercial repeater systems. 

  8. 2 hours ago, Papatree said:

    Considering I'm mounting it to that metal bracket (formerly the Dish bracket), I shouldn't need to worry about anything else (more metal) as far as grounding it, right?

    You should be good to go. Just use the hose clamps that are provided. Put the top hose camp at the very top of the dish bracket arm. 

  9. 2 hours ago, Papatree said:

    First off, Happy Friday and I hope all is well with y'all out there.

    Getting so close...radio (DB25G) arrived, coax (LMR400) arrived, the SWR(Surecom sw102s)meter and antenna (Larsen BSA450) should be here today. Any tips on putting that antenna together?

    The coax was a bit more "hardy" than I imagined it would be. I'm wondering, though, if there's anything I should know about running the cable? It seems there's a couple of tight turns and I don't want to stress out or break the cable, in any way that's going to affect its performance.

    One other small detail I overlooked, and that's a "jumper cable (I think that's what it's called) between radio and the SWR meter. Does that need to be the same gauge? What's a ideal length (how short do I go)? Is it okay to leave the meter permanently attached to my set up or just remove it once I'm sure of a good swr?

     

    Great that it's coming together for you. The jumper can be different size, just needs to be 50ohm coax. Do not leave the swr meter inline. Once you check it remove it.

     

    The antenna is pretty straightforward. Just bottom out all the stingers/radials and start from there. You should get a chart to see what the stinger needs to be cut down for gmrs if it hasn't been already tuned for GMRS. 

     

    Coax: do not bend coax past a 12in loop and don't over tighten zip ties if you are using them to hold up the coax. 

     

    Can't wait to hear your feed back once everything is setup. 

  10. 7 hours ago, Papatree said:

    Thanks WRCQ487, you made that too easy for me...just pulled the trigger on it, it'll be here next week.

    Now I need to get 25 feet of coax to match it...any suggestions? Remember, I like to just point and shoot.

    I have been looking at this: DX Engineering 400MAX Low-Loss 50-ohm Bulk Coaxial Cable DXE-400MAX

    It's not that I'm too lazy, quite the opposite, I'm just a beginner, and I've got so much else going on with life that I'm trying to keep this as a fun low-stress hobby, as much as possible for now.

    I believe that antenna has a SO-239 connector on it. So you will need coax that has a PL-259 connector on one end and what ever you need on the other end to your radio. Most radios are SO-239 connector but you will have to check. Most people that I know get the same ends coax and just buy a jumper coax or adapter for the radio if it's deferent. Try not to put jumpers or adapters outside, it just make more of a chance that you will get water or corrosion in it. 

    As for coax for a base station I would use LMR-400. At 25 feet it's going to cost you around $55-$70 with the ends already installed. 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/LMR400-PL259-UHF-Male-to-PL259-UHF-Male-Coaxial-RF-Cable-USA-Ship-Lot-/143390300768?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

  11. 4 hours ago, Papatree said:

    Hello again, everyone. Please take a look at this picture of my abandon Dish. The previous owner left it and I'm wondering if using any part of it would be beneficial when I get my gmrs antenna? Meaning, the location of the dish seems to be a primo location towards an unobstructed area, clearing the surrounding buildings and trees, and a clear southernly path towards the nearest repeater, approximately 10 miles away. I could just take it down or attach my new antenna to some part of the bracket or dish itself. I'm wondering if the dish, though not active, would interfere in any way with my new antenna. What do you think?

     

    20210925_162550.thumb.jpg.5bf0e9b3642c4f565b774e5c2c58d180.jpg

    I've helped a few people with the same setup as yours. Remove the dish and leave the tube and install one of these. 

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/LARSEN-BSA-450-Ham-Amateur-Radio-70CM-UHF-Base-station-antenna-easy-install-FS-/152620569387?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

     

     

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