H8SPVMT

I think it's up to the owner to respond and mygmrs.com can't really do much about that. Owners are private citizens for the most part and could be away for many different reasons. If the repeater is listed as open, try it when you get in the area. As I understand it, permission really isn't necessary. BTW, 700 moved to Kingstree, SC and covers about 60 miles. It is open so permission isn't really required while you visit.

If this happens on all channel setting I would suspect what ever makes the the "squelch setting level" is bad in the unit. Try changing the squelch setting and see how the unit reacts. With that information call Midland and ask to sent the unit back for a checkout. I am a newbie and just throwing this out there. I too get pops of static in certain locations but it seems to be transmissions/burst of telecommunications stuff in different locations but unlike your situation it only happens in different areas.

As a beginner and person that can't raise a reply on the radio on a daily basis I find this thread enlightening to the radio (CB, GMRS, & ham) owner overall. I have one repeater operator I speak with about 30 miles away and I have delved in to a conversation about maintenance, climbing towers etc as we are both over 60 years old. His equipment recently went in for a tuning and possibly some up grades. Of course it is all on his dime, and doubt anyone that uses it would offer to help pay the bills. With that said, I can't imagine anyone that owns a repeater (or radio for that matter) even thinking of getting donations or paid to keep it running at least until there was a larger following. And that brings up the reliability question. If you don't own it, and don't help with the maintenances' how can you rely on it? I suppose there are personal bonds formed to some degree but I can't understand folks getting angry over issues like this. The owner is solely liable and vested in the event not the users. Users are just guest. This is directed soley to private ownership and not paid for by members repeaters/clubs.

Yes, this should be hammered in stone and followed around the globe. This idea has gone too far and needs the FCA to step in and maybe delegate authority to newly converted GMRS/amateur ham radio operators thru a posted decal to squelch this spoken belief. These duly appointed personnel should be blessed with authority to set a (local) fine for such group conversations as well as any discussions on GMRS or FRS frequencies, in any attempts to sway local users. Discussions of this nature is an abomination spread thru the global internet that is taking control of the free speech in all radio kingdoms and is in such, detrimental to the free flow of the natural being of a good idea. All licensing will remain the same and fines will levied IAW the perpetuated level of enthusiasm to all individuals whom persist! Just an idea...

Ya'll go ahead and discuss your silly games. Off Road vehicles already have decided Ch 16 for the call channel.?

Someday. I envision a drone over a military battle field equipped with a (OR MORE) repeater(s) for all branches for instant coms. Same for a large event with several hundred automobiles. Welcome to the forum folks, I just a Jeeper wondering the world, one dirt road or trail, at a time.

Why do you think you have them programed correctly? Have you actually made contact with the repeaters and if so, what is your indication(s) that you have opened the repeater? Did you contact the repeater operator thru a conversation on the repeater, email or text messages? How do you know for certain the repeaters are online and operating? I'm not banging you here, I wheel a lot too by myself and even did the Trans American Trail by myself. An Inreach or Spot with some helicopter/medivac insurance would be a good investment.

Yes you have hit the nail on the head.

With general folks out running the roads around town a dedicated channel can work loosely as a club (per say) to shout out to other members. But when we put a couple hundred Jeeps out in the woods on trails, each have to have their own channels. And then there just isn't enough channels for a congested location for 40-75 square miles. A draw back here is when you start hearing a call for assistance on another trail using the same channel, but miles away and mistaken it for someone on your trail ....

In my travels I scan (simplex) all the channels and have only heard two " good conversations" taking place on a repeater. One was a nation link-in on a Sunday I think and the other was some good ole boys. I must not visit the right parts of the country (hehe).

Other radios on the same frequency will be evident when they transmit by looking at the receiver signal indicator on your radio when they key up the mike as well. You won't know what PL they are using, you'll just know someone within your range is transmitting. That has been my experience.

Many refer to the repeater response to your keying the mike up and talking to a, Squelch Tail," but what is that? "Silence and then a brief bit of s very lite beep. If you are in doubt as to you radios' ability to actually reaching the repeater, try this. Remove your squelch filter to where you can clearly hear the static and then call the repeater. IF you get static back immediately on releasing your PTT button, your signal isn't reaching the repeater or, the repeater isn't recognizing the signal (you may not have the correct CTCSS code). If after releasing the PTT, you hear: dead silence for 1 -3 seconds & then static, then your signal did open the repeater and your golden. The repeater may also automatically respond with it's ID. Remember to always use your call sign when testing also and don't key up with just and open mike... GOOD LUCK!

Awe CRAP, as a group: we couldn't select a Standard Road Channel (SRC) and now we hear we need an elected local leadership to guide us! Is your name Putin or is the just your leadership ability guiding us individual sheep toward discord?

Besides 2 repeater channels all my frequencies are simplex and over three years now I have run my radio in scan when traveling around town and road trips. Never heard another traveler on the GMRS with exceptions to maybe four truckers. Being Jeepers and traveling in small groups we'll talk amongst ourselves over the open road and off, using 462.57500. Seems no one local even turns their GMRS on or uses SCAN on a day to day ride around town. Of course I have to consider that I am dealing with "the ONLY TIME" I am on the road and that may just never coincide with others travel routines during normal daytime/night travel.

My initial purchase (MXT400) pointed toward off roading and hitting a repeater if necessary. My experience traveling to and from events (long range) has dampened those expectations during travel to and from. Besides talking with friends that I travel with, the GMRS is of little use compared to the past use of a CB radio for chit-chat and local information. While off road in mountainous areas it has impressed me for range, when I can reach another GMRS radio. Most the folks I run with have the HT and don't care to talk except with people in their group off road so range really doesn't matter to them. However we do employ higher wattage radios for basecamp communication when necessary.

Just guessing "as a newbie" but my use of the compander function on my MXT400 seems to be an the ability to clear up a weak signal from a statically sounding background. Seems while listening I can hear the conversation pretty clearly but with less volume. I have to increase the level of volume to better hear the voice over the static.

Well I can put this thread to bed and one more label (subject) ruined to try to keep up with.

With actual killers walking the streets today, I'm sure lawyers have a field day with the radio laws and talking deals. The law seems written to licensee and "knowingly" using the radios to commit a crime...

I searched a new owners manual and the only reference to the word "band" was when discussing the weather bands. I didn't see any reference to switching from narrow to wide band. Not to say the radio could just come in wideband but I believe the MXT500 is switchable. I'm just a newbie trying to find my way thru the GMRS life... If I am wrong I do take education easily. ?

One Repeater I can talk to and shops and a Hotel keeping tract of the lien. Occasional teachers calling school children's names for the drive by pick up. Use ours mostly on Jeep rides as hwy conversation and of road stuff too. NOT like the days of ole CB.

The default squelch setting is 04, on the new 275 and I thought that maybe setting it as low as it will go will allow you to better hear the squelch return from the repeater when it does get back up and running, Best of luck!

The Midland chart that I received with the MXT400 states "1" for the CTCSS code for 67.0 WITHOUT the "9" so I too am saying that must be a typo as on page 28 of your manual. When setting the code ensure are entering the CTCSS code and the DCS. Goto page 19 of your Owners Manual to see a better representation of these instructions for what will display on your screen To select a Privacy Code: 1. Press and release the Menu button to a place the radio in “Menu” mode. 2. Use the Volume Up or Volume Down button to scroll through the menu options until the LCD display shows Pt, then press the Lock button. 3. Use the Volume Up or Volume Down button to select the privacy tone type you would like to use: oF, Ct, or dC 4. Press the Lock button to confirm your selection. The (for CTCSS) or (for DCS) icon will show on the LCD display, according to your selection. 5. Use the Volume Up or Volume Down button to scroll forward or backward through the available Privacy Codes until the desired Privacy Code is shown on the LCD display.

I did open the setup and got a Nasty Bug report from my Microsoft Windows Program stating it was dangerous to open... Maybe cuz it's an App.

I just can't see much use for that dozer after a four or five foot snow fall but, maybe I'm wrong.

JJAMUSA is at fault here in some degree I do believe that. They heavily promoted Midland in the last two years and then weren't even using that brand. (My experience) I got kicked around for asking questions because I was new to GMRS and questioning how this system was going to benefit the cause of communication. Long story short: FRS is OK and GMRS with more wattage is not what they were looking for I guess, for clearer communication on the trails. But they haven't mastered the CTCSS / DCS codes yet as a group (causing crossed communication between different groups). I remember too getting into CB's and having it explained that channel 19 was a CALL CHANNEL only. If you made contact then you would move your conversation to another channel. We all see how that worked out and then the license requirement was dropped. I believe this (GMRS) is just another (new) rabbit hole we are all headed down. So I'm not getting too serious about it at all. Sit back and enjoy the conversations & OPINIONS as we all have one and they all "might matter....."