H8SPVMT

What caused the burned paint? I don't rightly know.  Bubbles appeared between the clearcoat and base paint while shortly transmitting over a two day period at 40 watts.
I am a newbie to all the technical aspects antenna efficiency.  I used the antenna isolator to prevent scratches in the paint as it is a new vehicle.
Maybe the isolator has reduced my reception and TX when it was on the hood.  After manufacturing a separate plate to set of to the side of the hood (with a ground strap) it seems to TX slightly better.  I have no way to officially measure that tho.  I did use the antenna to speak to a friend while he was on a HT in his hotel room and I on the mountain.
 
Yes I would recommend the antenna for your use.
 
11/1/2020 Midland contacted me today to see about getting to the cause and a resolution.

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

There could be other GMRS repeaters than what is listed on the map too.  Some may be private or, just haven't listed their equipment for the public to find easily.
These are found by actually listening to scans of the channels over time wnd hearing them if/when they ID themselves.  So far as a newbie, the SCAN MODE has been my friend in locationing two such repeaters while traveling local and afar.

I have found a repeater about 30 miles out that I can reach, and receive a squelch tone from indicating it has received my signal. I was sucessful in getting a signal report as well from another GMRS operator that made my day!
 
None of that would have been possible without the information gained here from people willing to answer questions.
 
Thank you!  I now know my equipment works to it's described capabilities.  This, "Learning Curve" has taken me to the highs and lows of human abilities when it comes to the operation of privately owned equipment (repeaters) and the endevor to keep it running.  I'm guessing us newbies don't know (appriecate) the struggle of what it takes to actually get a repeater up and running for consistant use.
 
Repeater owners are another part of the American fabric that help on their own free will, to make our society a better place when trying to communicate.   
Again, THANK YOU ALL.
 
P.S.
All this didn't sink in many, many years ago as a sailor in the Navy. We once used ham radio stations to talk from Asia to my wife in Hawaii.

I am online now, and have asked for Signal Report...nothing heard (my simplex radio is not picking up the signal, so I know I'm NOT hitting a repeater, also no repeater trailer sound at all).

It should do simplex on channels 1 - 7 also! But 8 - 14 will not transmit due to FCC rules!

Kidphc. Although, as usual, your technological description is accurate, I think you got the question backwards. He was asking if he is listening without PL will he hear everything. And the answer to that is yes.

I am learning a bunch here with this possible programming stuff.  No, im not getting ready to spring for the cable and programs.
But there is a confusing discussion going on, on FB about this as well and seems to me I have learned the difference between bandwith and frequency at least watching this conversation!
 
I don't think many understand the concept between narrow and wide band.  Thank you all for the education!  Happy with my narrow band transmissions for now.
Edited to add:
In looking up the Part 95 (DATA GMRS) I see we are only allowed 20 kHz bandwith (on specific frequencies) and not 25.
Seems I have seen 25 as a popular number here.  So I would think IF the program changes the bandwidth to 25 kHz that would place us in jeopardy with the FCC.

I recently talked on a repeater approximately 34 miles from my location in the Jeep with my MTX 400 with a 6db gain antenna.  Was sitting still in a very good sized ball park parking lot, at the time.  GETTING A SIGNAL REPORT  I was told I was clear with static in the background.  My reception was very good with light static behigh the other person.
 
This was my first time speaking on the (any) repeater tho I had heard it anounce itself several times thru the week.  It was not listed on the MyGMRS site so I think it is a relatively new location along the interstate for now.  This was also my first conversation with someone I didn't know and had never been able to get a radio report till then.  I had used my mobile for Jeep rides once in the forest with others we knew.
I did have to ping the repeater one CTCSS code at a time until I heard the repeater respond.

In general terms, it is at the discretion of repeater system owners to list their equipment in any such web location that they choose and to maintain up to date details as posted in the various databases. Since it is the owner's responsibility to maintain up to date details or to remove any listings that are no longer active, the databases are only as good as the information the owners supply or delete.

Nothing at all. It's an old, unofficial concept. There was a nationwide group of owners that started something called the Open Repeater Initiative. They decided among themselves that 141.3 would be the universal tone for repeaters that were open to travelers, for safety and general communications needs.
 
The idea was, you could put your radio on repeater pair 462/467.675 (rCh 20), set the tone of 141.3 and just drive wherever you needed to. If there was an OPI repeater near by, you could use it.
 
Over time, OPI died off as a group, but many owners still honor the travel tone concept. Though, on all channels. Not just the original pair.

I used to work with a guy who had no less than 8 mobiles in his personal vehicle. He had pulled the passenger side seat so that he could install a homemade "console" that also held his Laptop and 3 radios, along with his converta-com amp. He also carried at least 3 portables with him most days. 
 
I remember asking him one time how many radios he could talk on at once. I also remember that AAA cancelled his membership because he requested too many jump starts.
 
Some people can take anything too far.

Well there is a good reason for that low antenna.  Keeping it out of the branches while off-road keeps it from getting broken as most are constructed from fiberglass.  And as you know, better made antannas aren't cheap. Adding a spring just whips the antenna back into the body or top and either scratching body components or again, breaking the antenna.
 
Many new off-roaders (first time radio owners) see and try to emulate others without understanding why their gear isn't as effective on the roads as in the woods....  It is a trade off they don't understand right away and like you say, might complain about their setup ignorant on why they can't reach longer distances out in the open. 
 
My CB antenna is as low as I can get too but I understand the SWR and reduced effectiveness and live with that as it serves the purpose I need it for.  It's OK if you snicker at me when you see me driving down the road with my low-riding antenna but; don't try following me where I go, you won't make it. 
 
So far my GMRS setup isn't as good as my low riding CB either.  In the rain traveling down different roads we got better distance and clearity out of the CB's than we got from GMRS radios.  But I am on my own and new to this so I can't snicker at anyone while I am still in the learning phase...
 
Not all that wander are lost!

Pictures when you are done! Folks love to see a good install. 

Hi, Keith here. Im in Washougal Wa. Just East across the river from Portland Or . The good side of the river.
 
You will do best if you can mount your antenna in the center of a 61/2 in of metal that is well grounded

IF aspirin cured COVID-19, the pandemic would be over.

Thanks.... I forgot.  Old habits die hard.  LOL

I don't think many are picking up on the fact that Midland is marketing a sheep dipped CCR at a premium price.

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but the subject of Midland radios being not dual PL tone capable has already been addressed.
 
The MXT400 is split tone capable if programmed to do so.  Out of respect for the experts on here who have posted about this several times, and so they won't have to post yet again, please view this thread:
 
https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1837-midland-gmrs-product-updates/page-3
 
I have not tried it myself (yet), but to be fair, this option is out there.
 
...
 
 

A tip on reading the advice regarding radio suggestions.  There is a tendency for ham operators to be more willing to use commercial and/or used equipment. On the other hand, those who started with GMRS or came from CB tend to prefer turn-key purpose made gear.  Neither is better or worse than the other. But, depending on your needs and abilities, there might be a difference to you.
 
You check under the avatar to see if a member lists a ham license. Most, but not all, hams do.
 
Personally, I like Motorola equipment and the M1225 is a fine radio.  But, consider the info under my avatar.
 
YMMV
 
And, +1 on bluemax49ers for your programming cable needs.

If a receiver requires a tone it is to wake the receiver. The receiver will ignore any signals that do not include the tone. You don't necessarily need to put a tone on your receiver as a receiver with no tone specified will unlock for any signal.

See page 18 of the owner's manual.  Press the TS/DCS button on the front panel.  It will toggle between CTCSS, DCS, and OFF modes.

"Quiet Codes" or "Private Codes" above 39 on your Midland will be DCS/DCG/DPL digital tone... whatever.
Read your MXT400 owner's manual.  There is a chart that will tell you which codes are what.

I would agree ham radio can probably be safely classified as a hobby. But, I would not make the same statement about GMRS. Yes, for some GMRS is a hobby. But, as @wayoverthere notes, probably a greater percentage of MyGMRS members than of the general GMRS population fit that description. 
 
Look at the history and licensing to get a feel for what GMRS is. It's roots were as a business service, and those early licenses are still grand-fathered in, and business use is still perfectly legal on GMRS. Licensing is by family unit, not individuals. This encourages use of GMRS as a practical communications tool, rather than as a hobby.  Another point of comparison is repeaters. GMRS repeaters are limited to 8 frequency pairs, have no coordinating body, and commonly share frequencies using PL, etc. to control access. GMRS repeaters tend to be used for short, task oriented communications and less for rag chewing. So, sharing channels works well. Ham radio, with frequency coordinators, etc. seeks to limit the number of repeaters in an area to avoid interference.
 
There are many other differences, but I think I have covered the main points.  But, I would add one more thing. Where is it written that either as a hobby, or a personal communications tool, that getting people interested in two-way radio is, or even should be, a commonly agreed upon or shared objective?  I think that is an admirable goal. But, I would also not fault someone who did not share that goal.

At the risk of sounding arrogant.
I've said this before and will re post it again