uplander
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Posts posted by uplander
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I discovered something new with the MXT400. We now know you can program split tones for repeater use with a programming cable and the software out there now. The discovery is, when using the MXT400 after programming, be very careful not to hit the TS/DCS button on the front panel if you're on a repeater channel using split tones. What happens is with that button which basically toggles thru "no tone" "CTCSS" and "DCS" when using preprogrammed split tones. Sets the radio to either CTCSS or DCS or none. Which in effect puts either the same DCS or CTCSS tone on both the encode and decode and negates the split tone and you have to configure the radio with the software again.
Ask me how I know LOL
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Anyone know what the transmitter FM deviation is for "out of the box" MXT275 micro-mobile transceivers in "repeater" mode on channels 15-22? Is it the +/- 2.5 kHz (narrowband) FRS deviation, or a more typical +/- 5 kHz (wideband) GMRS deviation?
I know the MXT400 transmitter FM deviation can be set via programming cable, but haven't seen any discussion on the MXT275. The MXT275 manual is silent on such matters.
So is the 400 manual. If I had my hands on a MXT275, I'd try the Midland prog. cable with the MXT400 software that's out there now.
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I am still curious if uplander found the more current Midlands to have the repeater channels set actual WFM from the factory. Confirmation of such a detail would be important.
All I can add to this is that I bought the Midland 400 not knowing much accept is was FCC type certified. Like a lot of new users we buy a unit and then start to research more about the usage. This case being GMRS. I really bought the unit to put in my Jeep for trail communications not wanting to buy into a dead horse IE CB.
I have a brother who has been into HAM since the 70's and so I understood in a basic way of repeaters and such. GMRS has so much more to offer than just a trail radio and I wanted to use it to its fullest extent. That is how I found its shortcomings in the areas of using it with repeaters.
I overheard a discussion on the radio one night ( on a repeater channel) of how someone got software and instructions from a Midland engineer and how he was going to post a video on how to do it along with a link for the programming software on the Midwest GMRS forum. I had found snippets of this before of this but no definitive "how to".
Anyway I'm getting off point here. I watched that video and downloaded the software. I bought the programming cable from Midland. The original video was taken down because it had repeater codes showing in the video.
he redid the video without the codes showing.
In the video he showed how the change the bandwidth from 12.5K to 25K. When he had the software read and download its current settings , the repeater channels as well as all the other channels were set to 12.5K.
When I read and downloaded my radios settings I was surprised to see the repeater channel band width already set to 25K. This is how it came from the factory. I ordered that radio on August 10th. I didn't do anything to this radio up to then except turn on the repeater channel function and load tones for use from the front panel of the radio. Yes from the front panel of the radio you can only load one tone for both the input and output of said repeater channel. That tone had to be the same for input and output so that limited me to only repeaters using the same tone in and out.
In the end I now have a radio that functions within the limits set for GMRS radios. I fail to see how using the software to use split tones or change the bandwidth ( which I didn't as it came from the factory that way) would make this radio illegal. It may invalidate the FCC type certification but I really doubt it.
I would think type certification is really just a bonus for the manufacturer in terms of marketing.
How many of you in this discussion are using radios not certified but within the rules? It sounds to me like most of you are using commercial radios programmed to within the GMRS parameters. Are they type certified?
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Note there is a difference between channel spacing, the frequency difference between the center frequency of two adjacent channels, and occupied bandwith, the amount of deviation of the signal around the center frequency.
It shows the channel step as 25K and the channel spacing at either 12.5K or 25K. I have to assume you never looked at the video linked in the post that you pointed out that that info was posted earlier in July except the video was not on that post.
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When I opened the the software and downloaded my MTX400 current programming as it came from the factory, channels 1-7 and 15-22 were spaced at 12.5K, the repeater channels 23-30 were already spaced at 25K .
The only thing I did with the software was add split tones to the repeater channels that needed split tones. Midland either always made the repeater channels 25K or changed it at some point of production. My radio was new and sealed in packaging so it had to be programmed that way from the factory
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Check out this thread on midwest gmrs .com
Tells you how to get the midland software and the programming cable you need and how to use both and program for spit codes and wide bandwidth.
https://mwgmrs.com/forums/topic/midland-mxt400-programing/
I did it and it works easily
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I recently bought a MTX 400 and just got it installed in my truck a few days ago. I've been scouring the net to answer a bunch of questions too. I have found some good links and videos. So I turned on the repeater function through the menu which was easy, I found this site and used the repeater map and I have two repeaters close by to use. So I was setting up the in and out tones and discovered the MTX 400 when entering the CTCSS codes, actually uses frequencies like 141.3 HZ and not a code. DCS was codes though but they were easy to find a cross reference chart.
My problem is the repeater I want to use which is linked to the Midwest GMRS repeater system needs a tone out which is DCS and a tone in which is CTCSS. The Midland radio is set up to use the same in and out tone, I read that there maybe a work around but I cannot find the info. Search function did not help me. If there is one, can anyone point or link me in the right direction?
Jeep GMRS antenna grounding
in General Discussion
Posted
I have a Jeep Gladiator with an aluminum bed rack. I mounted a 3db ghost antenna to it with no ground and can hit a repeater 58 miles away.