1URFE57
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Posts posted by 1URFE57
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Another question...I have my GMRS antenna mounted on my roof rack on my Jeep JL. The roof of the Jeep is fiberglass. The roof rack crossbars are aluminum. I have the antenna mounted to the crossbar on an approximately 8" long 3" wide 1/4" thick piece of steel. Should I run a ground wire from the steel mount to the frame of the Jeep? I know with CBs this helps but not sure about GMRS. Thanks
You're good to go no need for ground wire there, aluminium is a conductor so your setup will work just fine.
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I have a habit of doing that.
I’ve just seen paint issues (maybe from dirt, some say from the rf, I don’t know.)
Also, I have a slight concern with a mag mount as that would put part of my antenna below the rails and cross beams on my luggage rack.
And of course, part of me is interested if “tuned” ground plane has any benefit over just using a whole car.
I’m leaning towards drilling/tapping for a few ground plane radials, or just getting the 1/2 wave antenna.
Been using mag mounts with my mobile setups and no issue with it I clean the base from time to time because it will accumulate moist, dirt and salt (winter, salt on the road/air). Last time I saw a ground plane on a mobile setup is from a friend using CB but you can try it, radio communication is a science you keep experimenting good luck!
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The input / output frequencies are subaudible tones that are used to open the squelch. This can be a confusing concept to understand so I suggest reading up on CTCSS or DSC. Repeaters will use CTCSS or DSC tones (input / output frequencies). Some repeaters use the same input and output tone. Others will use separate tones. The midland mxt-400 is the radio that I use. This radio does not allow split tones. This means that the input and output tones must be the same.
Once you know the tone on the repeater, you have to set the radio up to access repeater channels (refer to manual). Next set the correct tone (refer to manual). It can be confusing at first so stop back here if you need help. Once you have the radio set-up correctly it will remember the settings.
Input/output is the Repeater's Receive=Input and Transmit=Output frequency,CTCSS/DCS are your subaudible tone to open/wakeup the Repeater.
example: input:467.625000 output:462.625000 CTCSS/DCS:141.1
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Short version at the end.
Background, I recently got a mag-mount 1/4 wave antenna for my vehicle and a "slim jim" antenna to use at home or camping. Performance of both is great and I'm enjoying the increased range and improved audio.
However, as I was researching antennas I kept seeing people refer to tuning antennas for best SWR, which led me down the path to get a SWR/power meter so I could check my antennas. Not wanting to break the bank I went with this relatively inexpensive one that was recommended (Youtube, Reddit, blogs, etc):
Surecom SW-33 Mark II VHF/UHF SWR/Power Meter
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075H8FDDR
I used it to check SWR at 462/467MHz on the slim jim (1.1/1.2) and 1/4 wave (1.4/1.5) which seemed to be reasonable. I was curious to see if any of my HTs had one of the notoriously bad rubber duck antennas, so I checked all 4 and got SWRs from 3.0 to 8.9 depending on the frequency. I would say it's a bad meter except for the reasonable readings on the 1/4 wave and slim jim, so if it's not a bad meter why would the SWR be so high on my HT antennas?
The main difference is that my HT antennas are all SMA-F while both externals are BNC-M, so I had to use a different adapter. Is it a bad connection on the SMA adapter? If so any tips to get an accurate reading on my HT antennas?
Short version: I checked the SWR on my HT antennas and got incredibly high (3.0 to 8.9) readings compared to mobile and base antennas. Wondering if those readings could be accurate or not, and if not what the most likely issue is.
It's normal to get a low reading on your mobile setup and base antenna setup since your measuring it with coax in between the antenna and the meter. I remember before that its advisable to use a length of coax everytime doing some measurement to get accurate reading.
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Keep us posted and have fun with the project.
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I haven't visited there since 2019, but apparently all of the Motorola CPS files have been removed...
Moto CPS I think is in the VIP section now which I have no access but other than that iCOM, Kenwood software are available to everyone.
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Ugh, Baoturds detected near XPR repeaters... blasphemy....
Here is a glimpse of the the Motorolian Imperial Fleet under my command:
Is this your Battle Group?...nice! you spotted the cheap skates just part of the kamikaze squadron hanging in the abandoned junkyard.
The Mother Ship!
https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/d49/alincastre1223/theshack.jpeg
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How is the R70 running? Is it all good to go now?
G.
R70 works great but less the built-in CWiD but other than that happy with the repeater, CPS 16.8 and Clone Editor 5.5 are identical in nature but some of the setting and menu in the CPS are not in the Clone Editor. I will take some photo of my antennas just for laughs!...
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Used-Radios.com I'm not affiltiated with them but been buying radios from them "erac1" is their Ebay Store another seller I can recommend is Bluemax49ers for your programming cable Mark is awesome all his cables just work and FTDi Chip so its plug and play and the last but not the least programming software are ready available online for free hamfiles.co.uk is one of them you need to sign to download the software and sign up is free and donation is optional, but if you donate the Admin gives you extra perks. Hope this help with you quest good luck!
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Yes, SLR is where its at.. these have the same amazing receiver as the XPR5550e mobiles... which is darn good.. but the XPR8x00 repeater is not bad either.
G.
I totally agree these XPR repeaters are flooding ebay right now with different price range, Ok I'm putting the R70 today for a test run its funny that Motorola skip built-in CWID on this one...
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I checked and the stated output is 13.8 volts and 2.5 amps. I now know that's very low for my GMRS radio, but it does seem to power my cheap CB.
CB are low power right like what 5watts max? for your GMRS stick with 13.8 most regulated power supply output are 13.8 volts make sure the PSU has higher amps.
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PL and DCS tones are all listed on the Repeater Page/Directory some you need Owners permission since most of this GMRS Repeaters are privately owned goto mygmrs.com and click Repeaters. Hope that's help
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I've been using Fleetsync (most of our radios are kenwoods) for ID and messaging. Not a bad system though its nothing like digital for work. there we can privatly page and voice to an individual radio without disturbing others on the channel. Would be interesting if deployed for GMRS, however I believe the FCC would have to specify which digital standard they will allow and type accept more radios to be used on GMRS with that standard.
Those Fleetsync have its own distinct sound one of the reason I'm adding kenwood into my radio collection, my F621TR has a roger beep which I enable just for fun!...
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Also check how many amps is the power supply some power supply have the correct voltage but has low amperage.
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I have a few Ebay seller which I got my equipment from radios, programming cable to repeaters:
Bluemax49ers: Programming Cables-Got all my cables from him reliable very helpful guy.
bargain_broker (email Bill Keenan online shop:usedtwowayradios.com): Mototrbo's and Repeaters
erac1 (Used-Radios.com): iCOM, Kenwoods, Motorolas, Vertex and Harris Repeaters etc.
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You're getting those static if you're on the edge of repeater's coverage range if you're in the correct repeater frequency you will having any problem hearing your transmission to your other radio. and on the positive note don't worry if you miss up something its all about learning, experimenting and having fun!.
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I'm using the same duplexer from amazon but in my setup I'm utilizing two antenna and only using the duplexer on the receive side as a filter and terminated the other connection with a dummy load believe it or not it works it doesn't get killed by tx antenna with only 6 feet of horizontal separation I'm getting the power I want and have a good ears at the same time.
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Nice... 18 miles is not bad for a home setup... terrain helps a lot... here in Madison WI reaching 18 miles is very difficult without some elevation... XPR repeaters are bargains in a box... the R70 is basically an 8400 with different firmware...
Congrats.
G.
Thanks! I agree with terrain dependant with regards to coverage on the North side I only managing 7 miles max due buildings and elevation while in the South side of the repeater 16-18 miles since this is an less building elevation is lower and mostly plain along a Toll way. I have received my EVX-R70 and another good buy very clean unit likes new I will alternate this with the 8300, my next project will be the MTR's I know SLR's are the future but it's too expensive at the moment.
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I appreciate the heads up on Hytera, I will put them in the "do not do business with" list. I am keeping an eye open for the ham test online. I hear they are doing it but every time I look it is always full. Either way I need to save up for the radios even if I do find them used. I better start looking for a side hustle, not sure what's worse, high end radios or high end rifle scopes and barrels. Man I need to find cheaper hobbies.
Radio is plentiful off Ebay while gun parts and ammo is always out of stock if I were you barrels and scope first...
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This pandemic makes me spend more time with radios lately and speaking of Repeaters I just put up one last weekend, got a cheap XPR8300 off Ebay and I have EVX-R70 on the way for a cheap too this is not a high end setup like Heliax cable, Celwave duplexers, hundred foot tower and so on I bet anyone would laugh and shake their head if they see it...
...All I want is to cover my usual route of 10 miles around town but right now I got 18 miles which is good I think. -
2 stories, and the building is a good 10-30 feet below street level, in mountaneous terrain.
If you have a balcony you can utilize a NMO bracket mounted in balcony railings. I know MFJ has those balcony antenna mounts or fabricate your own.
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I like MDC1200 in my GM300's...
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Awesome, thanks for all the help guys. Just one more thing if you don't mind. During my trip down the rabbit hole I came across this radio: Hytera PD482i G BT. Any thoughts about it? Am I getting too lost in the weeds? Motorola is still my top choice, but I'm just looking around while I collect my pennies saving up for them. I like the Bluetooth option and from what I can see DMR format seems to be the way digital radio is going so it looks nice on paper. Just wondering if anyone had any experience with them.
Hytera look nice but Mototrbo Hands Down! You gonna learn quick with Moto's also you need extra $$$ for the CPS but always worth the money. Unfortunately you need HAM License to play and talk around the world with DMR but Tech. exam is just a walk in the park. 73!
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How many storey the house/apartment you're living?
One mobile installation; two radios (GMRS and VHF/UHF)
in General Discussion
Posted
CCR Manufacturers is doing that all of their product are unrestricted you can buy a radio advertised as HAM radio but it can TX/RX from marine bands and beyond.