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djxs
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Posts posted by djxs
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I just find it strange that you said that the issue started after running the software through to make repeater channel updates. If it was me, I would troubleshoot by resetting the radio to stock.
Quote"To set Repeater Channel Function: 1.Press and hold the Menu button for 3 seconds to enter the Menu Mode. 2. Use the Call or Plvl buttons to scroll through the Menu options until the LCD displays REP. 3. Turn the Channel knob to select the setting you desire. 4.Press and release the Select button to confirm your choice. 5.Press the Scn/Mon button to exit the Repeater Channel Function." - Midland
Further information can be found on the attached .pdf
If after running the reset procedure and it still open squelch on channel 5 and channel 5 only, then well...I don't know! I am learning. Since my background is in technology, I jumped to the conclusion that it could possibly be software based at some level due what you mentioned.
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12 hours ago, wayoverthere said:
So...conveniently, I have a 5/8 over 5/8 wave Browning UHF antenna and Midland mag mount sitting idle right now, since the truck is in the shop. Dug out the Surecom (sw102) and got some numbers.
Stuck the antenna/mount in the middle of the top of a chest freezer (nothing within 6 inches of the vertical, and only wood/sheetrock any closer than a foot to the sides).
First round, all 15 (or 17, I forget) feet of cable was kind of lazily run around the floor to avoid any coils. This yielded 1.0 swr on channels 1 (462.5625) and 22 (462.725), and 1.06 on Repeater 22 (467.725). Second test, I coiled as much cable as I could between the radio and the antenna, ended up with 7 coils approximately 5 inches in diameter. Same channels/frequencies as before showed some minor change, though the cable routing near my computer screens and metal monitor stand to get the straightest routing (and most excess cable) might also have played into it. Second round numbers (with the coiled cable) were 1.09 on 1, still 1.0 on 22, and 1.07 on Repeater 22....still well within good swr range, all of them.
You @wayoverthereare the man! What a great experiment you performed there. In your mind, before you ran the test, were your predicting the outcome to be as the results showed?
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Thank you @BoxCarfor the very detailed information.
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Since I am so new to this, I had never heard of an SWR meter, let alone a dummy load device. With that said, before anything is purchased by me, can anyone answer...does a coiled up (not kinked) antenna cable deteriorate signal in any way?
When I installed my antenna, I had so much excess cable left (5 - 7 ft). I was unsure of cutting it, so I just left it. I coiled it up (used two plastic cable ties, not tight) and is tucked away neatly by the center console behind the carpet. I was careful as not to create any kinks in the cable whatsoever. Since I do not have an SWR meter or ways to check, I just thought I reach out to others that have some background on this. Thank you.
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That is a good install @Doctnj
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I'm not sure what to say about this since I am relatively new to the community. I am having a great time learning from so many knowledgeable people. This is definitely the place to come to learn all about GMRS.
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On 4/2/2021 at 10:14 AM, RIPPER238 said:
I primarily got my MXT275 for off road use to communicate with friends and it seems to work well, i get about a mile range with hills and lots of houses around. I upgraded the antenna to a MXTA26 6db with the mag mount that i run on the roof of my 4Runner which seemed to help a lot with the hills.
I am glad you are enjoying your radio. I also have that same model on my Impala with the same antenna. It is my wife's primary vehicle and I have shown her how to use it. It is a great radio for a small setup that is easy to use.
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1 hour ago, Eltee said:
There is only a small gap between the top of my rear hatch and the roof of my SUV where I was hoping to snake my antenna cable. It squeezes RG-58a/u cable a little. I don't know if this cable is "forgiving" enough to survive the pinch or if I should grind a small notch to prevent the pinch.
Any input appreciated.I think in order to help, we need to know what kind of mounting system you are planning to use? The MICROMOBILE® MXTA27 UNIVERSAL LIP MOUNT is what I am using on my hood and trunk of both my vehicles and allows enough clearance for when both the hood and trunk close. I hope this helps.
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3 hours ago, kb2ztx said:
The issue with GMRS20 is what defines 20. My license doesn't show GMRS 20. So for many of us with true GMRS radios we only have 8 GMRS only channels. I get the idea but not all radios are programmed identical. I know they should be but not always....
Wait a minute? You said your "license doesn't show GMRS 20?" Perhaps you are referring to your radio? That leads me to another question, what is a true GMRS radio? Are you talking about the Part 90 vs Part 95 situation...which is something that I am still wrapping my head around.
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3 hours ago, mbrun said:
I can see how you would look at it that way. Knowing what the code is and using to gain unauthorized access are two very different things however. The code to access a repeater is not private, nor is it encrypted or allowed to be encrypted. In fact it is transmitted in the open, just like you must do with your voice and your callsign. You merely have to be within ear-shot of the transmitter sending it to learn what it is.
For those that may read this post and not already know it, All Repeaters are private property. Even though you may know what the code is, and even though the repeater owner may publicly identify their access code (like a good number do on this site for example), you do need the owner’s permission to use their equipment. Most repeater owners expect you to contact them directly to gain permission (phone, email, or via this site). Others may give carte-blanche permission by public notice within a public disclosure about their repeater such as “All licensed GMRS users are free to use the repeater. Be courteous, identify and keep your transmissions brief”.
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLMThis information helps alot! Thank you @mbrun. However with that said, if you do not have a tone scanning radio option and you know you are within the vicinity of a repeater (because one is able to hear traffic), and the repeater is not registered... short of knocking on the door of the repeaters location, there would be no other way to ask for permission.
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On 7/16/2021 at 2:33 PM, mbrun said:
You can scan any frequency your radio is actively tuned to. If it is tuned to a simplex frequency that is what gets scanned. If it is tuned to the repeater output frequency (same as simplex) that again is what gets scanned. If you want to scan for the code being used to activate the repeater then you have to be close to the person that is actively talking on the repeater AND you have to have your radio configured to Rx that repeater’s input frequency.
Some radios have a function (called ‘Reverse’) that makes switching to the repeater input frequency easy thus making scanning for the code easy. It is pretty common on amateur radios, but not on GMRS.
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLMSo is this a way of "hacking" into someones repeater without permission?
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5 hours ago, WyoJoe said:
I would place a sign in my back window for "GMRS Ch. 20" if I wanted to let other travelers know how to contact me. That's what a lot of CBers did back in the day to let others know what channel they were using, and what I've seen a few hams do also.
Something like this @WyoJoe
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Thanks for the responses. More than likely, if I do put one up, it will be a free standing structure. Perhaps a telescoping pole in the corner of my property. I know my wife would not allow me to mount it on the house.
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How does one know high high of an antenna can be put up? Do local municipalities dictate these parameters?
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On 7/2/2021 at 1:24 PM, WRHS218 said:
I like the channels groups and the ability to scan groups.
CTCSS scan. A function I find useful that I didn't think I would use.
I understand this feature, however, I was wondering. If the radio has this kind of scanning feature to be able to pull a CTCSS code and/or DTS code, can the same be said for repeater channels to find out what they are on? Is that even allowed?
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@OffRoaderX: I successfully joined the Zello Channel. Thank you for the access.
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On 7/5/2021 at 11:28 AM, streetracer621 said:
I have a Radioddity GM-30, but really wanted a mobile radio installed in my VW Sportwagen. After looking at mobile options on a budget, I finally decided on the Anytone AT-779UV and paired it with a Bingfu NMO lip mount and stubby "ghost" style antenna. Does anyone have experience with using that style of antenna on the hood of a car? I am sure the setup will work better than using a HT inside the car, but curious the kind of performance others have seen with that kind of antenna setup.
What made me finally order a mobile with external antenna, was not being able to hit a repeater when I was less than 2 miles from it while in the car.
@streetracer621: I know you went with the Browning BR-176 S, however, for reference for you and others that are considering a "ghost" style antenna, this is how I mounted in on my vehicle.
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On 7/13/2021 at 6:08 PM, streetracer621 said:
Update on how things are working out.
Today on my way to a client's office, I was able to have a good long conversation with a couple of guys through one of the local repeaters. They both said I was coming through nice and strong with very good audio. We continued to discuss my setup as I drove further away from the repeater. Aside from some breaking up as I went down the backside of some of the larger hills, they were able to hear me clearly until I was roughly 18 miles from the repeater. There was lots of trees and some hills between myself and the repeater. Needless to say, I am very happy with how the AnyTone 779UV and Browning 176-S antenna are working out.
Those are great results @streetracer621
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9 hours ago, Hasaf said:
I also posted these pictures in the review sub-forum.
This is the AnyTone that I just mounted in my FJ Cruiser. it is under the passenger seat next to my 2m/440.
There is a rectangular recess in the centre console that is a perfect size for the microphone.
@Hasaf: Those are great installation pics!
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I am sure the reasoning for this is to have people choose wisely what they like.
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As @OffRoaderXsuggested, the KG1000 has a removable face place. Your best option is to detach it. Mount the unit underneath and the faceplate up on the dash somewhere. If anything, the installation will look much cleaner.
I have the MXT275 MICROMOBILE® TWO-WAY RADIO mounted in the bucket console of the Impala and it gets a bit hot. Granted, it only puts 15 watts!
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Channel 16 for GMRS road channel is gaining traction!
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44 minutes ago, mbrun said:
I then have a follow up question. Are not all radios programmed with "standard" channels? I see some people refer to channels as frequencies, while others refer to them as channels? Are having "simpler" channels a way to make "newbies" more comfortable with using the GMRS radios?
I was looking at this handy dandy FRS/GMRS Radio Quick Reference Card (click). It seems to show a channel and a frequency. Was it someones attempt to make it easier? Thanks everyone.
The simple answer to your question regarding channelization is YES, channelization is an attempt to simplify radio for the masses. And it certainly has merit and works well for the masses. Channel ‘15’ is a lot easier to remember for most folks than remembering 462.5500 MHz in the GMRS. In its most simple form, a channel is a simply an alias way of express a frequency.
A channel can be more than just one frequency. Channel 15 in the Citizen’s band radio service is not the same as Channel 15 in the GMRS. Similarly, Channel 15 in terrestrial TV broadcast is different from 15 in CB, GMRS and every other RF communication service.
In its more advanced form, a channel is actually a group of settings what when used together enable some form of RF communication to occur between a transmitter and receiver. If the receivers settings complement the transmitter settings communication can occur. Depending upon the radio and service, the channel will include such things as a frequency and other factors such as modulation type (AM, FM, etc.), modulation depth (bandwidth), squelch codes (PL, DLC, CTCSS, DCS) and many other settings.
A programmable radio has memories. Memories in most cases are synonymous with ‘Channel’ as well since each memory holds a frequency assignment and all the other necessary factors to enable communications.
No, not all radios have standard channels programmed into them, but that is certainly something the FCC is trying to make happen a manufacturer wishes to get their radio certified for using in the Personal Radio Services under Part 95 of the rules. As you look at the current crop of part 95E GMRS radios you will see that they do in-fact have factory-programmed memories preset to use the standard GMRS frequencies so that no additional programming is required to use the radio. Programming of additional memory configuration (i.e. channels) becomes optional.
Hope this helps.
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM@mbrun: Sir, your answer does in fact help me out. Thank you a million times over. What a clear explanation. I appreciate your knowledge, time and help.
Beginner here
in General Discussion
Posted
I'll take a shot at this. Given that you are new to the hobby, I would go with turn key antenna. I am sure that the same place you bought the radio from has the appropriate antenna required. From my understanding, you need an SWR meter in addition to some other items to tune the antenna. Why not just buy it already made if you are new as you say. Just my thoughts. I am new also, perhaps later, I can get into those kind of modifications if needed.