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djxs
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Posts posted by djxs
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@widnerkj: Your install pics are great! Wow, you took the plunge and installed on the roof. I have an old Subaru, I was thinking of doing this, but I gave it a second thought. However, now that I see you did so successfully...I still wont install on the antenna on the roof, however, I am now considering installing solar kit with a 50 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, charger controller and a Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery 12 Volt 50 Ah. This can power my onboard refrigerator in my Subaru Forester and provide emergency power to my MXT400 MICROMOBILE®TWO-WAY RADIO in the event that my primary vehicle battery were to go down.
I can then, in theory also power jump my main battery with this setup.
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On 5/31/2021 at 4:07 AM, SkylinesSuck said:
Does anybody make an OTS 12v power supply with an integrated battery backup? I'm considering moving my KG-1000 inside the house since the kids would have all their needs met by a much cheaper radio. I'd like to have it for always available family comms, including when the power is out (and the wife leaves her phone on vibrate somewhere random which is the norm). I guess I could just plug my current power supply in to a standard 120v UPS, but I was wondering if there's anything out there specifically designed for this?
@SkylinesSuck: This I can help with. I have much experience with UPS systems. The simplest answer is: If you are in need of a turnkey solution for constant power during blackouts, then yes a UPS is simple, elegant and "compact". You just need to determine how long you want to run the devices you have plugged in to the UPS. I found a UPS runtime calculator by doing a Google search: https://www.powerinspired.com/ups-runtime-calculator/
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This is too funny. I just had a situation this past weekend where the sound was bothering a passenger in the vehicle. The beep is 'piercing" to them. I asked the person in our convoy to turn the beep off and they did so kindly.
It can get a bit annoying.
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On 6/1/2021 at 10:07 AM, Sbsyncro said:
Many folks in one group I run with are using HT's so performance of an HT is probably fine for tree-lined trails where we are spread over less than a mile or so. My alternative I suppose is to just put the rain/dust cap on and switch to using an HT myself... But where's the fun in that.
hmm... looking at the "stealth" and "puck" type antennae, it looks like they all require a ground plane. Looks like I need to either fine a 1/4 wave antenna with a spring base (I often have branches dragging the top of the Jeep) or just switch to an HT when I'm in the woods.
@Sbsyncro: I have no other comparisons for antennas as I only have two, and both are Midlands. I have the MICROMOBILE® MXTA25 3DB GAIN GHOST ANTENNA and MICROMOBILE® MXTA26 6DB GAIN WHIP ANTENNA. On one vehicle, I have the same radio you are running MXT400 MICROMOBILE®TWO-WAY RADIO. I have tried both antennas and mounting them to the MICROMOBILE® MXTA27 UNIVERSAL LIP MOUNT. With that said, do you think the "puck" type antenna, i.e. the 3b gain work for your applications and still provide enough boost given that you are pumping out 40 w?
I have tried it with that combination in heavily wooded areas with great success. Of course, terrain is subjective.
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@DonErle: I am glad that your question was answered. Wow, I am learning so much everyday day. I would like to chime in with a question if I may? Since we now learned that the answers to @DonErlequestion :
QuoteMy question was more basic. I do understand how squelch tones work. My buddy has a Midland MXT400. On those radios you can only set a single tone for a channel. Let’s say he uses a CTCSS of 118.8 on simplex channel 16. I have a KG-1000G radio. Do I need to set a CTCSS of 118.8 on both RX and TX? I was expecting a yes or no answer.
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.
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Are travel tones different from that of split tones?
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On 6/16/2021 at 3:31 PM, wrjc901 said:Daystar sells this little console.
Also sell a TYT TH-8600 as a GMRS, not sure its a legal conversion, mine is Ham, dual band.I didn't wire anything to the switches, as I don't have any extra anything to wire up.Don't even have fog lights.The TH-8600 was my choice because its advertised at IP68 waterproof, and I spend all summer in Bikini top so I do get wet on our random thunderstorms.Antenna sits on a bracket I made attached to the third brake light, Tram dual band. It has a flat SWR on 2m, Murs, 70cm and GMRS.
Great installation pictures @wrjc901
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On 10/11/2020 at 3:26 PM, Guest Kevin said:
I have zero radio background. We have a wooded and rolling hills cattle farm. Low valley area and ridge tops. FRS radio is just not reliable and looking for a dependable and effective radio solution to ensure good communications from anywhere on the property. The house is in the middle of the 700 acres. Distance is about 1.5 miles from one side to the other in all directions as the property mostly square. Stumbled on GMRS. Can someone help me determine if a simple small scale solution with a repeater at the house and handheld radios will work please? Was excited to see GRMS exists and the license is very reasonably priced. I think I saw $70 for 5 years for the entire family. If GMRS is not really an option, I plan on attempting the HAM solution that I know nothing about either.
Thanks in advance for any assistance the GMRS community may be able to provide.
Kevin
I know, by reading, that there has been many people giving input. I just thought I would chime in by saying that if it was me, I would try installing a plug and play system like that of the Retevis RT97 and a Goal Zero battery with solar panel that can be put up anywhere. I would just in case it in a waterproof case and there you have it. It wont cover hundreds of miles, but I had a piece of land that is not that large, that is the way that I would go. I know it would not apply to all users.
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On 6/30/2021 at 4:12 AM, wqxq281 said:
Mounting ideas: This is on a 2018 F-150, but cup holders are cup holders.
Cup holder ball mount with RAM adjustable arm. Clean, no drill option if you can afford to lose the cup holder.
Great installation pictures @wqxq281. I have seen those Ram mounts used in many ways. What I would like so search for is some kind of hands free operation for my Midland MXT400. Any ideas for me to PTT handsfree?
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11 minutes ago, WRHS218 said:
In a nutshell: CHIRP is an open source radio programming tool that in many cases is better than the manufacturers programming software. The software will program a lot of the more popular radios. Newer radios will normally be added to the list, but sometimes takes a while. Use your favorite search engine to lookup CHIRP.
Thank you @WRHS218. Is that to say that there is more than one CHIRP software, or it is just one that serves the need for most/all radios?
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On 4/12/2021 at 10:06 PM, brasda91 said:
I am mounting this to my hood. Am I supposed to run a ground wire from the antenna or mount to the vehicle body?
@brasda91, I have this mount being used on both my 2010 Subaru and my 2016 Impala. On the Subaru, I have it mounted on the right side hood. On the Impala, I have it mounted to the right side trunk. On both applications, it has held up really great. While on the road, there is not jiggling of any kind. When I installed, I did make an effort to pierce the paint. It is torqued, but not a ridiculous amount. Just enough to break through, but not enough to stab the metal. The edges of the trunk and hood have extra soldering when being manufactured, that is why I felt comfortable using this mount.
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On 7/8/2021 at 2:58 PM, Guest SLAN said:
Just curious whether myGRMS.com will program radios and a repeater that you purchase directly from them?
Has anyone bought radios here before?
ThanksThat would be a great service. For example, I know that Crutchfield (audio store) sells customized wiring for car stereos you purchase from them. It helps the DIY'ers out their. Similarly, something like for GMRS radio would be awesome. There would be a price to pay, but perhaps it would be worth it for some people. *Wishes Can Come True
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@H8SPVMTI have the Midland MXT400 and I have been using it for close to a year now. I have not experienced any issues with it as of yet. However, I am wondering, have you reached out to Midland for support?
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5 hours ago, mrgmrs said:
Food for thought...
This reply is aimed to all of us who are deliberating the "get it now for $70 or wait for the price drop to $35" question. I was in that situation a few days ago. Why did I decide to go ahead with the $70 fee?
What happens if the government or portions of it shuts down due to fiscal or political reasons for a period of time? We've seen that before.
What happens if another broad COVID lockdown occurs? Would the FCC be impacted?
Each of us will need to determine if we'd rather get a GMRS license now, while it's readily available, versus get locked out for a potentially protracted amount of time if the above were to occur.
Of course I'd prefer to pay $35 instead of $70. But since the license is good for 10 years, one could think of it as an extra $3.50 a year for 10 years. Skipping a coffee shop run once a year for 10 years would take care of the $35 difference.
BTW, I did call the FCC support number and asked the help desk person if they knew when the reduced fee would take effect. They did not know.
@mrgmrsI thought of the same things as you. As the pandemic was starting, I got my prepper mode on. I decided to get my license in order to have it in case the system slowed down and processing of the license would take longer. I deliberated with the pricing point and I said to myself, "Just go for it." I think it is a small price to pay and have the peace of mind that I am utilizing the GMR frequencies legally and can then in turn learn from people here on MYGMRS and hopefully pass on knowledge as time goes by. Welcome!
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There is much to be discussed on this topic. Its good that the dialogue starts so that one day , we can agree on GMRS road channel best practice.
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On 6/28/2021 at 6:39 PM, rdunajewski said:
Hey everyone, we've been trying to get Chirp integrated with myGMRS for a while but the problem has been a lack of interest, according to the creator of Chirp. There's now a request for integration but we could use your help to prove there's interest out there.
Please post a comment in support of the feature: https://chirp.danplanet.com/issues/9169
Thanks!
For the newbies, such as me. I have to ask... What is CHIRP? I am lost on this one.
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6 hours ago, DanW said:
Any new news as to when we might see these? I'm particularly interested in the 575.
I've done some searching. I come up withing nothing official.
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4 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:
There is a clear answer, it was the first response:
Such is the case Admiral. I did in fact miss it. Thank you for the clarification.
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On 7/4/2021 at 6:18 AM, mbrun said:
- Some commercial radio services may require the radio to send out a certain code, perhaps in addition to a PL, to gain access to the repeater.
- Such commercial services, particular third party leased services that share a frequency amongst many different companies may use the codes as a means of metered usage of a repeater. Perhaps the greater the number of times a given ANI-ID is used during a month, the greater the bill for usage.
- When used in a dispatch environment, the received code can be translated to a specific user name so the dispatcher automatically knows who they are talking to without the remote operator having to identify themselves each time.
Hopefully this little nugget of additional insight is useful.
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM@ WRHS965: Thank you for the insights into this. You wrote: "Some commercial radio services may require the radio to send out a certain code" Is that to say that GMRS can be used for commercial purposes? As I understand, GMRS is for personal use only. Were you referring to this PTT-ID being a feature that can be integrated into business licences that are not GMRS?
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On 3/10/2021 at 4:31 PM, SkylinesSuck said:
**This forum is confounding me. I can't figure out how to embed an image. Anybody got any help?
@SkylinesSuck: Just wondering, did you ever figure out to you embed an image?
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21 minutes ago, streetracer621 said:
The radio arrived today, but with the severe storms I have been unable to safely install in the car. On the bright side, I was able to use the included program cable and software to program in local repeaters and channel names.
First impressions - The radio feels very solid and is nice and compact. Programming with the included cable and free software from AnyTone is very easy. I was able to program in local repeaters and channel names.
Keep us posted on the installation WRMV722
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56 minutes ago, mbrun said:
There are loads of apps available use with your smart phone and tablet. They can help you learn to understand it as well as send it.
It is still very prevalent in the amateur community although it is no longer a requirement to get one’s license.
I have ‘Morse-It’ on my IOS devices as both a learning and a decoding tool.
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLMThank you so much WRHS965. I have downloaded the iOS app. I will work on learning it.
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9 minutes ago, wayoverthere said:
Posting here as an extension of this post in the Private Discussion section. Other members have noted that many callsigns seem to be visible to all site visitors, even those not logged in (confirmed this just now in a different browser).
I'll note that I had previously set my profile options to display my GMRS call as "ask", and it shows as such when not logged in; however, I went looking for the option now, and I don't see it in either the privacy options, account options or profile options. I do see that I can (and have) set my ham call to "ask" (it's an open text field), but nothing for the GMRS sign.
Did something change in the site settings?
I can't say if something has changed as I am fairly new, however, I did confirm on Chrome OS that it is visible while not logged in as a user. I hope that helps.
Recommendation on super low-profile NMO mount (no ground plane) antenna?
in General Discussion
Posted
@Sbsyncro:I was reading another forum and I read someone saying they bought this Larsen Puck Antenna. Maybe this might work for you, but you would have to drill.
Anyone out their using a puck style like this?