NCRick

I've got an inexpensive Hirose to SMA adapter, but I had to turn down the one I got on a lathe just so that it would slip all the way into the chassis hole/cutout & reach all the way down to the board mounted bypass. Even then, you've still got to hold it in tight and press down with one hand while testing/tuning, not an ideal setup for trying to drive around town while working your HT. If you've seen the $300 Motorola "test fixture", it's basically a big clamp with a setup to hold the adapter in place. It works, but I still don't consider it to be practical.

You would be the best tester for us guys... Looking forward to your eval... take your time... I just spent $300 on GR1225 repeater and add to that antenna and parts one needs to make it work...  So no money in my honey radio budget for more equipment is done... I told my wife that my GMRS interest with G Daughter is cheaper then a mistress or getting full service at massage parlor... just joking my 25 yo daughter told me about these words... how surprised I was... I have been staying home to much and and need to get out more.... Doing honey do's and working missing cause me to miss out on this life style out of marriage...
Jack

We'd have to rename it something like "guaranteed minimum radio service."  :-P
 
I've had the same fantasy, but I'm not going to get emotionally involved without a path to agitating for the cause.
 
Edit:  Anonymous delivers, and so do I:  https://www.retevis.com/handheld-gmrs-two-way-radio-rt76

My question is about radio proximity.  

A modern day transceiver (HT, mobile) is both a transmitter and a receiver built into one unit.  And I understand that RX is automatically shut down whenever TX is initiated, thus saving the receiver internals from being fried.  (Pros can correct me, is this true?).

Many, many years ago (and in a place far, far away), in the Air Force, I was a radio man.  Mostly we used HF-SSB and some VHF.  The transmitter and the receiver sites where massive facilities and physically located literally miles away from each other and thus didn’t have the problem of frying receivers to worry about.  

And further, as a kid I remember my dad’s old ham setup.  The transmitter and the receiver were in separate metal chasses, as were the power supply and some other equipment he had, (filled up his entire 72" wide radio/hobby table).  I think each unit must have been shielded because they weighed about a ton each.  I don’t recall the RX being shut down when he transmitted, but I was a small boy, and did not understand the equipment…one of them could have been some sort of switch that shut down RX as needed, I dunno.
 
Today, in my “shack” (a 24 inch wide, 2-level shelf I built), I have several mobile radios physically mounted right next to each other and a couple of power supplies.  My question is, if any two or more radios are on, and I transmit on one, will it fry the internals of the those receiving, because they are physically located right next to each other?
 
Comments please, and thanks!
 
...
 
Edit:  Should have ready 72 inches, not 72 feet.

Josh, one point, all radios receive on channels 15 thru 22, 462.xxx.
In repeater mode radios transmitt on 467.xxx but still receive on 462.xxx.( duplex )
The repeater is opposite, receiving on 467.xxx and transmitting on 462.xxx.
Your XMT400 has 2 sets of channels. One simplex, one duplex.
This is seperate from 467.xxx FRS channels 8 thru 14.

I see that I've many replies and should say thank you ALL for help and insight...
 
I got it to work on both of my test settings this afternoon with the repeater operator.  Family so happy on this family hobby.  Since BTWR was closed for the holiday.  I had to import radio factory setting using CHRIP software to see what was going on.  In doing so I saw via the programing software which showed it was not setup for +5 on duplexing.   Just a side note, being a newbie, I asked BTWR before purchasing if they would set up this first repeater channel for me.... BTWR reply NO.  I will say BTWR was helpful in getting me to pick this KG-805G and very help with it.  Now I'm open for any other HT I should be looking at as I only have this one plus an old FRS unit.
 
I hope I did not offend anyone with my repeated questions.  It is one of those things, where you have to ask enough folks as everyone see things from different points of view.  Sure I did not ask the right questions as I did not know what they where.  So asking gave me many answers to the puzzle piece I was missing.  You all played a part getting me to be successful in front of family and kids during the first radio check with repeater.  Must thankful for the PM answers these guys gave just the right on out of the view of others.  Be patience and helpful to us newbie as we are the future of GMRS...  
 
You guys have been a good witness to me and my kids of caring, helpful teachers, that what make you so great in my eyes... 
 
P.S. Now for any Newbie with Wouxun KG-805G GMRS Radio, feel free to call on me... I can be one of those puzzle piece you need for the question you have no clue how to ask it.  We will PM several times until we get it right thus not boring others on the forum.

Good Morning O-B-1.
 
Nice work on the antenna. Isn’t it amazing how simple it is to make a 1/4 wave ground plane antenna is? I have made versions for GMRS and amateur VHF. They tuned up quite nice. Love the low profile nature of the GMRS version. Did you use welding rods for yours?
 
When I was tuning my antennas I used a NanaVNA to help me visualize the effects on SWR & Impedance. I could see the effects of driven element length, angle of the ground plane, and proximity to other objects. What a cool instrument.
 
I see the picture shows the antenna close to the side of the house. Will you be raising it up above the roofline to improve coverage and eliminate the interference caused by the side of the house?
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

It's more of a CYA post by the FCC than anything else. If (that's IF) they arrest someone and they have a radio that is turned on they can make the charge even though they couldn't necessarily prove it unless they have a picture of the person using the radio while committing the offense.

Yes, the software is open, its not licensed.

Welcome to the forum Rick. Enjoy your time here.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Well, I don't have an MXT400 or the desire to get one so I can't speak to the channels installed. However, the issues with repeaters is fairly well documented. First, the wideband and narrowband point. Radios having one bandwidth can, and do, talk to each other over the same channels. Radios on wideband hear the narrowband radio with lower volume while the opposite is true for narrow band radios listening to wide band radios. This has to do with the amount of signal carrying the intelligence. Narrowband radios carry their intelligence or speech using 11.3 kilohertz of bandwidth and wide band radios use 20 kilohertz for speech. More bandwidth, the stronger the received speech volume. Also, the wideband radio will be more intelligible at the farthest range for both.
 
The second issue for the Midlands has to do with the signaling tones used by most repeaters. Some repeaters need a specific tone to "wake up" and process the incoming signal. If the output from the repeater does not carry a tone or uses the same tone the MXT works. It's when the output signal uses a different tone than the input, split tones, that the Midland fails, This is because the Midland cannot assign one tone for transmit and another to receive without modification.

From my experience dealing with both the WTB and PSHS is they have no issues with applying rules and restrictions from one section or part to another in their interpretations of a particular rule. It is virtually impossible for laymen, such as ourselves, be aware of all the past filings and rules touching on any aspect of equipment certification or rule applicability. We may have the means, but lack the training, of searching the record for any discussion, petition, rule or interpretation that may be given in any discussion regarding how we view the applicability of one section of the rules to our discussion. The interpretation of the rules regarding equipment certifications and modifications to the stated operating parameters of equipment are best left to the Commission. The rules explicitly tell what is and isn't permissible. Changes to those permissions and restrictions must come through Commission proceedings. In the particular instance of the Midland radios certified under Part 95 it explicitly states narrow emissions only and does not imply modification to wide emissions is allowed within the confines of their certification. As end-users of the product we lack the means and equipment to ensure the radio does not generate spurious emissions exceeding Commission requirements when operating with increased bandwidth. As the final point, our interpretation of a particular rule allows the Commission to either agree or disagree with no middle ground.

The MXT400 can be programmed with the MXT400 Programming software only! The Midland firmware on their software locks you out of anything on CHIRP.
1. You can change from FMN narrow 12.5KHz to FM wide 20KHz or 25KHz. NOTE: 25KHz not legal on gmrs anymore.
2.  You can add on CH8 thru CH13  7 of your own programs. The other frequencies you will find are locked on all other channels.
3. You can use different receive and transmit CTCSS/DCS on each channel. You are no longer locked to just one send and receive!!
 
MXT400 Programming software:  https://www.dropbox....p_1.05.zip?dl=1
CABLE: USB to 3.5mm stereo connection programming cable :https://www.rtsystemsinc.com/USB-29A-Programming-Cable_p_748.html
 good luck / works for me
 
Jay  WQRE838

It should.... And will have NOAA channels as I understand.
 
My MXT400 came from the factory with the repeater channels set to 25kHz (wideband), contrary to the rumors circulated by those with a bias against Midland radios that it does not support wideband. It is simply amazing that those who do not own one make all these claims as though they are the "gurus" chanting the mantra from the mountain top upon which they seated themselves. It will also do 20kHz if you like.
 
It can also be software programmed to do split tones, CTSS and  DCS even, on same channel.
 
You must buy the DBR1 cable from Midland and they give you a limited-life link to the software download when you call them.
 
I programmed mine to display my call sign on startup
 
All my simplex channels are programmed as wideband (25kHz).
. 
I programmed the four local repeaters into the empty channel slots that were empty for the 0.5W FRS channels, displaying the repeater names OR CITY, TABOR, OVRLOOK and GRESHAM when they are chosen.
 
Someone also said programming the radio invalidates the certification. Midland denies this. The radio was certified under Part 95A and as such, is grandfathered under the new parameters specified under Part 95E. As long as the radio is still operating within the Part 95E specifications when programmed, you are fine.
 
It does what I want., and I am satisfied with my purchase. It doesn't have 10 billion "bells and whistles" to clutter up the menus and programming like some other radios. It doesn't have FM, but my car and my Sangean WR-11 and ATS-909 take care of that.