jas
-
Posts
71 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
1
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Classifieds
Posts posted by jas
-
-
10 hours ago, Sshannon said:
Without knowing which pinned post you are referring to I don’t know the context of the post.
If it’s purporting to be “the regs” it should just be a link to the regs:https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-E
Thanks for the response. I clicked on the link inside the "Up To Date FCC Title 47CFR95 Regulations" pinned 2017 post that should lead to part 95 and it goes here:
-
The pinned post of the GMRS regulations dates to 2017. Should that be updated to at least 2021?
-
3 hours ago, Sshannon said:
How many SEALs are carrying two Palmetto State carbines rather than a single M4A1?
LOL! The quote was in reference to explosives, detonators and wiring mainly, diving gear essentials, AND radios, both satellite and individual comms. For weapons, they carry more than one, sometimes three, depending on duties (team sniper etc.).
-
On 11/14/2023 at 3:00 PM, WRYW303 said:
Just wondering if going from a 5 watt handheld to a 50 watt mobile unit (used as a base) if all else is the same will it make a noticeable difference in transmission ? I will likely later change out the cable to a lmr240 (50' run) eventually but now I'm using rg58 (25' run). Anyone do something like this? Thank you !
I just did that for my mobile setup. With the right antenna setup the difference is not huge it's A LOT bigger than that! A whole new world....
-
I mentioned this in another post but I will show you what I use here in case anyone finds it useful, or have a better suggestion...
Midland mobile radios are different. they use 2-digit numbers for repeater squelch codes, different channel #s than HTs and such.
I use HT's not made by Midland. Those are easy because you can program the name of the repeaters so just looking at the display on the radio you know which repeater you are listening or talking to. Not so with Midland -just a channel #.
So, I made a cheat sheet on excel that has both the HT names and the Midland channels.
The sheet is a 4x5 card that I keep clipped on the inside of my visor. When doing a scan and it stops on a repeater channel, or if I want to tune to a specific repeater, I look at the radio, lower the visor and quickly know which of the repeaters is transmitting or which channel to tune in while mobile.
I can add more repeaters on the same frequency and make that work on the Midland radio. (Already have one duplicate in there) and it's just a matter of looking at the Midland squelch code on the excel table (22RP) and switch that squelch number on the radio - car stopped of course.
It looks like this - (all this information is public on My GMRS. I blanked out the owner names and FCC ID):
MY CALL SIGN - WRKP245 GMRS REPEATERS IN MY AREAS REP # GMRS CH * AUTHORIZED RX TX PT IN PT OUT Mid SQL Owner FCC ID UV-5R MIDLAND 1 - 23 15RP NONE 462.5500 467.5500 2 - 24 16RP TAMPA 575* 462.5750 467.5750 141.3 141.3 22 3 - 25 17RP TAMPA 600* 462.6000 467.6000 131.8 131.8 20 4 - 26 18RP CORTEZ 625* 462.6250 467.6250 103.5 103.5 13 5 - 27 19RP ORLANDO 650 462.6500 467.6500 173.8 173.8 28 6 - 28 20RP SEBRING 675* 462.6750 467.6750 100.0 100.0 12 7 - 29 21RP NONE 462.7000 467.7000 8 - 30 22RP LWS APOPKA* 462.7250 467.7250 103.5 103.5 13 8 - 31 22RP SEM 725 462.7250 467.7250 141.3 141.3 22 -
I think I have a better answer for you. Navy Seals have a saying: "Two is one and one is none"
One expensive HT is useless out in the woods or dessert canyons if it stops working for whatever reason. Two less expensive ones is a much better bet.
Differences are small between the two. They both work. The cheap ones might have a bit less wattage but it's an insignificant amount. Oh, and for cheap HTs get a GOOD antenna. Makes a big tested (by me) difference. I have a 30-inch Nagoya folding whip antenna on one of my Baofengs. No comparison on SWR with the standard antenna, It shows in both RX (especially) and TX.
You can by a $200 dollar superheterodyne HT radio, which will sound clearer on RX depending on range. But, you can buy eight Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios for that. Cheap and work very well. (two is one...)
And after all they are just HTs. Quality high power mobiles blow all of them away...
All the more expensive radios tend to have more (listening) bands hence more frequencies, and better user interfaces and that is a big plus. The better interface of some of the expensive ones IS a big deal... If you can afford one then definitely go for it! But by all means get two! $400... (two is one)
-
On 11/11/2023 at 10:36 AM, jas said:
OK, couldn't get this bouncing thing out of my head so I started researching it. I'm an analyst (business) by profession - first four letters - anal
.
There I sat all evening thinking and came out with four clues - which now leads me to believe that my new radio enthusiasm yesterday needs to be tempered somewhat until I run more tests:
I think the stellar results might have been the result of UHF Tropospheric Ducting.
First Clue: On my original post on this new radio I said "For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts." Only two reasons - better radio circuitry OR, some bounce.
Second clue: I usually sit by the pool listening to my UV-5R equipped with a Nagoya NA-F30G 30-Inch Tactical Foldable Whip before dinner with my favorite beverage. Listening only because I can't raise anyone with 5 watts from my screened in pool. In the last week I've been picking up sporadic but clear conversations from a repeater on 462.675 MHz - early evenings. There are none of those within 30 miles of me.
So, I went looking and the only one it could be is in Sebring, FL - owner's estimated range 65 miles! My distance to it - 77 miles! and very L&C.
Third Clue: I found a website that forecasts Tropospheric Ducting. Forecast for my location for yesterday was moderate to strong. Link and picture below.
Fourth clue: In reading all about UHF Tropospheric Ducting I found relevant conversations on this forum and also ran in to an article saying that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for this phenomena and the atmospheric conditions this past week have been excellent for it - moist warm air temperatures with significantly cooler water (temperature inversions).
Links: https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html , Wikipedia (see UHF propagation records at the end!): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropospheric_propagation
Forecast image for my location yesterday:
Update:
Well, I hate saying this but reception went back to normal today - no different from the MXT275 with the same antenna. The other day above was too good to be true reception wise on a regular basis... But, it didn't affect TX at all. I could hit the repeaters really well from 26 miles. I'll post the ducting forecast for today below for comparison.
I also tested the SWR with my Surecom meter today on the new MXT575 radio, using two of my antennas: The daily use Midland MXTA25 3DB Ghost and the Midland MXT26 6DB whip which I use when traveling. I drove down to our local beach park out in Tampa Bay so I could get a wide open space. Drove down with the whip installed and back with the ghost. Very little difference in reception. Actually the ghost wins because it cuts all the unintelligible scratchy stuff out.
The Results:
MXT26: 1.02 SWR all regular channels - 1.15 on repeater channels
MXT25: 1.08-1.09 SWR all regular channels - 1.51 on repeater channels
Here's the tropo ducting forecast - Purple is marginal - almost nil:
-
On 11/13/2023 at 8:29 AM, WRZF693 said:
Thanks everyone.. I'm afraid that I'll buy a fake if I do so on Amazon.. I'm trying to figure out now where to buy one! Anyone have any recommendations?
Thanks so much in advance.Tim
I bought a Nagoya folding whip ( NA-F30G) for my Baofeng UV-5R GMRS at Amazon and got the original in the original packaging. The folding whip is easy to deal with in the vehicle and transmits OK when folded. I wanted to see if it would improve my reception at my house, which is in a RF black hole! The antenna is 30-inches long unfolded and not for walking around or using in high wind when unfolded because it is very flexible and folds easily.
I've gotten used to that and got a modest 20-30 percent or so in reception which is great quite a difference in clarity. I have two UV-5Rs and had them on the same table out in the patio - that's how I tested it. I can hit the clearest repeater 24 miles from my house but its scratchy at best. Nine miles away it it hits it well.
Here's the link:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ59WT5D?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
-
The people that you might be hearing on 15-22 and trying to talk to are probably on repeaters - very common in my area. The repeaters transmit in the open on channels 15-22 but you can't talk to them unless you're on the repeater channel.
That's a whole other ball game. You need to activate the repeater channels - they are inactive from the factory. And then you would have to program the repeaters in your area - again, that's a different ballgame but the way to go eventually.
Also, you might have accidentally set the high power channels 15-22 to low power when setting up the radio.
Like was mentioned above, ask for a radio check those are always replied to if there is anyone listening on frequency. PTT and say "Good morning/afternoon/etc. this is -license call sign- on -channel #/repeater name- requesting a radio check on a new radio"
When you get a reply then say "Thanks so much you are coming in loud and clear/a bit scratchy/broken/whichever" this could start a conversation about location, type of radio etc. then after you're done pause a bit and say: "Thanks again I'll be listening here from time to time -call sign- out or standing by"
Once you are past radio checks and want to jump in at another time out of the blue you can always say "Good morning/etc. -call sign- listening on -channel/repeater name-. that tells people you're available to chat. If people want to talk they will respond.
Polite is always the best intro and it works
.
-
22 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:
^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.22 hours ago, jas said:Never thought of it as bouncing. Interesting. Sounds right though, especially for us lowlander Floridians! In my case on an island 11-feet above sea level, which when it comes to RF everything around me seems to be an obstacle.
In my particular case, the difference between transmitting (and for some weird reason receiving) on a 15 watt MXT275 and a 50 watt MXT575 is nothing short of spectacular, and both tested with the same antenna on my vehicle. I said game changer for the MXT575 on my post and I REALLY mean that, nothing short of that..
Oh, and I enjoy your channel (subscribed).
OK, couldn't get this bouncing thing out of my head so I started researching it. I'm an analyst (business) by profession - first four letters - anal
.
There I sat all evening thinking and came out with four clues - which now leads me to believe that my new radio enthusiasm yesterday needs to be tempered somewhat until I run more tests:
I think the stellar results might have been the result of UHF Tropospheric Ducting.
First Clue: On my original post on this new radio I said "For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts." Only two reasons - better radio circuitry OR, some bounce.
Second clue: I usually sit by the pool listening to my UV-5R equipped with a Nagoya NA-F30G 30-Inch Tactical Foldable Whip before dinner with my favorite beverage. Listening only because I can't raise anyone with 5 watts from my screened in pool. In the last week I've been picking up sporadic but clear conversations from a repeater on 462.675 MHz - early evenings. There are none of those within 30 miles of me.
So, I went looking and the only one it could be is in Sebring, FL - owner's estimated range 65 miles! My distance to it - 77 miles! and very L&C.
Third Clue: I found a website that forecasts Tropospheric Ducting. Forecast for my location for yesterday was moderate to strong. Link and picture below.
Fourth clue: In reading all about UHF Tropospheric Ducting I found relevant conversations on this forum and also ran in to an article saying that the Gulf of Mexico is famous for this phenomena and the atmospheric conditions this past week have been excellent for it - moist warm air temperatures with significantly cooler water (temperature inversions).
Links: https://dxinfocentre.com/tropo.html , Wikipedia (see UHF propagation records at the end!): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropospheric_propagation
Forecast image for my location yesterday:
-
13 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:
That is known as picket fencing in the HAM (amateur) radio world. And yes just moving a little bit in a different direction can help get around obstacles.
Thanks! Didn't know what that was so I looked it up. That doesn't sound right though. The reason is that I was mobile and traversed around an 18-mile round trip, going closer and further away from the repeater. Both the RX and TX never wavered, which doesn't sound like picket fencing. If I understand the concept the signals would vary and they never did.
-
47 minutes ago, OffRoaderX said:
^ that..
And, for clarification, UHF (GMRS) is line of site. If you cant see it, then you are bouncing your signal to it - and more power helps to do that.Never thought of it as bouncing. Interesting. Sounds right though, especially for us lowlander Floridians! In my case on an island 11-feet above sea level, which when it comes to RF everything around me seems to be an obstacle.
In my particular case, the difference between transmitting (and for some weird reason receiving) on a 15 watt MXT275 and a 50 watt MXT575 is nothing short of spectacular, and both tested with the same antenna on my vehicle. I said game changer for the MXT575 on my post and I REALLY mean that, nothing short of that..
Oh, and I enjoy your channel (subscribed).
-
Not on this website that I know of. Some people on YouTube have said it's all line of sight, etc.
-
On 11/6/2023 at 10:52 AM, jas said:
Well, just got an alert from UPS. They picked up the MXT575 I ordered last Friday and it should be here this Thursday
.
Update: I Swapped my MXT275 out with the MXT575 today. Left the magnetic mount and the ghost antenna from the 275 on the roof of the vehicle so as to compare apples to apples.
This new radio is a game changer. Whoever said that watts don't matter is full of it. This thing cuts through suburbs and 11-story buildings like they are not there. All from 12-feet above sea level.
My first two PTTs resulted in two crystal clear conversations on two different repeaters. One 17 miles the other 24 miles. The 17 mile connection was through a repeater across Tampa Bay - Cortez625, FL. It's a more challenging one because it's not on a really tall building like the ones in Tampa. The owner estimate here on My GMRS is 15 miles but I'm not anywhere near being inside the green circle estimate on this website - North end of TIerra Verde, FL
That's excellent in my book for us FL flatland dwellers. The 275 could not do it, would not even get connect squelch. For some reason, the reception is much clearer with the new 575 as well which has nothing to do with watts.
And, I didn't hook up the 575 to the battery as recommended by Midland. I cut the radio's power cable a foot or so from the battery terminals and spliced in a high end cigarette lighter plug that came with 14 AGW wire and a 20amp fuse. Measured the voltage both at the battery and at the radio cable connector are both exactly 12.8 volts with the vehicle not running. When the vehicle is running it goes over 13 volts on both.
I am a very happy camper!
-
On 11/3/2023 at 4:53 PM, jas said:
Just ordered mine right now through Midland's Amazon store. In the last 2-days it went from delivery in 3-6 days to Nov 9 - Nov 13. Midlands running dry on these...
Well, just got an alert from UPS. They picked up the MXT575 I ordered last Friday and it should be here this Thursday
.
-
23 hours ago, jas said:
Update: The seller (ARRBEE) responded to my request and they are sending me the channel 15 fix for the UV-5R GMRS radio. Once I receive it and test it I'll post the files here - IF it works....
Thanks again to WRZE995...
Update 2: The channel 15 fix arrived. I installed it and both radios now TX on 15. Problem solved. I posted the files below.
Watch the video first because the boot loader (EXE file) is half in Chinese so it's tricky although the operation is easy - just three clicks:
I practiced the whole thing a couple of times without the radio to make sure everything was were it was supposed to be.
Put all the files in the same folder. Start the boot loader. Power on the radio in factory mode (see video). Connect the radio to the computer. Then:
1) select your comm port
2) select the .kdf file (in the long drop down field at the top of boot loader).
3) press the install button (top rectangular button on the right by the comm port selection drop down (watch video).
Once the .kdf fix loading gets to 100% -its done - no confirmation. At that point wait a couple of seconds and then turn the radio off and disconnect it.
Disclaimer: NOT my software!!! I'm NOT responsible for anything that happens to your radio or your computer.
My install went fine and I have no signs of any viruses or such (I checked my virus software).
-
-
13 minutes ago, WRZE995 said:
I had to go use the “ask the seller a question” link in the product page, as if I hadn’t bought it yet… couldn’t find a way to contact them from my order itself…. Took about 5 links, and holding my toes crossed just right to even find the link…
Ultimately, I was emailed the files from ‘service@abbree.com’, so I guess you could try that route too?
For the files, I’ll gladly send them your way, if you want to DM me or contact me directly in here, I’ll get your direct email and shoot them your way. But as I said in another post - try it at your own risk….
Really appreciate your response! I just did kind of the same thing except with a troubleshooting report through Amazon's new "messenger" thing to abbree and told them to send me the files so I can try them before returning the radios. Amazon says they have 'till Nov 6 to respond.
If that fails then I'll DM you and let you know where you can send the files. If they don't work then I can just press menu-40, reset them and send them back - I have 30 days to do so.
Gotta love this forum!! Great people. Thanks again.
-
31 minutes ago, WRZE995 said:
M8F3_BF_DOWNLOAD is only the bootload utility, you still need the .kdh firmware/patch file. I have both as was provided to me by Abbree, but my kdh file is for the GMRS-9r, and did fix the issue. I had to fight my way through figuring out how to contact them through Amazon, as they would not respond via any other contact method. I would venture to guess one could say “you get what you pay for”….
No S***! But at least we got progress now! I really like the radio and would like to keep them. Any way you can help? At least tell me how you contacted them? Also, it's really possible that the .kdh file might be the same for both. I think the 9r and the GRMS 5r might have identical insides, with the 9r being waterproof...
The reason I say that is because the issue is just a TX lock on GMRS15, exactly the same lock that they put on say NOAA weather frequencies. When I PTT I get the same beep and light on both.
Thanks!
-
2 hours ago, WRYZ926 said:
I bought the two pack of the UV-5R GMRS radios from the Baofeng Amazon store and both work just fine on all channels. I bought mine on 9 Oct 2023
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGHXV6Y4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
I tested both radios and they transmit and receive on all channels.
Same store I bought mine from @ Amazon. In both cases the seller is ABBREE. It's a Chinese company and I cant find the damn patch to fix the radio and I even have the name of the patch...
-
On 9/28/2023 at 6:12 PM, WRYC330 said:
I have FOUR uv-5r GMRS units with that same exact problem. I bought the first 2 on eBay and found they would not TX on Ch15. I emailed the seller who said "just keep them" and sent me 2 more. And the second pair do the same thing... and likewise cannot be fixed with CHIRP. OK radios that are functional but with defects of one sort or another... typical quality control issues. I paid peanuts for them and got what I paid for
just got the same radio from amazon - same problem. And I have another one on the way that I ordered before I found the problem with ch 15.
In the amazon page I ordered from there is a video on how to fix it and it's very quick. BUT, I can't find the firmware patch anywhere. The name of the patch shown in the video is M8F3_BF_DOWNLOAD.
The video is the first video of a series of videos - last icon on the list of images on the left hand side of the page:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B18CPDKG?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1
-
On 10/30/2023 at 10:23 PM, Tiercel said:
I would like to see a dozen or so mobile setups because my Avalon has no obvious place to mount a full mobile mount that I can envision. I was very close to buying what I thought was the perfect setup: a Midland MXT575 50-watt mobile with all the controls on the mic. Then I realized it could only monitor 1 station at a time and could not scan programmable receive-only frequencies. I don't need fancy, but it was a little too basic. I might still be forced to go that route.
I have seen a couple of others that look like the face is detachable, and the main unit can be mounted out of the way. I think that would be workable even if, at worst, I used a cupholder mount. I think I can find room for a detachable face plate.Does anyone have suggestions on 40 or 50-watt mobile units with all controls on the mic or with a detachable face.
Do you have recommendations or ideas on how you found room to mount a mobile in today's cars?
I think my Tacoma might have room for a standard mobile in a front open-cubby of the console.
I would like to be able to remove my mobile fairly easy to use as a base at times.
I hear you. I'm just simpler than you when driving. I have adapted though. I have a cheat sheet to get what I need done. Stopping first of course.
Just ordered my MXT575 because it seems that Midland is running dry on these.
As for mounting mine will go under the seat. Beings that I will not drill my vehicle nor put stick things on leather I found this in Amazon. It's a cup holder that goes in the cup holder, with an arm to hang the mic/head on it. No idea how good it is but I'm getting one.. If it's crap or not, I'll let everyone know.
Here's a screen clip and the link at Amazon:
-
2 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:
All the people that pre-ordered got theirs shipped and now everyone that didnt pre-order gets to wait again... Pre order one (when the website allows) if you ever want to touch one.
Just ordered mine right now through Midland's Amazon store. In the last 2-days it went from delivery in 3-6 days to Nov 9 - Nov 13. Midlands running dry on these...
-
46 minutes ago, tcp2525 said:
Just a thought. Are you going to be transmitting on both radios at the very same time all the time? It's good practice to have each radio on it's own rated circuit, but for the temporary install in your Lincoln. But... the best way to handle this situation if you want to do it 100% right is to get a fused power distribution box and run your heavy duty cable directly to the battery. You can run as many radios as you want on each of their own fused circuit.
Thanks, but I wont be using both, just the MXT575. The MXT275 is moving to my wife's Acura SUV.
.
New Repeater Channels for GMRS in 2024
in FCC Rules Discussion
Posted
We've had a real problem with "impact wrench" transmission here in Pinellas county FL for years. So much so that I had to stop scanning freqs because it would show up on each scanning revolution.
Then it stopped. It was wonderful! I did not heard it for over 3-months. Now it has started again!
Always on the same freq and channel (462.700 - CH21) and that makes it show up in repeater channel 21, 462.700 / 467.700. It is at not in My GMRS so it seems an unused repeater freq in this county. And because that dreaded "impact wrench" is L&C county wide I suspect someone is using a repeater in that freq.
Here's a short sound byte recorded 4 days ago of what we're up against down here (the whole thing lasted about 4.5 minutes).