DonErle
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Posts posted by DonErle
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On my Garmin GPS unit I have waypoints saved wfor local GMRS repeaters. When traveling I’ll generally set up a direct route to an interesting repeater. The GPS shows name of repeater, direct distance, and a pink line shows the direction to repeater. What’s missing is whether there is a clear line of sight to the repeater. An elevation profile that changes as you move showing the max elevation of the blocking mountain. It would be helpful if the amount of blocking updates as well. Like it’s only a 100’ of a 3000’ block. That way you see if terrain is an issue for poor coms.
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On 5/20/2022 at 10:47 PM, Sshannon said:
Sorry, I thought that would be it for sure. I got the ft65 and it definitely allows different dcs tones for transmit and receive.
I tried the RT Systems application on my RT-60. Only one code is allowed for RX and TX, unless the repeater you're using uses CTCSS on one side and DCS on the other. I now own a RT-65 for that very reason. I like the way the menus work on the 65. I have several Wouxan GMRS radios, so I was very familiar with their menu operation. So picking up the 65 for the first time was like using an HP calculator after only having TI models. After a couple of days I now think the RT-65 has a better logic.
The RT-60 is built like a battleship. Yaesu first built this model in 2004. It's solid and I intend to use it on 4WD trails using simplex.
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11 hours ago, Sshannon said:
Yes, you can set the uplink and downlink tones differently on the front panel. You can even do true split by setting one to DCS and another to CTCSS.
See pages 22-25 in the manual.
Page 22-23 Cover general CTCSS and DCS operation no mention of split tones
Page 24 Covers Tone Search
Page 25 covers Bell Operation at top
Page 25 Bottom sorta covers split tones. What I need is split DCS tones, one for RX one for TX. The "D" option is for encode only. I tried that by setting the TX code, never heard anything out of my radio because it set the same code for RX.
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Just purchased a Yaesu FT-60 with the mars mod so it will operate on GMRS frequencies. Does anyone know if split squelch codes can be set on the radio. In other words, where the RX code and TX code are different. Or is it necessary to use a programming cable and PC.
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I have mine set to always on. That way I don’t notice it when I hit PTT button. One thing I have noticed, however, is when it is cold outside, the fan is really loud for about a minute after starting my Jeep. Once I’ve driven a block or so, the noise is barely noticeable. I also have a Midland MXT500 and Wouxan KG-XS20G. Neither have a fan. Hasn’t been a problem this winter. Most of these radios, I thought, are designed to shut down at high temps. Also, keeping your rag chewing to reasonable lengths can help!
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I'll send mine in if I get the same response. Mine only uses about 5A on transmit.
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Channels 1-7
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Forgot to mention. the power output on channels is only 2.5-3 watts which is lower than most of my handhelds.
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On 1/12/2022 at 9:27 PM, marcspaz said:
@MichaelLAX I wouldn't hold my breathe. LOL
I did open a ticket with Midland, today. We'll see how they goes.
I also got my MXT500 a few days ago. The feature to fill in channels 8-14 with repeaters is very nice. But I love the mic connection. Very much like a CB mic connection. Those RJ-45 connections just beg for collecting dirt. I currently have the KG-1000G installed in my Jeep. Sooo many options. Too many really. This Midland has 15 menu options, most of which I'm smart enough to use. Midland is much easier to pronounce than Wouxun.
Good solid feel. Fewer buttons than the MXT 400. Good use of the channel knob in selection and changing options. I tried two different USB to USB-C cables that did not allow communications between the PC and radio. Thought it was a driver issue. But then tried a couple of bulkier cables and it worked perfectly. Like the use of the scan button to add and delete channels from the scan. Split tones were a little different to enter on the radio, but once you get the hang of it, fine. Seriously considering replacing my 1000G with this dandy.
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With the engine off (after about 30 seconds) the noise goes away. Noise is on Wouxan KG-1000G AND several HTs.
Will try your suggestion, tweiss3
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The other day, I turned My gmrs radio to Channel 6. There was static, sometimes constant active RX. Similar to a person in my group accidentally keying a mic. Same thing was happening on several other radios I had in the car. I made certain that they were all turned off. No other member of my group was experiencing this rx. It's almost as if my car engine was the source of the transmission. Is this unusual?? What else could be the source?
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Forgot to mention the options for DTMFST
DT-ST: Activates keypad sidetone
ANI-ST: Activates Caller ID sidetone
DT+ANT: Activates both keypad and Caller ID sidetones
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I assume that this works to limit the use of GMRS repeaters to only certain radio IDs. The repeater owner(s) decide what group of IDs to accept, and the radios that are accepted change their PTT-IDs to one of those numbers. My Wouxun KG-1000G also has menu options for ANI-EDIT and DTMFST. ANI-EDIT sets the caller ID for the radio, but I don't understand exactly how the DTMFST function works with PTT-ID.
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My 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.
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12 hours ago, DonErle said:
Do both RX and TX codes need to bo entered?
So, if I understand you correctly, the answer to the above question is yes.
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This seems like an easy question, the answer eludes me. Now that I have several radios that allow split tones on repeaters w/o using programming software, what needs to be done when using simplex? Do both RX and TX codes need to bo entered? Or is changing the RX code good enough and leaving the TX code off?
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Good feedback. Thanks.
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Seems to be some strong opinions on this subject, mostly folks that hate the feature. What are the pros and cons of using it? It's on just about every radio you see these days so I assume it's a feature that is needed. But I heard someone just a few days ago from an operator that simply asked for a radio check and he was berated for having it on.
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I checked tonight with a 100w dummy load instead of the antenna. On channels 1-7 the output was at 4.63w whether the setting was at L, M or H. On 15-22 with MPOW1 at 20w got these readings
Power set to L: 4.63w
Power set to M: 20.1w
Power set to H: 48.6w
On 8-14 the unit beeped when trying to transmit - just as the design is set. RX only on these 0.5w channels
How's the saying go? Close enough for government work..
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On page 42 of the manual it clearly states that the power hot key (#5) "will not be available when tuned to GMRS frequencies legally limited to 5 watts". But when you cycle through using key #5, the LCD screen changes between L, M, and H. So I used a Surecom SW102 meter to see what the actual power difference is between these setting while transmitting through an antenna. It was a bit over 6 watts, no matter if the setting was L, M or H. Granted, I didn't use a dummy load but figured there should be a difference even through an actual antenna. The manual would be more accurate if it just stated that the power levels on the LCD screen do in fact change between L, M and H, but the actual output remains limited to 5 watts. Has anyone else experienced this?
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Curious. How did you know to scan just for CTCSS tones? I guess one could use another hot key to start a scan of DSC codes. Menu [42] SC-DCS
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I guess a squelch tail or courtesy tone would certainly be a clue, but that can also be confused if someone uses a roger peep on EOT. If you wait for a pause in the conversation and state your call sign and are invited into the conversation, then it means it was open simplex (no squelch tones), they heard you. If you hear nothing, then they are either on a repeater channel with codes and cannot hear you at all or they hear your and are ignoring you. Or am I missing something?
There are certainly occasions where there is a discussion heard that is interesting and that you have something of interest to add. I usually just stay silent with the unknown of my original question.
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When I am listening to a conversation on channel 17 and hearing both sides does it mean that they were talking Simplex or am I hearing both sides of a conversation off of a repeater?
In other words is the same conversation on an open channel 17 also on the 17R channel set with the proper squelch tones? Is there any clues as to which I am hearing? In only matters I guess if I want tp participate in the conversation.
Need an app (or advanced GPS unit)
in Technical Discussion
Posted
The Garmin unit in the photo is a Garmin inReach 750i. It has Topo maps installed, I’ve just had it zoomed into a relatively small area of flat land. There is a contour line in upper left hand corner of the map.