TRAINS

We actually took off from Oklahoma and was at altitude (12000) over Texas. Had a few contacts simplex 40 -50 miles away. I think some were skeptical we were airborne. I set it on scan when I wasn't too busy with other duties. Frequencies didn't appear too crowded but it was a weekday and it sounded like most on frequency were doing work related comms and not really concerned with chatting which I get. Keying up I was definitely getting repeater hits on all repeater channels for most of the flight. My feeling for SAR operations 1-5k agl would likely be the most affective. Lack of an external antenna was probably the biggest limiting factor.

Ahhh yes. Hot summer ruck marches a that garden spot Ft Bragg. ?

We were able to try the 805G a couple days ago locally and hitting the local repeater at 40 miles from 1k-2k AGL...also got a pretty good simplex contact from about the same distance. It appears not too surprisingly the 805G had a drop off in signal directly to the aircraft 6 o'clock. Obviously a permanent underside antenna would be best or better yet a more capable a/g radio. We're still planning on trying tomorrow from a considerably higher altitude.

Sure thing. Fayetteville TX? Climb out is typically a busy time so waiting until cruise is the best option. Fortunately weather seems to be holding. Hard IFR it just wouldn't work and I'm nowhere near that good at multitasking even with a crew onboard. Not to mention how and if it could interfere with instruments when the system hasn't yet been tested under these conditions. Given all the recent talk of UFOs ? I'll try to be sure to let everyone know if we see anything "unusual"..?

Copy that. I'm planning on staying away from channelsstaying. 8-14 for that reason. It will be interesting on how well a hand held works. Its a high wing aircraft so hopefully that will work as its own ground plane sts.

Ok. I ended up getting the 805G rather than the 905G and all in all it does what I need. The backward compatability with my currently owned Wouxun accessories/battery packs was just too convenient to pass up. Most likely my airborne experiment will happen 15 June in the morning. Trying to avoid summertime turbulence and pop up storms is the goal but 15 June itself is pretty locked in. My plan initially is to make a general call on channel 20 with tone 141.3 just to test comms feasibility through repeaters and then go simplex on channel 20 for a time. My goal is to not be on 20 for too long and move to simplex on channel 7 if all goes well. Obviously flying the aircraft and Comms with ATC take precedence. Just fyi for planning center mass of the AO is Lubbock Texas.

New estimated ship date of 11 June. That will be pushing my timeline to test it in flight so I hope it gets here sooner.

To further cloud the issue on the BTWR website in the February announcement of the 905g there is question posted 24May that asks specifically about the AA pack and the response is it is under development. Yes Alkaline doesn't have the push like the rechargeable but it is a nice backup. I admit I've never had new Alkaline do as poorly as you describe.

I've got the battery eliminator on order with the 905. I've honestly started questioning whether I should have gotten the 805 since it would have been backward compatible with all my current Wouxun hardware including an AA pack. I always carry extra batteries in my flight bag just in case.

Has anyone heard if the 905G will have an alkaline battery pack available? For true emergency capability a fistful of alkaline batteries may be the only way to be able to communicate if the power grid goes down for an extended period.. I would also like a built in Bluetooth added for a cleaner install. The one I have is an external dongle. We can all dream?

I wholeheartedly agree that ready availability to pretty much anyone is a big plus. Unfortunately not all wings have the upgraded radio with FRS/GMRS frequencies. That said I used my Bluetooth on my David Clark and another Wouxun with Bluetooth adapter to talk through the local repeater the other day and got pretty good reception reports. Once I get the 905 I plan to try actual airborne operations next month to see how it works since our actual aircraft radio is the older version without FRS/GMRS.

Question related to emergency comms in an air to ground setting. I know in CAP (Civil Air Patrol) the NC Wing has the option to communicate A-G on FRS simplex channels 1-22 for the sole purpose of comms with the subject of a search/emergency. Has anyone done any A-G comms on FRS/GMRS frequencies? I would think simplex channels 1-7 would the most appropriate given they won't interfere with repeaters over a 3 state area depending on altitude and allow at least 2watts output for FRS radios or more with GMRS.

CBP is probably keeping them quarantined be because the can't show proof of vaccination

So has anyone had a recent delivery of the 905G? I ordered mine a week ago so I'm not expecting it too soon. I'm trying to get a feel if things have started moving.