MichaelLAX

My Radioddity RD-5R was the least expensive DMR on the market at the time of my purchase (and used all my Baofeng accessories, including the higher limit batteries), but at a cost of requiring much detail in the way of programming my codeplug I am told there are DMR HTs that only require programming in the Repeater frequency and Talkgroups can be just dialed up on the fly. Can anyone tell me which of the current batch of DMR HTs have this slim programming capability?

As an admitted Kenwood fanboy, can I open up my two dormant TH-22a’s for MURS?

Sounds like fun! ?

Where?

OK: So I drove out to the Camarillo Grade again and was able to make contact on the correct Santa Ynez repeater this time (145.18) and indeed, when split tones are turned on my Anytone AT-779UV, I cannot hear the audio of this repeater (while being able to see the indicator of the S meter in white, showing that it is receiving a signal). When I changed Menu 05: from CT/DCS to SQ, I can now hear the audio on this repeater. So the "bug" exists on my Anytone as well. I futher confirmed this with my TYT-UV88 HT set for the split tones, which was able to hear the audio from the repeater. And, using the TYT on 145.18 with the tone of 146.2, I was able to hear my audio on the 779 with Menu 05: set to CT/DCS on my channel for the Santa Ynez repeater. I did have a long chat with Wayne the sys op for this repeater and explained the problem. He later confirmed to me by email that he cannot duplicate the problem with his Anytone T5888UV3 as well as his Kenwood THD-74A, both of which worked fine; which I expected. I did explain that this problem seems particular to the 779 as well its clone the Radioddity DB20-G. He indicated that he is due to go to the repeater site in a couple of weeks and will check it out from there are well. They indicated that you are probably hearing the output of the San Diego repeater that is on the same frequency, while in Santa Barbara.

What I do for split tones is to drive up near the repeater and listen on the input frequency with a Tone Scanning HT.

For what its worth, this 447.20 MHz Ham repeater is listed as Daniel Peak with coverage in Hemet Valley/Banning Pass

I'm sorry to hear that Dave. Maybe when the rain settles down, I'll make a drive out there and see if my older version of firmware causes any change.

Welcome! One of the best ways to discover the answer, is to take your HT for a drive to be sure you are in the proper reception zone for one or both of these repeaters. When you transmit and then let go of the "push to talk" button, you should hear a "repeater tail" signal for a second or two before the repeater lets go of the frequency. A small minority of repeaters do not have this tail. What model HT do you use? Do you program it from the keyboard or by computer and cable?

There is a common misconception about the use of so-called privacy tones to restrict interference on your radio by others not using the same repeater. These tones work best when no one is using the repeater and so your squelch keeps your radio silent while waiting to hear repeater traffic. However, once someone is properly transmitting through the same repeater with the required tone, the repeater will "open" your squelch on your receiver because you have set your receiver to only open with the proper repeater tone. But, once your squelch is opened by the repeater; open is open*: you will now hear any transmission on that channel within your reception zone, no matter what tone (or even the absence of a tone) is used by the interfering radio users. Chances are they are using that same frequency for simplex operation (same frequency for transmit and receive). *In the United States, GMRS is analog only for voice communications; but if allowed by the FCC, a digital signal could share the channel with another digital signal without interference on modes such as D*Star, DMR and P-25. Europe has an unlicensed digital service known as PMR.

When you choose to talk to someone simplex (both transmitting and receiving are on the same frequency), and not through a repeater: When you need the most High power, use Channels 1-7 and 15 through 22, which are 5 watts on your Handheld; although avoid Channel 17, which shares the same frequency as the output of the MKE 600 repeater. The other party you are communicating with can use up to 50 watts on Channels 15-22. When lower power for nearby proximity can work, use Channels 8 through 15, which are limited to only 0.5 watts.

OK: Always helps to let us know your city and state (Midwest is a large area!); from research it seems you are near or in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Go to your Channel 25, which should be labeled Rptr-17 (462.600) Go to Page 49 of your manual and follow these instruction to go to Menu-12 and enter the Transmit DCS frequency of 464; Do NOT enter a receiving frequency at this time. You should now be able to use the MKE 600 repeater. Report back your results:

What is "your area?"

I thought all UV-5X’s are GMRS

What firmware version?

That radio requires an antenna with a SMA female connector at the bottom of the antenna. UPDATE: I may be wrong about the SMA gender needed on the antenna A popular favorite a boost in receiving/transmitting is the Nagoya 771-G (Be sure it is the G model, cut for GMRS). But this antenna does not collapse and probably must be disconnected and put in your backpack while you hike. A popular collapsable antenna with more gain is the Smiley Super Stick for GMRS That is a dual band receiver, so if you will be listening to VHF, I recommend a dual band antenna.

This is where you send me to read a comparison of receivers on a FRS HT vs a receiver on a 50 Watt transceiver?!? Good luck with suggesting to your SARs to use FRS HTs when they could also have 50 watt mobile rigs in their recovery vehicles on the theory that both receivers are just as good! With all due respect, I will withdraw from this debate.

What do you want to know about programming DMR? Which radio do you have? What local repeaters have DMR coverage? Any special Talkgroups you want programmed?

Link please?

Unless you do not own any "higher-end radios," I find these two statements to be completely contradictory. Can you clarify and/or be specific?

My Anytone AT-779UV is outperforming my Yaesu FT-857d on 2 meters and 440!

While I cannot speak to EVERY transceiver made for GMRS, any manufacturing company worth its salt and that expects to sell radios against its competitors, will design transceivers which have higher power transmitters with receivers that have more sensitivity and selectivity (than the receivers on their lower power GRMS/FRS HTs for example)

I am still confused by your original point, even as you clarify it, but my confusion is moot because Wyoming picked Channel 3 and not Channel 21: It seems to me that SARs can hear ALL calls better on a 50 watt GMRS Radio than on a FRS Radio.

Plenty of activity here in the metropolitan Los Angeles area! On 725: maybe too much! ?

The Wyoming website for 307 is more specific: