BradfordD

Jeez - you're going to give your cat cancer.

What type/model/brand of car exterior antenna (and cord) would you recommend for a HT? That type of setup would surely extend the range - but seems awkward in practice....?

I don't think we'd have an "Official Ch19 Road Channel" until myGMRS puts out an "official" bumper sticker: Road & Travel GMRS Channel 19

Is anyone using the "Viewshed" tool in Google Earth to graphically show a repeater's coverage map? I know the tool is limited to a 6-ish mile radius - but IF something like this tool was available on the GMRS map - it would be fantastic! To use the tool on Google Earth, you first pin or "Placemark" the repeater location - then right-click for the Viewshed tool (you can also adjust the placemark above ground). This shows the Line-Of-Sight all around that location... It works great - but the Viewshed radius is too limited for my uses.

I received a response (and an okay to use) from "MNT TOP 2 VALLEJO" and it appears to be the right repeater. Was able to do a radio check with my SO and we both were able to TX and RX on it! Distance 23.44 miles - RX and TX from inside my home. I've added that as a specially named channel to my 935 with the frequencies and tones - leaving the original repeater channel "un-modified"... To find the repeater - I did a search from the MyGMRS map and identified five possible repeaters operating in my area at the same frequency and sent the each a similar email... Got several responses - but this one "lines up" with the tones.

Corte Madera, CA 94925 KG-935G

It is VERY quite where I live.... as in NOBODY OUT THERE... But, I was scanning and got a hit on a repeater... I was able to retrieve it's CTCSS code. As there are several repeaters in my area (five using the same frequency - as shown on My GMRS map page) - I've sent out the following email: Hi ****, I’m new to GMRS and my Call Sign is ******. I recently purchased a handheld and while scanning, I noticed that I may have gotten your repeater (it was giving out its repeater tone every few minutes). It came up on mine as RPT-22 / CH-030 on 462.72500 (with a CTCSS code of 131.8) – and yours is ONE of the only matches that I could find locally. I live on *** *** ****, and was actually a bit surprised! I got your info on “myGMRS” and would like to request occasional repeater use if possible. I don’t even know if I could trigger your repeater – but I would like to try anyway. Please let me know if this is okay and if there is any special instructions in doing so. I then ended the email with my name, address, phone number and Callsign. Anything else that I should be doing?? I live at sea level and am surrounded by hills and water.... Just how far can a handheld reach out to??

Thanks Tom. Do you mean 935 out performs the 905 in transmit and receive distances and clarity? Being a newbie - I heard the 905 has the "superheterodyne circuitry" (what ever the heck that means) whereas the 935 did not. I was thinking because of this, the clarity would be better on the 905 (less of a worry about squelch adjustment on the 905)...? Anyway - I also worry about the complexity (if nothing more than appearance) of the 935... wifey would just want to P-T-T, which the 905's simple appearance and lack of buttons, is less... intimidating...? In any regard, I've only got the one 935 coming - so we'll see. Thanks again!

Also just received my Call Sign. For my first HT, I've ordered a KG-935G - should be here 10/8... Because the 935 shares the same battery AND charger as the 905, my future #2 will most likely be the KG-905G - but would like to see how well the 935 works before ordering.

New to this website - and GMRS. Received my FCC call sign and joined up! Welcome to you all!! Already ordered a HT (delivery 10/8 hopefully) and will order the "companion" (not sure what type of model the second unit will be..) once I've figured this all out a little bit better. I live in an area that has a lot of hills (NorCal) - so I'll be needing information on repeater locations within my surroundings. Is this the best site to find these? Are there other websites or organizations I should be looking into? Needs/Background: I car rally a bit (mostly on-road, but off-road sporadically) and have several cars - so #1 as a handheld seemed the most appropriate. Then, I'd like to have another GMRS for my spouse or brother - that would be #2 (probably another HT).. May run a mobile base on my Jeep at a later date and, if so - that would be #3. I camp and hunt, although neither as often as I'd like to.. I'm kinda' expecting "dead air" - but that remains to be seen (errr, heard)..