[GMRS set off a car alarm]

12 hours ago, marcspaz said:

I also have a HF radio and an amp that puts out about 1,100 watts.  If I run it full-tilt, LED lights in my house that aren't even plugged in will actually light up. It trips my wireless surround sound, turning that on. And depending on the frequency, it makes my radio/alarm clock's radio turn on until I let the mic go.

 

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

 

[What I heard on a three day road trip... (not much)]

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....? 

[Un-official GMRS travel channel?]

On 12/9/2021 at 8:28 PM, OffRoaderX said:

This is the obvious answer.. Everyone knows that CB Ch19 is the unofficial official road channel so it makes sense that GMRS Ch19 would be the same..

Someone should go on Youtube and decree it, to make it official..

 

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 

[Anybody using "Viewshed" in Google Earth to determine repeater coverage??]

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. 

 

[Newbie. I just got a signal hit from a repeater channel - NOW WHAT?]

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.

[Newbie. I just got a signal hit from a repeater channel - NOW WHAT?]

Corte Madera, CA 94925

KG-935G

 

[Newbie. I just got a signal hit from a repeater channel - NOW WHAT?]

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??  

[Your First and current GMRS HT]

2 hours ago, TOM47 said:

HAVING BOTH MODELS THE KG-935G OUT PERFORMS MY FOUR KG-905G'S WHICH HAVE THE STOCK ANTENNA AND THE 15" NAGOYA'S.  DON'T BOTHER WITH THE KG-905.

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!

[Your First and current GMRS HT]

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.

[Welcome!]

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)..