PACNWComms

Did not know this wireless programmer adapter existed until this thread. Nor the particular model of Rugged Radio as well. However, I have had dealings with Rugged Radio for UTV comms, and I now stay away from them after having several hundred radios purchased being deemed "illegal" by the FCC. I admit they have brought a lot of people into the radio fold, which is always a good thing. I only wish they picked their products, with some thought on long term legal issues in mind.

When my own son was younger, I used a Motorola FR50 so he could talk to other kids in the neighborhood, or me. To listen to VHF and UHF radio users, it came down to a cheap old Realistic scanner, one of the first that did not use crystals, and allowed for push button programming. He was able to listen to aircraft, some local amateur types on UHF, and yet had no capability to transmit back, requiring the need to identify himself. The scanner could scan, and also had weather band and weather alert capability. While the radio bug phased out over the years, this worked for the intended purpose while he was interested. And it was a cheap and simple solution, usable by a young child.

Great information posted here about the limitation of using a handheld radio and being able to "hit" a repeater. I currently live on top of a hill, the highest point in the area, and have GMRS and P25 repeaters within only a few miles of my house. However, due to the metal foil insulation used in the house, I must be close to certain windows, or on an outside desk to hit both GMSR and P25 repeaters. The P25 repeater is for work, and there is also simulcast coverage in the area as well, both impacted just as the GMRS repeaterand my ability to reach them via handheld, by the metal foil insulation. Mobiles do better, with outdoor antennas and more power to get through the windows, but the handhelds are already lower power, less capable antenna (even with a counterpoise "rat tail"), and effected by the human body holding it as well. Thank you all for sharing information.

Interesting thread to read. In a previous life, I worked on many P25 radio systems, and 911 Public Safety Answering Points in Loudon County, Alexandria, and Warrenton areas. Seeing some interest in GMRS repeaters in this area is interesting to me, as everything is monitored, regulated, and population density is there to benefit users. Keeping an eye on this thread for my next trip to the area, may be using GMRS on that trip the way it seems to be going. Thank you all for sharing info.

Have used Motorola Astro Saber Model 3's for GMRS in the past as well. Still have one of them, but gave several others away to others that are still using them, with new batteries and chargers due to the changing battery chemistry of course. They work well for this, but even with a newer and smaller battery, they are a big though thin radio. I do get comments on it the most as many old school first responders recognize them instantly.

I own a lot of personal Motorola equipment, but still have one Harris XG-100P Unity handheld that was sold to me as a demo unit many years back now. Used, they are decent, but as others have stated, they are not very durable. Then there is the programming software, cable, and needing to have a dedicated computer for that software. Radio Program Manager is not like Motorola CPS, you can't just load it onto as many computers as you wish, each computer must be registered on the Harris server to be then used to program a Unity, or many other models included Harris radio. Better to buy something you can readily get programming software for, and is more popular and able to find parts to repair if it breaks. UHF Motorola radios, commercial or public safety grade is a very good way to go for GMRS use. I use an older XPR6550, but sometimes test XPR7550e radios work has given me to try out. Even HT-1250's do well, and at a lower cost than the XPR7550e, but higher cost than a Chinese made radio. I must admit to owning some Chinese radios for GMRS as well though, GM-30, Radioddity DB20-G, Anytone 878.

+1 on only worrying and reacting if you experience problems. The only situation I experience in a stick built house, with lots of cell phone towers, HF equipment, and electronics, is when I key up a TDMA digital radio too close to a CB (27 Mhz "Rubber Duck" style CB, not Europe/Australia UHF CB) radio. You can here the TDMA flutter between time slots on the AM radio when keying up the DMR radio. In some cases, choke coils, physical separation of power and signal wires, buying better radio equipment, and even Faraday cages and aluminum foil have been used to mitigate interference. One other note, was one of my Trbo radio sites said they experienced "interferance" which was other users on their: channel, frequency, and TalkGroup (Trbo trunked network). Well the problem with that was they were hearing voice and speech on an encrypted licensed channel, and then admitted they had lost some radios. The local construction company was later found to be using them, as their voices were heard on my companies radios. This was resolved pretty quick with law enforcement assistance, and the fact that these missing/stolen radios still had company engraving on them....and it was not "interference" but actual communications taking place.

You ill have to update on the Garmin Rino position data going through the repeater or not. As for Afghanistan, the included map data was sufficient, but I was often on the Afghanistan/Pakistan border, and with commercial GPS receivers only receiving the un-encrypted signal (anti-spoofing and selective availability have been turned off/broke for years) they were not as accurate as the AN/PSN-11. Now the new receivers have mapping, receive even GLONASS and other constellations, and generally work like a larger rugged Rino, but connect to a Harris AN/PRC-152 series radio through a connection cable.

Welcome to the site. Current engineer here, and also worked on ICBM's for a while. Still use Garmin Rino 120's and 530's for various outdoor activities. However, my first use of the Garmin Rino 120 was in Afghanistan, in a sort of intra-team radio role, and to double check the AN/PSN-11 Rockwell GPS receiver, that did not have a map installed (or capable of showing one). What kind of range are you getting from the Rino's in rocketry recovery use?

You may have a worn lightning arrester cartridge......higher than normal SWR for your OPEK LP350, as this is an indicator. https://www.americanradiosupply.com/lp-350a-arc-gas-lightning-transient-voltage-surge-protector/ I only use Polyphaser at this point, but you could have an OPEK unit that needs a new cartridge. Trying with it (entire OPEK LP350 device) removed as mentioned above would let you know what the next step should be.

I have never used that model of Tram antenna, but that SWR seems a little high as well. Which model of lightening arrester did you use? May have high insertion loss. LMR-400 and that antenna spec out to lower SWR from other users on sites I am also a member of. I would also make sure the lighting protector is installed the correct direction, there usually is an arrow to show the direction toward antenna and to the radio on them.

This post reminded me to add my own location, and even though it being a niche military operational method....I may have to jokingly use "actual" after my call sign. Have a few relatives using GMRS in the area under my call sign.....and under my control. (The chargers sit at home, so the radios must return home as well.)

I use both Part 90 and Part 95 hardware for GMRS.....and while this subject comes up often, I know many people, myself included that will only take calculated risks when violating FCC regulation which could also take away our means of earning a living. This is due to also having commercial FCC licenses, that could be impacted by blatantly doing something that could create an FCC investigation. That being said, I agree with the above poster, there are many Part 90 radios available that will last for years, but do require software to program, knowledge of the particular radio, and may not be as easy to use as a cheaper dedicated GMRS radio. Type certification costs money, and some manufacturers do not see the benefit for some type certification, and for some models of hardware. I also use a Harris XG-100P handheld radio that has "mission plans" that include GMRS and Marine VHF for example, as Harris type accepted this radio, knowing that it might be used for many different use cases. Do not expect every manufacturer to do this, even if the radio is capable. Then there is the fact that FRS and GMRS are so ubiquitous that you have to do something very intentional to be investigated, and fined, after being warned. I myself will continue to use both Part 90 and 95 radios for GMRS.

+1 on a used scanner, as mentioned above. Many handheld and base station scanners from the 1980's and 90's could listen to both VHF and UHF, and scan faster than an older FRS radio on scan mode in many cases. I have even found a few at thrift stores for a few dollars as many people do not know what they are. They will usually have corroded battery contacts, but can be cleaned with DeoxIt, and most of the time still work fine. I have one Pro-39 that had some bad buttons though. If you insist on looking for a FRS handheld, look for older 14 channel only radios such as the Motorola FR50, but then, many of those older radios lack the scan feature. So, happy hunting.

Antennas on handheld radios are already impacted by their design and ease of use. Before replacing antennas, and adding an adapter that may change make breakage easier, it might be wise to test out a "rat tail" counterpoise for use in that 10% time frame. This was discussed a few days ago here on this site.

Have experienced this a lot, and also one of the reasons many contracts and maintenance programs require yearly at the minimum maintenance inspections. Rain, ambient humidity, very hot conditions, any extreme magnifies the weak points in hardware and installation. I know many people that even knowingly slack off on CB radio installs, as it is only a 5 watt radio and AM anyway.....instead of realizing that any issue in installation or quality of materials is magnified due to the low power and AM modulation. Higher power GMRS (mobile) radios allow for some leeway, and may not expose the systems limitations as much as a CB radio. Great point you made there, WX can be a huge problem.

Great info......I was once told by a member of my crew, while stationed in Iraq and in charge of a military radio shop, that we were out of UHF antennas, but had many VHF antennas as spares. Then I introduced these younger and less experienced personnel to the art of antenna cutting. These were magnet NMO (New Motorola) style mounts and Laird VHF whip antennas. An Internet search led to the UHF antenna cutting chart and we were back in business. Magnet mounts were used, as many vehicles were locally procured Toyota pickup trucks and Mercedes sedans.

Have heard for years the comments about J-pole antennas working better than.....insert some other type.....but then find out it is just someones opinion as well. In ten years of providing emergency communications services to the oil industry, hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Rita, oil spills, forest fires, and floods, many sites ended up buying or making J-pole antennas for their offices, with many being in attics and upper offices. However, in many cases Laird, Antennex, Cushcraft, and many other antennas worked just as well, provided they had a good ground plane, and were not placed in attics with metal roofs. The metal roof aspect happened several times, as many commercial buildings use them for ease of maintenance and durability. Some sites also used VHF, with everything from Shakespeare fiberglass antennas and Morad based loaded antennas being used. Reception and transmission also involve a lot of variable, and the attention to detail on installation, coax, connectors (no adapters), ground plane, length of coax, other electrical items that may interfere. The antenna is still one of the most important aspects of a radio system. Glad the J-pole worked for your use case.

Have mostly used Motorola hardware for GMRS, along with my recent GM-30 and Radioddity DB20-G mobile, but may dust off some of my old EFJ radios that have been stored away......parting gifts from my time at Zetron, then a part of the JVC/Kenwood Group. Have heard many people state they prefer the EFJ mobiles, but have yet to use mine for anything in several years. Thank you for posting.

Have never used one of these antennas, but came in to see what others had experienced. WRFP399's comment may make me buy a couple for hiking and camping use. Like that they are lightweight but can get out a bit. Have strewn wire into and between trees many times though.

Welcome to the site. San Antonio has a lot of UHF radio traffic. I administer a radio network in that city that will be expanding, but in the commercial UHF band and Motorola Trbo series radios. On the note of Trbo series Motorola radios, they also work well for GMRS use, but require the programming software and higher price of entry.

Welcome, and yes, GMRS is great for use in the woods, even though UHF and pine needles do not necessarily mix well together. I am further north in WA State, but still manage a mile or so in the woods with handhelds, but also carry Motorola 1 Watt DTR410's as some places in my area, everyone is using FRS/GMRS. Welcome again.

I usually use commercial Laird and Comprod antennas that are for 450-470 MHz with little SWR or problem over time. Ed Fong makes great antennas as well, very big in amateur and emergency response use cases.....having students cut them for specific frequencies. His influence on many Tecsun radios is appreciated as well.

Never heard of the ZipTenna before this, but have used wire for a counterpoise many times. Also liked the Micronta Field Strength Meter in the video, has been a few years since seeing and using one of those. Mine has been missing the original piece of wire for the antenna for years, and at some point I added a battery holder and blue LED to backlight the meter for the cool factor. When I need the range/efficiency, I often add a counterpoise to my handheld radios, except at work......there I have simulcast assisting me.