SteveShannon

85.4 hz isn’t CTCSS #307 on any radio. 307 was simply picked to denote channel 3, tone 07.

Some radios have deeper squelch settings that can only be configured with the CPS which allow you to control how the squelch works when you adjust it on the fly.

Yes, you can safely, generally adapt a handheld radio to an external antenna that’s matched for the correct impedance. Use the appropriate type of cable for the frequency you’re using and keep the cable length short to avoid losses. Using an external antenna that’s meant for a different frequency than the radio may easily be less effective than the rubber duck antenna that came with the radio.

Repeaterbook has its strengths, but if you’re looking for GMRS repeaters this site is the more complete database. Click on Repeaters (like @amaff points out), and then click on where it says “near me” assuming your device knows your location.

It also depends on how much moisture is in the tree. It’s not the wood as much as the water.

It can be done. I haven’t done it but about a year ago someone asked about it and I googled it.

Given that the process the FCC uses to change rules hasn’t begun yet, there’s no chance before the end of the year.

This cannot be stressed enough. People routinely talk to the space station using 5 watt radios and it’s more than 200 miles away, but there’s nothing in the way.

-0.3 db means 6.67% of the signal is attenuated. 93.333% gets through.

Probably not. I wouldn’t change it out.

I would put an analyzer on the input of the duplexer, a dummy load on the output, and look at the response as frequency rises. Sweep it from 462 to 470 MHz.

I don’t know. What I do know is that there are two important standards for reception: sensitivity, which is the ability to hear a weak signal and selectivity,which is the ability to pick one signal out of several, to reject adjacent signals. The manufacturer’s typically will publish both specifications but I haven’t seen a table comparing the various handheld radios. You might find that most of the better radios hear about the same. For selectivity and clarity of output (a factor of audio amplifier quality and speaker quality), I suspect that many of the folks who have worked with commercial radios will tell you that commercial radios have superior selectivity and audio clarity, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re right. Some of those radios cost in the thousands when new and presumably the difference in cost meant something. They were designed to discern signals reliably and reproduce loud and clear audio in the worst conditions. But I’m one of the few people here who hasn’t got an old Motorola or Kenwood commercial handheld radio. Personally I’m very happy with the performance of my Yaesu handheld radios. Even my $100 Yaesu Ft-65 sounds really good when paired with the external factory microphone/speaker. I will say that the antenna is frequently the most important element in sensitivity, so be prepared to hear some opinions on what’s best there. Also, you neglected to specify which bands you want to hear “the best, furthest, and clear”. Good luck! I’ll be watching to see what I can learn.

Yes, but attaching a name is just a convenience for you, not a requirement. Your family is only required to say “wrvd881” and many people don’t even do that. So you can call someone by saying “ Suzy, this is dad.” as long as you use wrvd881 at the end of the conversation (not every sentence) and once every 15 minutes.

@Davichko5650 is correct. For repeaters you transmit in 467 MHz and receive at 462 MHz range, but as long as you’re using a GMRS certified radio that’s automatically taken care of. The repeater channels are channels 23-30 or sometimes they’re labeled Rp15-RP22. Radios tuned to those channels actually receive on the same 462 MHz frequencies as 15-22, but automatically transmit 5.000 MHz higher.

I agree that a difference seems like it might exist, but Remote Control is specifically defined as operating and Control Points and Control Stations are also defined in terms of operating: 95.303 Remote control. Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from a location that is not in the immediate vicinity of the transmitter. Operation of a Personal Radio Services station from any location on the premises, vehicle or craft where the transmitter is located is not considered to be remote control. Control point. Any location where the operator of a Personal Radio Services station may reliably operate that station. Control station. A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations.

You probably could get by simply turning down the output power and making sure that you are able to transmit and receive. If you can, go ahead and turn the power up. Most modern radios are not as susceptible to finals damage as a result of an impedance mismatch. I’ve transmitted into a high SWR without damaging a Radioddity db20g. I discovered I had too high of an SWR when people couldn’t hear me, so I put an analyzer on it and discovered it was well over 6:1.

From Part 95, the language describing how certain services require individual licenses to "operate or use". I'm not certain whether the regulations are establishing that "operate" and "use" are the same thing or acknowledging that they are separate activities allowed by the license. I think that the phrase as used here is equating the two words: § 95.3 05 Authorization to operate Personal Radio Services stations Pursuant to 47 U.S.C. 307(e)(1), this rule section authorizes eligible persons to operate part 95 Personal Radio Service stations and part 96 Citizens Broadband Radio Service stations without individual licenses, except as provided in paragraph (a). Such operation must comply with all applicable rules in this part. (a) Individual licenses. A valid individual license may be required under this part to operate or use stations in a particular service, certain types of stations, stations transmitting on certain channels or frequency bands, or stations transmitting with power above a certain level. Any such requirements applicable to stations in any of the Personal Radio Services are set forth in the subpart governing that specific service. See e.g., § 95.1705. Otherwise, the FCC does not require or accept applications for an individual license to operate any type of Personal Radio Service station.

Yes, it looks like you did just fine.

No matter how differently we parse the regulations, I think we all agree with you on that point.

Ah, I see. Earlier you were talking about Part 97. I thought you still were.

But that’s the point; it doesn’t matter what the requirements of another “part” say. The different Parts are independent of each other. GMRS is governed by the rules of Part 95, subpart E and those of the superior hierarchy 47 CFR, Chapter 1, and Subchapter D. Part 97, unless referenced somewhere in that hierarchy, is unrelated, no matter how much a person believes in it.

My compliance experience has been that definitions and requirements for different parts often have absolutely no bearing on each other. I think Marc is probably correct.

What are the issues you're having? Someone may recognize the problem.

What type of coax? What length? What antenna? What duplexer?

I agree with @OffRoaderX, This sounds like an issue with your antenna, feed line or duplexer. (I suspect feed line). Try taking the duplexer out of the feedline temporarily (disable transmit first) to see if your receiving range is more reasonable. If it isn’t, look at the feed line and antenna for problems. It might be as simple as a very lossy coax cable or even a damaged one. A lossy feed line will also make SWR look really good.