Sshannon

With the exception of 146.52, the 2 meter simplex calling frequency, there are no “basic ham frequencies”. Repeaters in one area are programmed differently than others. But by learning to use repeaterbook, you can discover the frequencies in use local to you. Similarly, emergency frequencies differ from place to place. The GMRS frequencies, bandwidth, and power level are fixed by regulations, but from place to place different repeaters use different channels with different tones. So, unless you find someone in your area who has already done it, you’ll need to build your own. Fortunately, I think Chirp has the ability to import settings for local repeaters, emergency frequencies, and even GMRS frequencies. I don’t remember which menu heading it’s under, but Notarubicon probably has a video that covers it. Yup, the menu is Radio-Query Data Source. He explains it well at about 11:55 in the video. The video is here:

2.18:1 is acceptable, but not great; I’ve used worse. 1.50:1 is just fine. I probably would not do much. If 470 MHz is even better SWR then the element is slightly too short.

Trimming would make the 462 MHz channels higher SWR because it’s already higher SWR than the higher frequencies. Without sweeping it using an antenna analyzer it’s difficult to know which way to go for the repeater channels: is the bottom of the dip left or right of the repeater channel you looked at?.

They are, but some people would try to tune them. I think I would not.

The advantage of RX tones is simply that your radio will not break squelch for any radios transmitting with no tone or a different tone. Because the simplex channels receive the same frequencies as the repeater channels that might reduce the amount of traffic. Im sorry, I don’t know how those radios work as far as allowing you to program additional channels.

1. You only need the TX tone. 2. Yes, if your radio allows it, but not all do.

I would still clear out the receive tone to see if you hear anything.

No, you’re correct in using one of the repeater channels instead of the simplex channels. 15-22 are simplex. REPT15 - REPT22 are dedicated to repeaters. Could either of you hear any repeater traffic? At first it’s a good idea to leave the receive tone empty so you can hear everything on the frequency but you must have the correct transmit tone. Also, if you and your wife were too close to each other it’s possible that the receiving radio was desensitized. Normally I would not expect that if you were 100 feet apart but it depends on the radio. Welcome!

They might want to mail them all a letter asking about any interest in forming a GMRS club.

They would seem to be a reasonable suitor, but if such interest were ever expressed MFJ’s announcement would seem to imply that it is unlikely.

The other rumor was that DX Engineering might be interested.

You’re making the assumption that it’s a “bad habit.” That’s a value judgement on your part that’s simply not true. If it was true the other choices would not exist. Teaching the OP about them is not wrong, just because you wouldn’t do it. Some people want to hear all transmissions on a particular frequency, especially when traveling. Programming a squelch tone prevents that.

The easiest thing to do is choose Tone for squelch type instead of TSQL. That’s the same as having no tone for your receiver. Then it doesn’t matter what the output tone is, your radio will reproduce it. You still have to match your transmitter tone to the repeater input tone or the repeater will ignore you.

That’s actually a very good path, starting with a UV5R and learning the basics. As you learn you will be able to make more informed decisions about what you want going forward. I commend you for using ham radio studying as a way to learn more about the science and terminology of radio. I used HamStudy to do that and found it very helpful because it allows a person to follow any topic as far as possible.

One way in which it’s possible is that there were several linked repeaters covering all those channels. 15-22 are the same frequencies as repeater transmit channels 23-30. (Repeaters receive about 5 MHz higher.) Another possibility is that you were monitoring two channels simultaneously and changing one channel while hearing the other. Welcome to the hobby and this forum!

He already stated that the used Motorola he would buy rather than a CCR has quality, longevity, and features. But in a real SHTF scenario (rather than a Red Dawn style farce) having the durability and especially the receiver quality of the Motorola far outweighs the inclusion of “face programming, no noaa, no am/fm broadcast radio, no vhf,uhf monitoring”.

My most recent license was in early 2022. I received an email notification that my license had been granted. Also, a year ago I changed the trustees for our ham club licenses and I received an immediate notification. Here’s the screenshot:

That sure makes it more difficult to find GMRS users within hamregistry’s zip code, but those are the folks who don’t want to be found anyway.

Yes, the fcc license search.

I had to stop there.

For antennas the simple answer is always “Try it.” It might work.

You’re responding to a nearly 3 year old thread, but here’s another thread that might help your understanding:

I don’t have one but by far the folks who have them are very positive.

One thing about btwr, the price of M&P connectors is considerably higher than Gigaparts, but they often have them in stock when Gigaparts is out.

For that diameter I agree. If you’re willing to spend some money and go to a larger diameter, there’s also LMR600, LMR900, and LMR1200. I watched some videos on installing connectors on the larger cables the other day. The tools cost more than my radios! Of course M&P has similar diameters and performance cables.