jdomer222

Please excuse my ignorance, but is there a reason other than value for these radio recommendations? I have a kg-1000g in a vehicle that I like some of the features of...and I considered potentially using one as a base station radio because I couldn't find info on any 110v gmrs radios. Are all of the options going to pretty much be repurposed 12vdc mobile units for gmrs? Thanks again for all of the help. I don't know anyone personally who is knowledgeable about radios, and though I've learned a fair amount just researching, I still feel like I know so little that I don't even know the right questions to ask yet!

Would I be able to put something that heavy on a mast like I am planning on erecting, or would it require a proper tower? I guess my mast is going to be more like 30-40 ft since I am now planning to put it on top of a 25 ft roof peak rather than on the ground.

I'm pretty new at all of this. Are UHF radios legal (within the rules) to transmit on GMRS channels? I was under the impression that it had to be an actual GMRS radio. Sorry this has turned into a "help a newb set up a base station" thread instead of just an antenna mast thread, but I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I think for the mast I will plan on installing on top of the roof instead so the mast doesn't have to be as tall, and I am considering either this antenna https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193_258_976_250_1096&products_id=8031 or the shorter 5 dbd version for half the price. If I am calculating correctly either version at that height would get at least a -3db signal at about 300 ft from the house.

Thank you for the cable suggestion. I want to do the install as well as I can up to a point... I haven't figured an exact total budget, but a tower will definitely be too expensive (and more of an eyesore I think). If that is what would be required I would rather just go lower.

Thank you for your suggestions. Do you have any radio suggestions? I don't know where to find something "commercial." Right now I am thinking a Wouxun KG-1000g with power supply.

To clarify, my goal is not necessarily to go as cheap as possible, but to get to 60 ft in height with a mast. I could use one of those telescoping poles and start it 15 feet up the side of the house, but I was hoping to have it start from the ground to be sturdier.

Thank you for your suggestion. That is exactly what I was referring to that I found, but I would prefer to figure out a way to get to 60ft rather than 44.

I have gathered all kinds of information thus far, but one thing I am having a very hard time figuring out is how I can make a tall base station antenna mast. The city I live in allows 70ft amateur radio antennas without a special permit, and I think every foot of that would be beneficial for my local terrain. I intend to align it with the peak of my roof (25ft) resting on the concrete patio below. The first 25 ft will be held to the house with probably 3 brackets. Above that I plan to send 2 guy lines anchors to the opposite corners of the roof, and 2 more line anchors down to the ground below. I think the guys will be spaced about every 10 ft (probably 4 points on the mast for the roughly 35 ft of mast above the roof level - then a 9 ft antenna at the top). Can I use chain link fence top rail for this and drill and but and bolt each joint? The only thing I have seen so far is a telescoping mast that reaches about 44 ft, or a 50ft fiberglass one that hits 50 ft. I cannot find any construction information for a mast this tall. Thank you in advance for your help.