WRPG745

yeah, I would never have thought to run a repeater as narrowband (vs the 20kHz convention), but perhaps they have a reason or thought process. It would be interesting to hear why they run narrowband. I don't own a repeater and have never set one up, but I do enjoy bits of useless info! Let us know if you get any feedback.

If you are transmitting wide band, you would probably sound a little loud and maybe scratchy or clipped to the narrow band receivers. (there you go 2 opposite answers!)

nice build!

The math is a great explanation of why more power doesn't always deliver what a user expects. It reminded me of a joke where the punch line includes "spherical cows in a vacuum" (iykyk)

@intermod, any FCC, FEMA or other source for this, I'm interested to know more, thx

cool, so I don't know this particular radio, but see the button VFO/MR? That selects between channels and frequency (MR is probably "Memory Recall" and VFO is "Variable Frequency Oscillator", or what humans call "tuning") it looks like you have some channels programmed already. use the arrow up and down to scroll through them. see if channel 015 shows the frequency 462.550 you can also select VFO and enter the numbers 462550 (should tune to that frequency) good luck!

Hi WSDE521, let us know what radio you have so we can give you specific tips. I'm sure you'll be able to get up to speed quickly. I don't live near you, but I did see this ham club that might be able to help you for local info: https://w4gs.org/ Use the map feature (on mygmrs.com) to find a local repeater like this one: https://mygmrs.com/repeater/1675 If you live in the green circle, click the blue button on that page to request access. You can listen in to see if there is activity by tuning into 462.550mhz (channel 15), but you will only be able to listen. to talk, you'll need to program the repeater channel using tones. once you tell us your radio, someone will be able to tell you how to program the radio for that repeater. take your time and read the manual. -jc

The reset probably removed the specific tone for the repeater. try adding the proper transmit tone to the the channel.

(assuming this is not a troll) I cannot think of anyone who off-roads who doesn't at least consider getting a radio in addition to their cell phone. If you are overlanding, I assume you are pretty self sufficient and getting high centered or somehow otherwise stuck on a trail is no big deal. Perhaps you tear a hole in your gas tank, oops. there's a zillion ways you might need help or just want the lowdown on what's around. Radios might help. do you need a GMRS radio? who knows?! what region are you offroading? are you with friends, ever need spotting on the trail? hand signals, yelling out the window work pretty well. have you thought about CB? what worries you and makes you consider it in the first place?

If you have the right programing for your uv82 and people don't respond to your transmission, there are a few common reasons to troubleshoot: They may be intentionally ignoring you They could be using CTSS or DCS codes and don't hear you Your signal is weak and they don't hear you Their reception is weak and they don't hear you Can you communicate between the uv82 and the db20g? (you already know you are in violation of FCC rules for using the amateur radio on GMRS, a lot of people do it anyway)

Hi Ziggidy, sounds like a good start! You should look to get the USB adapter for your Macbook. it will make programing both radios the same much easier. (for me, I have both a conventional USB adapter as well as the Multiport adapter) If you have a newer laptop, you probably need the USB C version (linked here) or (linked here). You still want to know how to program your radios manually but having software programing is helpful when you have multiple radios WRXP381 is correct on your answers, so you are covered there... -jc

eSIM... my t-moble account has a $100 a month service for unlimited international on 2 phones. (i believe it covers both eSIM and SIM) I'll bet a set of burner phones would be similar in cost, but even if more, you don't have to worry about losing them!

Have you considered burner phones or travel sim cards for your own cell? check your carrier for international sim cards to use for roaming, you might need more than one for all the places you want to go (Japan vs China).

wow, this is getting good... (lol, there is no right way to radio...)

I'm sure some folks will be by shortly to give technical insight on if you "need" to put one up. (you might) I'm wondering what you plan on doing with your radio(s). Where you'll operate and who'll you talk to... why did you get into gmrs? I use mine to chat with family and friends when we kayak, hike, caravan on the road. I also check in on the local repeaters occasionally. I use ham as well but not with family. em-coms is my secondary use. btw- there are few threads to read that might be helpful (or at least entertaining! I have a sick sense of humor) grab some popcorn and wade through these... my takeaway is to buy a commercial repeater solution rather than build your own, but if you have the skill, it probably would be fun. Drama seems to depend on where you are. welcome to the family! -john

Everything said before answers the question, but just to simplify, think of it this way: The repeater uses the tone to ignore any transmission NOT using the tone. (only hears transmissions with the tone). You use the tone the same way, to NOT hear others NOT using the tone. If you transmit with a tone, anyone listening with the tone hears you, AND anyone with no tone will also hear you, but "breaking squelch" is about signal strength (with or without a tone).

If it were me, I'd change the Tx power to high...

Depending on your truck, you might use a magnet mounted Tram or Nagoya. you will also probably need an adapter for your radio (depending on the connector on the antenna cable). There are vehicle specific mounts (what truck make/model/year do you have?) and options for front hood, rear stake body or 3rd brake light. if you have an aluminum body or for instance you have racks and such. Or just hate the idea of putting a magnet on the paint. Long term, you may need to drill a hole somewhere to run cable for a permanent installation. I get great coverage using a Tram 1180, fender mounted, cable running through the firewall. It's driver side front mounted. All in I think I spent about $110 because I used a firewall boot and a stainless steel mount. YMMV

HI I don't know that antenna, but I did see this link: https://pascogmrs.us/tram-1486/ looks like a complete writeup (and a decent antenna) -jc

Just a warning, you'll be buying more radios in the future regardless! You may not notice the difference in these radios (I think they have the same direct sampling technology). You will notice the difference going to a superheterodyne receiver. check out the https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-905g.html its $30 cheaper than the 935g, and the https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-805g.html is $50 cheaper at $80. Both are still more than the BTECH GMRS-V2, but you will see a difference for selectivity and audio quality.

Hi Red Horse, If your radio entry point is some level of "prepping", you might start with a few questions to help flesh out what works for you: Who are you looking to listen to? You can listen to anyone with the right scanner or shortwave radio. Who will you talk to? How far away are they? How do you do this now? Text messaging can work when circuits are busy or in weak signal areas. What are the most likely disaster scenarios in your area? In my area, wind and rain events (severe thunderstorms, tornados, and hurricanes) are most likely to affect us. Are you more concerned with natural disasters that take "the grid down" or are you envisioning "man-made" issues or TEOTWAWKI? How much effort will you put into getting trained, licensed and proficient? For me, my primary radio use is to run around outside (hike, kayak, fish, etc.) as well as I'm interested with technology. I use GMRS with my family (they have no interest in getting licensed for ham). Prepping is a secondary use for me. I have a Technicians license and am considering purchasing a HF rig and at some point upgrading to a General license. For disasters, I will get information from AM/FM radio, text messages from our county services, local ARES nets, and conversations with GMRS users. My family is anywhere from 90 to 800 miles from me. For disaster planning, we don't have a full PACE plan but we will use: phone, email, and text messaging. Radios for us will have only local tactical use. Honestly, I'm more concerned with access to drinking water and heat. I think GMRS will likely give you the best local coms for the cost and effort, but it all depends!

This Tram 1185 dual band has served me well. (Cookie sheet mount in front of a west facing, second story window.) Using a UV5X3 I hit GMRS repeaters south and east of me at 15 miles, I easily hit VHF repeaters on high ground at 25+ miles. using my KG805 or my TYT 8600 I do slightly better. Eventually I'll have an antenna up on the roof eave, but haven't pulled the trigger yet.

@WSAW350 (and Guest Ray-El), I think you are right, the only way to know is to test. Based on the gear you mention, I think its possible, but has more to do with your antenna placements and height than anything else. I agree with the mindset of making the comms without a repeater. best to not rely on someone else's infrastructure. looking forward to seeing more replies on this and finding out what works for y'all.

Hey if 10 codes work with your coms, it works and isn't dumb. Lol, I have to admit when someone uses a 10 code other than 10-4 or 10-100, I have no idea what they mean. (I also assume they are of a certain age or might be tactical LARPing.) If you use them, you be you, use 10 codes, wear 5.11, have fun... there's room for all!