n4gix

The radio comes pre-programmed with all GMRS repeater pairs. CTCSS/DCS tones are FPP (front panel programmable) and are remembered when turning off the radio and then turning on again. One other neat feature is that you can "scan for tones" and quickly identify what tone is being used, then simply program that channel to use the detected tone.

I see 5 repeaters listed for Louisville, KY. Of course there's no way except by trying to know whether any of them are actually still on-line and available to use. https://www.mygmrs.com/browse?name=&location=Louisville&state=KY&frequency=&output_tone=&input_tone=&type=&network=&ori=&travel=&sort=State&step=25

Um, <raises hand shyly) I have to admit that I have on occasion mistakenly given out my GMRS call on 2m/70cm repeaters and vice-versa, but have always caught myself and made an immediate correction. When you have so many mics to choose from it's entirely possible to pick up the wrong one.

One "Good Thing" is that they finally have an entire paragraph informing that a GMRS license is required... ...not that there's much chance folks will actually read that far to the very bottom of the page, or even pay any attention to this information.

The "loops" form a choke and do affect the tuning...

To be perfectly frank, reception at your base/repeater is much more dependent on height than any other factor. While "power" might allow you to talk up to 13 miles, if you can only hear at most 3 miles what's the point? Keep in mind that both mobile and HT radios will have on average 5' antenna height, so their LOS to your base/repeater is the true limiting factor to success. There are several web based propagation map generators that may be used to obtain a visual prediction of your system's performance. I've found it very useful to work "backwards" and generate splatter maps as though the mobile/HT was the primary, and the actual base/repeater was the secondary. In other words, try to answer the question of "how high must my base/repeater antenna be to communicate with mobile/HT units..."

The problem with any cable that uses 'foil' as the inner shield is that over time it will begin interacting with the braided wire shield and become 'noisy'. This doesn't happen immediately and may take many months to develop, but it isn't a question of "if" as much as a question of "when..." : For detailed information, see here: http://www.repeater-builder.com/antenna/double-shielded-coax.html

For more flexible coax for repeater use, I'd choose RG-214. It's true double-shielded cable with very low loss.

Thanks for the offer. I'll keep that in mind. It's been many long decades since I sold my GESS in South Texas (Kingsville/Corpus Christi) where I had several hundred MASTR II repeaters installed. Of course all of my service equipment and manual went along with the sale. At least I do still remember most of what I'll need to know. Oddly enough, I've not even powered this up yet as I've really had no time. I'll get around to it over the winter though. I'm going to thoroughly test the receiver and exciter on the current frequencies before sending the 2C ICOMs off to International Crystal though. If I need any replacement parts, I'll have to buzz up to where I bought this as Terry has a couple dozen trays and other parts taking up space...

I see what you did there!

I don't have the software or cable. I do have the full manual though and am able follow directions to program via the microphone's "PTT" button; a series of key clicks!

That would technically not be allowed, but begs the question as to why bother? Just call them on GMRS to begin with.

I had my handyman drive me up to Milwaukee, WI today to pickup the "monster" repeater. Good grief that bloody thing is heavy. Between us though we managed to get it loaded onto his pickup truck and secured, then trundled back down to Hammond, IN. It was a major PITA to get the bloody thing up the front steps and placed in it's temporary home in the front area of my living room. Just the perfect accessory for anyone's décor! Eventually I'll get the 2C ICOMs re-crystalled on my GMRS frequency, tune the receiver and transmitter, and find a more appropriate home for it... ...like at a tower site! Oh yes, Terry had quite a few 50 amp GE power supplies so I snagged another one for $20 while I was there. One can never have too many power supplies, especially those really well-built transformer GE units. He also has a couple dozen Motorola Motrac mobile units he's giving away for the taking, but I have no use for them. I've got enough junk already! http://puu.sh/rczsv.jpg

It is entirely possible for an FRS user @ 12.5kHz to communicate with a GMRS user @25kHz. The audio won't be great, but communications are still possible.

That was fast service! I suggest carrying a small version in your wallet just so it's handy if ever questioned about radio gear...

Based on the frequency pair, this repeater was used for UHF IMTS service on channel QF.

That's not entirely accurate. Those FRS frequencies shared with GMRS are 25kHz wideband.

Congratulations! Keep watching the FCC website to see when your license call is granted and print out a copy of your license, or request that one be mailed. They do not mail out automatically any longer.

The TX/RX deck itself has a PA capable of 40 to 50 watts all by itself. I plan however to remove one of the pair of amps and power supplies and drive the remaining amp with less power from the deck's RF amp.

eBay... It's been listed and relisted for the past seven months, so I just threw in my first bid of $199.99 and was the "winner" so to speak. They tell me they have another one just like it for sale. I'll take a look at it while I up there and maybe buy that one as well since I'll already be there with a pickup truck.

My plan is to part out one of the amplifiers and power supplies on eBay to recoup the investment, then throttle the power back on the exciter to limit the output to 50 watts. With the massive heat sinks and fans, it should just loaf along...

I just bought a full-sized GE MASTR II repeater for $199.99. If nothing else, the two power supplies and two 100 watt continuous duty Class C amplifiers are worth far more than the entire unit, so I don't think I got a bad deal... I already have a Decibel DB4076W-A copper duplexer that should work well with this. Now I just need to make arrangements for a friend to drive me up to Milwaukee in his pickup truck to haul this H U G E monster back down to Hammond, Indiana. http://puu.sh/r5Csw.jpghttp://puu.sh/r5Cug.jpghttp://puu.sh/r5Cvk.jpg

@PRadio: thanks for the correction. I've edited my post above with the correct power output on UHF. Yes, provided you have any GMRS repeaters available in your vicinity, and have them programmed in the radio(s) you can hit repeaters. The form-factor for these radios is very comfortable and fits into the average person's hand quite nicely. They even look like a real radio, unlike Motorola's GMRS HTs that look like a Mickey Mouse Disney toy!

450.00 is as close as you can get. Honestly there isn't really much difference in a propagation map of 450.00 versus 467.00... However, there is another propagation map generator here that will allow you to select a exact frequency. As long as you are fairly conservative in your input, you will receive a predictive coverage map that so far has proven itself as pretty accurate from my empirical tests in the real world: http://lrcov.crc.ca/main/ In the example below, the colors are set as follows: Light gray = HT coverage Light blue = mobile coverage Light red = sketchy at best for mobile, fairly good for a base station Repeater is 467.675 40 watts at 42' on a 7.5 dB gain Comet CA-712EFC antenna. BTW, unlike the other Canadian site, this map is generated almost instantaneously. I use both however using the same input data and compare them. http://puu.sh/qZF3q.jpg

That's because you are near Canada, where that frequency is commercial usage...