[Road Trip & App Idea]

On 8/28/2021 at 1:42 PM, ytechie said:

Added permission since it seems like a common request, and I show the tone required if and only if it's an open system. The rest of the data can be accessed through the hyperlink to mygmrs.

I note that you are missing the Joliet 550 repeater. It is a very wide-area repeater with the antenna at ~500' AGL. It is an "open repeater" using PL 100.0... It is located on a tower on the NE side of Joliet, IL.  Coverage extends into NW Indiana, with at least one regular user in Hammond.

The original Micor was replaced with a Quantar with a receive pre-amp, and a battery backup system was installed. It is owned and operated by Mark - N9WYS / WQIV271 

[Bubble Pack Repeater]

I've had four of these for the past four years:

Amazon.com: WLN KD-C1 Rechargeable Mini Walkie Talkie, UHF 400-470Mhz Prefessional Two Way Radio with Desktop Charger and Belt Clip for Kids Hiking Hunting Airsoft(1 Pair) : Electronics

They are functionally identical to the "new" Radioddity versions. The only real difference is that these have Part 95e certification.

The WLN KD-C1 are 5 watts versus 2 watts. They are all programmable via Chirp and the standard BaoFeng/Kenwood programming cable. They are excellent performers, very light weight, and smaller than a pack of cigarettes.

[KG-1000's as a repeater]

5 minutes ago, WhiteOak said:

The duplexer came pre-tuned to the center of the GMRS band (low 462.550-462.725 and high side 467.550-467.725). Not ideal but should do better than what I got. I'm still diggin' for info. Thanks again.

The duplexer must be tuned to the precise pass frequencies being used in order to perform optimally.

[230 mile contact]

My FT-857D has the " Portable Zero Escort" battery pack and side rails.

 

[Canadian rules RSS210 - GMRS Repeaters in Canada]

The three key words: "possible future use" seem to preclude use until and unless repeater operations are sanctioned.

[Communication with the ISS]

I honestly don't have any answers myself for what transpired. I am deeply sorry to hear about your disappointing experience. I do know that NASA is very protective of their astronauts' so-called free time, and have the final word on when and if any such contacts are scheduled. 

[Communication with the ISS]

At a guess it was a result of their scheduling protocols. As I mentioned they have several hundred requests every year and have to make decisions far in advance.

Did this science center already have a firm sked set up?

[Another GMRS CCR offering from Baofeng - IP67 rated - the UV-9G]

3 minutes ago, mbrun said:

send yourself the results in an email so you can add that to your station records.

You can also print the page directly from the form. That's what I done for each of my six antennas for my "station records". 

[High SWR]

I can't find any ready reference to an "MFD-400" coax, but did find MPD-400. That is 50 ohm "Superflex" coax.

You mentioned soldering the tip of the coax to a new PL-259 connector. Did you check to ensure that the braid is making good electrical contact with the shell of the connector?

[Another GMRS CCR offering from Baofeng - IP67 rated - the UV-9G]

The ARRL has provided a free "RF Exposure Calculator" for everyone to use. It is simple and straightforward:

RF Exposure Calculator (arrl.org)

More information and resources may be found here: RF Exposure (arrl.org)

[PATRIOT / RITRON REPEATERS]

I have two Ritron repeaters. One has a duplexer included. Both need a visit to Carmel, IN for some loving care.

[Another GMRS CCR offering from Baofeng - IP67 rated - the UV-9G]

2 minutes ago, JeepCrawler98 said:

Why is this advertised as a 5w radio? fcc certification says erp is only 3.9w

ERP = Effective Radiated Power

This is a measurement of the absolute power at the antenna. While the finals may be adjusted for 5watt output, by the time feed losses and filter losses are taken into account, there will be some loss of power.

[The never-ending Part 90/95 debate, and my discussion with the FCC]

WFC?

[Communication with the ISS]

Please note that school events are scheduled several years in advance.

For more information on the ARISS* program, see: ARISS - Home

* ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station

[230 mile contact]

I'm familiar with that repeater. Although the yagi is pointed to the north-northwest, 99.999% of its path to your location was over the lake, which has zero obstructions to block the signal.  

[Icom IC-2730A Mounting]

Ah, I see. I got lucky and my control head & mount slid into an existing pocket below the factory AM/FM/Cassette radio.

[Are there frequencies that I can use 50 watts on simplex, that are not on repeater output freq ?]

On 8/3/2021 at 5:20 PM, MichaelLAX said:

So in other words, Hams can transmit simplex on the inputs of out of area repeaters. 

Well yes, it is technically and legally allowed, but what would be the point? There are dozens and dozens of "non-repeater" frequencies available for simplex communications.  I suggest that no respectable ham wants to be a "lid."

[Legal radio]

Thus far no one's even mentioned the elephant in the room: repeaters!

The vast majority of GMRS repeaters are using transmitters that are not Part 95 certified... <plonk>

As far as I can determine, the only GMRS repeaters that are Part 95 compliant are those that are "home-built" using at least a certificated transmitter.

N9GIX / WQWU626

[Are there frequencies that I can use 50 watts on simplex, that are not on repeater output freq ?]

16 hours ago, MichaelLAX said:

*NOTE: the lack of requirement through repeaters for FIXED STATIONS. 

Fixed Stations by definition cannot communicate through a repeater. Fixed Stations communicate with other Fixed Stations.

[Icom IC-2730A Mounting]

Connect Systems CS800 and CS800D radios are simple. Just remove the front bracket from the radio and use it as the remote head mounting bracket.

[GMRS Digital Question...]

This very question has been discussed numerous times over the past few years. There are some very good reasons for not allowing digital on GMRS repeater frequencies, the chief of which the lack of infrastructure and the guaranteed interference with existing analog repeaters.

[What's missing from myGMRS.com?]

It has only been a few brief years since Midland and a tiny handful of others began using "channel numbers" instead of discrete frequencies or alpha name tags.

[Wouxun KG-1000G tips and tricks thread]

RT rewires their cables and programs their software accordingly to prevent anyone from sharing their copy of the software. It's their method of piracy protection!

[Need a GMRS CodePlug for my AT-578UV]

7 hours ago, kb2ztx said:

First radio is not part 95 certified. Second there are only 8 GMRS frequencies. I would imagine it wouldn't take to long to add those. 

There are 8 GMRS repeater frequencies. You are not considering the 14 shared simplex frequencies!

[Dead battery.]

That sounds as though there is too much drop in voltage when transmitting.