n4gix

The new Comet CA-712EFC antenna arrived yesterday and it is partially assembled and ready for fair weather to allow me to gather my "crew" together for an antenna party. The heliax was shipped separately and will not be delivered until Monday or Tuesday via UPS.
 
If the specs are honest, this antenna is tuned to 460-470 MHz, 9.8 dBi gain...
 
...which is -if my math is correct- equivalent to 7.65 dBd which is pretty respectable still. (dBd = dBi - 2.15 dB)
 
The antenna on the left in the other room is a Workman dual-band antenna to replace my nearly twenty year old one currently being used for my office 2m/70cm radio.
 
http://puu.sh/nvQ0E.jpg

Software license alone is $505
 
Bridge & Software license is $699

Yesterday I ordered a shiny new spectrum analyzer with tracking generator. It sure is a lot nicer than my old "Cushman Service Monitor" from the old GESS I used to own! Now I'll be able to tune things properly again. No more 'Armstrong Method' more miss than hit.
 
Rigol DSA815-TG Tracking Generator Spectrum Analyzer
http://www.ebay.com/itm/361461963474
 
http://cdn3.volusion.com/gxyha.zuzhq/v/vspfiles/photos/DSA815-TG-3.jpg

No, this one is strictly analog. The only bands I'm licensed for is in the amateur bands where digital would be legal are already well covered by existing repeaters in Gary, Crown Point, Valparaiso, La Porte, and Chicago. The analog mode is oversaturated with 2m and 70cm repeaters, that are going largely unused.
 
This is why I decided to try setting up a GMRS repeater as a place to experiment and have a bit of fun. If it doesn't work out well, I'm sure it could be used for something else.

Having grown tired of fumbling around with my attempts to homebrew my own repeater, I've just ordered a shiny new Bridgecom BCR-40U (400-470 MHz) UHF Repeater, complete with a properly tuned duplexer and the programming kit. It should be here within a week or less.
 
I had my handy man out today taking advantage of the warmer weather and low winds to do some maintenance on my roof mounted antennas. One dual-band antenna's top section was lost several years ago (the VHF part), so I had him swap the coax over to another dual band that I'd put up some years ago as a backup.
 
Hopefully all I'll need for the spring is to buy some 1/4" Superflex heliax and a better antenna for the repeater.
 
I also made contact with another ham in the area who's kindly offered to (re)tune my existing duplexer.

Having grown tired of fumbling around with my attempts to homebrew my own repeater, I've just ordered a shiny new Bridgecom BCR-40U (400-470 MHz) UHF Repeater, complete with a properly tuned duplexer and the programming kit. It should be here within a week or less.
 
I had my handy man out today taking advantage of the warmer weather and low winds to do some maintenance on my roof mounted antennas. One dual-band antenna's top section was lost several years ago (the VHF part), so I had him swap the coax over to another dual band that I'd put up some years ago as a backup.
 
Hopefully all I'll need for the spring is to buy some 1/4" Superflex heliax and a better antenna for the repeater.
 
I also made contact with another ham in the area who's kindly offered to (re)tune my existing duplexer.

Although I still don't have it on the air yet Cory, there would be no point to me putting it up at all unless I allow any licensed GMRS user to use it...
 
I may be old (67) but I'm not yet to the point of talking to myself, and even if I were I'd still not need a repeater to do that!

I see nothing at all wrong with your programming. You might wish to disable the tone for receive though until you sort out any other issues.

As few people who're using this set of forums currently, it seems a bit pointless IMHO...

I printed mine out, framed it, and hung it next to my ham license...

I printed mine out, framed it, and hung it next to my ham license...

They are as scarce as hen's teeth these days, but if you can find one the MAHA MH-A302 Docking Booster Power Amplifier is just dandy for HT's.
 
144/440 MHz
Input 1-5 watts
Output 30 watts
FM Mode only
13.8 volt
 
I bought mine about 13 years ago to go with my ADI AT-600 2m/70cm HT (which has now died an honorable death after years of yeoman service). I now use it to power and boost one of my UV-5Rv2+ HTs.
 
http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTYwMFgxMjAw/z/9L8AAOSwHnFVlJgx/$_1.JPG

Well, your county maybe. That is one fine and professionally built repeater Cory is building!

Repeaters typically have a few seconds of "hang time" meaning that if you do manage to get in ("kerchunk"), when you release the PTT button you will hear a soft "rushing noise" before the repeater drops the carrier.
 
Please, do not "kerchunk" the repeater without giving your call sign. It's not only a violation of the FCC rules, it's really annoying to the repeater's owner and just rude...

There is very little math for the Tech license...