KAF6045

In the 1997 repeater directory, Jackson MI REACT had a repeater antenna providing 450W ERP, Saugatuck had one with 500W ERP. OTOH, Wayland had a repeater with 40W out, and 24W ERP!

Unless things have changed, the MXT-115 (and likely the 275) are NFM (12.5kHz) only, and do not support "proper" GMRS 20kHz bandwidth. OTOH: my MXT-115 was at least reasonable in power output (only about two watts below marketed 15W). In contrast, the DB20-G I replaced it with (to get 20kHz bandwidth, and extra memory slots to store repeater configurations [for repeaters I'll rarely be in reach of ]). Two samples (returned first for replacement) both come in well below spec using the same measurement configuration. Others report reasonable power, but not mine. Sold as a 20W, manual documents 18W, mine puts out about the same as the MXT-115 on 462 Simplex, and even less than the MXT-115 on 467 repeater. "UNLOCKED" into a dummy load, it shows about 12W on 467, 13W on 462... But rises to 20W in the 2m band! Decided the power level was close enough to the MXT-115 so kept the second sample -- 20kHz bandwidth and extra memories made a reasonable justification (in Locked GMRS mode, it provides only 9 "custom" memory slots, and the rest are receive only for out-of-band receive -- Unlocked makes all memory slots usable for GMRS [given an RT97 repeater alone has 16 memories for the 8 repeater channels, so one can set up two configs per channel, having more than 9 custom memories is desirable]; granted, they also become transmit capable on non-GMRS frequencies). Still need to cut the power plug off and rig a wiring harness with in-line fuse to wire to battery, and add a quick-disconnect at radio end -- the MXT-115 is double fused; lighter plug and in-line, and has a QD coupling near the radio.

I strongly suspect any fixed stations for GMRS are grandfathered units. After all, by definition you will never have "one" fixed station. Two are required to fit the point-to-point aspect. I'd consider them "relay" stations. With four radios, two as "fixed", and consuming two different "channels" (fixed stations on Channel A, and other two on Channel B and some Carrier Detect->PTT logic, wiring the speaker->mic lines together: radio 1/B <-> fixed 1/A <==> fixed 2/A <-> radio 2/B ... lets radio 1 relay traffic to radio 2 and vice versa. This is NOT a repeater as it is not full-duplex; all radios are operating simplex mode. Using a 10dB gain parabolic dish or yagi results in a very directional beam for the two fixed stations, and takes the 15W output up to 150W ERP. With 150W ERP the fixed stations could be mountain top locations spanning most of a county, if not more, with the non-fixed radios... Essentially countywide simplex operations.

Were there any adjustment screws on that Diamond? Most all antennas I've seen, even if supposedly factory tuned, still provide set screws allowing maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length change (granted for those with a mid-level coil may have three tuning positions: top of coil, bottom of coil, top of base).

Local 2m has multiple remote receivers which all feed to main repeater (with some sort of election logic as to which remote/local has best signal to repeat). Courtesy tones are Morse, one or two letters, identifying which remote or main receiver handled the signal. Since I'm still a no-code (even at Extra) I can't really tell them apart.

If you look at any radio prior to the mishmash of bubble-pack FRS/GMRS radios, you will likely find that they only supported 20kHz bandwidth (in a 25kHz "channel"). NFM only formally entered GMRS with the 2017 reorganization (where some of those former FRS/GMRS radios are NOW GMRS [power greater than 2W, or access to repeater channels -- which both my bubble-packs fall afoul of; one on power, the other on repeater]). These FRS/GMRS bubble packs tended to be NFM only. The regulations may permit using NFM, but unless you are talking only to FRS class radios, the audio quality mismatch between someone using GMRS bandwidth vs FRS NFM bandwidth may be annoying. Midland basically designed many of their mobiles around the concept that it would be used with groups using FRS NFM bubble-packs, and not really against proper GMRS systems.

If this is similar to my 935 -- I found I had to assign it to a (short-press) side button. Note that CTCSS and DCS are /separate/ scan functions, and if you want both readily accessible you'd need two button assignements.

Personal Radio Steering Group (Inc.) I think it was run by one man in a spare room of his house... It claimed to be an organization for GMRS users back in the day when a GMRS license specified just two (main) frequency pairs (to go with the common cheap business band "A/B" (or 1/2) channel toggle). Used to publish a GMRS repeater directory. Frequencies were not identified by Channel numbers, as I might, say, have requested .550 and .675 as my two frequencies, and put them into a radio as .675=A/1, .550=B/2 -- "you" may have requested .575 and .675 and put them in as .575=A/1, .675=B/2... My "channel 1" thereby is your "channel 2", and would be the only frequency we had in common. It took some time to get radios that still had the "shop/dealer" programmed two main channels, but allowed access to the interstitials when they became available (Maxon GMRS 210+3 is the unit I'm most familiar with -- 7 interstitials, FCC emergency channel, and two "dealer programmed" channels for the licensed frequencies. Note that repeaters did not get separate channels in these rigs -- they were either duplex, simplex, or had a toggle button to change behavior.

<sigh> Compare to GMRS was always a wide bandwidth service prior to the addition of the 467MHz "FRS" Interstitials. GMRS did not undergo the mandated narrowbanding that LMR (business/public service) underwent some years back. The 462MHz interstitial frequencies were created before FRS and were wide band. In my view, the only justification for going NFM on the 462MHz set is that everyone else is using bubble-pack FRS radios (and no licenses) and one wants to reduce the tonal quality mismatches between (w)FM and NFM (and since the only frequencies not permitted to FRS now are the 467MHz repeater inputs -- one could argue that they might as well set all the frequencies to NFM). .

Technically, the only Narrow-band frequencies allotted to GMRS are the 467MHz interstitials -- and those are 0.5W ERP; the original GMRS interstitials on 462MHz are Wideband and permitted up to 5W ERP. The narrowband 467MHz group used to be FRS-only, and is narrow-banded to prevent interference with repeaters (proper FRS radios tend to be narrow band on all frequencies).

I wouldn't consider it -- that's tuned for Amateur 2m/70cm... SWR may be lousy on 462MHz (may be good for receive only as that is more affected by capture area -- how much antenna actually intercepts the signal). Better to look for a "commercial" tuned antenna -- something around 160MHz/450MHz (careful -- Nagoya makes multiple variants of the 771; 771 Amateur and 771C commercial)

Holding the microphone to the side of the mouth might be a solution. It should cut down on "plosives" (the initial puff of air for P, B, V, et al) Granted, it is a dynamic mic element to my knowledge, so may still be sensitive. If you look at head sets using condenser elements you'll most often find the end of the microphone is positioned at the corner of the mouth or even just behind it.

Unfortunately, based upon the manual I located, the front-panel menu system does NOT include Scan-Add/Scan-Del (or Rem) capability... I don't have the unit so can't verify if Chirp supports scanning restrictions for that model. Many years ago, the FCC specified .675 PL 141.3 as a nationwide emergency/traveller assist frequency. That's Channel 20 in the unified numbering scheme that came out of the 2017 reorganization. And you'd need to try both simplex and repeater mode on .675 On 11m CB, channel 19 became a sort of standard "trucker's" channel (9 is still an FCC regulated emergency channel). On Maritime VHF, channel 16 is the international calling/emergency channel. However, neither of those are frequencies in common with GMRS (CB is 27MHz, Maritime VHF is 156MHz, GMRS is 462MHz). Selection of 19 or 16 is likely just based upon people knowing that 19 is the common CB road frequency (though few others are used in specific areas of the US), and Maritime 16 MUST be monitored unless one is using the radio on a different channel [after making initial contact on 16].

Don't think one can state that as a conclusion when it directly based upon the permitted frequencies for "base" stations. (emphasis mine) Note that "Base" stations are only mentioned in the 462MHz segment -- they are explicitly NOT named in the 467MHz repeater input section.

I would deem it a MOBILE station being used from a stationary location All through the regulations, control station is called out separately from mobile, base, on hand-held. Personally, I do not interpret using PTT to access a repeater to be a control function -- to me control station must have the ability to SHUTDOWN a malfunctioning (or one under malicious interference by someone trying to spam the world with religious/political statements, and not allowing other access) station/repeater (otherwise /every user of a repeater is considered a control operator).

The J-Pole appears optimized for repeater access. Curious about the jitter/static in all three sweeps between 465 and 467MHz. As an FYI: The NanoVNA H2/H4 are third party clones possibly using cheaper parts. The only official NanoVNA are from https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html

In the case of my OCFD, it was pretty much required. On 20m the uncontrolled compliance distance is 7.5 feet. That's almost the distance between my house and neighbor's -- and they have a two story which puts the upstairs bed-rooms right at the height of my antenna. Granted, there is another 4-5 feet of paracord from mast to end of antenna. On 10m the distance is 17 feet (FM); on 6m the compliance distance is a whopping 25 feet! (Hmm, I may need to update my evaluation report -- my summary lists 6m compliance at 16.5 feet).

One problem is that, with the limited number of frequencies that must be shared -- actual point-to-point fixed stations are unlikely to be found in GMRS; you'd probably need very high gain parabolic (dish) antennas to create a narrow enough bandwidth to avoid interference (in either direction -- being picked up by passing mobiles, or receiving unwanted traffic from said passing mobiles) There are only 8 frequencies that could be run at the 15W limit for fixed stations. The 462MHz interstitial frequencies are limited to just 5W (ERP -- so good bye to high gain antenna... You'd have to run at <1W feeding a 6dB gain antenna)

RF Exposure evaluation should be introduced in any decent Technician class study guide... Though a 66ft dipole is sized for the 40m HF band -- a Technician license only grants you morse code (CW) privileges on the lower half of 40m. In truth, other than 10m (a small SSB segment), morse code on small segments of some bands (80m, 40m, 15m) is all a Technician has access to -- you'll need to reach General to have voice privileges on most bands Unless it is a trap dipole, the odds are good that 40m is the only band you'll be able to transmit on. An off-center fed dipole (OCFD) manages to get around 4 bands (mine handled 40m, 20m, 10m, and 6m -- but needs to be replaced; 6 winters appear to have stretched the wire such that it is widely out-of-band for SWR. For the replacement I intend to support the balun box with paracord so I can reduce tension on the wire ends). The RF calculator I linked to should at least give you the basic safety range (I have a Python program based upon the original BASIC program posted back when evaluation first became a requirement -- that's where the following came from) I didn't bother with estimated coax losses -- you'll have to look up the losses for whatever coax you run, and apply the result to the power to antenna entry. I also tend to use a 3min Tx/3min Rx calculation, even though my real usage is likely more like 3min Tx, 15-20min Rx (unless running FT8/PSK31. I ran this for a 40m dipole at the bottom end of the voice band. Note that the worst case distance is 2.25 feet (uncontrolled means general public who do not know that is a transmitting antenna -- the FCC presumes anyone who does know it is willing to take the risk of being closer to the antenna ? . Assuming a 6ft person reaching upwards (7-7.5ft to fingertips) the antenna would need to be 10ft at the closest point.

Are the radios truly GMRS, or do they fall under the 2017 reorganization as FRS/no-license? FRS is now allowed 2W on most frequencies, 0.5W ERP on the 467MHz interstitials. That ERP specification is a bit crucial -- changing antennas could allow for a higher ERP. Power >2W, removable antenna, repeater capable are all conditions that make the radio GMRS/license. I believe most of the units (Garmin, et al) that had position or text capability fell into the FRS side of the reorganization. Confusingly, however, 2017 granted low power GMRS units (hand-helds, since I know of no mobiles that go below 5W) access to the 467MHz interstitials and duplicated the 0.5W ERP -- but can't enforce it since practically all GMRS HTs have removable antennas, and a gain antenna would exceed the 0.5W ERP. The GMRS 462MHz interstitials are 5.0W ERP...

Since this is the Amateur Radio forum... I'd remind the OP that they likely need to do an RF exposure evaluation for that antenna. While the simple calculator found online (http://arrl.org/rf-exposure-calculator) may suffice, it may still be desirable to model the antenna as the folded ends may contribute to a less than simple RF distribution.

It's also currently limited to hand-held<>hand-held

I'd expect it to be an omission... From the 1997 GMRS Repeater Directory (italics from the original source) Unfortunately, the FCC regulations only go back to 2017. Emphasis mine 95.25 has separate entries for base and control stations. <snicker> The Federal Register https://www.federalregister.gov/citation/53-FR-36789 appears to have a bit of a contradiction: "(e) No GMRS, CB or R/C transmitter shall transmit non-voice data." Really -- you have to use voice commands for R/C? It controls the operating parameters of the repeater: is the repeater on or off, what tones or frequencies are it on; -- PTT is not one of those since that function would make ALL users of the repeater "control operators". Control operators are supposed to either be physically present at the repeater site, or have a link (radio or landline) to allow making those parameter changes.

Except they show the same owner name and I think that name is what popped up on ULS search on his call sign. Granted I could be misreading the screen shots.

Digital NORMAL, Digital INVERTED It specifies the type of tone expected: "QT" (aka Motorola PL, aka CTCSS), "DT" (DCS sometimes listed as DPL if following Motorola notation). The two with DTMF not only require a particular tone to be sent, but also a sequence of DTMF codes to wake up the repeater. Are those supposed to be repeaters? If they are, the Tx frequency needs to start with 467.xxx. As shown, you are set up for simplex, transmitting on the repeater OUTPUT frequency. Unfortunately, this entry does not state if the digital tone is "Normal" or "Inverted" You've been licensed 6 months and are trying to set up two repeaters?