PRadio
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Posts posted by PRadio
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Motorola's used 67.0 Hz by default, while Midland's are CSQ by default. Motorola also had an optional Quiet-Talk feature, which requires an additional tone (52 Hz) before transmissions; this went away when they introduced their current Txxx series radios because it didn't work well.
FRS isn't about communicating with everyone else on FRS, it's about selling a set of radios that work together and don't unmute on interfering signals. Look at Midland's "extra channels".
Thanks. The Motorolas I bought used CSQ, I thought. I didn't keep them long, I returned them since they had horrible volume issues. I bough Midlands and they outperformed the Motorolas. Before I returned them, I was able to communicate with the Midlands with no changing of any settings. I still use the Midlands from time to time, though I have bought better radios since.
I will say that having a radio preprogrammed to use a tone by default is not necessarily bad, and possibly a good thing for someone who simply wants to talk to family. They don't deal with hearing others without having to select a tone, unless of course there are others using the same radio nearby. None of it is much of an issue since tones are easy to select, and the radios come with instructions.
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I am late to the game...just saw this post.
Jeez guys, nobody really understood the poster's question. The issue is why would a manufacturer or supplier sell a radio pre-programmed with tone squelch, instead of just carrier squelch? The fact that some may do this was a surprise to me. I just looked up some common "FRS" and GMRS radio models and some in fact come with tone squelch on.
This is really a poor idea for the consumer and supplier. It may create incompatibility with other radios and result in poor reviews and a greater number of support calls, and the user can't hear someone if they really need help. (Note: but its also a poor idea to expect to reach someone anyway, but its better than nothing - but only if you run carrier squelch).
This is what happens when "drive-by" manufacturers and suppliers get into the game to make a quick buck, then leave the mess with someone else (GMRS licensees) when the profits decline.
Like many things in this world, GMRS users used to be a reasonably-trained and disciplined service (not to the level of amateur radio, however). GMRS still is to some degree. But the Commission's goal was to promote the greatest amount of benefit in a given spectrum band. While many in the FCC are aware of the "Tragedy of the Commons" (below), they may believe we are not yet there. But IMO, we are getting really close. It should be our collective goal to push back on this when possible.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons: The tragedy of the commons is a situation in a shared-resource system where individual users, acting independently according to their own self-interest, behave contrary to the common good of all users by depleting or spoiling the shared resource through their collective action.)
I have never seen a bubble pack radio programed to use a tone out of the box by default. All I have seen have carrier squelch by default, and are "preprogrammed" with tones that can be selected if desired.
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The small size of the Midland radios may be a selling point for many as well. I have very little space in my car, and would love the Midland, but I need the split tone currently.
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You may want to experiment with MURS. It can work in hilly terrain a little better depending on conditions. A CB can actually do better in hills as well.
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Ok, being new to the GMRS scene, I'm way in over my head with what I thought I wanted. Before I get to my needs, I do have a GMRS license, and I have several Motorola GMRS handhelds (I think a few of them are even repeater capable), and I have a Motorola CDM 1550 UHF radio that has been programmed with GMRS (and I think FRS) channels.
Now... I do a LOT of ATV/UTV riding in the WV mountains, and almost all of the guys I ride with have a UTV mounted radio for communication (most run the CDM 1550). I'm usually in my UTV and have the CDM 1550, but occassionaly I'll ride an ATV and just have one of the Motorola handhelds. Anyway, we (the riding club) was wondering if there is a way to have a system powerful enough that might reach somebody else riding in the area if one of us was to have an emergency. There are tons of people riding up there with similar radio systems, but we all know the range is very limited. Every now and then we will hear others on our channel, but it's usually just us the group. We were originally thinking about some type of repeater system, but even with my very limited knowledge of how these frequencies work, I've researched enough to know that a mobile repeater is basically not going to happen, and it doesn't appear there are any known repeater stations in the areas we ride.
SO, I guess my question is...Is there an economical/ realistic way to boost power on our mobile radios so that if something was to happen to one of us, somebody else could ride to a mountain top, and broadcast an "emergency call" that somebody might hear more than 3 miles away ?? We're not trying to do anything illegal, but a few of us have the GMRS license, and was hoping that would open up options for us that non-licensed users don't have.
The data sheet I just looked at for your radio shows it is 25 watts on low power, and 45 watts on high. Increasing power isn't really going to do anything for you, realistically. GMRS is line of site, so you really should have no issues getting three miles from a mountain top, providing there are no obstacles in the way. I get that with my little Tera TR-505 with the right conditions, and it is a 4 watt handheld.
Antenna, and antenna height is more important. As for legal, you can go up to 50 watts on some GMRS frequencies, but the jump to 50 from 45 is negligible.
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FRS was originally designed for "Family" use, and if I recall up till the last rules change, business operations weren't allowed on FRS/GMRS frequencies. However since this rule, as well as the licensing rules, were ignored, the FCC removed the rules. This is why it is now legal to TX simplex on the repeater output frequencies as long as you don't TX over 2 watts and your radios antenna isn't removable. Businesses can also use the frequencies, which unfortunately leads to the "Hey your bothering my business with your GMRS crap, get off the channel or I'll _____" conversation. I've had it a few times in NJ, mostly with flaggers who think I am on their frequency when I'm not. I even received a letter from a boat repairs place claiming my repeater was causing disruption to their operations channel of 462.6750 and if I refuse to use a different channel they would seek legal action. I just told them to go screw themselves because no sole user has that type of control over the frequency. So while it isn't illegal as per fcc rules, it does become a headache and for the unknowing user, they may think that businesses have priority over all other users on the channel.
I forgot they changed the rule on businesses. They can now use the FRS frequencies.
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Welcome! As for what you are hearing, no, it has nothing to do with the radio, it's just what people are using the band for, though it isn't supposed to be used for businesses. I heard a lot of that on MURS, those bands had been used for business before, but not a lot on GMRS, though I have heard some.
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Explain this to me: Given the market and the usage reality - what benefit is served by pre-programming tones in?
Actually, the tones are not preprogrammed. Out of the box, all the channels are set to use carrier squelch. You have to make the decision to use a code, selecting it from a menu. I don't see the issue here. I would not want to buy a radio with fewer options. Out of the box, without reading any directions, basically anyone can turn on a pair of radios, hand one to someone, and use them to communicate.
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Of ourse I don’t. But, that was not my point. I do not think a simple business relationship gives someone the right to engage their customers in a religious discussion. BTW, I would feel the same even if I held the same religious views as them, which, for all you know, I might.
His business, his choice. You don't have to read it, or do business with him. And he didn't engage you in a discussion. You were not compelled to read it, or reply to it. Much ado about nothing.
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I have also found them to be very customer oriented. I bought a couple of GMRS-v1s for our CERT group to try out and had to return one. However, they did one thing I found slightly disturbing. Apparently the owner(s) is/are very religious and they included religious materials in the packaging for my replacement radio.. People are well entitled to their beliefs, whatever they may be. But, I wish they would not take advantage of a business relationship to proselytize those beliefs.
You don't have to read it.
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It is sort of like asking, why someone doesn't make their car available for all to use. Private property is just that, private. If the repeater's owner wants to allow someone else to use it, that is great, and a privilege to those allowed to use it. Asking permission is a reasonable request.
- berkinet, Elkhunter521 and kidphc
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Quasi-tech review aside, if you are willing to tolerate some of the technology shortcomings I noticed in my radio (noted in another thread), for a low cost radio, this can be a lot of fun to play with. Sadly, the display washout is a deal-breaker for me, personally. However, I think I am in the minority there.
In short, I am not going to recommend or condemn the radio. It's not for me, even with all the cool features. That said, I leave it to you to use my two threads as a tool to make an informed decision. I'm just 1 guy with one radio... but there it is.
Thanks,
Spaz
Thanks for the review. Since it's not for you, I'll give you 100 bucks for it.
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I got permission to use a repeater locally. The owner was very nice, and even offered to let me use a Motorola mobile he had until I got a mobile of my own. I was using a handheld. I got on one night and another user quickly keyed up, asked who I was, though I had identified myself with my call sign, then told me I was on the wrong repeater. I wasn't, and I had permission. I decided to discontinue using the repeater. Though the owner was great, I don't need to wast my time on jerks. Sad, but for now I remain simplex.
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Does 5 Mhz offset prohibits use by the XMT115 and other common lower cost GMRS radios with repeaters ?
Nothing in the XMT115 manual refers to this offset. Or how to change the offset. It does speak of the access codes, but not an offset.
Is the offset "fixed" in the radio such as the XMT400, XMT275, and the XMT115 ? Whereas the access codes and "fixed" offset is not a feature in the lower cost HT's ?
By way of example, here is data from a repeater:
Look on page 12 of your manual, under "Menu Mode Functions." The repeater function is there. If you don't have the manual, it is here: https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MXT115-Owners-manual-Final-24Oct16.pdf
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Welcome to the forum MikeRod, The UV5r is not a good radio for a beginner. It is capable of TX'ing on frequencies that you are not licensed for and could easily interfere with Public service and Emergency services. Not to mention it is not Part95 certified for use on GMRS. Consider the Baofeng GMRS V-1 or the Tera GMRS radio.
I have to say, the Tera is possible to be programmed to Emergency services too. I currently have one channel on my Tera 505 programmed to receive my local police radio. I programmed the transmit to a GMRS frequency to be safe though.
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I was looking online to see what I needed to listen to my local police. I use an Android scanner app that has some area police, but not mine. So I wanted to see what equipment I would need.
I found they are using 155.43. I realized that should be in the TR-505 range. I decided to see if I could program that frequency into the Tera, and it accepted it along with the PL code. It picked up traffic just fine. I then went back and programed the transmit on that channel to a GMRS frequency to be safe in case someone keyed the mic. It is working great. Not the intended use for it, but it is nice to having to buy new equipment.
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Misleading, yes. illegal to sell, no.
He simply said, against their TOS, Ebay's. He didn't say illegal to sell. If they are violating the TOS, something could be done to stop them.
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Yes they are. That's all a use is high power on them.
Okay, based on what I read now regarding your meter, It is probably simply the meter that is the issue. Wrong frequency.
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Are you sure the radio is set to Hi power? MENU -> F5
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I have the Tera TR-505s. They work well and are easy to program. https://powerwerx.com/tera-tr505-gmrs-recreational-handheld-radio
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Close. The accepted radio procedure-not a rule but a way to keep everyone on the same page-. Is to say the station you are calling then your own call sign. For example if I were trying to contact you, I would say
"WQYY816, WQYQ485"
You would answer by saying
"WQYQ485, WQYY816 go ahead"
Then every 10 minutes....
"WQYY816"
Then when you are done with that conversation..
"WQYY816, clear"
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
I will just add that for GMRS, the ID interval is 15 minutes, not 10. 10 minutes is a HAM requirement.
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Welcome to the forums! I highly recommend the Tera TR-505 handheld radios for your use. It is one of the very few new radios that actually have both Part 95A and Part 95J certifications.
That is because in addition to UHF GMRS, it also supports VHF MURS frequencies. Granted it has only sixteen channels and no display, but that is more than sufficient for most folks needs. Transmit power is a fully legal 5 watts.
https://powerwerx.com/tera-tr505-gmrs-recreational-handheld-radio
Actually they are 4 watts, but I don't mean that they are not good radios, just calrifying. I have them and love them. I have used them as both GMRS and for a while MURS. Great radios, good range and very clear sound.
New here! Just ordered two radios that will be here Saturday. Share your basic, beginner tips with me.
in General Discussion
Posted
Bandwidth and channel spacing are two different things. Channel spacing: Defines the frequency difference between adjacent radio channels in the radio modem.
Channel Width: Occupied channel bandwidth. Typically channel spacing is the same in the radio modems as the channel width.