WRUE951

My Hytera stuff works pretty dam nice, their repeaters are even nicer and all made in China.. i have no issue with 'Made in China'..

Cause we can... for now anyway... but that can change overnight

https://members.swcrs.org/2021/01/05/fcc-letter-aprs-on-gmrs/

APRS Is not even legal for GMRS use unless your are using the bubble pack (non removable antenna)... And in very very short burst.

Read the NEC

think about that,, your radio plugged into your house AC circuit is getting tied into the Common ground. Driving a separate ground rod and placing antenna ground to that is creating another source for your house ground.. Not good. But if you bond all the grounds together, then go ahead drive all the ground rods you want,, But it really wont benefit anything other than the wallets at HomeDepot Tie Antenna Ground to House Consensus: Yes, antenna ground should be tied to the same house ground. Reasoning: Multiple sources emphasize the importance of bonding the antenna ground to the same ground rod as the electrical meter. This ensures a common ground potential for both the antenna system and the house electrical system, reducing the risk of interference and damage during lightning strikes. According to one source, grounding the antenna separately from the house ground can cause “huge differences in potential” between grounds, leading to equipment damage or destruction during a lightning strike. Another source stresses the need for a common ground, citing the National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines for grounding and bonding. A Quora answer confirms that grounding an antenna is necessary, and it should be connected to the same ground as the electrical system. Practical Considerations: When grounding an antenna, it’s essential to bond it to the same ground rod as the electrical meter, rather than the breaker panel. This ensures a safe and effective path for electrical impulses during a lightning strike. In Summary: To ensure the safe and reliable operation of your antenna system, it is recommended to tie the antenna ground to the same house ground, specifically the same ground rod as the electrical meter. This bonding process reduces the risk of interference and damage during lightning strikes, and adheres to established electrical codes and guidelines.

Don't go with a Hustler.. They are not Bird proof.. Although they are a damn good performer. Mine (before the bird attack) got 1:1-1:2 across the GMRS band and talked 80 Miles.. Model is GS-450-3.. I'm gonna try to repair it and repurpose.. Got a Laird FG460-470 ordered to replace it... Lots and lots of good reports on that Antenna. Best place to order is from Mouser Electronics.. If you order one, expect it to be backordered. They cant keep them in stock.

I've got mine tied into the common ground of my house panel.. And that's the way it should be if your radio equipment power source shares the same ground source..

I've only heard one Ham repeater announce voice (not CW) date, time, , weather, frequency, PL Tones and price of TP on the 15 min mark regardless of traffic and that was in El Segundo about 4 years ago.. I haven't hear a GMRS repeater as such yet. And i also read a lot of forum chatter of people making fun of it.. The last i read, the operator got wise and took all that migril garbage off line. Wise! Now my question.. Why is it necessary to fill the airwaves with repeated CW and or Voice chatter on a frequency that is seldom used. The comical part to me, when you hear this CW (or voice) 99.9% of time and no other real traffic.. I just shake my head at it.

The outlaws don't care

Yup, and most GMRS repeater operators set their ID's to activate every half hour on the half hour, regardless of traffic.. WHY?? There's 6 repeaters in my area and when you scan, you hear a constant string of CWID's and appositely no voice traffic through the day.. It's comical. The HAM guys are a little more brilliant, at least they set for 'busy only'

Wife's hair dryer kept popping the GFI in our RV but never did it at home.. Replaced the GFI, which was a major PITA because RV's use an AC socket type you can't find anywhere.. Got a real household version installed and been working great since

that is the best price i've seen for that antenna and the shipping cost, $9.00 is crazy low. The lowest i found was $80 bucks shipping.. I actually called them to order, he sad they have couple dozen on order and that they sell a lot of these.. Defiantly the best place to grab a good antenna.. They also sell quality connectors at crazy low prices.. I'll be buying a few things from these folks.

Wow,, thanks for the lead. I just placed an order same price.. That's a good deal. It's back ordered, but i got more time than i got money, so its good.. THANKS!

I did,, they said the antenna is all one piece. I also tried taking a one foot section of 1 inch PVC conduit and wedging it down over the bent section.... It did support the damaged area very well but didn't work for the internal damage - still bad SWR. I'm gonna digest the antenna to see how it is built. in the meantime i think im gonna go with a Laird FG4607.. Hard to find a seller not charging arm and leg for shipping.. For right how I'm using an old home brew J-Pole i had and it's actually doing pretty good.... Getting 1:2 across the GMRS Band and talked with someone in 9-mile canyon, about 45 miles out..

thanks for suggestion, however that one is not tuned to GMRS.. Haven't found one on Prime yet but I'm looking.

Thanks - i checked them,, shipping is about $85 bucks.. All together not bad. I'm thinking about going with a Laird FG450 and also looking at other choices since I'm in the market. Comet is a lot cheaper but warred about the winds we get here. Gigiparts if very limited on their antenna supply.

I hate that song

i had a homemade J-Pole on my portable RV repeater set up and was always impressed with it.. Then for some reason i decided to try a Midland MXA w/ground plane kit.. Although always afraid to admit it, my home brew J-pole performed better and about $160 bu bucks cheaper.. I also get better SWR with the J-Pole and probably why it performs better..

So I wake up this morning i get an alarm from my repeater. (High SWR) So i go to check out what's going on.. My antenna (Hustler G6-450) is buckled sitting at 2 o-clock.. What the hell????? Then at the base of the mast I see a bunch of large black bird feathers, but no bird, just feathers, looking like Raven feathers... So it looks like a G*d D*mn bird hit my antenna and destroyed it ($500 bucks).. I have never ever heard this happening... Mind Blowing.. Now i'm looking to re-order and i'm seeing everyone charging nearly $200 for shipping on these things.. WTH.. Sipping cost really that high.. Looks like its time for a trip to Vega..

you are better off getting a Duplexer and i recommend getting from www.Buytwowayradios.com. Make sure to have them tune Duplexer to the Ch. you operate repeater (otherwise you'll get one tuned to Ch 18).. Also, make sure you are using LMR 400 or better cable... Don't buy your cable from Ebay,, get it from DX or BuyTwowaayradios.com Connectors are also important, i prefer a quality (Times Fiber) UFF N-Type Crimp but you will also need the crimp tool.. (worth having).. And the connectors need to be sized to your cable. In other words. LMR Connectors for LMR 400 cable, LMR 200 for LMR 200 cable. etc... Be patient, you'll get there.

send it to the White House,, Adress it to Joe

i think you'll have have better luck $hitten in a prescription bottle. Either way,, have fun

Well, Da, you can $hit in a prescription bottle too if you wanted too .. The FCC does offer experimental licenses 47 (Part 5).. Have at it....

When we RV, I have a portable repeater, two Maxon's cramed into an old Ammo can. I've got a Harbor Freight Telescoping Flag Pole mounted on my rear ladder on my RV. At the top mast I fabricated an angled plate clamped with 1.25" pipe clamps and mounted a Nagoya mobile antenna with a mini ground plane kit. The et-up works great and at some locations i've reached over 40 miles. We use it a Lake Crawley a lot which inspired someone to install a perminant repeater in the nearby mountain ranges. My 5th wheel is set up with solar so no worries with power.. Another guy we RV with got his hands on a Hytera RD965 compact portable repeater on Ebay real cheep.. It's a DMR repeater but works in Analog as well. Thats a very nice setup, it has provisions for its wine battery pack. He uses the same antenna set up i have. I stole his idea.. The Harbor Freight Telesctping flag pole is pretty decent, works well and under 100 bucks..