VETCOMMS

Very good. Thx for reply. Apologize for not searching first.

I realize this is a crystal ball question but, how likely would digital voice transmissions be in the future for GMRS? Thoughts?

Good point on the ca-712. I'm not sure if one day I get this repeater on top of the bluff that a high gain antenna would not transmit down to the river banks below the ridge but rather, transmit across the river. This would leave a dead zone below the level of the antenna, I'm thinking.

About 175 yards behind the house we're headed up the bluff incline. In this area there's about 100 feet of elevation change. That's immediately behind the house. I'm hoping to get the antenna on top of the ridge eventually.

I think this has been brought up before but thought I'd ask anyway. How do I change my display name so it's not my call sign?

That's a dirty word. Along with organic chemistry! Thanks guys!

Is there a way to use Radio Mobile or another line of sight program with elevation/GPS overlay to help me calculate the angle from antenna to the top of the ridge?

Are there best places to look for these antennas when they go on sale? Or just look around, including eBay?

So I'm putting up a repeater antenna on a short 10 foot mast on my garage for personal comms. I want to play radio close to the ground before I jump "all-in"like the big boys with big towers and big costs. I sit in the Mississippi River valley with a bluff directly behind my house and another across the river on the Iowa side. Would a higher gain antenna at such a low mast height, like the db420-b be beneficial or would other lower gain/lower dollar antennas work just as well since I'm not achieving the "height is might" addage?

Thx for that. I was looking online and saw several uhf repeaters that were digital or dual mode digital/analog. I assume the digital/analog would work for GMRS?

I like the gr1225 but no, it's not supported and requires Windows 7 if memory serves me right.

Thanks for all the helpful advice I've gotten from you all on this forum. I have yet another question. I liked the idea of the old gr1225 repeater with it's self contained notch duplexer for family comms Is there a comparable repeater of similar power output that does not require having to find old Windows operating system and finding the old programming software? I see the Retevis model but like the quality/power output/reliability of the moto gr1225. It would be nice to be able to program using Windows 10 or 11 in a user friendly way.

When buying a used repeater, other than "buying from a reputable source" is there anything else the buyer can do/look for to know the unit is in good condition?

And here I thought I'd get yours for $800. Shucks, lol.

Understood, thanks. I think I've read the GR1225 can be programmed with Windows XP and in other places I've read Windows 7 will work as well. For the MTR2000 I think I've read Windows 7 works. I just want to be clear on what I need for a programming computer before I purchase the repeater. Also, would someone with real world experience be able to help me with programming once I purchase the repeater or what resources are there to help me? I see limited videos about how to do this but perhaps these come with a user manual that is excellent at describing how to program the repeater? Just trying to be prepared before the purchase.

Or after seeing what a new Motorola costs..... Which is easier to program, an MTR2000 or a GR1225?

I've read so much about repeaters, including some of the discontinued Motorola repeaters that require old software 32 bit operating systems for programming. But what about the Bridgecom repeaters? Can those be programmed with current software? Are they good repeaters or have history of problems/weak PAs?

Ahhh heck, I should just buy a brand new Motorola repeater and pony up the cash so I can just use my current Windows operating system, I suppose. ?

I've read that Windows XP, Windows 10 can be found at garage sales for cheap. Where else do people get laptops with the older operating systems to use for programming discontinued repeater models?

Wow. Thanks for the info on that HRX repeater as I did not know it could be used on analog. I learn a lot here, and it's easy to take things out of context with the typed word and get pissy about things. I'm guilty of it myself. Let's try to get along and HELP one another, not tear each other apart. There too much hate in the world to be spreading negativity on a radio forum as well.

So who wants to buy it with their own monies and try it? Not me but am curious. Or just stick with Motorola or Vertex?

Thank you for the help. I think I've read that in general, once I go more than 10 feet above the top of the roofline, or maybe a more specific point is once I go more than 10 feet above the top attachment point on the garage, then I need to guy the mast. And every 10 feet above that should have guy wires. Is this correct?

Do you think adding a 10 foot section of chain link fence top rail to a direct TV mount at the peak of my roof and mounting an Ed Fong GMRS antenna would result in too much sway/instability in the wind? Also, where do people like to get pre-made LMR 400 or Messi & Paoloni hyperflex coax to use for base station or repeater setup with this antenna?

I saw a post from 2016 but wondered if anyone has had good results with mounting an omnidirectional antenna like an Ed Fong into the top of a tree? I read about lightning concerns, damage to the tree, movement of the tree all causing issues. Is it worth a try?