Hans

I really like the Motorola M1225 as well. We used the 45 Watt 20(?) channel models. They make nice repeaters too. The cable I use and recommend is the USB cable from BlueMax49ers on eBay. https://www.ebay.com/str/bluemax49ers/

I've been recommending to locals that they reconsider the MTX series because it don't yet allow for carrier squelch on repeaters. Since we have multi-tone repeaters around here, that means that Midland users cannot hear traffic accessing with other tones. Our repeater is set to output one tone regardless of the tone used to access it. This is specifically for the local Midland users. If Midland fixed this problem, I would have no problem recommending the MTX-400. Until then, I cannot as it makes the series useless on most of our local repeaters.

Sorry, pantherpaw9. I completely lost track of the original thread topic; something I'm apt to do. Yeah, those links should help a lot. I know that they did help me when I got my first Baofeng. I don't know why it didn't occur to me to post them sooner.

WRCQ452, http://www.miklor.com/uv5r/ http://www.miklor.com/COM/UV_ProgMem.php

That sounds like a good plan, Ian. You'll gain a lot of experience and you will have something very useful.

Isn't that how we get the right answers?

This might be a simplistic way of looking at it but I seem to recall talk years ago of PLL-ish circuits to wire in place of crystals. By now, is there such a product or circuit possible to take the place of crystal unobtainium? Just as an example (there are a few interesting links in the comments too)... http://hackaday.com/2014/10/15/digital-crystal-breathes-new-life-into-old-radio/

Others may disagree with me but that's a brave and compassionate man to order his crew off of the tower and remain there himself to figure out the problem.

Understood. I was being lazy by using Part 97 when I should've typed Part 15. The latter wasn't foremost in my brain but the former was. Good catch! If others don't post up some, I'll try to go through some specs online of some of our alternate choices and post something up. I'd really rather see people post information about those radios they actually use that fit your features list. We use the Alincos every single day over the past couple of years. They aren't perfect but they do satisfy our needs quite well. Some things I would change about the DJ-500T & TB: Keypad light is blindingNo super capacity battery availableNot BNC connectorNo alkaline battery packPrefer clickey keys instead of membraneNo CSQ buttonNo talk around buttonNot a waterproof speaker mic connectorNeeds more programmability for side buttonsWish there was a way to specify individual setting permissions in Part 90 mode instead of all or nothingNot yet Chirp compatibleHowever, overall these serve our everyday and prepper type needs well enough. Everyone in the group and out of the group really like them. If I could change just one thing it would be have a super capacity battery and alkaline pack.

I had to check before posting... A work around is to turn backlight to always off. CERT members, and any other prepared radiomen for that matter, should always have a flashlight on their persons anyway. I think I'm going to set my radio without backlight to avoid the blinding keypad.

The best work around that I've come up with is to have a second channel programmed with no PL. Of course, one of the two side buttons can be programmed as a monitor switch. Additional information: Apparently, the Anytone has an easy talk around button for repeater channels (one of the guys runs Anytone) and the Alinco does not. Of course, that can be overcome by programming a separate channel as well. The Alinco does have a reverse key on the keypad.

No problem. Are Part 97 okay or are you sticking with Part 90 (and Part 95 as a bonus)? Hopefully, many others will throw some suggestions in here so y'all have a lot to choose from. I have a fuzzy list of a few more radios but will have to do research online before posting them. I'm being lazy in the hopes that others will add to the list.

Whoops! I might have that wrong. The power setting can be changed without reprogramming but I am pretty sure that you have to go into settings for the channel to change the PL. If one does not use the save sequence, it will revert back to programming after you change channel or if you power cycle the radio. In other words, it is a temporary change unless you do a specific series of button presses to save it to memory. Sorry about the oversight.

One thing you will probably dislike completely is the blinding key pad backlight.

I will also note that the DJ-500 radios and At 3318UV-A have true narrow band receive. Some radios just up the volume for narrow band. We run Niteize holsters for ours. I *think* they are the medium but will have to check to verify. These are available for size checks at many hardware chain stores. http://www.niteize.com/product/Clip-Case-Cargo-Mobile-Device-Holsters.asp

Features: GMRS frequencies (Part 95 compliance is not required) -- Yes.Display (LCD or?) -- Yes.Single VFO or dual VFO with single VFO mode -- Yes.Lockable keyboard -- Yes. Soft keypad lock key through keypad and hard keypad lock via software and cable for both TB and T (not sure about Anytone; probably not)Text name assignable to each channel -- Yes.Power (H/L) and PL options settable for each programmed channel -- Yes.Split PL support (xmit/rcv on different PL tones) -- Yes.Power and PL settings can be temporarily changed from keyboard without having to reprogram the channel -- Yes. However, not with keypad hard locked (if I am remembering correctly)Current production model --Yes. Would be nice:* Dual band (VHF/UHF) -- Yes.* Option to receive ham and public service frequencies -- Yes.* CHIRP support -- No. (If someone sends one in, someone would undoubtedly make a profile for Chirp. Alinco software sucks but is free.Price $150 or under -- Yes.High power option (nominal 5W) -- Yes. High ~5W, Medium ~2.5W, Low ~1WCan optionally use alkaline batteries -- No.Standard antenna connector -- ?? What is standard ?? For some, that is BNC; which it doesn't. It has the same ubiquitous SMA connector as the rest of the China stuff.Ability to lock out transmit on a channel -- Yes.* Only one transmit button (Some radios have 2, for VFO-A and VFO- B ) -- Yes.Programmable function buttons or keys. Could be used for power setting, PL mode, etc. -- No.General online availability -- Yes. Here is the DJ-500T specifications page. The DJ-500TB are the same except keypad is supposed to come hard locked and it is Part 90. Both need the initial key sequence to unlock full frequency Tx. Both operations, keypad unlock and frequency expansion, can be reversed on both T and TB models. http://www.alinco.com/Products/ham/ht/DJ-500/

I think the Alinco DJ-500TB (Part 90) and the Alinco DJ-500T (Part 97) (practically same radio except label and how it is set at factory) check all of the first list boxes and many of the second list. It is also sold as the Anytone AT 3318UV-A (Part 90). Unfortunately, it doesn't have: alkaline battery option, decent programmable function keys, or BNC antenna connector. However, they are sealed nicely against the elements and sound really good on the air. They run from $80 to $130 on Gigaparts, Newegg, etc. They are very easy to unlock. The DJ-500TB requires a programming cable (generic will work fine) and a freely available dealer program to unlock the keypad. The DJ-500T only requires a key press sequence at power up to unlock it. After the keypad is unlocked, the DJ-500TB requires the same key press sequence to unlock the frequencies. I assume that the Anytone AT 3318UV-A is already unlocked? The Anytone uses a standard Kenwood connector for the speaker mike and the Alinco uses an Icom connector. I'll take a closer look at your posted needs and wants lists and compare to the DJ-500 radios we have here.

https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tower-guy-hill-post-auction-repack-should-not-be-rushed-168401

Look at page 3... http://www.manualslib.com/manual/880563/Vertex-Standard-Vxd-R70.html?page=14#manual At first glance, what I'm thinking is this: If the fan doesn't spin up at all, the repeater will not let the transmitter come online. The LEDs are all supposed to light to indicate that they all work. If you aren't getting an LED configuration that matches table 3.1.1 then it might not be a more routine issue. It might be something deeper.

I'm starting to look through the manual(s) available online. As far as I can tell, the fan is supposed to spin up to speed and then turn off when it is powered on. Does it do that? I'm looking through the installation manual and page 5 looks useful. Can you see if what is described there looks like what you observe on your repeater (LEDs, etc.)? Next stop for me later today is to try to find a service manual online and a user's guide with a troubleshooting section.

Nope.

It looks like we have a winner, folks!

Since myGMRS.com is specifically mentioned on that page, I'll betcha Rich knows...

I found something! This might be the total sum of the guidelines; to be "open"? If so, what a let down. lol http://web.archive.org/web/20140209073755/http://www.popularwireless.com/openrptr.html