WRVG593
-
Posts
131 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Classifieds
Posts posted by WRVG593
-
-
On 4/4/2023 at 7:52 PM, KAF6045 said:
Better check the zoning regulations for your area. For my area, antennas are limited to 35ft height (I suspect based on 60s-70s horizontally polarized log-periodic TV antennas) -- EXCEPT for LICENSED AMATEUR who are permitted 70ft height.
My area allows for 50 feet of height. I'm good.
-
On 4/4/2023 at 9:52 AM, tweiss3 said:
I think you are over thinking how to get to your designated simplex. Look into a pair yagi antennas pointed at each other to use just for the hard to reach family. You will also hear the other much better as well.
Look at the numbers:
Your 25W into an assumed 6db gain omni antenna = 99W EIRP
Take the same antenna, boost the power to 100W and you get 398W radiated, but in all directions, and no improved receive from your intended family member.
Take your same 25W radio into a 10.2db gain yagi = 261W EIRP, with better ears and less likely to cause interference to anyone else. There will also be more benefit if you don't have 6db gain on your current antenna. This is taking zero line losses into account.
Edit, if you get one of the Yagis that has 12.2db gain, you end up with 414W EIRP with your existing 25W radio.
Well also the numbers you're running aren't accurate. I'm power testing and getting 5-8 watts.
-
On 4/4/2023 at 6:56 AM, WRKC935 said:
Well, here's some food for thought on antenna height. Amateur radio satellites orbit the earth at about 62 miles up. And can be higher. Their transmit power is typically 1 or 2 watts. The coverage footprint on the earth is also over 1000 miles wide in some instances. Yes, this is the extreme, but it's also over 60 miles of talk distance with 2 watts of power.
Yes but I live near a lot of hills and valleys. I literally live in a region called the valley. So I understand height is might. But I can only get so high eventually.
-
18 hours ago, gortex2 said:
All 50 watts vs 5 watts will do is help you talk out. You wont receive them any better. AS others said spend money on antenna before radio. Unless all of you are getting better radios its not worth it
Well the issue is is that I am hearing everyone else but they aren't hearing me except in spurts. That's realistically with 5-10 watts. I assume the extra would be the boost I need. I just raised my antenna up by 4 feet and picked up 2 new repeaters. So now I'm about 34 feet off tbe ground. I have about 10 more feet of coax to use. I plan on getting a comet 460-470 antenna. About 10 feet tall. It would add another 7 feet or so to my system. So that coupled with the max watts I can get (50 of course) would be perfect.
-
2 hours ago, KAF6045 said:
The ONLY THING you can control that affects how well you can hear others is your ANTENNA system.
Yes I understand that. The extra power would be for the neighborhood portion.
-
11 hours ago, Radioguy7268 said:
You could (legally) gain 3dB just by using a higher gain antenna. If you're already making it there with a 50 watt mobile & negligible gain, you'll spend (a bunch) less money by improving your antenna system.
Yagi antennas are directional - but you can easily get 10 dB (or more) without breaking the bank.
You mention already being able to hit 8 repeaters - do none of them give you enough coverage? It would cost even less to donate a battery backup system for one of those repeaters if you want to get closer to a guarantee of coverage.
Also, if you go with a 100 watt high power GMRS mobile as a base, there's a bunch of FRS radios that might be able to hear you at 15, 20 or even 30 miles away - but you will be further away than they could ever hope to transmit back. At that point you're just a fancy one-way paging system.
With the 50 Watt Mobile, the idea is not for general use. It is for back up comms when SHTF and I can contact my family. The extra 50 watts would be extremely helpful.
My antenna system is NOT the best. But I do have it 30ish feet in the air. The repeaters give more than enough coverage, but I am interested in SIMPLEX use. Something I could do even if I packed up and left the state.
I have 2 areas I live in, and they are no where close to each other. So relying on only repeaters is not what we want. And as for the one way paging system, I see your point. But that would only be so if the other end does not also get a high powered radio. I'm not worried about talking to every Joe Schmoe with an ozark trail or blackfin walkie talkie. In theory, this radio would be moved from a neighborhood area with obstructions, hence the need for the extra wattage, to a mountain top full of trees around it.
The idea with that being IF I needed to hear others I should hear most of the transmissions from the bottom of the mountain. (the second home is in the mountains of Appalachia).
-
10 hours ago, BoxCar said:
As people keep saying, it isn't the power that's key, it's the antennas. All increased power means is you have a stronger signal in the areas you already cover. UHF is line-of-sight so the "fix" is to get the antennas where they can "see" each other. Raising an antenna 6 feet gives you about a 2 mile increase in coverage area and that is much more important than pushing power into the same smaller area you currently have. This isn't CB (or low band VHF) that will somewhat follow the terrain, this is radio waves that reach the horizon and continue on into the ether.
Well the issue is there's foliage in the way of LOS. My 5 watt sometimes can't push through trees when my 50 watt can. I imagined it was the same idea but from 25 to 100.
-
4 hours ago, Radioguy7268 said:
I will assume you're aware that you can't legally transmit with more than 50 watts on any GMRS frequency. Yes, you can get a higher ERP with a gain antenna, but the rules are pretty clear. I'd also question the benefit of a 100 watt mobile transmitter in anything other than a Simplex mode.
If you're talking into a decently configured repeater, all you need is enough to get into the machine with a full quieting signal, and the rest is just wasted energy. Getting in at 50 watts when 15 would have done the job does not improve the signal out of the repeater.
The difference between 100 watts and 50 watts is 3dB. Search up the inverse square law if you want to know what that means when it comes to actual RF coverage. Spoiler: 100 watts isn't giving you as much as you might be thinking.
Theoretically
I appreciate the feedback. It actually would be for simplex. I hit repeaters for all 8 repeater channels/frequencies. I have family where we can barely hear each other when using a 25 watt mobile as a base. We both have roof antennas and both like the idea of simplexing, as repeaters could not work at any moment. There are some days where I can pick him up for a few seconds at a time, and his power generally reads 15W. My 50W mobile can make it to where he hears me for almost the entire tike with sporadic intererference. I feel woth the additional 50W it would almost never have drops in signal. My other idea is to get a 460-470 amplifier. The reason I choose gmrs is any people have cheap frs walkie talkies and could hear or talk back. I am aware of the 50 watt limit, but in a situation where I need to get ahold of my family I would like the additional power for guaranteed communication.
-
Hi there! I am on a search for a theoretical radio. This is a very similar question I had in another thread but a more clear and concise thing I'm trying to find. Before I was looking for a unicorn that I realize does not exist. At all. (Was looking for a 100 watt dual band). I've come to a different question (a theoretical one).
If anyone can reccomend a UHF radio, specifically around 462.xxx. (I realize what I'm about to ask for may be more 450-470). I'm looking for a 100 Watt UHF analog specific radio, not expensive that will just burn money. I can't get an APX8500 and drop 5000. Thanks all, and yes I'm aware I'm looking more for a LMR radio or retired public safety.
-
1 minute ago, Sshannon said:
I knew nothing about it other than that it was the highest power advertised crap imported radio directly ordered from China. Just a couple posts later I pointed out that I wasn’t recommending it. My post was intended to be a ridiculous response to an unrealistic question. I’m sorry you ordered it.
Not your fault lol. I'm gonna return it. I'm just looking for the unicorn and you never know what there is lol. It's an Amazon purchase. No harm no foul. But now I know QYT is untrustworthy! 50-75w my butt! Try more 5-15w
-
On 3/20/2023 at 3:37 PM, WRKC935 said:
I would go right to a Kenwood 790H / 890H dual brick setup with a single head and call it good.
These are FM only commercial radios that would of course be limited by programming and would NOT have a VFO.
You really didn't mention what you are planning to do with the radios. This would be my option for a vehicle setup.
Obviously if you are needing SSB and satellite functionality, this is NOT the way to go. If that is what you are looking for I would find an ICOM 910-H. That will get you 1.2Ghx as well.
I think my satellite rig is a Yaesu 891, but don't hold me to that. I am still getting the antenna system built for satellite work so I am not in front of the radio at all yet. I do know it's all band and all mode with satellite functionality (dual tracking VFO's for each band for dopler shift)
And BTW,,, not all that sad. Weird and a bit pissed off, but never sad.
How much does a full setup usually run? What are the real power ratings? Will it say 110 watts and actually give me 30? Will it say 40w on 450-470 and actually give me 10? Lol. Just bad experiences with dual bands.
-
On 3/21/2023 at 8:27 AM, kidphc said:
The theoretical/hypothetical is fine.. A little more info on the application and usage intent. Legal or illegal could help narrow down things and get you on the right track. I am a hypothetical purchaser, my wallet is thinner then me or my ambitions. So all the sites I visit have tons of things in my wish list.
BUt a Yaesu ftdx101d is going to be wasted a bit unless you contest on the HF bands. Really what it was designed for.
For instance, to be used mobile (in a car) 20w usually is enough and 50w is nice to have when you are the fringes. But trying to talk to Cali on Phone (voice) over HF 100w base station and a nice antenna setup is very helpful. With UHF/VHF yeah, you are going to be using digital over the internet.
So if you mind can you expand on the hypothetical. There is no radio that does it all, but some radios are better then others for some purposes.
My hypothetical is a radio that transmits at least 50 watts on 144-154 mhz, and 50 watts on 400-470. But the problem I run into is any radio that does that (in theory) actually pushes out 7 watts on the GMRS and UHF ham spectrum and 10 watts on the VHF Ham spectrum. But I've noticed on MURS it commonly produces more power. But weirdly I've noticed the WX channels (162) is where the power is centered!!! I got 58 watts on a 50 watt radio, 28 watts on a 5 watt radio (BF UV5R) and 38 watts on a 25 watt radio! (With a dummy load of course.) But the usable bands (that I perceive as usable, being 144-148 151-154 420-450 462-467) are all completely underpowered with the exception of 151-154. I guess for the base I might wanna look into Amps instead huh? Unless you have a unicorn I'm not aware of lol! Thanks
-
On 3/22/2023 at 6:47 AM, gortex2 said:
Not cheap but APX8500 is my go to for that application. The 7500 would fit the bill also but think its a unicorn for the bands you want.
Definitely not cheap lol. Also I may be wrong but those do not exceed 40 watts do they?
-
On 3/20/2023 at 8:37 AM, Sshannon said:
I bought one. Was delivered to me today. Played with it for about an hour. Power readings... more than sad. I was getting 10 watts for VHF and 7 for UHF. When will my search end? Lol. That'll be a return. I would have been okay if it dropped to 40 watts out of the 75!!! Oh well. No money lost in the end.
-
On 3/22/2023 at 1:51 AM, axorlov said:
FTDX-101D can't do neither VHF nor UHF. It is certainly not a mobile, in a sense that it would not fit into single-DIN or double-DIN space. Try to look for 6 seconds, maybe?
The point I was making was that I didn't want to spend 3000 lol
-
Beware sad hams, this is a theoretical post and for "speculation".
So I'm looking for the unicorn. The INEXPENSIVE/CHEAP (big one there), 100 Watt, Dual band VHF/UHF radio. If I wanted to look for 5 seconds, and pick the most expensive option I found, I would have stopped at the Yaesu ftdx101d. But I'm not ashamed to used cheap Chinese crap. I'm not looking to spend $3500. I'm looking more 130-400. For watts, I know it's realistically more 60/70- 100, not a real 100. Dual band is preferable. But UHF is more important.
Thank you for all advice given. I know GMRS is 50 watts max. I know whatever it is I'm looking for isn't a GMRS radio. I know what I'm looking for classifies as a ham radio. Please sad hams, I've already taken the beating! Thank yall!
-
On 3/17/2023 at 12:46 AM, JPebbs said:
What do you mean? I don’t see that as an option
Instead of setting just the TX tone, set the tone to cross. Then add both tones. I've also came to the conclusion that once you've programmed in a memory mode channel, most models of BF do not allow you to modify them. Check your code. See which one you got. For example, my UV5R has old code and can NOT at all be changed once it's in memory mode. No tone change, no offset change, anything. It all has to be in chirp. But on my UV5G, I can change whatever I want. Offset, tone, etc. (Don't know why I'd want to change the offset to anything other than +5mhz on the 5g but whatever). Stick to frequency mode for quick adjustments.
-
22 hours ago, Adamdaj said:
Last year when I was working at MS 150 City to Shore, I was assigned to working Dispatch / Net Control. I did receive some slack from a fellow Amateur Radio for using 10 codes on the 2m repeater and GMRS repeater. Of course, I understand what that person saying, you don't want to heard, that's a BIG 10-4 GOOD BUDDY. After all, the 11 meter dwellers have really made a mockery of what started in the public safety.
Sometimes have problems with my speech, but I figured using Ten Codes help me conveying information that I need to get out. There's nothing wrong with using Ten Codes on GMRS or Amateur Radio, as long as the group that you're working are on board with the protocol.
What protocol? There's no listed 10 codes. We can say LEO, Firefighter, etc. But they all have different codes
-
3 hours ago, WRUU653 said:
1)What constitutes hiding? Really? This is a question? The act of concealing; concealment. If you’re doing it to hide what you are saying it isn’t legal. Not difficult at all to understand.
2)What is a ten code https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-code3)At what point am I not hiding my code? When other people understand it, you know like the people at the FCC for example.
…sigh
1. The discussion is about at what point does shorthand talk become "hidden messages". If I tell someone to grab a squeemy jeemy, and that means to go get me a 10mm wrench with an extension, is that not a hidden meaning?
2. Ten codes are not standardized according to the FCC. Police codes and EMS codes may be different. East coast 10 codes may be different than west coast codes. So who's 10 code do we follow? What makes some 10 codes okay and others not?
3. The point if this discussion is about what constitutes hiding if it is publicized. If I publish the codes online, make it avaliable to Public, able to provide links, printed papers, and give any and all information to the FCC at their demand, how would it be hiding? It was (1) publicly posted. (2) avaliable upon demand. (3) Written out for others to see
-
4 hours ago, gortex2 said:
Again we are beating a dead horse. If you want to use some 10 code use it. I can say in Public Safety world very little of the 10 code system is still in play. Other than 10-4 you wont hear it much in public safety. In SAR we have a few "CODES" for critical information but to be honest just go to encryption if we need to discuss that.
That didn't at all talk about what I was talking about though. The top 3 questions being if the essence. What 10 code do you use? If I add 10 in front of it does it work? At what point am I hiding meaning? And at what point am I no longer hiding my code? This isn't a discussion on should you use 10 codes, but a discussion in the legality of making your own 10 codes.
-
Example of Posted 10 Codes
An example of using this code would be "593 to 346 I'm 10-1, I got a 10-7, turning into 10-8." '346 10-4, I'm 10-2 but will be 10-1 in 5 minutes'.
-
This is kind of a branch off of another post I made on the general forum. I figure most people who browse this forum would be more knowledgeable and maybe be able to open a discussion on their interpretation. This relates to the FCC rules stating there will be no usage of words used to convey hidden meaning, with the exception of '10-codes' such as 10-4. In this I would like 3 questions to be explored.
1. What constitutes hiding meaning
2. What constitutes a 10 code3. At what point am i not 'hiding' my code
To begin, I will post paste the FCC Rule straight from the website.
§ 95.1733 Prohibited GMRS uses.
(a) In addition to the prohibited uses outlined in § 95.333 of this chapter, GMRS stations must not communicate:
(3) Coded messages or messages with hidden meanings (“10 codes” are permissible);
So first off, we will discuss what constitutes a hidden meaning. Someone made a decent comment in the other post that really struck my attention. At what point does short talk become hidden meaning? Yes we all know what 10-4 is due to movies, tv shows, and being radio dorks, but theoretically not everyone can know this. Also, if I was telling someone to grab a [Raychem (manufacture) F-81 RG58 (come in a red clip, RG59 come in blue) connectors. I could see how the phrase "Red Raychem" could refer to lots of things, possibly even drugs, if you were not in the trade and even then only if you use Raychem products.]. By this logic, any shorthand talk other than 10 codes are hidden meaning, are they not?2. What constitutes a 10 code
Under the FCC 95.1733 there is no OFFICIAL 10 code list. In fact, another person made a very good point in the other thread as well. There are 10 codes that don't match other departments. [Around here you could ask a LEO for a 10-21 and a Firefighter for a 10-21 ... one would call you, the other bring you a 2 1/2 inch hose.]
Which is a very good point. Without an official FCC 10 code, does adding 10 in front of your code make it a 10 code? As another poster said, [If I say I'm 10-365 WTH does that mean? Am I legal because I used a 10 code? Even 10-100 has different meanings to different people. Personally, I think I'm 10-733.]
3. At what point am I no longer hiding my code
Furthermore, if I was to publish online my 10 Codes, let's say 10-1 is Unit En Route, 10-2 is Unit Stopped, 10-3 is Unit Broke down, and published it in a public space, is it no longer a hidden meaning? If I publish it online, have the codes readily avaliable to anyone who asks, and have them ready and printed, how are they a hidden code? If willing to give to any LEO, FCC agent, or Public Citizen with the exception of foreign ambassadors, why would it not be permissible?
Remember to keep the comments cordial. This is meant to be a productive, fun, and thought provoking conversation. Please enlighten me!
-
1 hour ago, Sshannon said:
But there doesn’t need to be an FCC approved version. Publicly used 10 codes are not intended to hide their meanings.
Although intent is usually difficult to prove, the posts within this thread could easily be used to show that WRVG593 intended to provide a hidden meaning.
Sure. I don't even intend on using any of this. Just purely out of thought. But let's say I post very publicly (say a forum, or other website that has the codes being used, with 10 placed in front) then is it public knowledge and therefore okay?
-
1 hour ago, Radioguy7268 said:
That's kind of my point. There's no FCC published official version of what their proposed 10 code shorthand might mean, so it's up to interpretation. Whose interpretation?
So in theory since there is no official 10 code... I could then theoretically say 10-1 Begin ride, 10-2 Stopping, 10-3 Broke down, etc
100 Watt UHF Search
in General Discussion
Posted
I'm testing using a power meter. I use my cheap Chinese one and I've used my friends actually good power meter and the my read pretty much the same on SWR, Power, Fwd, Reflected, etc. My feed line (I could be wrong as I bought it probably over a year ago) is RG8X if I'm not mistaken. I've tested it in my mobile and from 50 watts(MXT500), it seemed to only lose about a watt or so.
So I'm not worried too much about cable loss. And by back of the radio I assume you mean power? The advertised power is 25 Watts, but this thing has been beaten into the ground and only puts out about 7 watts.