New GMRS User in Central Maine

[Demiurge]

Just stopping in to say hi!

 

I just got licensed and got my Wuoxun KG-805G radio programmed (correctly I think) using CHIRP.  Haven't heard any chatter on the simplex channels or on the only repeater listed as in my area. 

 

I'm thinking of getting my ham license this summer, but my wife is 100% not technical, so I'm hoping to find some other GMRS users in our area.

[kidphc]

Welcome. Many hams have the GMRS license as well. Try making some calls on simplex, you may get lucky and get the guy sitting there listening and thinking no one is on GMRS in his area.

[Extreme]

You know the 805G is programmable via the control panel also..

[Demiurge]

You know the 805G is programmable via the control panel also..

Yep, I read the manual and watched some video tutorials.  CHIRP is just faster for me.

[krvw]

I'm thinking of getting my ham license this summer, but my wife is 100% not technical, so I'm hoping to find some other GMRS users in our area.

 

Exact same reason I have both GMRS and ham (technician) licenses. Emergency and vacation comms with the family, and ham for me to branch out further. All good, IMHO.

 

Cheers,

 

Ken

WRFC318 / K0RVW

[Lscott]

Many hams have the GMRS license as well.

Yup. I have some friends that have either the Ham Tech or GMRS license and are looking at getting the other one. For the $70 and good or 10 years why not get the GMRS license IMHO.

[jbecraft]

 

Demiurge where in maine? I just got my lic. to, Lewiston area.... wrfu821, trying to set up a low power repeater in lewiston, having a hard time tho finding software to reprogram the radios i have... m1225...

 

[SDK]

Hi Gang,

I just stumbled onto this "Central Maine" thread. I also have both GMRS and Ham General licenses. The GMRS is for the family blanket for travel or recreational use mostly. Not much, if any, traffic on GMRS these days. I listen to the Streaked Mountain repeater in Buckfield sometimes on Channel 20. I can talk simplex with family nearby. On a budget so I use BaoFeng handhelds and a 25-watt mobile in the car.

[bblanchard5563]

New licensee and new radio in central Maine. Turner to be exact. Who else is out there. I monitor all channels.

[SDK]

Hi WROM399, welcome to the air! Sorry I didn't notice you sooner. I don't come here very often.

There is a repeater on Spruce Mountain in Woodstock that is the best around. Can you program duplex for a repeater on your radio?

It is set up on Channel 20 - 462.675 MHz with a +5 MHz offset and a 156.7 PL Tone on the input.

It has the best range of all GMRS repeaters around. It is about 2,400' above sea level and has a 80-90 Watts ERP. I heard an operator calling from Dover-Foxcroft just the other day.

WQYC747 - Steve in Mechanic Falls

 

[SDK]

I should add that the Spruce Mountain repeater is owned and operated by Jeff Hartford <n1snr@yahoo.com> - WQQG491 and site owner Dave Libby - WQOP567.

They are happy to let folks use it, but would like to know who you all are, so please look them up and report in.

[SDK]

Currently there are 655 active GMRS licenses in Maine and 5,051 active Ham licenses, although some are Silent Key.

WQYC747 / KC1LGL - Steve

[DrBombay]

Hi all,

I spend a lot of time each year up no'th in the great state of Maine, from Rangeley to Presque Isle exploring and getting my monies worth out of my hammock. Once one gets thru the gates of the NMW, other than Ham, there is nothing.  Would like to know of, and use, repeaters in the Jackman, Greenville, Brownsville, Ashland range.     TIA

[SDK]

On 3/7/2022 at 1:37 PM, DrBombay said:

Hi all,

I spend a lot of time each year up no'th in the great state of Maine, from Rangeley to Presque Isle exploring and getting my monies worth out of my hammock. Once one gets thru the gates of the NMW, other than Ham, there is nothing.  Would like to know of, and use, repeaters in the Jackman, Greenville, Brownsville, Ashland range.     TIA

Even the Ham must be limited to HF. I don't think there are any linked VHF or UHF repeaters up there, are there? I have a friend with as camp in the Allagash and was looking for one he could use.

[SDK]

Are there any Prepper-minded folks out here? SouthernPrepper1 has a video on YouTube to give us Mainers a chance to connect in his comments section. I have tried, but we Mainers are a skeptical bunch and aren't prone to "join in" easily. I have recently started trying to connect with Preppers on GMRS and Ham. No contact yet. GMRS, with the repeaters out there, is perfect for Preppers.

[DrBombay]

Are there any Prepper-minded folks out here? SouthernPrepper1 had a video on YouTube to give us Mainers a chance to connect in his comments section. I have tried, but we Mainers are a skeptical bunch and aren't prone to "join in" easily. I have been recently started trying to connect with Preppers on GMRS and Ham. No contact yet. GMRS, with the repeaters out there, is perfect for Preppers.

 

I concur, Mainers are like cats, takes a long while to warm up to strangers. (ask me how I know....)  Not finding any GMRS repeaters up there, nada.... There are some for MURS along the Golden Road but thats about it.    

[SDK]

Do you know what the Game Wardens and Forest Rangers use for communication in the NMW?

[BoxCar]

State personnel use state frequencies and feds use federal ones.

[gortex2]

Most Maine public safety is on the state wide P25 trunked system. There are also alot of conventional use in Maine. 

[SDK]

My reason for asking is that if there are repeaters in the North Maine Woods (NMW) for the state officers to use, maybe there would be locations where GMRS and/or Ham repeaters could be installed for us civilians when we are in the area.

[WRPG591]

Hey all! I'm located in the western hills in the town of Greenwood, about 5 miles from the Spruce675 repeater and have the radio on just about every day. It is an awesome repeater and I've made several good contacts. Steve, I believe I've spoken with you on at least one occasion. 

I use a Wouxun KG-805G at this time but have a Midland MXT400 enroute that should be here anytime.

We do need repeaters in the NMW area as well as Down East. I'm sure it will happen eventually. As far as MURS use in the NMW the lumber companies use it especially their trucks that are on the roads up there. They used to use CB's but have changed to the MURS. They announce their location and direction of travel.

Mark

wrpg591

[SDK]

Hi Mark,

Yes, we have spoken on air. I am not on a lot right now, too many other things to do that make it difficult. I have BaoFeng BF-F8HP handhelds as my main radios. I have my original UV-5R in the car with an external antenna and a 12-volt power adapter. I also have it running through my car sound system for better clarity. I really like their expanded frequency range that makes them good for both Ham and GMRS as well as emergency services monitoring.

Do you know of any Preppers in our area? My wife and I are part of a loose-knit group. Have been trying to get everyone outfitted, licensed, and trained on GMRS since none of them are inclined to get Ham licenses. I got my Ham license [KC1LGL] three years ago (one of my retirement projects).

Steve / WQYC747

[WRPG591]

I work a Wouxun KG-805G HT while at home and just installed a Midland MXT400 in the car. 

Took a ride yesterday north on Rte 26 through Grafton Notch to Errol, NH to see how far out I could get and still reach the repeater. I was hitting the repeater up to about 2 miles from Errol. I couldn't get any response to my hails so I don't know if my transmissions weren't getting through or no one was on. This repeater we use is very impressive. 

To answer your question...no I don't know any preppers around here. I'm sure there are plenty though.  DrBombay got it right when he said... "but we Mainers are a skeptical bunch and aren't prone to "join in" easily" So very true. 

I look forward to talking with you on air again.

 

[SDK]

If there are any other Maine Preppers out there, check out our family's mission to educate, enlighten, and entertain. We will be doing a video on GMRS (and Ham) radio sometime this year.

https://www.maineprepperkids.com/

 

[SQUIRE]

Hello across the board, I am in the third year of building off-grid camp and have a pretty good spot for a repeater. Also have 100' tower not erected at this time. Location is Lincoln / Lee  also have a neighbor interested in setting up / investing in this repeater not sure if others would like to get involved and share the load.

Im sure with the amount of ATV & Off road use this GMRS service will be very active.  (maybe too much)  but it is needed . 

Penobscot County If interested let me know.  Cheers 

WRPK891