New to GMRS- Cape Cod Massachusetts

[Rcoholan]

Hi everyone. Glad to find a resource out here! New to GMRS ( had my license for less than a week). I have a B-Tech GMRS-V1, and a small collection of all kinds of strange things GMRS (several Archshell radios that I was able to program with CHIRP). There are a couple of repeater sites listed on the cape- but I have no clue how to even begin to program this V-1 to use them. Hoping someone can help, and even better if there is someone local!

 

Thanks!

[mbrun]

Welcome Rcoholan.

 

First off, here is a link for manually configuring the radio: 

https://www.miklor.com/BTGMRS/BTGMRS-ProgMem.php

The site is a good reference.

 

Configuring the memories of the radios is substantially similar radio-to-radio when using Chirp.   You will need to learn the limitation of your radio to ensure you configuration it correctly.  Chirp lists your radio as supported, so that is good. You must have a working compatible cable to program your radio.  There are many cables out there that fit your radio but may not work well for you.

 

There are loads of posts on this forum regarding the V1.   A search will invariably turn up some useful information.

 

There are YouTube videos that cover the V1 and also Chirp.    Both categories will provide useful insight.

 

Your question is a bit open ended.    Perhaps you could ask one or two very pointed questions you need help with so our members can start to provide effective answers for you.   There are many GMRS V1 owners on here, one or more will most certainly chime in.

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

[GuySagi]

And, BTW, welcome to GMRS. 

[Rcoholan]

Thank so much for the reply! That link (miklor) is super helpful. Based on the info in that, I think now I just need to drive towards the repeater and see when (if) i can get into it... this goes back to your point mbrun, about understanding the limitations associated with my radio. Based on the available data, i think there is only the one current repeater in my area. With that being said, I think for a small investment, it might be helpful to simply add one on my property. I see a basic simplex repeater is short money (but somewhat annoying).... with a big radio being the most expensive component.

 

What do most repeater sites use in the GMRS world? Do you all tend to stay with "cost effective" and go a simplex repeater, or would you spend the additional money and go with a duplex setup?

 

To further on the last- i already have a small contingent of neighbors (within a 5 miles radius) interested in the GMRS world, so cost sharing is an option too.

[mbrun]

I do not own a repeater at present. They are a big expense to do right. Cost sharing of the capital outlay and ongoing expense could make it more palatable. If you can afford it, individually or collectively, go for it.

 

Some folks do use simplex repeaters, but I have not yet heard one in service nor do I believe I would use one for any form of routine communications if it did exist. They are unnatural. I would find the talk, listen to me again, then wait delay awful.

 

Some people build their own repeaters just to learn, some to try and save money. Some use HT radios, other use mobile radios. There is even a cheap Chinese portable unit available for taking camping and the like.

 

I would have to ask actual repeater owners to share what they use specifically.

 

Getting your antenna super high is going to be your greatest asset if you decide to move forward with a repeater.

 

73s

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

 

Thank so much for the reply! That link (miklor) is super helpful. Based on the info in that, I think now I just need to drive towards the repeater and see when (if) i can get into it... this goes back to your point mbrun, about understanding the limitations associated with my radio. Based on the available data, i think there is only the one current repeater in my area. With that being said, I think for a small investment, it might be helpful to simply add one on my property. I see a basic simplex repeater is short money (but somewhat annoying).... with a big radio being the most expensive component.

 

What do most repeater sites use in the GMRS world? Do you all tend to stay with "cost effective" and go a simplex repeater, or would you spend the additional money and go with a duplex setup?

 

To further on the last- i already have a small contingent of neighbors (within a 5 miles radius) interested in the GMRS world, so cost sharing is an option too.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jerrym58]

My repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 programmed to operate at the maximum legal power for GMRS of 50 watts. It is FCC part 90 certified for business use and is one of the best and most spectrally clean repeaters ever made but it is not certified for GMRS part 95. The reason is that Motorola didn’t go through the expense of getting it certified for part 95 because they are not interested in pursuing that market. There are few repeaters available that are FCC certified for GMRS so it violates that one rule However in my personal opinion, that since I follow all other rules regarding emissions and I am using equipment that far exceeds the quality of most GMRS certified equipment that It is an acceptable risk to me. If the FCC tells me to stop then I will shut it off. I would like to hear from anyone that knows of a situation where someone was fined for the sole crime of using non-certified equipment on GMRS.

[gman1971]

Batwings, Batwings everywhere... nice!

 

 

 

My repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 programmed to operate at the maximum legal power for GMRS of 50 watts. It is FCC part 90 certified for business use and is one of the best and most spectrally clean repeaters ever made but it is not certified for GMRS part 95. The reason is that Motorola didn’t go through the expense of getting it certified for part 95 because they are not interested in pursuing that market. There are few repeaters available that are FCC certified for GMRS so it violates that one rule However in my personal opinion, that since I follow all other rules regarding emissions and I am using equipment that far exceeds the quality of most GMRS certified equipment that It is an acceptable risk to me. If the FCC tells me to stop then I will shut it off. I would like to hear from anyone that knows of a situation where someone was fined for the sole crime of using non-certified equipment on GMRS.

[mbrun]

Jerry,

 

I too would like to see the FCC officially clarify explicitly that part 90 certified equipment is usable for GMRS. At a minimum, it needs to be done to allow commercial grade repeaters to be used, provided of course they are configure per the GMRS rules. The market is not likely enough to justify the overhead for a manufacture to obtain a less stringent technical certification. That repeater is not going to passed around daily to family members that are going to play with front panel controls and screw it up like a BF UV5R. I am conformable they can easily amend part 95 with appropriate language to make it legal without adding loads of bureaucracy.

 

I do not currently see myself ever purchasing and installing one, but I would like to see this legal clarification for all those with the will and means to do so.

 

Michael

WRHS965

KE8PLM

 

 

My repeater is a Motorola MTR2000 programmed to operate at the maximum legal power for GMRS of 50 watts. It is FCC part 90 certified for business use and is one of the best and most spectrally clean repeaters ever made but it is not certified for GMRS part 95. The reason is that Motorola didn’t go through the expense of getting it certified for part 95 because they are not interested in pursuing that market. There are few repeaters available that are FCC certified for GMRS so it violates that one rule However in my personal opinion, that since I follow all other rules regarding emissions and I am using equipment that far exceeds the quality of most GMRS certified equipment that It is an acceptable risk to me. If the FCC tells me to stop then I will shut it off. I would like to hear from anyone that knows of a situation where someone was fined for the sole crime of using non-certified equipment on GMRS.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk