Citizen Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 I was just wondering if there is anyone in the south Houston Texas area that would be willing to schedule a few on air radio checks. Shouldn’t take more than a few minutes if we can agree on a precise time and frequencies. Since being new to GMRS, I’ve been able to setup & program my radio (repeater capable) and tune my antenna. I’ve double checked just about everything but can’t seem to make contact with anybody. Here are a few tests I’ve run: Ping repeater 1 at low power, nothing received Ping repeater 1 at medium power; Received repeater CW identifier, but Morse code too fast to copy Ping repeater 2 at medium and high power; nothing received Ping repeater 3 at medium and high power; nothing received Ping repeater 4 at medium and high power; nothing received Ping repeater 5 at low, medium and high power; nothing received. Notes:Repeater 1 - distance: 11.3 miles; antenna height: 350’; CTCSS: 141.3Repeater 2 - distance: 4.6 miles; antenna height: unknown; CTCSS: 141.3Repeater 3 - distance: 15.5 miles; antenna height: 450’; CTCSS: 141.3Repeater 4 - distance: 9.15 miles; antenna height: unknown; CTCSS: 67.0Repeater 5 - distance: 9.6 miles; antenna height: 450’; CTCSS: 141.3 When I say “Ping”, I simply call for a radio check on frequency, with proper published CTCSS tone input to the repeater. My Tx power for Lo/Med/Hi are 10w/25w/45w respectively. My antenna is a Tram 1486 and is roof mounted at about 20’. For test 2 above, I received identifier loud & clear on the base radio (antenna is on roof) with no Rx tone set, but nothing heard on a HT inside the house. I do receive some local traffic on GMRS Ch 1, but that’s not repeater related. I have received network linked traffic from both Arizona and Oklahoma, but of course I couldn't make contact with them. Both my radio Tx and Rx have been verified for the repeater channels above using a separate HT and a separate scanner. So I don’t understand why there is so little traffic in this large metropolitan area (perhaps there is but just I’m not receiving it). Comments/suggestions/volunteers welcome. If this request is successful, maybe we could setup a thread for others in specific metro areas around the country. Unless I am the only one experiencing this. Thanks in advance for any help you can offer. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Did you hear a repeater tail after your transmission? Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 No, I only hear the Morse code that seems to respond whenever I key-up the repeater. I'm not sure I know what the repeater tail is. What should I be listening for? ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Would sound like a second or two of static. Then quiet. Sometimes a beep if the repeater is setup with a Roger beep. No repeater tail, then you aren't breaking the repeater squelch, making it into the repeater or have the wrong tone Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Well, there is a very short pause after the Morse code identifyer, and then a single Morse code character sent. I believe it is dit-dah-dit ('R') best I can tell (can't read the others, too fast). And it seems to occur every time I go on frequency to request a radio check. Is that what you mean by repeater tail? It doesn't sound like static or a Roger beep. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 No. But I have heard some repeaters send identifiers at the end of someone's transmission. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidphc Posted October 16, 2020 Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Around the 9-10 minute mark you will hear the Roger beep the a burst of static. The burst is the repeater tail. Closing the connection. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 16, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 16, 2020 Ok, yes, I do hear a VERY SHORT burst of static at the end, on repeater 1 (Ping test #2 at Med power), but definitely no Roger beep. I had been hearing this before, but didn't know what it was and didn't know it was significant. See, ya learn something new everyday! ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
n4gix Posted October 19, 2020 Report Share Posted October 19, 2020 I believe it is dit-dah-dit ('R') best I can tell (can't read the others, too fast).Typically that would be a "K" _._ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
H8SPVMT Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 I found that while I could received the signal from a repeater I was too far for my radios signal to reach the repeater, in the beginning. The repeater ID'ed itself as a GMRS repeater so I knew then I had to try my best, I presumed it may have my transmit signal was stronger on one side of my vehicle than the other. Playing around (driving in somewhat large circles) I began to grt that silence tail and then the beep, from the repeater. Then I knew, I was getting the acknowledgment from the repeater that it heard my transmition. I also positioned myself very near an open area as well. I ID'ed myself and asked for a SIGNAL REPORT. Almost immediately a person responded with what I sounded like coming through the repeater. (Could have been the owner) We chated for a short time and explained my newbie situation and he responded that it was nice to heard from 34 miles away. This whole thing had taken a couple days but I was persistant as I have a friend nearby that repeater location I wanted to talk to eventually. While he could hear me well, I had to coax him closer to the repeater so his radio would make contact with the repeater. Takes some practice and persistance bat first, but it is fun. Best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1URFE57 Posted October 20, 2020 Report Share Posted October 20, 2020 I'm here in NW H-Town (Cypress Area) the only repeater I can access is NOVASOTA 725 that's 13 miles or so from my QTH if you can access that one I'll listen for you while I wait for my daughter's swimming practice. They're other repeater around here but you have to be a member of TEXASGMRS.net hope to hear you soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I'm here in NW H-Town (Cypress Area) the only repeater I can access is NOVASOTA 725 that's 13 miles or so from my QTH if you can access that one I'll listen for you while I wait for my daughter's swimming practice. They're other repeater around here but you have to be a member of TEXASGMRS.net hope to hear you soon Thank you very much for responding and your willingness to help! I am in the Pearland/Manvel area, and so I checked the RF Line of Site website ( ) and it shows the Navasota 725 repeater is 71.4 miles to my northwest. If you back-off the 13 miles you are closer to me, that's still 58 miles. My antenna is about 20', and I don't know the height of the repeater but assuming it is at least 50', I'm afraid there are a number of obstructions between us (including terrain). However, like H8SPVMT indicated, I am patient and willing to try. I suggest at 6 PM (local) this evening (10/21/2020), I will be on Ch30 (462.725/467.725) and call for "SIGNAL REPORTS". If another time is better for you, please suggest and I will do my best to be at the radio at that time. Anyone else in H-town feel free to chime in here or on frequency. Thanks again,ThomasWRHV686 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I suggest at 6 PM (local) this evening (10/21/2020), I will be on Ch30 (462.725/467.725) and call for "SIGNAL REPORTS". Forgot to mention; the Navasota repeater indicates tones 110.9, so I will program for those. I will also have a backup radio set for simplex on channel 22. T. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Citizen Posted October 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2020 I am online now, and have asked for Signal Report...nothing heard (my simplex radio is not picking up the signal, so I know I'm NOT hitting a repeater, also no repeater trailer sound at all). H8SPVMT 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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