New to GMRS

[cliff]

I’m new to GMRS. Have Midland MXT400 with ghost antenna. Are there any groups around Wernersville PA that would be good to go to? I’m used to chatter on the cb but don’t hear much other than some local businesses on the gmrs. Looking to learn about gmrs. Thanks and have a great day!

[WRAK968]

The closest group/tower I could find was https://mygmrs.com/view?id=3913. According to maps, its about 15 miles from you and mentions having RF links. Even if its a bit far away, perhaps the owners may know of local groups for you.

[cliff]

Thanks. How do you connect to a repeater. I see ones listed that give an input and output frequency. I have no idea what that means at the moment. 

[wayoverthere]

Thanks. How do you connect to a repeater. I see ones listed that give an input and output frequency. I have no idea what that means at the moment. 

 

the main thing you need to know is the output frequency (which is what you're listening to), what channel that is on the midland (pg 25), and the tones. assuming the repeaters follow the normal convention (+5mHz), your radio will already be set up for the repeater channels (RP15-RP22) to use the proper offset (transmit on the correct input frequency) for the repeater to hear you. 

 

first, you probably have to enable the repeater channels (pg 22).  then, dial up the correct channel. after that, you'll have to enter the correct codes (pg 17-18 have the how to); midland has codes for the different tones, so once you know the tone used, you have to go back to the manual (pg 26) to see what code equals that tone, and enter it.

 

that's the basic level to get started. i know it's easy to get caught up in the terminology (and some of the workings), but the basics mainly come down to being on the right channel, and having the right tone (like a key, kind of ) to get into the repeater.

[wayoverthere]

edit: scratched duplicate post, and it probably helps to link the manual.

 

https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MXT400-Owners-Manual.pdf

Edited November 20, 2020 by wayoverthere

[cliff]

Thanks, I will give it a try

[garbon2535]

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[cliff]

Can’t seem to hit a repeater. I have midlands ghost antenna at the moment. I can hear people on some but can’t respond back. Ordered the midland 6db antenna to see if that helps. The cable is very long. I don’t have it coiled but I do have it in about 2’ lengths in 2 spots. 

[RDH]

Can’t seem to hit a repeater. I have midlands ghost antenna at the moment. I can hear people on some but can’t respond back. Ordered the midland 6db antenna to see if that helps. The cable is very long. I don’t have it coiled but I do have it in about 2’ lengths in 2 spots.

I have the ghost antenna on my mobile and I have no problem hitting most repeaters that I hit with my 5/8 Nagoya 5.5db that is now on my base. The repeater you are hearing may have a really high db gain antenna and you may be just out of range. Try driving towards its location so you can rule out a possible antenna issue. It could also have a split pl tone which midlands can't do.

[cliff]

Ill get a chance over the weekend to get closer to the repeater and give it a shot. Once a few of my friends switch to gmrs I’ll probably be able to test distance better. CB is easy since they are all over the place.

[cliff]

I have the ghost antenna on my mobile and I have no problem hitting most repeaters that I hit with my 5/8 Nagoya 5.5db that is now on my base. The repeater you are hearing may have a really high db gain antenna and you may be just out of range. Try driving towards its location so you can rule out a possible antenna issue. It could also have a split pl tone which midlands can't do.

How far away are the repeaters you are hitting?

[1URFE57]

The input / output frequencies are subaudible tones that are used to open the squelch.  This can be a confusing concept to understand so I suggest reading up on CTCSS or DSC.  Repeaters will use CTCSS or DSC tones (input / output frequencies).  Some repeaters use the same input and output tone.  Others will use separate tones.  The midland mxt-400 is the radio that I use.  This radio does not allow split tones.  This means that the input and output tones must be the same.

 

Once you know the tone on the repeater, you have to set the radio up to access repeater channels (refer to manual).  Next set the correct tone (refer to manual).  It can be confusing at first so stop back here if you need help.  Once you have the radio set-up correctly it will remember the settings.

Input/output is the  Repeater's Receive=Input and Transmit=Output frequency,CTCSS/DCS are your subaudible tone to open/wakeup the Repeater.

 

example: input:467.625000 output:462.625000 CTCSS/DCS:141.1

[RDH]

How far away are the repeaters you are hitting?

15 to 20 miles but there is one high on a commercial tower that is close to 30. The higher the tower the further you will able to hit it. I am not far from you, I am down in the south east corner near DE, I may try to hit a few of the repeaters in your area the next time I am going up to cabelas.

[RDH]

How far away are the repeaters you are hitting?

try inputting ctcss 141.3 on all your repeater channels and keying up and throwing out your call sign. If you hear it ID immediately or you hear a squelch tail after you key down you found a repeater. 141.3 is considered the travel tone and many open repeaters use it. After you find a repeater try calling out at different times of the day on it requesting permission to use it. That is what I do to access unlisted repeaters. So far everyone I have contacted has been very nice and usually don't mind you using them as long as you are licensed and don't abuse it. Things most repeater owner don't like is kerchunking, foul language, interruptions of on going conversations, and unlicensed users. Most repeater owners welcome more users so don't be mic shy.

[cliff]

try inputting ctcss 141.3 on all your repeater channels and keying up and throwing out your call sign. If you hear it ID immediately or you hear a squelch tail after you key down you found a repeater. 141.3 is considered the travel tone and many open repeaters use it. After you find a repeater try calling out at different times of the day on it requesting permission to use it. That is what I do to access unlisted repeaters. So far everyone I have contacted has been very nice and usually don't mind you using them as long as you are licensed and don't abuse it. Things most repeater owner don't like is kerchunking, foul language, interruptions of on going conversations, and unlicensed users. Most repeater owners welcome more users so don't be mic shy.

[cliff]

I’ll give that a shot. Im thinking the closest ones listed are over 20 miles away. What is kerchunking?

[RDH]

I’ll give that a shot. Im thinking the closest ones listed are over 20 miles away. What is kerchunking?

Kerchunking is the act of keying up a repeater and not saying anything. When ever you key up while searching for a repeater tone always throw out your callsign.

[cliff]

I have the ghost antenna on my mobile and I have no problem hitting most repeaters that I hit with my 5/8 Nagoya 5.5db that is now on my base. The repeater you are hearing may have a really high db gain antenna and you may be just out of range. Try driving towards its location so you can rule out a possible antenna issue. It could also have a split pl tone which midlands can't do.

Drove closer to a repeater this morning and did hit it and spoke with a gentleman about 12 miles out. Now I know it works. Thanks for the advice. 

[RDH]

Drove closer to a repeater this morning and did hit it and spoke with a gentleman about 12 miles out. Now I know it works. Thanks for the advice.

If you want to hit that repeater from your house you could try a yagi antenna and pointing it towards the repeater.

[dwmitchell61]

... It could also have a split pl tone which midlands can't do

Incorrect.

 

https://mwgmrs.com/forums/topic/midland-mxt400-programing/

 

They also come programmed as wideband on the repeater channels and all the other channels as well.

 

I love all these "LMR/GMRS old guy" myths that never die! LoL