Repeaters Near Metuchen, NJ

[zetatauri]

My name is Frank, I am newly licensed and I live in Metuchen, NJ.  I've searched for repeaters in my area, got permissions to use a few (thank you all for the quick reply), and quickly found that I was out of range for all of them.  I am using a Wouxun KG-805G, and with those 5 watts in mind, is there anything I can do to find repeaters locally that might not be listed here?  Does anyone know of any clubs in the area?  Before I hang my head in shame or try to explain to my wife the need for a 50 watt KG-1000 so soon after getting the 805, I would appreciate any advice.

- Frank  

[jgillaspy]

Before going the $$$ route get a better antenna. You have 3 "classes" to choose from:

1. A higher-gain antenna that simply replaces the OEM antenna on the radio

2. Use a mag-mount or other mobile antenna. I do this with both my GMRS and 2M/70cm rigs and it works well. 

3. Go big and get an antenna you put on the roof.

 

Obviously only choice 1 lets you walk around with the HT, but the others can greatly increase range if you can stay stationary.

 

JG

[mbrun]

My name is Frank, I am newly licensed and I live in Metuchen, NJ.  I've searched for repeaters in my area, got permissions to use a few (thank you all for the quick reply), and quickly found that I was out of range for all of them.  I am using a Wouxun KG-805G, and with those 5 watts in mind, is there anything I can do to find repeaters locally that might not be listed here?  Does anyone know of any clubs in the area?  Before I hang my head in shame or try to explain to my wife the need for a 50 watt KG-1000 so soon after getting the 805, I would appreciate any advice.
- Frank  

Welcome to myGMRS Frank.

I highly recommend you put your 805 on scan, without Rx tones, and listen for any activity that includes morse code or other automated station identification announcements. If you hear such things that is a good (but not perfect) indicator you are listening to a repeater. Once you have identified the call sign, you can do your detective work to track down the owner and ask permission to use their equipment.

You need to be able to receive the signal from the repeater before you will have any practical chance of getting into it to use it. Buying a radio with more power will not help you hear a repeater any better. In fact, the 805 receiver is rated slightly more sensitive than the KG-1000, so odds are that if the 805G does not receive it, the 1000 will not either.

The next most beneficial thing you can do is focus on antenna. Everything you do to improve reception will benefit transmission range as well. Once you have an antenna at an appropriate elevation that allows you to receive the repeater well (or any other simplex site you want for that matter) then you have a chance of communicating back to it. The extra radio power of another radio will merely make you sound less noisy to those listening to you.

Hope that helps.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

[zetatauri]

Thank you both for the replies.  I've already upgraded to the Nagoya 701G antenna, and am considering getting another new antenna for the roof.  

Re: scanning for repeaters without the Rx tones, that sounds like a great idea!  I will definitely try that.

- Frank