Base station

[SargeRN]

Fairly new to GMRS but been a Extra Class amateur for over 10 years. Searched the forums for information on a "base station" radio and didn't really find much. So the question is what radio do you or would you use as a base station (50 watt preferable). Have a decent mobile (DG-20G) and a couple different HT's. Already know about antennas and coax so please I'm looking for recommendations for a base station radio, or a mobile to use as a base.

Thanks

Sarge, WRPJ6232

[WyoJoe]

Are you planning to access any repeaters from you base station? If so, something to consider is that there could be more than one repeater on a particular frequency pair within range of you. To avoid having to change the CTCSS/DCS access code each time you switch between them, you'll want a radio where you can have multiple channels for each repeater pair you intend to use. Some radios allow this out of the box, while others (some Midlands, for example), only give you 8 repeater channels which are frequency locked to the available frequency pairs.

Used commercial radios could work well for you, but in some cases, may not offer enough channels for your purposes. Beyond that, at the upper end of the power spectrum, there is the Wouxon KG-1000G that I'm sure would offer what you need, the Midland MXT-500 (50 watt) and MXT-400 (40 watt) radios (although they may have channel limitations), and the B-Tech 50X1 (I don't recall the model number for sure, but it does have channel limitations).

In the mid-power (15-25 watt) range, there is a Wouxon model I don't recall the name of, the Radioddity DB-20G/Anytone AT-779UV/Retevis RA-25 triplets which are what I use, the Radioddity DB-25G, and a couple more Midland models, too, as well as more used commercial radios to consider. Again, some radios are limited on the number of channels and/or how you can program each of them so some of them may not work well for you.

I'm pretty happy with the DB-20G for both a mobile and base unit. It allows me to add any custom channels I need or want, including receive-only UHF/VHF channels outside the GMRS spectrum. It's not 50W, but in my case, I don't think I'd need to be.

[wayoverthere]

2 hours ago, SargeRN said:

Fairly new to GMRS but been a Extra Class amateur for over 10 years. Searched the forums for information on a "base station" radio and didn't really find much. So the question is what radio do you or would you use as a base station (50 watt preferable). Have a decent mobile (DG-20G) and a couple different HT's. Already know about antennas and coax so please I'm looking for recommendations for a base station radio, or a mobile to use as a base.

Thanks

Sarge, WRPJ6232

Afaik, there are no specific "base stations" around, like you'd find in the ham world; mobiles on a psu is the name of the game. Gmrs 50x1 is the Btech @WyoJoemmentions; I have one, but it wouldn't be my first choice. Limitations on tx channels is the biggie, and you're stuck with the hard coded 30 and no more. Mine is also losing power on high, after 2 years ownership (so out of warranty) but minimal tx time.

Imo, base use is where the limited flexibility on front panel adjustments of the surplus LMR gear is really a non issue, as you're likely to have easy access to a computer to make updates, and (probably) not changing areas a lot.

I currently have vertex standard vx4207 (uhf)/vx4204 (vhf) decks as my ham base setup, and the 4207 is part 95a certified also; when the btech gives up the ghost, I'm going to add an antenna switch to the 4207 and have it cover both. Might continue to use the btech as a scanner only with the dinky antenna that came with my Midland stuff.

Also been using an unlocked anytone 779uv for ham stuff in the beater car; whichever version of the software isn't great, but functional (suggest using radioddity's version), and the menu isn't the greatest. Also only rated for 20 watts, but doing the job for me; have a 2nd inbound for gmrs usage in place of a Midland in my truck, if that tells my level of satisfaction with it Receiver is nice and sensitive, I was picking up a local repeater at ~30 miles out, probably 3/5 with no antenna attached. Unknown on selectivity though.

[BoxCar]

As stated, there are no base station radios for GMRS. It would be a useful product if someone built one with a decent front end that worked off AC. The repeater channels could be hard coded with an easy access menu to add tones as required. The remaining channels are simplex and the FRS channels could be receive only as FRS requires a permanently attached antenna. The FRS antenna could be built into the case much like a cell phone though.

[donniefitz2]

I have tried out many radios as a base station. Of course, they're all mobile radios. As mentioned, the DB20-G is a solid base station, although not a 50watt radio. It's a great radio though and as long as you don't need a lot of power, it's a solid choice. 

Currently, I'm playing around with the Anytone AT-778UV, which is a ham radio with a bit more power than the DB20-G but not by much. 

I do not recommend the Wouxun KG-1000G as a base. The volume variability is terrible and the fan is obnoxiously loud in a base setting. 

The best base radios for GMRS are the commercial mobile radios IMHO. A Kenwood TK-880H or a Motorola CDM1250 are pretty awesome and have the power you're looking for. Couple one of those with a USB fan nearby for long conversations, and you'll be happy. 

After trying out several radios as base stations, I'm settling on a CDM1250 myself. 

[wrci350]

3 hours ago, BoxCar said:

As stated, there are no base station radios for GMRS. It would be a useful product if someone built one with a decent front end that worked off AC. The repeater channels could be hard coded with an easy access menu to add tones as required. The remaining channels are simplex and the FRS channels could be receive only as FRS requires a permanently attached antenna. The FRS antenna could be built into the case much like a cell phone though.

There are no "FRS" channels; they are all shared between FRS and GMRS (other than the repeater inputs, which are GMRS only).  If you are talking about the interstitial channels (the low power FRS/GMRS channels) then you are correct that a base station would not be allowed to transmit on them, but that's because of this:

47 CFR 95.1763(d)  467 MHz interstitial channels. Only hand-held portable units may transmit on these 7 channels. The channel center frequencies are: 467.5625, 467.5875, 467.6125, 467.6375, 467.6625, 467.6875, and 467.7125 MHz.

GMRS mobiles will either pretend those channels don't exist or allow receive-only on them.

Nothing to do with antenna ... a GMRS HT *can* transmit on those (at low power) even though it has a removable antenna.

[SargeRN]

Thanks Gang gave me a lot to consider!

Thanks

Sarge

[PACNWComms]

+1 on the CDM1250, or in my case CDM1550LS+ as I already had them. Since you are experienced with radios, commercial gear will server you very well at the power you want (50W). Although, I also use a Radioddity DB20-G mobile as a base and as a mobile. Had to get two as they work pretty well for price and size.

Went with a new vehicle and stacked VHF/UHF Vertex VX-3200's would not fit the new car, DB20-G would fit into dash like it was meant to be there, so it is my mobile. Liked how it worked and programmed, so got one for base station. However, already had little portable power supply with radio stacked on top, made of Motorola CDM1550LS+ and another with XPR5550e mobile, which do work a lot better, just larger and heavier when moving around. 

For oil industry I used to make a lot of mobiles attached to power supply as portable base station good for 45-55 watts in UHF/VHF....many ended up in hurricane response trailers, staging sites, and command posts. Good luck on making a GMRS base station, and in my own opinion, for base station use, I always try to get a desk mic.....as it just feels better than the mobile mic for use in vehicles. That makes the radio "feel" like a base station.

[SargeRN]

Thanks PACNWComms. I have a friend, another local ham, that works for one of the commercial  radio shops here. I'm going to see what they might accidently have laying around. A few years ago the same shop had a warehouse full of "stuff" and it was "if you want it come haul it away." Local ham club got some usable power supplies out of that among other things! And the local club also has some Kenwood mobiles that were donated to us when the local school bus company changed out radios. I'll have to look to see what they are and if they are of any use.

Thanks again group!!

Sarge

[SargeRN]

Well, my friend that works at a commercial radio dealer came through. They had some Kenwood TK-880 public service trade -ins! Picked one up and he had already programmed it for our local GMRS frequencies. Currently have it hooked up to a temporary indoor antenna waiting for my base antenna to arrive. Folks tell me it sounds good, and I know the receive is good. 

Thanks for all the help group!

Sarge, WRPJ623

[tweiss3]

1 hour ago, SargeRN said:

Well, my friend that works at a commercial radio dealer came through. They had some Kenwood TK-880 public service trade -ins! Picked one up and he had already programmed it for our local GMRS frequencies. Currently have it hooked up to a temporary indoor antenna waiting for my base antenna to arrive. Folks tell me it sounds good, and I know the receive is good. 

Thanks for all the help group!

Sarge, WRPJ623

Wonderful chose, both for quality and for price. Having local support via dealer is a plus as well.