GMRS distance

[WRZT411]

I can kerchunk a couple of repeaters at sunrise and after sunset but not during regular daylight hours. Any thoughts on why?  Thx in advance.

[tweiss3]

The propagation of the radio waves. UHF can bounce off the atmosphere giving you a longer "line of site" distance. This happens more often where there is a large temperature inversion (commonly noticed as heavy fog).

[Lscott]

1 hour ago, WRZT411 said:

I can kerchunk a couple of repeaters at sunrise and after sunset but not during regular daylight hours. Any thoughts on why?  Thx in advance.

https://3fs.net.au/tropospheric-propagation/

[WRZT411]

Thanks for the reply and the link.

 

 

[Socalgmrs]

2 hours ago, WRZT411 said:

I can kerchunk a couple of repeaters at sunrise and after sunset but not during regular daylight hours. Any thoughts on why?  Thx in advance.

How far are you from them?  What are you using for a radio and antenna? 

[WRYZ926]

Atmospheric conditions is one thing that affects radio waves. I made quite a few contacts last night on 40m when the storm came in. The storm went just north of me last night.

[WRZT411]

I'm using a 5W Baofeng UV-5G with a stock 15 inch antenna.  I have a 15 inch Nagoya 771g antenna coming in tomorrow.  Maybe it will make a difference.

One repeater is about 35 miles distant.  Makes sense about atmospheric conditions causing the issue.  However, only the temperature is lower and there is no sunlight at night.

[WRYZ926]

The local GMRS repeater is 21.5 miles away. And it is hit or miss if I can be heard on the repeater with my HT. It depends on the atmospheric conditions. The same goes for the 70cm band too. That distance is easy for my HT on the 2m band.

[WSAQ406]

Line of sight can factor in. I'm thinking you are able to hit it in the morning and evening when the noise levels are low. 

The Nagoya 771g might help at 15.6" and a 3 dBi you will so much better then the stock antenna..