pfactor Posted April 7, 2017 Report Share Posted April 7, 2017 pfactor here saying hello and checking in for my myGMRS.com maiden voyage. I look forward to learning while interacting.Thanking you in advance for providing this opportunity, berkinet 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQYC236 Posted April 7, 2017 Report Share Posted April 7, 2017 Welcome to the forum! This is a great place to be. pfactor and jwilkers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted April 7, 2017 Report Share Posted April 7, 2017 Welcome PFactor, May you find logic and reason.. jwilkers and pfactor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted April 10, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 10, 2017 Thanks guys/gals for these welcoming comments. My logic and reason for joining this forum is solely for an opportunity to enhance my naive but sincere interest in the science/physics applied to R/F communications.I am newly retired with radio user operation/exposure but with little practical application experience.I am Currently studying for my Technician amateur licenses as well. Thanks again, pfactor Logan5 and jwilkers 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted April 12, 2017 Report Share Posted April 12, 2017 study for the general and if you pass the Tech, you can take the Gen for the same money. if you pass both, you are ahead of the game. pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radio1 Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Hi and welcome,I am new to GMRS and this forum as well. Wondering what study guide/materials are you using for your amateur tech and general license test.Best,radio1 pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wqxq281 Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Greetings. Post check pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan5 Posted April 13, 2017 Report Share Posted April 13, 2017 Lots of online study material, then you can test yourself at Hamexam.org pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted April 14, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2017 radio1,I am using "HamTestOnline" https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com which is an interesting and effective way to prepare but only if you are a self motivated and have regimental study habits. pfactor radio1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radio1 Posted April 14, 2017 Report Share Posted April 14, 2017 radio1,I am using "HamTestOnline" https://www.hamradiolicenseexam.com which is an interesting and effective way to prepare but only if you are a self motivated and have regimental study habits. pfactor Thanks will check the site out. I have gotten hold of some study guide from KB6NU Dan Romanchik and installed the android app called ARRL Ham Test Prep app from the Play Store, which works like a flash card test. radio1 and pfactor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted April 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2017 I'm still on the porch and looking forward to playing with all of you "Big Dogs" some day. Home base installation is nearly finished and almost ready for a maiden voyage. "Big Brown Truck" is expected tomorrow which will most likely get me overwhelmed with radio programing. Installed is a KB9VBR J-Pole and a Ed Fong J-Pole and separated by approx 10 feet. Both install in my attic which has zero construction foil attached (only Styrofoam insulation panels) and is approx. 30 ft above GL at an altitude of 1,120 ft. Very hilly and heavily wooded topography. Both installed per given instructions and It will be interesting to see which of the two will produce the best SWR and overall performance under same cabling and overall conditions. Happy Easter to All! pfactor mainehazmt and Logan5 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQYC236 Posted April 17, 2017 Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 I'm still on the porch and looking forward to playing with all of you "Big Dogs" some day. Home base installation is nearly finished and almost ready for a maiden voyage. "Big Brown Truck" is expected tomorrow which will most likely get me overwhelmed with radio programing. Installed is a KB9VBR J-Pole and a Ed Fong J-Pole and separated by approx 10 feet. Both install in my attic which has zero construction foil attached (only Styrofoam insulation panels) and is approx. 30 ft above GL at an altitude of 1,120 ft. Very hilly and heavily wooded topography. Both installed per given instructions and It will be interesting to see which of the two will produce the best SWR and overall performance under same cabling and overall conditions. Happy Easter to All! pfactor Be sure and let us know how these experiments come out, especially communicating in the hill terrain. pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted April 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 17, 2017 Received a Midland MXT400 today and hooked up a power supply and attached my KB9VBR J-Pole. I checked the SWR using a (new) Signstek meter which tested very good at just slightly below 1.5 using 50ft of RGX8. I placed the radio in scan mode for several hours and received a few repeater conversations. At this point I plan to just monitor and get familiar with radio/functions and capabilities before I attempt transmitting. Tomorrow is another day... Be safe out there! pfactor Logan5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted April 18, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2017 Be sure and let us know how these experiments come out, especially communicating in the hill terrain. Under same mounting and installation conditions as described above, the following are SWR results for both antennas:Radio: Midland MXT400 - 50ft RG8x KB9VBR UHF J-Pole - GMRS 462-467MHzHigh - 1.3 @ 35 WattsMed - 1.2 @ 21 WattsLow - 1.0 @ 4.5 Watts Ed Fong UHF 440-450MHz (Wattage output same as above)High - 2.2 Med - 1.8Low - 1.5 Assumption:SWR results can very depending on equipment/calibrationMeter used: NISSEI RS-40 (New) pfactor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQYC236 Posted April 23, 2017 Report Share Posted April 23, 2017 Under same mounting and installation conditions as described above, the following are SWR results for both antennas:Radio: Midland MXT400 - 50ft RG8x KB9VBR UHF J-Pole - GMRS 462-467MHzHigh - 1.3 @ 35 WattsMed - 1.2 @ 21 WattsLow - 1.0 @ 4.5 Watts Ed Fong UHF 440-450MHz (Wattage output same as above)High - 2.2 Med - 1.8Low - 1.5 Assumption:SWR results can very depending on equipment/calibrationMeter used: NISSEI RS-40 (New) pfactorVery interesting results, thanks for posting! pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted May 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2017 Radio is up and running now and hitting three repeaters with crisp clarity. I had a programming glitch which I need to shout out to Gary, (ATL-60, WQYU407) for taking time away from his already busy schedule and keeping me focused.Thank you sir!pfactor Logan5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfactor Posted June 20, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 Picked up a couple of HT's and after a few belittling and humbling days, I learned to use CHIRP programing!GMRS life is good and having fun!pfactor Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WQWI871 Posted June 20, 2017 Report Share Posted June 20, 2017 That's great. While I do learn to program manually without software if needed, I feel chirp is much quicker and easier. And, I prefer the interface of chirp than some stock software. pfactor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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