quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:
This may or may not be helpful....

Since the TD-H8 I got was a "ham" radio, the programming software (Odmaster, in my case) would not allow me to enter GMRS frequencies. I had to 'unlock' the radio before I could get them input.

The latest Boof-Wang UV-5R already allows HAM and GMRS frequencies, but I ran the "unlock" anyway, and it didn't make any difference. The poleece dispatch frequency is simply out of range for what this radio can handle. I did program the local sheriff's dept plus several highway patrol dispatch frequencies; I just can't do local police or fire...

Sure wish these little things would let you simply enter the channel number you want to go to instead of scrolling through the entire list!

quote:

I did program the local sheriff's dept plus several highway patrol dispatch frequencies;

Make sure you disable "transmit" on those freqs.

quote:

Originally posted by Shaql:

quote:

I did program the local sheriff's dept plus several highway patrol dispatch frequencies;

Make sure you disable "transmit" on those freqs.

Already done, using the CHIRP software makes it a breeze!

quote:

The poleece dispatch frequency is simply out of range for what this radio can handle.

Most likely the police and fire are a DMR system (digital) which is why you can not listen.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
Sure wish these little things would let you simply enter the channel number you want to go to instead of scrolling through the entire list!

It SHOULD let you just punch in the number. Mine does, but I have to remember to put it in a 3-digit format (001, 028, etc)

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:

quote:

The poleece dispatch frequency is simply out of range for what this radio can handle.

Most likely the police and fire are a DMR system (digital) which is why you can not listen.

Some are Encrypted as well, so you wouldn't be able to hear those either.

quote:

Originally posted by AllenInAR:

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
Sure wish these little things would let you simply enter the channel number you want to go to instead of scrolling through the entire list!

It SHOULD let you just punch in the number. Mine does, but I have to remember to put it in a 3-digit format (001, 028, etc)

Indeed it does! I just wasn't entering it in the 3-digit format... Thanks!!!

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
Sure wish these little things would let you simply enter the channel number you want to go to instead of scrolling through the entire list!

Click the Orange button at the top left on the face to switch between "frequency" mode and "channel" mode. When in frequency mode, you can set the A/B channel (whichever you are on) to the direct frequency.

Link that may be helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by dking271:

quote:

The poleece dispatch frequency is simply out of range for what this radio can handle.

Most likely the police and fire are a DMR system (digital) which is why you can not listen.

The radio will not let me input the frequency, and neither will the CHIRP software...

The frequency in question is 855.5625

quote:

Originally posted by 911Boss:

quote:

Originally posted by redstone:

Now . . . what would I need to do to be able to contact my dad in San Antonio?

You’d need either a much different radio setup (HF 100w or more base station, good antenna) on both ends or use some sort of interface to the internet on both ends.

...

911Boss,

(I took out some of your quotes to shorten the page.) I appreciate your response. I am studying for the technicians and as soon as the practice test show enough proficiency I will move up to the general tests. This should give me the ability to use HF and the atmosphere I am already prepping the wife for the coming need for a 50w mobile unit, and a 100w base station and antennae. But I must start with the learnings part. My dad is getting on board as well. He quit in the 60's because he couldn't do morse, now that is not a part of it he may give it another go.

Yet another question...

I am a bit confused about the use of repeaters. I realize that you transmit on one frequency and receive on an adjacent frequency, but what I'm unsure about is this "offset" thing.

Does the "offset" determine what the 2nd frequency is automatically? Or do you literally have to set up 2 different frequencies manually to use a repeater?

Example: Using the CHIRP software, it has a whole list of repeaters that I could choose from, and I got a few from my area that would be in range. All of the programming info was already in the file, so I simply had to upload it to the radio to add them. If I choose my closest repeater, is my radio ready to both transmit and receive through it, or do I have to choose the reception frequency separately?

I hope this makes sense as I'm getting myself really confused right now. Without the use of local repeaters, these little radios are going to be pretty much useless for communicating with the wifey when she is at her parents house, or on her job site... both of which are outside the range these will provide on their own.

Thanks!

This is necessary for simultaneous retransmission – a repeater cannot simultaneous retransmit on the same frequency on which it is also receiving, as this would create a vicious feedback situation. The difference between the repeater's receive frequency and its transmit frequency is called the offset.

Bronicabill, I hear ya. there is a lot of info (reading and videos) to absorb. Hope this video helps. the video comments also may help. I need to write this all down in a dedicated binder

I'm proceeding slowly with my radios, haven't done much at all with them except tune in a few local FM stations and the NOAA Weather channel.

I did want to test the CHIRP software and the cable I bought. I have seen online that the less expensive cables can be junk. I did buy a cheap one (9 bucks) but it's a BaoFeng brand cable, so...

I tested CHIRP and the cable by putting a custom power-on message on one of my radios by following the instructions below. As our genial host indicates, Windows will not find the COM port automatically so I had to follow the instructions provided after choosing "help me" from the dropdown menu in the COM port selection window. CHIRP did determine COM 3 and all worked as shown in the video. I set the custom message to read "RADIO 1". The other, of course, will be "RADIO 2" and this will allow me to easily distinguish between the two devices.

CHIRP does provide for saving particular configurations you create, in the form of .img files. This will be convenient of you want to wipe out a group of settings and go back to an earlier (but still custom) configuration. Naturally, you can reset the radio to factory default with the specified key sequence but there is still value in being able to save (outside of the radio) one or more custom configurations.

quote:

Originally posted by redstone:
I am studying for the technicians and as soon as the practice test show enough proficiency I will move up to the general tests.

Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Get out your checkbook. Before you know it you'll be buying $5,000 radios, building your own antennas, and learning Morse Code.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
The latest Boof-Wang UV-5R already allows HAM and GMRS frequencies, but I ran the "unlock" anyway, and it didn't make any difference. The poleece dispatch frequency is simply out of range for what this radio can handle. I did program the local sheriff's dept plus several highway patrol dispatch frequencies; I just can't do local police or fire...

In CHIRP, under Settings > Other Settings, you can modify the upper and lower frequency value limits in both UHF and VHF.

I'm pretty sure 855 mHz is WELL outside of the Frequency Bands the 'Boof-Wang' is capable of receiving. I believe the max frequency it can actually receive is 524 mHz, or as 'some people' like to say, 'Ma-Jigga-Watts'. The theoretical max is 520 mHz, but I read someone actually tested it and determined 524 mHz was the upper limit. Regardless, even if you could program for it, you wouldn't receive it!

I knew this was going to happen. Second set of GMRS radios, license, downloaded CHIRP and cloned all my radios. Gave one to my brother, he lives .7 miles away and had my first official licensed conversation. Broke out my old Uniden CB and my Scanner. Starting to study for the Ham.

As has been already stated most Police/EMS/Firestations are digitally trunked and some are encrypted. I live pretty close to ATL and my scanner does Airband so I can listen to airtraffic, also fun.


Something I discovered is BROADCASTIFY
it has lots and lots of internet broadcasted scanners, no need to register or sign up, just hit the browse button and it pulls up a US map.

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
Yet another question...

I am a bit confused about the use of repeaters. I realize that you transmit on one frequency and receive on an adjacent frequency, but what I'm unsure about is this "offset" thing.

Does the "offset" determine what the 2nd frequency is automatically? Or do you literally have to set up 2 different frequencies manually to use a repeater?

Example: Using the CHIRP software, it has a whole list of repeaters that I could choose from, and I got a few from my area that would be in range. All of the programming info was already in the file, so I simply had to upload it to the radio to add them. If I choose my closest repeater, is my radio ready to both transmit and receive through it, or do I have to choose the reception frequency separately?

I hope this makes sense as I'm getting myself really confused right now. Without the use of local repeaters, these little radios are going to be pretty much useless for communicating with the wifey when she is at her parents house, or on her job site... both of which are outside the range these will provide on their own.

Thanks!

Not sure what part of North Alabama you are in, There is a real interesting group here, just google, North Georgia GMRS network, they have repeaters running from Pigeon Forge Chattanooga, thru Georgia down into Florida. Its a membership to use I believe, I have been listening to people on the repeater from all over this area.