quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
I am considering "upgrading" to the Type 75 approved radios so that I can use GMRS legally also.

Which model is that? Link?

Radio-check last night on the local GMRS net went well (using my BF GM-5RH to transmit). Mic fear is real but they heard me well (better antenna was a key factor to hit the repeater).

Convinced me.
Ordered a set just now.
Big THANKS for all the info!

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:
On another note, I’m looking at options to record received transmissions from a scanner. It could be used as a voice message system then. That would solve the problem of having to have both parties on at the same time.

The SDR## program I am using with my RTL-SDR V4 dongle will record scanned transmissions in WAV format. Noticed it last night, have not tried it yet. Might be something to look into.

Cool. I’ll check that out.

Well, after a lot of reading here and pretty much deciding that the GMRS dedicated Baofeng was the way to go, I returned my never used set for another. Also, I was looking to upgrade the batteries, and wanting the USB capability, I was looking at over 30 bucks for that and an antenna upgrade as well.

I found a GMRS Baofeng UV-5R with a 2500 mAh, USB capable battery and two antennas. I really like the choice of a plug in docking station and the USB-C charging cable. From the website description: Long Range Walkie Talkies GM-5RH Two Way Radio with 2500mAh Battery,GMRS Repeater Capable,NOAA Weather Receiver,One Key Frequency Match and Type C Cable.

Today I received a two dollar coupon and it has a 4% discount if you get two. Amazon changes that stuff rather quickly though, so be aware. If anyone is interested here is the Amazon link: HERE

^ yep, got the same. I didn't see any mention of wattage but with the UT-72G antenna apparently it hit my repeater just fine (probably 25-30 miles away on the mountain). It's my cheapo mobile also if I decide to travel.

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
Well, after a lot of reading here and pretty much deciding that the GMRS dedicated Baofeng was the way to go, I returned my never used set for another.

If you had the set that's in the link in my first post, I think you should have kept them. These will make great barter items if all comes crashing down. On top of that, the extra antennas and the earpieces make that set a genuine bargain.

Almost certainly, I'll get at least one more pair of radios, type accepted for GMRS transmission but I'm holding onto my first set.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:


If you had the set that's in the link in my first post, I think you should have kept them. These will make great barter items if all comes crashing down. On top of that, the extra antennas and the earpieces make that set a genuine bargain.

Almost certainly, I'll get at least one more pair of radios, type accepted for GMRS transmission but I'm holding onto my first set.

Yeah, you are probably right, I never thought of the barter angle. I may reacquire another set after these arrive.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by Bassamatic:
Well, after a lot of reading here and pretty much deciding that the GMRS dedicated Baofeng was the way to go, I returned my never used set for another.

If you had the set that's in the link in my first post, I think you should have kept them. These will make great barter items if all comes crashing down. On top of that, the extra antennas and the earpieces make that set a genuine bargain.

Almost certainly, I'll get at least one more pair of radios, type accepted for GMRS transmission but I'm holding onto my first set.

Going down the YT rabbit hole yesterday, it seems Boofwang has a GMRS UV-5R model.
Looks identical, but has a GMRS sticker under the battery.

I ended up ordering the inital radios Para linked, then after much deep diving, ordered dedicated GMRS radios from the 'Feng. I also gave the FCC their taste for GMRS fee so it's "official".

I'll be keeping the UV-5R radios from original purchase because for their cost versus what they could be worth one day, i'm happy to hold on to them.

Alright prepare to have your mind blown, I found the video I mentioned earlier. Since the radios will scan but are limited in their ability and having a scanner at home on your computer is also limiting in a SHTF situation. I have found my next project, its a little bit of a learning curve but with videos on Youtube it is doable.

Another thing I found, if you look at this news article about Ukraine, you will see how useful this stuff is. Not sure what name brand but you can see the type of handheld radios they are using and on the laptop pictured you see them using some type of spectrum Analyzer like the RTL on a laptop.

Link to article

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:


Going down the YT rabbit hole yesterday, it seems Boofwang has a GMRS UV-5R model.
Looks identical, but has a GMRS sticker under the battery.

Yes, they offer several different GMRS models. Some look identical, some not. The ones I just purchased in the link above, are not identical.

Hi, all.

I am having some difficulty verifying that my setup for a GMRS repeater that is located rather close to me, likely within a couple miles. I have attempted a "kerchunk" on the repeater channel and not received the tell-tale green light and static sent back by the repeater verifying that it answered. I also tried announcing my call sign in a test transmission requesting an acknowledgement back from anyone listening and got nothing in return. I tried this from my house as well as on the road in my vehicle closer to the repeater location on a relatively high hill.

Here's the info on the repeater itself from the https://mygmrs.com/ website:

• FM Frequency: 462.575 MHz
  
• Input tone: 141.3 Hz
  
• Output tone: 141.3 Hz
  
• Type: open system
  
• (There's also a note from the owner saying squelch is set high.)
  

I programmed this repeater into a memory channel on my UV-5R using the CHIRP software with these values:

• Frequency: 462.575000
  
• Tone Mode: Tone
  
• Tone: 141.3
  
• Duplex: + (plus)
  
• Offset: 5.000000
  
• Mode: FM
  
• Power: High
  

I uploaded this config to my radio, and when I have the radio set to this memory repeater channel, I see there is a "+-" icon displayed signifying I am in duplex mode, and I see these settings in the menu:

• SQL: 5
  
• TXP: HIGH
  
• WN: WIDE
  
• R-DCS: OFF
  
• R-CTCS: OFF
  
• T-DCS: OFF
  
• T-CTCS: 141.3HZ
  
• OFFSET: 000.000
  
• BAND: UHF
  

Now, it's my understanding that the OFFSET menu setting does NOT need to be set when this repeater is saved in memory as duplex mode. The offset should be automatically used by the radio.

Is there anything I am missing or overlooked? The one thing I thought of is the fact that this UV-5R is not a true GMRS radio and perhaps that OFFSET menu setting does, in fact, need to be set for this to work. But the fact that the "+-" icon is displayed up top seems to contradict that.

I also saw that the repeater has an output tone, but that is NOT required to be used on my radio to hear anything transmitted by the repeater. My radio should be playing back anything heard on the repeater's transmit frequency.

Any help you could provide would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

^ I know I had to subscribe to my local GMRS repeaters club to get T-DCS and R-DCS codes.

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:
I am considering "upgrading" to the Type 75 Part 95 approved radios so that I can use GMRS legally also.

Which model is that? Link?

It was in a video. Let me go find it and I'll update...

Edit: Found it! From your favorite YouTube personality... "NotaRubicon"

Part 95 Legal UV-R5

One thing I didn't get from the video, unless I just missed it, is how to ensure you're getting that version and not the older uncertified version.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bronicabill,

quote:

Originally posted by parabellum:
<<snip>> These will make great barter items if all comes crashing down. On top of that, the extra antennas and the earpieces make that set a genuine bargain.

Almost certainly, I'll get at least one more pair of radios, type accepted for GMRS transmission but I'm holding onto my first set.

I was thinking the same thing! For the low price paid for these, I see no reason to part with them unless/until they become bargaining chips.

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
<<snip>>
Going down the YT rabbit hole yesterday, it seems Boofwang has a GMRS UV-5R model.
Looks identical, but has a GMRS sticker under the battery.

Have you figured out where and how to order the certified models? I didn't see that mentioned in the video...

Edit to add: I missed it; the updated version is in the comments below!

GMRS Legal UV-5R radio on Amazon

quote:

Originally posted by bronicabill:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
<<snip>>
Going down the YT rabbit hole yesterday, it seems Boofwang has a GMRS UV-5R model.
Looks identical, but has a GMRS sticker under the battery.

Have you figured out where and how to order the certified models? I didn't see that mentioned in the video...

Edit to add: I missed it; the updated version is in the comments below!

GMRS Legal UV-5R radio on Amazon

$45 for the 2 pack, sold by the same Abree vendor from the OP.
And they have a USB charger cable.

Might be worth having a pair of both & keep the GMRS radios in the car(s)