<div dir="ltr">So I collated the results of our testing with Google Earth and the RadioMobile program I have that does "projections" of what coverage will be like.<div>They matched pretty well and the plot is below. More info below the plot.</div><div><br></div><div><div><img src="cid:ii_kbrb3vmd0" alt="FiddletownGMRSFireStationsSiteTestResults.png" width="562" height="485"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div>What the red/green/yellow is:</div><div> - this is is a theoretical model of propagation and received signal strength at various locations from a single transmitter. It models a *2 way* transmission (the mobile station is 5 watts in that test, the repeater is 25watts). The scale is Red/Pink/Yellow/Green from strongest->weakest signal. Anything thats white (uncolored) is predicted to be unusable. The frequency is 462.2->462.3 mhz ( so it models terrain effects using <a href="https://www2.jpl.nasa.gov/srtm/" target="_blank">Shuttle Radar Topography Mission </a>Data which is publicly available for locations in the United States (and some other countries). So the effect of hills etc. is modelled accurately at 3meter resolution.</div><div><br></div><div>What the Black letters are - these are your observations plotted on the map. I used either the map you gave me, or the address you wrote down (in one case the addresses were much more accurate than the map, <b>so in the future always write down street addresses if you can</b>. Google is good at finding those).</div><div><br></div><div><b>Overall interpretation:</b></div><div><div>Mostly the Red (and a little yellow occasionally) maps to Handheld radio coverage.</div><div>Theres on spot on Ostram where we had the pink color which didnt work on the HT but did work on the mobile.</div><div>Theres one spot where we predicted no coverage where there was some mobile coverage (up by Shenandoah). (there is some coverage near the road here, that might have just been lucky)</div><div>The Quartz Mountain & Fiddletown road coverage East really mapped well to the predicted coverage.</div><div>The Tyler road coverage mapped really well, and the crew there even caught the little bit of handheld coverage up there which shows up as a yellow/pink spot on the map which is pretty small.</div></div><div>That little trail down to the lower left was me going down Quartz Mountain Road (before i turned around and got stuck)</div><div><br></div><div>So overall this was pretty successful at verifying on the ground what the computer said.</div><div><br></div><div>We will probably do this *again* for another location in Fiddletown (likely the Moose Lodge, maybe a different site).</div><div>Thanks for helping and '73!</div><div> -jcp-</div><div> N3CKF</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Jun 19, 2020 at 7:02 PM Robert Hess <<a href="mailto:w1rh@yahoo.com" target="_blank">w1rh@yahoo.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div>
I’m bringing 4 mag mounts and six radios <br><br><br><a href="https://overview.mail.yahoo.com/?.src=iOS" target="_blank">Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone</a><br><br><p style="font-size:15px;color:rgb(113,95,250);padding-top:15px;margin-top:0px">On Friday, June 19, 2020, 6:33 PM, Joseph Pistritto <<a href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:</p><blockquote><div id="gmail-m_-356033066583040713gmail-m_-6306050861655487431yiv6008485754"><div><div dir="ltr">Okay so i went through my assortment of magmount antennas and found four (4) that are good on GMRS frequencies (I tested them with a RigExpert).<div>I may lack quite enough adapters to make these work with the mini-UHF connectors (i have some adapters but probably not enough).</div><div>I also found at least 3 12Volt->Powerpole adapters and i'm bringing my antenna analyzer in case its needed.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>I will be at the firehouse by 9:30 tomorrow so everyone try to be there by 10am.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>Thank you!</div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div></div><br clear="none"><div id="gmail-m_-356033066583040713gmail-m_-6306050861655487431yiv6008485754yqt86902"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 11:22 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">btw note on the frequency<div><br clear="none"></div><div>462.600 is the OUTPUT (what you receive on)</div><div>467.600 is the INPUT (what you TX on)</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>PL of 77.0 (tone XB) in both directions (commonly called "CTCSS" on radio programming software).</div><div>I'm just doing that now on my radio so i wanted to be clear.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>The "FRS" style handheld radios wont be able to bring up the repeater as they only do SIMPLEX (the 462.6 channel is "channel 17" on channelized radios). You can talk on channel 17 but the repeater wont hear you unless you have a GMRS radio or a commercial radio (like a Baofeng) that can be programmed correctly.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 7:51 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">i will program the QYT in my truck to do the GMRS frequencies and i found 4 of the Cig LIghter to Powerpole adapters today looking around.<div>I will go looking for antennas tomorrow. I'll also bring my XPR7550 (motorola handheld) with the GMRS frequencies in it).</div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 6:57 PM Don Kirkpatrick <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:w6fs.kirk@gmail.com" target="_blank">w6fs.kirk@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">I have:<div>- Midland MXT400 with a mag mount antenna. MXT400 has power pole connectors and I have a 12 volt cigarette to Power Pole adapter.</div><div>- Btech GRMS-V1 - has only the regular SMA - male antenna.<br clear="none"></div><div>Don WRHS265</div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 2:26 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">So we have mobile radios that have a PowerPole connector on them (and draw less than 10 amps).<div>So we can u se those with a cigarette light plug if you have a 12volt socket (cigarette lighter) to powerpole adapter (or if you happen to have a spare powerpole socket in your car).</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>So can everyone check to see if they have:</div><div> - a 12volt cigarette lighter to power pole adapter (I have a couple i'll bring but i dont have enough for 4 people).</div><div> - a UHF antenna (magmount or whatever). These radios have the "Mini-uhf" connector but we may have enough adapters to go to PL-259 if thats all you have on your antennas.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>Let me know which of these you have. Thanks.</div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 18, 2020 at 8:25 AM Don Kirkpatrick <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:w6fs.kirk@gmail.com" target="_blank">w6fs.kirk@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Confirmed! <br clear="none"><div>- I can be there</div><div>- WRHS265</div><div>- Btech GRMS-V1</div><div>- Midland MXT400</div><div>Don W6FS</div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 10:19 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Adding Dennis to this thread because he also volunteered to this on Saturday.<div><br clear="none"></div><div>Thank you!</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>Everyone please confirm:</div><div> - that you can come on saturday</div><div> - whether you have a GMRS License now</div><div> - whether you have a GMRS radio of any kind.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>Thank you</div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Wed, Jun 17, 2020 at 12:36 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr">Testing on June 20th<div><br clear="none"></div><div>Hi folks!</div><div> We will gather at the <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="https://goo.gl/maps/c1knV2dco5R3pBD28" target="_blank">Amador Fire Protection District Station 123</a> in Fiddletown at 10AM on THIS Saturday June 20th</div><div>(map at the link).</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>We'll go out as teams of 2 in vehicles to avoid people driving-and-radioing and crashing :-)</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>Hope to see you there!;</div><div> -jcp-</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>PS: Some details:</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>The GMRS repeater in use for the test will be:</div><div><div><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:verdana,helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:13px">462.600 / 467.600 77.0 CTCSS</span> </div><div>That is GMRS Channel 17 (for the output) and its corresponding repeater input frequency.</div><div>All the frequencies are here:</div><div><a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Mobile_Radio_Service</a></div></div><div><br clear="none"></div><div>If you have a 2meter radio in your vehicle or with you, we will use either the VHF K6ARC repeater</div><div>(146.835- pl 100) OR the Fiddletown Repeater: 147,165+ pl 107.2 (so have both programmed into your radio)</div><div>I just tested the Fiddletown machine and it works from my house. (and K6ARC is a bit marginal down in Fiddletown)</div><div>We'll use that to stay in touch if someone is out of GMRS range.</div><div><br clear="none"></div><div><br clear="none"></div><br clear="none"></div><br clear="none"><div><div dir="ltr">On Thu, Jun 4, 2020 at 5:06 PM Joseph Pistritto <<a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="mailto:jcp@pistritto.org" target="_blank">jcp@pistritto.org</a>> wrote:<br clear="none"></div><blockquote style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div dir="ltr"><span style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">KI6DWP John</span><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">W6FS Don</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">KN6FYN Bob</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">KK6HPE Kathryn</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">So the date for this is picked. Bob Hess will be supplying a portable repeater (and some GMRS radios if you dont have them).</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">Note: If you have a GMRS *license* that would be good. (I Have one, my GMRS callsign is WRFG299).</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">You can get a GMRS license by following the process here:</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="https://quality2wayradios.com/store/gmrs-fcc-license" target="_blank">https://quality2wayradios.com/store/gmrs-fcc-license</a> </div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">(Note: it costs $70 and is good 10 years and covers your "household" (everyone who lives with you).</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">Its not *required* to participate, but it is required to *talk* on GMRS radios. (Note that FRS which a lot of radios have common channels with GMRS is an uncliensed service - it doesnt require any fee/license to use. However GMRS radios are higher power and use the same (UHF) frequencies for the most part and GMRS allows repeaters (FRS doesnt).</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">A little explanation of the two services here: <a rel="nofollow" shape="rect" href="https://www.highlandwireless.com/frs-and-gmrs-radios/" target="_blank">https://www.highlandwireless.com/frs-and-gmrs-radios/</a></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">Thanks and let me know:</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"> 1) if you can come on June 20th</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"> 2) if you have a GMRS license or a GMRS radio already.</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"><br clear="none"></div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)">Thank you</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"> -jcp-</div><div style="color:rgb(80,0,80)"> </div></div>
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