My actual Amazon Storefront is HERE! amzn.to/49uAefw As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which helps me buy more toys to review for all of you! I'm constantly updating the page. Here are most of the radios and antennas we test for all of you, and as always, I take requests!
Don't forget to test the volume on the "base" radio before you drive off! I did that one and the volume was all the way up so the modulation was extremely distorted on my end...
@@FirstUnitedTactical Thanks for the reply and that was the first thing i thought about when i powered on the Baofeng after hooking up the SR-112 -- so far its working Great. Have not done a Mile test yet - waiting for an external Antenna to mount to a 30 foot pole. Maybe a Power Amp for the DB20-G i plan to hook up as a Base Station.
@kchedville That would be perfect for your own testing. I simply put the base HT on the porch outside (same direction as where I will be), and use Google maps to calculate the distance.
@@FirstUnitedTactical You did a great Job. I sure would be nice it the Delivery system was not so bad for me -- i tracked one package and it went from Wisconsin on the 12th -- all the way across country to Portland Oregon and now back to Ft Worth, Tx. to continue to Mississippi...its been traveling for 9 days so far... LOL So much for the 3 Day delivery system.... :)
Use split ctcss tones on simplex cures loop around Base simplex frequency Base tx tone 6 Base rx tone 3 Mobile/hts simplex frequency Mobile tx tone 3 Mobile rx tone 6 Now youll have semi duplex via sub tones on simplex! Stops loop around when close up!
@Number4lead Only use it channels 1-14. Don't let it get mixed up with repeaters, or everyone will be yelling at ya! I always go way out in the country and test the channels, then call my wife back home and tell her what channel to put the base radio on.
I very much appreciate your informative videos. Very helpful. I’ve purchased your recommended HT antennas and they are working out great! I was highly inspired by you demo-ing the SR-112, but my experiences with it have not gone so well. I purchased the SR-112, followed the cryptic instructions, got it working once on the first day, and the next day I couldn’t get it to work. Even after resetting it and redoing the settings. Would you be able to do a setup demo video of what you did to get your’s working? Thanks again for all you’ve done!
@SDOhioHealthHeadsUpDisplayHUDf I can do another in depth video, but I'm actually working Helene damage stuff in South Carolina. It would be a month or so before I can do it. I have an issue every now and then, but don't remember what I do to fix it. I just go through the motions and it works. Make sure the radio cable is super tight on radio and 112. What kind of radio are you using? Make sure the squelch on the base radio is at 1, oh, and make sure the tones are both the same on each radio! I've made that HUGE mistake before!
True statement. It works pretty well, but I haven't gone in the field with an actual test yet. You will definately see these in action on that next vid this week!
There will be more so stay tuned, or at least subscribe. I try and do a field test a week, if the weather permits on the weekends. This weekend I hope to do a "battle of the budget radios". If the weather is good, I'd like to go out to the 8 mile mark, but the 5 mile mark is always good if it's horrible. Look for it maybe Sunday or Monday...
Using the Surecom SR-112 with an attached Radio, does or can the "Message" Receive IN to the Radio & then Transmit OUT again on the SAME Frequency or 2 different Frequencies like a regular Repeater ?
@@FirstUnitedTactical ... Thanks for the reply man. Maybe a follow up Video if you are looking for more Content because there is a solid dispute over whether these SIMPLEX Repeaters are "Illegal" on Simplex Channels lol. This SR-112 is a SINGLE FREQUENCY SIMPLEX Repeater so I don't know why people are posting video's saying it's "Illegal",... One dude said it makes that one channel "Unusable" which is NOT true because only those who may be able to hit that Radio attached to the SR-112 would be able to (or subject to) go through the SR-112. The Surecom SR-328 is a Duplex Repeater which is another story because it works with 2 Radio's on 2 different Frequencies. I "believe" that a SIMPLEX Repeater is NOT allowed on GMRS Repeater Channels,... Would you consider a Video discussing this ?... Cheers :)
@davidyummus6259 Sure! I don't see how it's illegal, because it is originally designed for people "camping" or on opposite sides of a mountain. Clearly can't talk through, so set this at the top and now they can talk. I would never use it in a city atmosphere or a repeater channel because that would definitely get me in trouble, or at least make lots of folks mad! I go way out in the country and use 1-5, and always double check frequency use before I start.
@@FirstUnitedTactical Was just reading that FCC says GMRS Channels 8 thru 14 are for HAND HELD RADIO'S ONLY so running this Parrot Repeater on Channels 8 thru 14 should really "inconvenience" LESS people overall and only people within the lesser range of the Repeater HT Radio
I don't program any repeater. Once it's connected to a radio, it records whatever signal that radio receives, then the radio automatically sends that exact signal back out for other radios to hear. 15-22 are the receive channels for repeaters 23-30, and depending in your area, there may be a lot of chatter. I go way out in the country and use the channels no one else uses so I don't interfere with anyone. Ch 1-7 are 5 watt, so that's what I use. 8-14 are only .5 watt, which won't make it across the field! Did that answer your questions?
@dougofford6567 Potentially more radio traffic since those are 50w. I keep it simple and stay far away from radio traffic, which is 5w 1-7. There's less chance of talking on 1-7. If I set up for 15-22, and drive, then have to go back home to change channels on the base, that wastes my time. No one in the country out here is on 1-7. There is no change being on 1-7 or 15-22 when you're only talking on 5w. Everyone's gmrs radio is roughly 5W, so I keep it as uniform as possible for everyone.
Okay, to be sure that I understand,... If you can NOT reach your buddy 6 miles away going Radio to Radio but your Radio & his Radio can both reach 3 miles to the Radio with attached SR-112 then you can communicate right ?... Also, it records all transmissions right so what ever you say into your Radio, both you and your buddy will hear the replay & when your buddy answers, you both hear his transmission ?... Finally, I assume that you can use CTCSS codes for not real private privacy ? lol.
@davidyummus6259 Everything you just said is correct. However, let's say you both are on channel 5, no tones. Everyone and their brother within range will hear your conversation, right? Well, now you stay on 5, but both of you go to CTCSS 103.5 (for example). Everyone and their brother will still hear your conversation, but you won't hear theirs because your radio is only allowing communication on 103.5, allowed to enter your radio. If "Everyone and their brother" has a radio that's wide open, no tones, they will hear all communication. If you set your radio to TX and Rx only a certain tone, you will only hear that communication. It's odd sounding, but get three radios together and try it. You will see what I mean. 3 guys, 3 radios, maybe 10' apart.
@@FirstUnitedTactical Thanks for the reply & I just Subscribed :) Yes, that is exactly how I understood "Privacy Tones" to work,... The more I think about this Simplex Repeater the more I like it. At first I thought that hearing your own message every time just as your buddy does was horrible BUT it does mean you can test your own equipment without hoping for a response from a stranger AND if you are setting up a Field Repeater in a Case with battery pack/solar charger then you only have ONE radio drawing down from that system instead of 2 PLUS no cost/drama with a Duplexer or Antenna interference using 2 radios :)
@davidyummus6259 The only catch is that you need to have the "better radio" and better antenna" at the base. If you use a cheapo radio with a stock antenna at the base, it may not send the signal back to you. I used to use a H8 with Nagoya 771g on my porch roof, and now I use a Wouxun HT with a base antenna about 20' high. That shows the exact quality of whatever handheld I am testing because the base signal has zero problems sending that signal back!
I appreciate the compliment. First, yes you need to return it and swap it for a 112 if you want to do test like I do. The 112 still requires two radios, one hooked up to it and the other radio in your hand a couple miles away. The 112 records the transmission from the radio in your hand, and the radio that's hooked up will send that same recorded transmission back to you. (It's important to have it up high and a better antenna so it is positively sending you a strong signal back so you can hear the quality of the radio in your hand.) Now, the 628 is a "cross band" repeater. Cross Band is a very popular option/function in HAM radios that communicate "dual band" or 2m / 70cm bands. The way the cross band works, is you place the Surecom 628 (or any HAM radio cross band feature is turned on) in between the other two radios. It's in the middle, like on a mountain top for example. Here's why a cross band repeater is important: the 2 meter band (VHF) is a much stronger band than 70 cm (UHF). Let's say your friend can only transmit on 70cm, which is the 440 mhz range, and his signal can't hit your radio because you are too far away, or there are too many obsticales in between you two. The repeater will accept a signal on one frequency and retransmit on a seperate signal. So, your friends radio only transmits on 70cm, but your radio can transmit on 2m and 70cm. His radio signal is a 70cm freq, is received by the cross band repeater, and the repeater converts it to a 2m for your radio to pick up. Plus, when you talk to him, the cross band repeater picks up your 2m signal and converts it to 70cm. That's what "cross band" means. This might make it a little easier to understand: If you are on 462.550, and your friend is also on 462.550, the cross band repeater will not work because those are the same frequency. It requires to seperate freguencies to operate. I hope this didn't confuse you any more than what it already is! Bottom line is, if you want to do what I do, exchange it for the 112. Also, if you only have your GMRS license, you can't talk on more than one frequency, unless you consider MURS, which is a very weak signal, therefore a cross band repeater isn't right for your situation.
No, it's only used to rebroadcast your transmission from that point in all directions. It doesn't magnify or increase your radio power, but since it rebroadcast your transmission, you are now going twice as far as if you didn't have it. This is only allowed on channels 1-14, and not on busy channels. If there are people talking on those channels and they don't know what you are doing, it will cause a ton of confusion. I'm way out in the country where there is no radio traffic.
@@FirstUnitedTactical 15-22 are also simplex channels. They just also happen to be where the repeaters on the repeater channels tx, so repeater traffic is heard there but simplex traffic isn't heard by the repeaters. Theoretically, you could run your simplex repeater on a higher power mobile unit and use the 15-22 simplex channels. If you set your radios with tones then you won't hear the repeater traffic from 23-30 on 15-22, so that would cut down on you hearing those repeaters and your traffic. It might cause some confusion for others nearby listening to repeater traffic on the simplex channels, but people actually using repeaters are using 23-30 and not 15-22 anyway so there wouldn't be any actual interference.
@vitogriffin8902 I agree with everything you said. I understand tones and what can be heard and not heard. I just don't want to take a chance on being 15-22 if there is no one at my house to make a channel change. I would have to pack up, go home change and start all over. It's just easier staying on 1-7 and ensures a quick test without stopping and starting. It's all about time management.
@@FirstUnitedTactical I was just pointing out that there's no difference between using 15-22 or 1-7 when it comes to the risk of interference or anything like that; the difference is that you can use 50w on 15-22 and just 5 on 1-7. For your use of testing antennas and stuff within a few miles it wouldn't make sense to use more power, but in the event a person wanted to use this type of repeater with more power then they can absolutely use it on the higher power channels just as the same as 1-7 because they're all simplex channels.
@vitogriffin8902 Absolutely. Believe me, you are not the only one asking me why I only use 1-7. I am trying to tell a FRS guy thebsame thing on another comment. I wasn't getting rude with u, because you know what you are talking about, I'm just frustrated at some "other people"!
My actual Amazon Storefront is HERE! amzn.to/49uAefw
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases which helps me buy more toys to review for all of you! I'm constantly updating the page.
Here are most of the radios and antennas we test for all of you, and as always, I take requests!
One of the best Videos so far that explained it in the most understanding way -- I got one arriving today. Less complication = Less Stress ..:)
Don't forget to test the volume on the "base" radio before you drive off! I did that one and the volume was all the way up so the modulation was extremely distorted on my end...
@@FirstUnitedTactical Thanks for the reply and that was the first thing i thought about when i powered on the Baofeng after hooking up the SR-112 -- so far its working Great. Have not done a Mile test yet - waiting for an external Antenna to mount to a 30 foot pole. Maybe a Power Amp for the DB20-G i plan to hook up as a Base Station.
@kchedville That would be perfect for your own testing. I simply put the base HT on the porch outside (same direction as where I will be), and use Google maps to calculate the distance.
@@FirstUnitedTactical You did a great Job. I sure would be nice it the Delivery system was not so bad for me -- i tracked one package and it went from Wisconsin on the 12th -- all the way across country to Portland Oregon and now back to Ft Worth, Tx. to continue to Mississippi...its been traveling for 9 days so far... LOL So much for the 3 Day delivery system.... :)
@kchedville This one got got lost and took longer to get to me also. It must be a West Coast USPS issue because we don't have problems here.
Use split ctcss tones on simplex cures loop around
Base simplex frequency
Base tx tone 6
Base rx tone 3
Mobile/hts simplex frequency
Mobile tx tone 3
Mobile rx tone 6
Now youll have semi duplex via sub tones on simplex!
Stops loop around when close up!
@@rpcomms1 I never thought of that!
It works great. I was worried about the confusion with closer stations.
@Number4lead Only use it channels 1-14. Don't let it get mixed up with repeaters, or everyone will be yelling at ya! I always go way out in the country and test the channels, then call my wife back home and tell her what channel to put the base radio on.
Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.
I very much appreciate your informative videos. Very helpful. I’ve purchased your recommended HT antennas and they are working out great! I was highly inspired by you demo-ing the SR-112, but my experiences with it have not gone so well. I purchased the SR-112, followed the cryptic instructions, got it working once on the first day, and the next day I couldn’t get it to work. Even after resetting it and redoing the settings. Would you be able to do a setup demo video of what you did to get your’s working? Thanks again for all you’ve done!
@SDOhioHealthHeadsUpDisplayHUDf I can do another in depth video, but I'm actually working Helene damage stuff in South Carolina. It would be a month or so before I can do it. I have an issue every now and then, but don't remember what I do to fix it. I just go through the motions and it works. Make sure the radio cable is super tight on radio and 112. What kind of radio are you using? Make sure the squelch on the base radio is at 1, oh, and make sure the tones are both the same on each radio! I've made that HUGE mistake before!
Thank you very much for getting back. I'll give your suggestions a try. And thank you for your service in Helene!!!
I would love to see you test the smiley super stick 465mhz against the 771. It’s 5/8th wave when extended and 1/4 wave when collapsed.
True statement. It works pretty well, but I haven't gone in the field with an actual test yet. You will definately see these in action on that next vid this week!
Ok great, thank you !!!
Thanks i appreciate the test!
There will be more so stay tuned, or at least subscribe. I try and do a field test a week, if the weather permits on the weekends. This weekend I hope to do a "battle of the budget radios". If the weather is good, I'd like to go out to the 8 mile mark, but the 5 mile mark is always good if it's horrible. Look for it maybe Sunday or Monday...
Using the Surecom SR-112 with an attached Radio, does or can the "Message" Receive IN to the Radio & then Transmit OUT again on the SAME Frequency or 2 different Frequencies like a regular Repeater ?
@davidyummus6259 single frequency repeater. Set base radio to "5" or whatever, and the field radio has to be on same channel.
@@FirstUnitedTactical ... Thanks for the reply man. Maybe a follow up Video if you are looking for more Content because there is a solid dispute over whether these SIMPLEX Repeaters are "Illegal" on Simplex Channels lol.
This SR-112 is a SINGLE FREQUENCY SIMPLEX Repeater so I don't know why people are posting video's saying it's "Illegal",... One dude said it makes that one channel "Unusable" which is NOT true because only those who may be able to hit that Radio attached to the SR-112 would be able to (or subject to) go through the SR-112.
The Surecom SR-328 is a Duplex Repeater which is another story because it works with 2 Radio's on 2 different Frequencies. I "believe" that a SIMPLEX Repeater is NOT allowed on GMRS Repeater Channels,... Would you consider a Video discussing this ?... Cheers :)
@davidyummus6259 Sure! I don't see how it's illegal, because it is originally designed for people "camping" or on opposite sides of a mountain. Clearly can't talk through, so set this at the top and now they can talk. I would never use it in a city atmosphere or a repeater channel because that would definitely get me in trouble, or at least make lots of folks mad! I go way out in the country and use 1-5, and always double check frequency use before I start.
@@FirstUnitedTactical
Was just reading that FCC says GMRS Channels 8 thru 14 are for HAND HELD RADIO'S ONLY so running this Parrot Repeater on Channels 8 thru 14 should really "inconvenience" LESS people overall and only people within the lesser range of the Repeater HT Radio
Exactly how do you program the repeater? And why can't you use FRS channels15 to 22?
I don't program any repeater. Once it's connected to a radio, it records whatever signal that radio receives, then the radio automatically sends that exact signal back out for other radios to hear. 15-22 are the receive channels for repeaters 23-30, and depending in your area, there may be a lot of chatter. I go way out in the country and use the channels no one else uses so I don't interfere with anyone. Ch 1-7 are 5 watt, so that's what I use. 8-14 are only .5 watt, which won't make it across the field! Did that answer your questions?
Yes, partially thanks. Since channels 15 to 22 are also FRS simplex, why not use them as well?
@dougofford6567 Potentially more radio traffic since those are 50w. I keep it simple and stay far away from radio traffic, which is 5w 1-7. There's less chance of talking on 1-7. If I set up for 15-22, and drive, then have to go back home to change channels on the base, that wastes my time. No one in the country out here is on 1-7. There is no change being on 1-7 or 15-22 when you're only talking on 5w. Everyone's gmrs radio is roughly 5W, so I keep it as uniform as possible for everyone.
@@dougofford6567 FRS and GMRS are the exact same channels. Only the wattage is different. (Look at the other reply)
Thanks. I'm in Canada, where the limit is 2 watts on the GMRS and combined GMRS/FRS channels, and 0.5 watts on the FRS channels.
Okay, to be sure that I understand,... If you can NOT reach your buddy 6 miles away going Radio to Radio but your Radio & his Radio can both reach 3 miles to the Radio with attached SR-112 then you can communicate right ?... Also, it records all transmissions right so what ever you say into your Radio, both you and your buddy will hear the replay & when your buddy answers, you both hear his transmission ?... Finally, I assume that you can use CTCSS codes for not real private privacy ? lol.
@davidyummus6259 Everything you just said is correct. However, let's say you both are on channel 5, no tones. Everyone and their brother within range will hear your conversation, right? Well, now you stay on 5, but both of you go to CTCSS 103.5 (for example). Everyone and their brother will still hear your conversation, but you won't hear theirs because your radio is only allowing communication on 103.5, allowed to enter your radio. If "Everyone and their brother" has a radio that's wide open, no tones, they will hear all communication. If you set your radio to TX and Rx only a certain tone, you will only hear that communication. It's odd sounding, but get three radios together and try it. You will see what I mean. 3 guys, 3 radios, maybe 10' apart.
@@FirstUnitedTactical
Thanks for the reply & I just Subscribed :) Yes, that is exactly how I understood "Privacy Tones" to work,... The more I think about this Simplex Repeater the more I like it. At first I thought that hearing your own message every time just as your buddy does was horrible BUT it does mean you can test your own equipment without hoping for a response from a stranger AND if you are setting up a Field Repeater in a Case with battery pack/solar charger then you only have ONE radio drawing down from that system instead of 2 PLUS no cost/drama with a Duplexer or Antenna interference using 2 radios :)
@davidyummus6259 The only catch is that you need to have the "better radio" and better antenna" at the base. If you use a cheapo radio with a stock antenna at the base, it may not send the signal back to you. I used to use a H8 with Nagoya 771g on my porch roof, and now I use a Wouxun HT with a base antenna about 20' high. That shows the exact quality of whatever handheld I am testing because the base signal has zero problems sending that signal back!
How does one erase the stored messages to record new ones?
@@Number4lead It does not store messages. It replays the last signal received. Very simple technology.
Nice / Merci beaucoup très bonne explication
73's Sir
I believe you are saying nice explanation... THANKS and 73's to you as well!
I bought the surecom 628 by mistake this looks to be for dual radio setup do u know this can used for one radio still? Nice video
I appreciate the compliment. First, yes you need to return it and swap it for a 112 if you want to do test like I do. The 112 still requires two radios, one hooked up to it and the other radio in your hand a couple miles away. The 112 records the transmission from the radio in your hand, and the radio that's hooked up will send that same recorded transmission back to you. (It's important to have it up high and a better antenna so it is positively sending you a strong signal back so you can hear the quality of the radio in your hand.)
Now, the 628 is a "cross band" repeater. Cross Band is a very popular option/function in HAM radios that communicate "dual band" or 2m / 70cm bands. The way the cross band works, is you place the Surecom 628 (or any HAM radio cross band feature is turned on) in between the other two radios. It's in the middle, like on a mountain top for example. Here's why a cross band repeater is important: the 2 meter band (VHF) is a much stronger band than 70 cm (UHF). Let's say your friend can only transmit on 70cm, which is the 440 mhz range, and his signal can't hit your radio because you are too far away, or there are too many obsticales in between you two. The repeater will accept a signal on one frequency and retransmit on a seperate signal. So, your friends radio only transmits on 70cm, but your radio can transmit on 2m and 70cm. His radio signal is a 70cm freq, is received by the cross band repeater, and the repeater converts it to a 2m for your radio to pick up. Plus, when you talk to him, the cross band repeater picks up your 2m signal and converts it to 70cm. That's what "cross band" means.
This might make it a little easier to understand: If you are on 462.550, and your friend is also on 462.550, the cross band repeater will not work because those are the same frequency. It requires to seperate freguencies to operate. I hope this didn't confuse you any more than what it already is! Bottom line is, if you want to do what I do, exchange it for the 112. Also, if you only have your GMRS license, you can't talk on more than one frequency, unless you consider MURS, which is a very weak signal, therefore a cross band repeater isn't right for your situation.
This is the Surecom you want:
amzn.to/40AS2mN
@
Thanks again
Will the repeater add more wattage ??
No, it's only used to rebroadcast your transmission from that point in all directions. It doesn't magnify or increase your radio power, but since it rebroadcast your transmission, you are now going twice as far as if you didn't have it. This is only allowed on channels 1-14, and not on busy channels. If there are people talking on those channels and they don't know what you are doing, it will cause a ton of confusion. I'm way out in the country where there is no radio traffic.
@@FirstUnitedTactical 15-22 are also simplex channels. They just also happen to be where the repeaters on the repeater channels tx, so repeater traffic is heard there but simplex traffic isn't heard by the repeaters. Theoretically, you could run your simplex repeater on a higher power mobile unit and use the 15-22 simplex channels. If you set your radios with tones then you won't hear the repeater traffic from 23-30 on 15-22, so that would cut down on you hearing those repeaters and your traffic. It might cause some confusion for others nearby listening to repeater traffic on the simplex channels, but people actually using repeaters are using 23-30 and not 15-22 anyway so there wouldn't be any actual interference.
@vitogriffin8902 I agree with everything you said. I understand tones and what can be heard and not heard. I just don't want to take a chance on being 15-22 if there is no one at my house to make a channel change. I would have to pack up, go home change and start all over. It's just easier staying on 1-7 and ensures a quick test without stopping and starting. It's all about time management.
@@FirstUnitedTactical I was just pointing out that there's no difference between using 15-22 or 1-7 when it comes to the risk of interference or anything like that; the difference is that you can use 50w on 15-22 and just 5 on 1-7. For your use of testing antennas and stuff within a few miles it wouldn't make sense to use more power, but in the event a person wanted to use this type of repeater with more power then they can absolutely use it on the higher power channels just as the same as 1-7 because they're all simplex channels.
@vitogriffin8902 Absolutely. Believe me, you are not the only one asking me why I only use 1-7. I am trying to tell a FRS guy thebsame thing on another comment. I wasn't getting rude with u, because you know what you are talking about, I'm just frustrated at some "other people"!
It’s a parrot repeater