How To Build A GMRS Base Station - Everything You Need To Know To Put Together A GMRS Radio For Home
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ก.ค. 2022
- In this video I will show you everything you need to build your home GMRS home base-station. Its very simple does not need to cost a lot of money. LINKS:
Samlex SEC-1235M Power Supply: www.buytwowayradios.com/samle...
Duracomm LPX-14 Power Supply: bit.ly/3o59PxY
Nagoya UT-72G Mobile GMRS antenna: amzn.to/3ciisD1
Midland MXTA26 6DB Gain Antenna bit.ly/3yIbwGz
NMO magnet mount with coax: amzn.to/3OeVsSq
Tram 1486 base station antenna: amzn.to/3PrbKIT
Surecom SW102 SWR meter for GMRS: amzn.to/3azhuBT
Messi & Paoloni Pre-assembled coax for GMRS:
www.buytwowayradios.com/messi...
LMR400 Pre-assembled GMRS coax: amzn.to/3OcS9Lr
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#GMRS - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
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I am now a youtube certified radio base station installer! Your favorite viewer thanks you for this new certification!😉👍
Pro Tip: Disconnect antenna's from your radio's during storms to prevent a lightening strike from frying your radio.
Fun Fact. If you sleep like a baby during a wind storm, your antenna isn't high enough :)
Funfact im doing emcomm (as a firefighter) for our local civilians because i live in a village and where i live everybody has an pmr radio so we monitor pmr446 for help calls so during a storm i set my antenna up on our ladder truck and raised it all the way (33m high) and at that time i didnt even have an lightning arrestor pretty scarry time tbh
@@gamingforlive2150 lol....that's one way to make radio more exciting!!!!! Sorry,couldn't help it. I'm glad you're safe!!
Randy, I have successfully set up my very own GMRS Base Station rig. I'm using the Wouxun KG-1000-G, a Toppower STP-1330 30AMP power supply, LMR400 coax 50', a Tram Browning 6155 UHF antenna 450-470 MHz 5db gain base station antenna which is 73" tall. The antenna is grounded as you laid out in the video. The antenna is mounted on my house. I am able to hit the Squaw Mountain repeater 91 miles from my home and the Lookout Mountain Repeater 71 miles from my home. And I can do this on LOW power. I think the antenna makes all the difference. My SWR readings using the "older" version of the Farsometer shows an SWR of 1.05 pushing 49 watts at high power. Thanks for putting this out there for those who want to establish a base station. You have been an inspiration to me and I've used the wonderful information you put out to help me set up my base station.
Awesome man. From your descriptions of the repeaters, I have to ask.. are the ones you mentioned here in the Phoenix metro area? I have the kg-1000g and have yet to install into my truck.. which I believe is going in this weekend!
John Sampson indeed!!! The antenna is one of the most crucial part of getting signals in/out.....imo
Hey guys, I’m in Phoenix and I want to get into GRMS maybe get a base station. I live just east of the I 17 just north of Jomax in a two-story house. I could pop in antenna on the roof and have it pretty high up in the air.
Wish you would have made this video 2 years ago . When I was trying to figure out everything. Like you said everyone made things so complicated. Great way to explain everything.
Randy, you have explained the base station setup perfectly. Very thorough.
That brief mention of static electricity is a fact, I did a service call on a very windy day for a customer whose base radio was popping. Pulled the coax off of the back of the radio and it would arc from the center conductor to the shield every few seconds. Thanks for the base station installer certification, I will hang it next to my certified zip tie technician certificate
Some antennas with matching networks at the feed point of the antenna just so happen to be dc grounded. The Ringo Ranger brand and the J-pole antenna are two such antennas. If you have a problem with static discharge and/or lightning strikes in your area then one of those types of antennas might be a good choice for you. The quick and easy way to tell if an antenna is DC grounded is to put an ohm meter across the center conductor and shield and it will show a dead short while also having an acceptable swr.
Thank You, Sensei for this thorough, descriptive, informative, video on how to build a proper base station for GMRS use.
Especially mentioning the precautions on proper grounding of antenna! 👍
Much appreciated! 👌
I just started getting into GMRS, and your channel is quickly becoming my go-to for answers on all my questions. Thanks for all you do!
Great channel for a newbie like me. Your sarcasm, humor and ability to put things in laymen terms is very much appreciated. Love the choices of all the TekMats in your videos too. I always read your responses to the "sad hams" who post on your videos. Too funny. Keep up the good work.
Hey, thank you for these videos. I didn’t have any idea about what radio to get.
You were the first person to really explain all the confusing stuff and actually I decided to go with GMRS was because I kept watching again I like the explanations.
Thanks again. You really helped.
I really enjoy listening to your videos, even when I'm not interested in the particular subject matter.
I love your thumbnail! I had a radio shack "base station" walkie talkie and I took it for me! and gave my brother and his friends the mobile units. I sat in the tree fort being awesome with the base station 😎
I've been watching lots of your videos... Very informative while being humorous! Thanks for your info!
Great presentation as always and as always, you are the man
I just have to say, I have never, ever, seen a video on base station set up explained more simpler than this. All key points divulged to the “user”, even the LMR400 “coax”. Bravo to you, sir, for helping people get on the air.
PS: what if we started using the term “Dream Crushers” for all those pesky people that you speak of.
Thanks for another video!! Keep them coming!!
My base station is a radioddity db20-G with a power adapter that sits right next to my PC. I ran some rg58 up to the ceiling and connected a nagoya UT-72 antenna to it. Works fine for gmrs and listening to Dallas PD.
Just found this channel, love it. Switching from CB to GMRS. Starting with a HT but will be moving to a base station soon. I live in an apartment so may be challenging to set up an antenna.
Thank you! I was trying to figure out the power supply. Purchased the uniden pro505 xl. Greatly appreciated ✈️✊🏾❤️❤️❤️✊🏾✈️ simple terms help!
I love your quick Flash Messages of the Subliminal type
I decided to build a GMRS base station to connect with some friends in my general area. I had no idea how to do this because my reading comprehension score was significantly higher than my math score on my SAT 30 years ago. NotaRubicon made it simple for me. Since then, I've been devouring his channel because he's entertaining and practical. I share his philosophy- I just need stuff to work and not burn down my house. I don't need egghead perfect. Thanks, buddy!
Came here for the awesome knowledge on building a GMRS Base Station to impress my local sad Hams, but @6:05 Xenu decided to take the opportunity to remind me of the Pivot Square that I had been looking for. Thanks Xenu!!!
I too was inspired (distracted) by that Pivot Square. It was 10 minutes before I remembered I was supposed to be watching Randy. Good thing I didn't also go bra shopping.
It was winter with snow on the ground when I first got my GMRS license. I put a mag mount antenna like the little one you showed on the A/C compressor just outside my home office and ran the coax in the window. I was still able to close the window on the RG58 coax without crushing it. As ridiculous as this sounds it worked as well as a mobile setup. Since upgraded to roof mount like Randy’s but don’t let a less than ideal situation stop you from setting up a base. Even a roll up J-pole from Nelson or N9TAX hung in the corner of a room will get you on the air.
I enjoy your videos so much. Thx for the certification
I know nothing of radio coms atm, but I like your 'style' sir. I appreciate outliers and ppl whom help others(especially noobs); you seem to be both.
If you were making videos on a less niche' subject you would have a gold TH-cam plaque. Very entertaining
Searched base station setups seen your video first and immediately clicked on it, those other guys look like the sad ham types. Love your videos man!
You hit it spot on again Randy .thank you sir 👍🇺🇸🗽
like the shirt! RF grounding..... the ARRL handbook is a good place to start, hams have been trying to dodge lightning for around a hundred years so they have plenty of experience to call on.
Nice job making it simple! I love the distance unit of measure "Fars"😅.
I’m really digging your channel. 👏🏼
I like this guy . Second video I have seen . Funny, informative, to the point .
he does a great job. if you subscribe you will see he has a lot of great videos.
your a god.
a radio youtube god.
thank you for the content!
I also recommend the Ed Fong antenna, I have a gmrs and a dual band ham antenna.
Yes! I have the same antenna and works like a champ!
I am new to the grown-up level of GMRS. I have had my license for 5 years, but only for blister-pack radios. I only used those occasionally for hunting and vacations. In fact, I did not even know base stations and repeaters were a thing until two weeks ago. Your channel is a Masterclass for GMRS. Thanks a bunch for the content. I can see, that even at a conservative level, I am going to be investing in some cool big-boy toys.
Well, I'm a HAPPY HAM! ☺ I have both HAM and GMRS base station! Thanks Randy! You're the BEST! Really good advice! I'm trained to save my family and my house... Except...
...a really informative video, thanx!🇺🇸
I am fully reeled in.. now even when I am just listening and can't see the actual air quotes.. I just proclaim "EXPERT"..out loud in the proper pause spaces provided.
Thank you for making Me... Your favorite viewer..., feel as though I am part of something fars bigger than... Myself..
Glad I can help. 😂🖖
Have to say you have a way with stating the obvious and keeping on point without being distracted by the 'experts' :)
Enjoy your videos and find them useful as well
Here is an antenna I ordered for my GMRS station.
Comet CA-712EFC Commercial/GMRS UHF Base Vert. 450-470 mHz
It has a 9db gain. A bit tall but if you have the room for $139 not a bad option. Only negative is that it is 2 weeks backordered.
Nice, simple video Randy. Enjoy your channel and learning tid bits about this hobby. 69's
Link 2 purchase? Thnx
Thanks for putting this together! I’d love to see what you would recommend for a SHTF type of mobile base station.
For my base station, I bought the Ed Fong J-pole kit for GMRS from Ham Radio 2.0. Seems to work well.
Thanks for the helpful vids. You are a riot btw!
I really enjoy the sarcasm, that said battery back up is a great idea.
Lol the pics at 6:20 lol I love this channel !!
I am now "You Tube certified" expert GMRS base station know it all! I cant wait to talk about what I know on my local repeaters! Thank you Randi, and don't forget - if you are "some People" to disconnect your radio in a lightning storm and hold a 3 iron up to the sky as high as you can in a swimming pool preferably with some elevation.
Randy, you must be doing well with your TH-cam channel. I know from my broadcasting days, those RE20s are not cheap. Congrats!
I used my mobile radio mag mount antenna to the lid of my BBQ and got much better FARs than my basic HT. I think the Propane helped propel the electrotrons.
This is a great and simple instructional video. This recording was my motivation for building my own home base GMRS station. The only item missing that I need is the lightning arrestors. Can you recommend a specific type/model for my roof antenna. There are so many types of arrestors ranging from affordable to very expensive.
Thank you Randy!
Thank you for the post, its almost like you are a mind reader!
Super, thank you. I think I may be moving in that direction.
Dam good explanation on coax n set up!!
Very informative. Thinking a base station vs a mobile would be more suitable for me.
I love your videos!
What a nice entertaining way to cover all the basics and bases. A tuned antenna, premade coax sized for the length of the run and proper grounding go a long way in the quest of many fars. Where can I buy a branded Fars-O-Meter? Are there other products in the Fars line?
Thanks for the great video I didn't realize how much power you lose in the coax cable. I'm using cheap cable and will now upgrade my coax.
Just to show why Randy has chosen LMR-400 cable here is a list of all the popular types in use by the hobby radio community
RG-58 loss is 11.2 dB at 400 MHz per 100 feet of cable
RG-58/U loss is 10.6 dB at 450 MHz per 100 feet of cable
RX-8X loss is 8.6 dB at 450 MHz per 100 feet of cable
RG-8 (RG-213) 4.8 dB at 400 MHz per 100 feet of cable
9913 loss is 2.8 dB at 450 MHz per 100 feet of cable
LMR-400 loss is 2.7 dB at 450 MHz per 100 feet of cable
So, in round numbers, If you have a 50 Watt radio using 100 feet of LMR-400 then only 25 Watts is getting to your antenna (3 dB loss).
If you use the cheap stuff (RG-58) then only 5 Watts is getting to your antenna (10 dB loss).
Also don't forget that this loss also works on receive so your radio will not hear as well (less sensitive)
@@craigdavidson2977 Yes, this is a good reason to keep antenna cables as short as practicable.
Good video! Now I know what size power supply you need for a 50 watt radio.
Good video🇺🇸
A base station sounds fun. Plus the extra range would be great. Is there a way to make a base station into a repeater just using one radio? Probably not, but can't hurt to ask. Thanks Randy. Great channel sir..
Tim..
One cool thing about the Wouxon KG1000G is that you can remote the head display up to 16ft from the main radio body. Gotta get the SCO-002 cable. Im thinking about buying the KG1000G and power supply to mount in a cooled enclosure in my attic mechanical room for a shorter coax run to the roof peak. Then mount the display in the mancave directly below the mechanical room.
How difficult would it be for us to make our own longer cable. Are the connectors easy to get or are the some type that is strange and hard to find. Then the question becomes: how long of a cable can we use.
@@craigdavidson2977 just get cat cable and 2 male ethernet plug and the apropiate tool bam there`s ur cable EDIT: Some radios may use special layouts!
@@gamingforlive2150 and you can get all that at home depot fairly inexpensively
@@hitekredneck109 well maybe? 😅 Im german so ive never benn to home depo, wallmart micro centre ir anything like it
Yass! Needed this.
Wow, roughly $1k to setup a GMRS base to push up to 50W! I had no idea and appreciate the great video - Thank you
You can spend as little as $400 for a small setup. I just got a Wouxun 20 watt mobile for $110, I am using an MFJ discone because I don't have anything better currently which cost about $120 (get an actual UHF antenna though like the Tram he mentioned)
RG58 coax 50 foot, $50
Power supply for radio about $100.
Boom, working 20 watt base station. If you drop another $100-150 you can get a 40 or 50 watt radio
Great video, thanks! If I wanted to have multiple basestations in the house, can I connect them all to the same antenna?
You are a legend
I knew it! 😂👍🏼
“Some people are generally idiots, morons, dolts, trolls, or basement dwellers AKA “know it all’s”. They never go outside but they always try to impress us with how smart they think they are.”
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Love it!!! I hate going on some message boards and videos because I get this exact thing. Some snarky unhelpful answers that don’t help me or anyone at all. Thank you sir for all your help and videos you post. I am a new subscriber but I have be eating up all your content. Love it!
I happen to use the Ed Fong GMRS monoband base antenna for my current setup it is mounted on a mast. It was 1.1 to 1 with the LMR-400 coax I used.
You could also make your own ground plane antenna. It's VERY easy to do. Search youtube for GMRS ground plane antenna.
@@Tommyr Lets see if this link does not get deleted by our youtube overloards and masters.
th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=how+to+build+your+own+ufh+quarterwave+antenna
Mais uma vez muito obrigado.
Ajuda muito.
Thank You, You always make me laugh with the Quote Unquote... Have a good one
Hi Randy , I sent Retevis RB86 Mobile GMRS a comment about the radio , after they fix it that may be my base station/ moble go to. I just got the Baofang waterproof radio today thanks
I would love to see you review the Ed Fong GMRS J-pole Antenna. ;)
My MXT275 failed within 2 hours of its first use, VSWR was 1.2:1, and something in the main unit failed. Midland is sending a replacement. I chose a 1/2~ fiberglass GMRS antenna mounted on the ladder of my RV with a 10' 1 1/2" PVC pipe and LMR-400 coax. The range was about 30 miles simplex up into the foothills with 15 watts. I look forward to trying the base station with a 50-watt radio next.
Hey! I love your videos and appreciate you sharing all the info! I have a question: My oldest daughter is in a university about 200 hundred miles from our home. I am giving her a Baofeng UV-5R radio to keep at her dorm and I want to build a home radio that can reach those distances clearly (Urban Environment). Can you give a recommendation and or exact list of what I'll need to accomplish that? Thank you so much in advance! Cheers!
Hey randy great content I have the midland 575 and I ordered the midland mobile antenna and will be getting the same base antenna
Do you know anything about the Overlander antenna I have be considering getting one for my 18 ft travel trailer thankyou in advance
That T-Shirt is f**king LEGIT.
I just got a UV9G with your affiliate link and it should be arriving soon, thanks for the work you do and the comedy man, it’s great. I’m up in the 805, do you think I could xmit to SoCal? I’d like to try, just got my license.
Thanks!
Thank YOU!
Comet CA-712EFC Commercial/GMRS UHF Base Vertical Antennas. Tuned to 460-470 mhz. They also make some that are up to 16’ in length that are sectional.
For a low cost power supply option, there are sub $20 12v supplies meant for use in arcade machines, which will put out duty power all day long, meant for computer boards so it's clean power. These power supplies have output adjustments so you could bump it to 13.8v if you really want to. But the main thing is, they put out clean 12v for cheap. You will know you have the right one when all you see is a bare metal box. You have to add the 120v input cord and 12v output via screw terminals. I use one of these with my mobile/base sad ham radio and also for a CB. Works great.
Do you have a brand/model number handy? That’s an interesting tip.
Exactly! Thanks for someone speaking up and checking in
I have used oneac
I have used old PC power supplies and modified UPS-es for cheap power supplies. Bonus with a UPS is the battery inside that will allow you to "play radio" if the power goes out.
How much current can those power supplies provide?
Any chance you recall what trim spec off the Tram chart you trimmed your antenna to??? I found a few folks that used the "464" trim spec.......
Thanks in advance
Great channel!
Thank you for the informative and most helpful on-topic visual aids! I feel empowered!
Stupid question: In setting up a GMRS antenna, can that same antenna be used for certain Ham bands? If so, which ones? How best to go about obtaining the most "universatility" out of a single investment?
No, it would have to be re-tuned for the section of the 440 (70cm) band you want to use.
I use my ham antenna on GMRS but the SWR isn't optimal. Not horrible but I wouldn't push 50w through it.
Have you heard of & could you review the Ed Fong GMRS base station antenna? No ground plane needed, lives in a 3.5 foot length of PVC pipe. He makes one specifically for GMRS rated up to 50 watts.
Thanks for the info. With a base station I could talk more farz.
Comet 712EFC (if you can find it) is GMRS specific base antenna. No cutting or tuning required. Many reports of perfect SWR straight out of package or below 1.5 SWR.
i am in a valley with hills around 150 ft high. can i use a smaller antenna on the house and put a baofeng repeater set up on the surrounding hill ( still my property) to get out of this dish i am in? if so... what should that set up look like in order to maximize a 50 watt station? thanks .. love your vids and t shirts btw :).... dave
The Comet GP-6NC GMRS/FRS Commercial is tuned for 153-157 MHz and 460-470.
Can you run the power service for the base station continuously or only turn on as needed? Also, do you need to tune the antenna on a gmrs repeater? Thank you for your help.
I have been rocking a (🐷 station) Betty Crocker, mag mount for years. They work good, and don't need all that extra heavy wire, mast, grounding, etc. You just gotta be careful, about all your other home electronics vs. power usage! 50 watts can blow up other wifi and bluetooth receivers, if mounted to close by. (I cooked a DVD player, beneath my antenna, one day!)
Another excellent video. I have two questions as a newbie: 1. in a prior video you explained how my regular FCC GMRS license is not sufficient for the 25 watt handheld you were evaluating and that you need a commercial or business (I can't recall which one) license. Why don't you need such a license to use a 50 watt radio in your car? ...or do you?? 2. Can you use a powerful handheld (ex: 25 watt) as your base station radio without getting the extra license? If so, why is that okay while it isn't okay to use it for a mobile radio? This licensing thing really confuses me. Since I've been watching your channel I did procure a GMRS license (unfortunately, I paid for it before the FCC reduced the price). Thanks for your videos.
1) You need a license for a 50W radio in your car - either a GMRS license or a ham license or an business license, depending on your radio
2) The license depends on the radio - GMRS, HAM or "LMR" which is the other type you mentioned, which requires a business license.
Interesting slideshow of pictures there 😂 surprised to see chainsaw man, I had to remember what I was watching hahah
So the RF signal attenuation is the issue?? Or is it the RF leakage at points along the coax? I still have some good connectors from when I was a broadband tech . A big issue with coax and leakage was with bad connections and the metal stranded insulation of the wire not bonded with the connector. Allowed the metal of the insulation to turn into an antenna for ingress/egress. Sounds like you use nice wire and connectors installed. Another thing that was an issue, is that some wires that were already in the walls, had a resistance “rating” that didn’t match our 75 ohm system. Thanks for the videos I’m going to build one soon! I’ll report back and possibly test for leakage at the connections!
Randy, what can you tell me about the FCC telling me there are some frequencies I can't use because I am near the Canadian border when I applied for my license ? Thanks
Do you have a link to your lightening arrestor device?
What’s you thoughts on the Ed fong antenna?
Thanks for the info Randy. Coincidentally, I just received an email from BTECH about their new power supplies. Their RPS-30PRO for $149 looks very interesting. Do any of you techies have opinions on it?
I got that email as well, maybe Randy will test and review those.
I understand ED Fong, out there in California, makes and sells great J Pole base antennas, tuned to GMRS, for $55.00.
Can you use a repeater setup like the one you have as a base station?
Comet makes a fantastic GMRS antenna, no tuning required, GP-9NC. Pre tuned for 460-470MHz. 16.6 FT Tall, has 11.9dBi. I have one and it works great.
I have a friend that has that antenna, but it was not pre-tuned. It works very well but its kinda big!
@@TheNotaRubicon But we like big and so do the ladies.....Just Say'in. That is a lot of gain. Up high, it would have a hell of a lot of simplex range. It might even hit Randy's 69 mile away repeater from Iowa.....lol
@@TheNotaRubicon Yes very tall and I can't hide, they have a dual band version for Ham GP-9, I have that one too, the GP-9NC is the tuned one, it was originally made for commercial frequencies, that are now allocated for GMRS.
KINDA ain't the word 🤣
Can you use a J pole mounted on the roof, or what's the best??
He was dead on about signal attenuation through coax. The longer it is, the more signal will bleed off and you have a weak transmission. Recommend getting a coaxial attenuator to prevent bleed off and overly strong signal strength. I'd like to find out what wind rating his antenna setup has. I live on the coast and during strong storms we get high winds coming off the water which makes antenna placement important.
Just received my Tram 1486 today and other than the cutting chart which has 3 columns which I don't know which column to use. Mine didn't come with any instructions so I don't have much to go on. Should it have had instructions?