I haven't bought a new amateur radio in years, so I am behind the times on keeping up with new transceivers. Anyway, I was thinking how common GPS receivers are in tablets, cell phones, etc and I was just wondering if anybody currently makes a single or dual band transceiver, either portable or mobile, that has a built in GPS and the repeater database pre-programmed into it. I was on a road trip this past week and I was thinking how handy it would be while traveling. Say, for example, I switch driving with my wife and I decide I want to try local amateur activity. I have to determine where I am and then look to see what repeaters are near me. Having them pre-programmed, and selected by GPS coordinates, would be helpful. Does anybody make such a radio yet?
Amateur Radios With Built In GPS And Repeater Database
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N5TWB
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Nope, the Kenwood TM-D710G has the GPS functionality but no database. I doubt the database would be valid for any length of time since repeaters regularly go silent, change tone codes, or go digital.
n5ims
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The main problem is once the database is written, it's often out of date. This is mostly due to two issues. First, not all repeaters are coordinated (the most likely method of getting accurate information would be from the frequency coordinators). Second, repeaters change all the time. They go up. They go quiet. They change settings (mostly PL tone settings). Etc. etc. etc.
There are also lots of repeaters changing recently due to the very low cost of those Yaesu Fusion repeaters. While many are set to auto-detect analog/digital operation, many others are set for digital only operation. Without a matching Yaesu digital radio, you may be cut out on those.
At least most ham repeaters use a standard offset so the radios can easily guess what it is with 99+% accuracy. Also, most ham radios can search for the correct PL tone so with a little effort, that can be set correctly as well.
A simple scan can locate an active repeater and with the proper settings you'll know several things. First, the frequency. Second (and possibly the most important) that that frequency has folks listening and talking on it at the time. Third, the PL tone being sent by the repeater (this may not be 100% correct but only a relatively few have different input and output tones configured). Worst case, you may need to wait for the repeater to ID, which often includes what tone(s) are needed. This will generally be more useful than an outdated database that has a dozen repeaters listed for the area but only one (that nobody uses) that still is configured like the database indicates.
There are also lots of repeaters changing recently due to the very low cost of those Yaesu Fusion repeaters. While many are set to auto-detect analog/digital operation, many others are set for digital only operation. Without a matching Yaesu digital radio, you may be cut out on those.
At least most ham repeaters use a standard offset so the radios can easily guess what it is with 99+% accuracy. Also, most ham radios can search for the correct PL tone so with a little effort, that can be set correctly as well.
A simple scan can locate an active repeater and with the proper settings you'll know several things. First, the frequency. Second (and possibly the most important) that that frequency has folks listening and talking on it at the time. Third, the PL tone being sent by the repeater (this may not be 100% correct but only a relatively few have different input and output tones configured). Worst case, you may need to wait for the repeater to ID, which often includes what tone(s) are needed. This will generally be more useful than an outdated database that has a dozen repeaters listed for the area but only one (that nobody uses) that still is configured like the database indicates.
Repeater Book's mobile app is probably your best bet https://www.repeaterbook.com/index.php?state_id=none Not integral, but uses your phone's GPS and a database that is updated. It can control the Yaesu FT-857, FT-817, Icom 7000 and 7100 through bluetooth.
hardt0303
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The Icom ID 5100 is a dual band with GPS, and Repeaters in it. I have one and took a trip from Ohio to Florida, with it and used it the whole way. It's kind of expensive but part of that it is D-Star ready also. The Icom ID 51A is a HT that have the same capabilities which is a little cheaper but still a good radio.
I own both of them and I am very happy with them.
I own both of them and I am very happy with them.
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