My 106 seems to be somewhat deaf on FRS/GMRS freqs as compared to a $20 bubblepack radio.
While monitoring a very weak GMRS repeater on the bubblepack, I tried the 106. Nothing heard. Switched to the Diamond RH-77CA antenna. Still nothing, even with the squelch open and blowing noise. No PL/DPL used.
Instead of searching, I tried programming the freqs into a scanlist, using narrowband, and applied the 6db audio boost - still nothing heard - unless I went to my roof.
I tried a Uniden 396XT with a comet HT-55 antenna - and the sensitivity is back. In fact, the bubblepack is just a tad more sensitive than the 396!
I'm surprised by this large difference in sensitivity, and that a $20 frs/grmrs radio with it's 3-inch built-in antenna is doing better. It almost makes me think that there is a built-in attenuation on FRS/GMRS to perhaps protect the front-end of the 106.
I'll have to dig around my UHF stuff other than FRS and see if the sensitivity is down on other uhf bands...
While monitoring a very weak GMRS repeater on the bubblepack, I tried the 106. Nothing heard. Switched to the Diamond RH-77CA antenna. Still nothing, even with the squelch open and blowing noise. No PL/DPL used.
Instead of searching, I tried programming the freqs into a scanlist, using narrowband, and applied the 6db audio boost - still nothing heard - unless I went to my roof.
I tried a Uniden 396XT with a comet HT-55 antenna - and the sensitivity is back. In fact, the bubblepack is just a tad more sensitive than the 396!
I'm surprised by this large difference in sensitivity, and that a $20 frs/grmrs radio with it's 3-inch built-in antenna is doing better. It almost makes me think that there is a built-in attenuation on FRS/GMRS to perhaps protect the front-end of the 106.
I'll have to dig around my UHF stuff other than FRS and see if the sensitivity is down on other uhf bands...