Yet to hear a single peep on my Baofeng UV-5R

[mmckenna]

The only problem with that is that K4EET was having a conversation with someone on that repeater, I never heard any of it...

OK,
So like others pointed out:
Using hand held radio indoors can be a problem.
The lower end radios have receivers that easily get overloaded by extraneous external RF noise from consumer electronics or nearby transmitters (cellular, etc).
Make sure your receive side is on carrier squelch (sounds like it is)
Work with MTS2000DES on getting set up on his repeaters to test. An experienced person can probably narrow down the issue quickly and help you resolve it. MTS2000DES is a well respected and well known member, not only on this site, but on other commercial/public safety oriented radio sites. I'd have no problem meeting him for assistance ( and a cold beer/cup of coffee ) if he offered.

 

[PewPewChris]

Quick update...was out in my car running errands in the radio...had the HT with me and on the entire time. I even opened up the squelch fully. Prior to leaving, the CHIRP repeater uploads were:



The highlighted being the one that is supposed to be closest to me. I even drove right near that repeater area and was in the area for 5 - 10 minutes. Nada.

I would imagine, given I can pick up the NOAA frequency both inside/outside my home and I can't pick up anything else, anywhere inside/outside of my house...it's probably a little bit of crap equipment and a lot of user/input error from me.

 

[nd5y]

You need to set Duplex to "off" in CHIRP for anything you don't want to transmit on.

 

[PewPewChris]

You need to set Duplex to "off" in CHIRP for anything you don't want to transmit on.

I'm not pressing the transmit button as I won't be licensed for a few more days. Is that the only reason to turn it off, to prevent an accident transmit?

 

[nd5y]

Is that the only reason to turn it off, to prevent an accident transmit?

Yes. It's how you disable transmit on memory channels.
Depending on the radio firmware it might not transmit outside of 144-148 and 420-450 anyway but it is a way to quickly identify receive only channels in the spreadsheet.

 

[MTS2000des]

Chris, our VHF 147.535 repeater is P25. Did you try programming the 145.47, 146.82 and 146.805? Those are the most ACTIVE analog repeaters in this area, and most of the activity is during drive times but you never know when you may hear traffic. The 5.47 is probably the most active repeater in the metro area. There is a net tonight at 8PM on 145.47. You should be well within RX range of the repeater on a properly functioning subscriber radio.

I got your PM, and if you listen to 145.47 around drive time (4-5), you'll hear myself and others on there.

 

[PewPewChris]

Chris, our VHF 147.535 repeater is P25. Did you try programming the 145.47, 146.82 and 146.805? Those are the most ACTIVE analog repeaters in this area, and most of the activity is during drive times but you never know when you may hear traffic. The 5.47 is probably the most active repeater in the metro area. There is a net tonight at 8PM on 145.47. You should be well within RX range of the repeater on a properly functioning subscriber radio.

I got your PM, and if you listen to 145.47 around drive time (4-5), you'll hear myself and others on there.

This is a very green question, but I just want to make sure I'm reading things correctly. When operators use a frequency number of 147.535...and then reference 145.47 or 146.82, etc...you are just leaving off the extra "0" that will be keyed in? Yes, that is how green I am...the one thing I can tell already in my brief dive into this...you better learn acronyms and other "lingo" if you want to play lol

 

[PewPewChris]

Pulling them from the online query system in CHIRP, I added these...are these accurate?

 

[MTS2000des]

Yes, leaving off the zero. As I said in PM, I have a Yaesu FT-252 which is a basic 2m HT but a VERY SIMPLE one and it's already programmed with active repeaters. It is yours for free with no expectation of any compensation, just pass it onto another new ham when the opportunity arises. It is also miles above a Bowelfeng performance wise as it is a dedicated 2 meter radio with fast memory and band scan, pretty basic rig but easy to program with no PC required as the manual is in good English and Yaesu radios and menus are consistent throughout their product line from the sub $100 HT to the FT-991A.

 

[PewPewChris]

Just an FYI, I was just outside in my backyard...I was getting signal and listening to a conversation on the suggested frequency above of 145.47...I may have been a little over-zealous in thinking I would just click on a repeater and there would be tons of activity, 24/7. So hit that first one...thank you for the insight thus far. Headed to our youngest boys community theatre opening night of "Newsie's".

Have a good evening sir

 

[MTS2000des]

Activity is sporadic, it's not just here it's everywhere. Don't get discouraged. Some days it will seem like some folks will never stop talking. Activity waxes and wanes. During early summer it is usually dead as people go away for vacations, out of school spending time with kids, etc.
You'll find during some days the activity will be limited to a couple of folks at certain times of day.

 

[AK9R]

Pulling them from the online query system in CHIRP, I added these...are these accurate?

I would have set the Tone column to blank or carrier (I'm not familiar with CHIRP)?

 

[nd5y]

If you want to remove all tones and set the memory to CSQ then you set the Tone Mode column to blank. That should be the empty top item in the drop-down list.
When you do that it resets the TX and RX PL and DCS to the default values of 88.5 and 023 even though they are not displayed.

 

[w2xq]

Specifically, the Find a Club search tool is here: Search for ARRL Affiliated Clubs

I went looking for that link but my login for the site apparently has blown up or the ARRL changed something. I couldn't get in (I am a Life Member). I haven't had the patience to figure it out as I get the weekly emails. <sigh>

 

[AK9R]

You don't have to be logged in for that link to work or to find that link.

The "Find a Club" link is on the right side of the home page under the "New to ARRL > Learn more about" heading.

 

[clintb2]

You might find what you want to know here, Atlanta Radio Club - Home

Clint

 

[PewPewChris]

Update...base station in motion...did about 30 minutes of random callouts and testing on my base station setup. I've got the mast up, but I can get another 4 or 5 feet out of it...right now the tip of my vertical antenna is about a foot above the bottom of the roof line (I realize, not ideal).

I'm basically going thru as many repeaters as I can in a 30ish mile radius and seeing if I can get callbacks. I've hit 2 or 3 thus far...thanks for anyone that responded (I don't have my pad up here to remember any call-signs). I plan to do that and then raise the antenna up a few more feet and make the rounds again.

I'd put it up all the way out the gate, but I'm trying to stay as "hidden" as possible the HOA snoops. I already have it setup where I can at least get it down to this level with the turn of a knob, so that's somewhat helpful in keeping it on the DL.

As a noob I'm quickly learning, in the UHF/VHF world, it's all about height and almost just as importantly, power...without that power, you can hear a strong signal all day, but you aren't going to connect at all.

 

[MTS2000des]

You'll find repeater activity sporadic around here during the days, with most activity afternoon/drive time and nets on weeknights, the biggest one is the Southeastern Linked Repeater Net which is on dozens of repeaters, it's on Wednesday nights at 9PM, and a good test to see what you can hear/get into from your location:

Southeastern Linked Repeater Net

The Southeastern Linked Repeater Net is called each Wednesday night at 9:00 PM eastern time.

www.selinkedrepeater.net

 

[PewPewChris]

You'll find repeater activity sporadic around here during the days, with most activity afternoon/drive time and nets on weeknights, the biggest one is the Southeastern Linked Repeater Net which is on dozens of repeaters, it's on Wednesday nights at 9PM, and a good test to see what you can hear/get into from your location:

Southeastern Linked Repeater Net

The Southeastern Linked Repeater Net is called each Wednesday night at 9:00 PM eastern time.

www.selinkedrepeater.net

I'll have to give Wednesday night a whirl. I've got 6 people in my house for the next few months with the oldest having just graduated college...so finding some quiet time to listen is going to be challenge. I've got the UT-133 module for my ICOM coming in the next few days for that very reason.

 

[PewPewChris]

I got the antenna up above the connection point with the mast and I also got another 4 - 5 feet from that and raising the mast from the support a little more. We shall see once I get a chance to test it once the weather improves. Wednesday night will hopefully be the first actual time to sit down and try to participate in the net.