Btech 50x1 & V1 GMRS Frequencies not connecting

[California Overland]

Hello all,

So I recently purchased and installed a Btech GMRS 50X1 in my rig and have a GMRS V1 for handheld. I have the correct USB cables and successfully used CHIRP to download the FRS and GMRS frequencies into both units. (Looking back I should have just kept the frequencies that came preprogrammed, but I digress)

I have the 50x1 connected to an NMO antennae and the V1 is using the stock antennae.

I can connect on all 22 FRS channels but as soon as I switch to the first GMRS channel, CH.9, I can't connect.. at all. None of the GMRS channels will connect. If I key one of the units I'll get a static hit on the other unit but I can't talk into either one on the GMRS channels.

Anyone have thoughts on my predicament? What should I do?

 

[Ubiety]

Not familiar with those radios (or GMRS really) but maybe your programming has the shift/offset incorrect? I remember years ago programming a modded Kenwood to talk on GMRS and I had to get all of those persnickety values just right. Exactly the same chirp settings/config to both radios? Can you get/try the original config from the internet? Any sort of "encryption" on these radios? The Garmin Rino has a scramble mode that yields static on the other end.

 

[California Overland]

Not familiar with those radios (or GMRS really) but maybe your programming has the shift/offset incorrect? I remember years ago programming a modded Kenwood to talk on GMRS and I had to get all of those persnickety values just right. Exactly the same chirp settings/config to both radios? Can you get/try the original config from the internet? Any sort of "encryption" on these radios? The Garmin Rino has a scramble mode that yields static on the other end.

I will go back and use CHIRP to delete the current configs and then reload the FRS and GMRS freqs.

As I type this I am able to pick up a conversation on GMRS 9, but I can't connect. Maybe they're using a PL code, I don't know. But I still can't connect my two units on an open GMRS freq, like GMRS 10 or other. I could connect on GMRS the other day before I put CHIRP on the 50x1 but not now. So frustrating.

 

[Downs]

FRS and GMRS frequencies are the same. Have been since 2017. Only differences are in power and bandwidth requirements. Reload the stock configurations in both radios and go again. As far as I know those two radios shouldn't even be reprogram-able with exception of CTCSS and DCS codes and adding non usable memories past the 30 preprogramed frequencies and repeater pairs. Can you post a screenshot of your CHIRP configuration?

Since these are GMRS radios they are preprogrammed with the proper GMRS settings for each channel.

 

[California Overland]

Appreciate the

FRS and GMRS frequencies are the same. Have been since 2017. Only differences are in power and bandwidth requirements. Reload the stock configurations in both radios and go again. As far as I know those two radios shouldn't even be reprogram-able with exception of CTCSS and DCS codes and adding non usable memories past the 30 preprogramed frequencies and repeater pairs. Can you post a screenshot of your CHIRP configuration?

Since these are GMRS radios they are preprogrammed with the proper GMRS settings for each channel.

Appreciate the response. I took photos of the CHIRP configs for both the 50x1 and V1. Let me know if anything stands out.

 

[Downs]

Youve got them all messed up. The radios wont transmit on anything past channel 30.

Dont pull the "stock config" FRS GMRS drom chirp its still setup for the old pre 2017 rules.

Reset to the stock image. Did you save the original image/configuration before changing it?

 

[California Overland]

Youve got them all messed up. The radios wont transmit on anything past channel 30.

Dont pull the "stock config" FRS GMRS drom chirp its still setup for the old pre 2017 rules.

Reset to the stock image. Did you save the original image/configuration before changing it?

Thanks for your input. So, these configs are from tech support at MyGMRS.com. I didn't even do these as entered.

I did not save the stock image. Guess I screwed the pooch on that one. But there's got to be a stock download somewhere, right?

If I were to delete some channels to get to 30 total would I theoretically be able to transmit on GMRS channels?

 

[Downs]

Ok I see your post over there now.

Hold on let me pull my stock config for my BTECH V1, you should be able to make it work with your 50x1 as well.

 

[Downs]

I removed my custom tags but left "OVLND" on channel 15 which is the OLB GMRS channel and left the travel tones on the repeater pairs. 23-30 are repeater channels as originally setup you won't use those for simplex.

Do not just try to upload this straight to your radios. Re-download the images from each radio and then copy the data from my attached image file to your individual radio images. Then write to the radio.

 

[Downs]

Now what you can change on these GMRS radios.

1)channel names up to 8 characters I think.
2)ctcss or dcs tones
3)you can add channels past 30 but all it will let you do is listen you can't transmit on those channels. What I use it for as as kind of a "phonebook" so I have a reference for other GMRS repeater tones that I can program in on the main 30 channels.

Oh I forgot I left the weather channels in the images I posted above. again you can't transmit on them but they're useful to have on there. I programmed them to be skipped during scanning.

 

[California Overland]

I removed my custom tags but left "OVLND" on channel 15 which is the OLB GMRS channel and left the travel tones on the repeater pairs. 23-30 are repeater channels as originally setup you won't use those for simplex.

Do not just try to upload this straight to your radios. Re-download the images from each radio and then copy the data from my attached image file to your individual radio images. Then write to the radio.

You're awesome. Thank you.

So just to clarify, so I don't screw this up further, I'm going to start up chirp, connect my V1, save the current image, then remove it, then import your image into chirp and then upload that image to my radio?

 

[Downs]

Download your image file. Copy my data from my channel table into your image. Select all the rows and copy then go to your image and paste. Then upload your image back into the radio with the new data in it

 

[California Overland]

Download your image file. Copy my data from my channel table into your image. Select all the rows and copy then go to your image and paste. Then upload your image back into the radio with the new data in it

Hallelujah, that worked! Both connected on all GMRS channels. I can't thank you enough! Come out to California and drinks are on me!

I have some more clarification questions since the manuals don't lay this out, and you're obviously knowledgeable.

1. I'll mainly be using the V1 for spotting or convoy use, so I'm not really worried about the preprogrammed low power settings on the GMRS channels. But the 50X1 mobile unit does have L-M-H power settings with a max of 50w. At what point can I/ should I use higher power in the non- repeater channels? I'm sure there's many reasons.

2. I see on your repeater channels that R/T-CTCS is being used and the Hz are already programmed. Let's say I want to hit a local repeater that's on a different frequency and using DTCS instead of CTCS. Do I simply go into a repeater channel, say channel 22, and change the frequency, PL tones, and set the duplex to +/-? Or should I use CHIRP to preprogram repeaters? I guess both would work?

3. If the convoy or family is further away or if the repeater is a distance away would I just toggle the power to medium or high to have greater broadcasting ability? Even though the GMRS channels are preprogrammed to Low I should be able to toggle to more power if needed?

Sorry for all these newb questions but... I'm a radio newb. And thanks again for all your help.

 

[Ubiety]

About power, as little as possible. Have heard that will reduce wear/tear on radio but will definitely lower "RF pollution". Get out on the trail/road and start with low power (on the powerful mobile) and you will figure it out. Re-reading your original post I think your mobile has an external antenna and the handheld a stock attached antenna? External antenna is going to be much better than a handheld's and likely you can use less power and be heard farther with the mobile's external antenna. When mobile/driving with a group its nice to have a powerful radio with good antenna near the middle/rear. External antenna will pick others better and ability to bump the power might mean keeping the group together if spread out, broken down, etc.

Congratulations!

 

[Downs]

Hallelujah, that worked! Both connected on all GMRS channels. I can't thank you enough! Come out to California and drinks are on me!

I have some more clarification questions since the manuals don't lay this out, and you're obviously knowledgeable.

1. I'll mainly be using the V1 for spotting or convoy use, so I'm not really worried about the preprogrammed low power settings on the GMRS channels. But the 50X1 mobile unit does have L-M-H power settings with a max of 50w. At what point can I/ should I use higher power in the non- repeater channels? I'm sure there's many reasons.

Good practice is to run at the lowest power you can get away with and still make a good signal out. This keeps you from polluting the airwaves too much and keeps internal temps on your radio lower. Running it on high power all the time can cause internal failures especially if you exceed the duty cycle on the radio with talking a lot.

2. I see on your repeater channels that R/T-CTCS is being used and the Hz are already programmed. Let's say I want to hit a local repeater that's on a different frequency and using DTCS instead of CTCS. Do I simply go into a repeater channel, say channel 22, and change the frequency, PL tones, and set the duplex to +/-? Or should I use CHIRP to preprogram repeaters? I guess both would work?

Don't mess with the frequency you shouldn't be able to change it anyway. Push menu and go into the ctcss setting and set it to "off" then go to your DTCS settings and change it to whateveryou need to. YOu can change CTCSS tones as well same way. You won't have to mess with the +/- offset again you shouldn't even beable to change this setting and it all GMRS repeater channels are + offest anyway

3. If the convoy or family is further away or if the repeater is a distance away would I just toggle the power to medium or high to have greater broadcasting ability? Even though the GMRS channels are preprogrammed to Low I should be able to toggle to more power if needed?

Sorry for all these newb questions but... I'm a radio newb. And thanks again for all your help.

Yes, but keep in mind UHF is very much a line of sight band. Many times bumping up to higher power won't make a big difference but yes if you are having some issues getting into a repeater or talking simplex you can bump up the power. Keep in mind that the radios will be preprogramed to what they're restricted to so you'll only get the 50 watts on 15-22 and the repeater pairs, 5 watts on 1-7 and 0.5 watts on 8-14.

 

[California Overland]

About power, as little as possible. Have heard that will reduce wear/tear on radio but will definitely lower "RF pollution". Get out on the trail/road and start with low power (on the powerful mobile) and you will figure it out. Re-reading your original post I think your mobile has an external antenna and the handheld a stock attached antenna? External antenna is going to be much better than a handheld's and likely you can use less power and be heard farther with the mobile's external antenna. When mobile/driving with a group its nice to have a powerful radio with good antenna near the middle/rear. External antenna will pick others better and ability to bump the power might mean keeping the group together if spread out, broken down, etc.

Congratulations!

Good info, thanks.

Yes, I purchased a Comet CA-2X4SR(NMO) antennae. Amazon.com: CA-2X4SRNMO CA2X4SRNMO CA-2X4SR(NMO) CA2XSR(NMO) Original Comet Dual Band VHF/UHF Mobile Antenna W/Fold-Over Hinge NMO Connector 140-160/435-465 MHz
However, I'm realizing that the antennae possibly won't capture the full range of GMRS frequencies, even though the listing states that it handles GMRS frequencies. Apparently it tops out at 465mhz so, I'm assuming, that means the 467mhz GMRS freqs won't be picked up by this antennae?

My whole reasoning for going with the 50w radio and this antennae was to have the most coverage available and to hit repeaters if necessary since we get deep into the backcountry sometimes, without getting my technicians license. At this point... I'm thinking I should have just gone HAM.

 

[California Overland]

Good practice is to run at the lowest power you can get away with and still make a good signal out. This keeps you from polluting the airwaves too much and keeps internal temps on your radio lower. Running it on high power all the time can cause internal failures especially if you exceed the duty cycle on the radio with talking a lot.



Don't mess with the frequency you shouldn't be able to change it anyway. Push menu and go into the ctcss setting and set it to "off" then go to your DTCS settings and change it to whateveryou need to. YOu can change CTCSS tones as well same way. You won't have to mess with the +/- offset again you shouldn't even beable to change this setting and it all GMRS repeater channels are + offest anyway



Yes, but keep in mind UHF is very much a line of sight band. Many times bumping up to higher power won't make a big difference but yes if you are having some issues getting into a repeater or talking simplex you can bump up the power. Keep in mind that the radios will be preprogramed to what they're restricted to so you'll only get the 50 watts on 15-22 and the repeater pairs, 5 watts on 1-7 and 0.5 watts on 8-14.

Again, thank you for this valuable information. Good stuff I didn't know.

 

[M Rose]

...My whole reasoning for going with the 50w radio and this antennae was to have the most coverage available and to hit repeaters if necessary since we get deep into the backcountry sometimes, without getting my technicians license. At this point... I'm thinking I should have just gone HAM.

I was in the same boat for many months.... GRMS, HAM.. HAM, GRMS... back and forth back and forth... two things stuck with me as I did my research... 1, GRMS repeaters are few and far between here. 2, the way repeater systems work that unless you are on digital your signal only bounces so many times before it drops...

 

[California Overland]

I was in the same boat for many months.... GRMS, HAM.. HAM, GRMS... back and forth back and forth... two things stuck with me as I did my research... 1, GRMS repeaters are few and far between here. 2, the way repeater systems work that unless you are on digital your signal only bounces so many times before it drops...

There are an ok amount of GMRS repeaters in California, most are unlisted and good luck contacting the owner for PL tones.

Are HAM's, by their nature, digital?

 

[Downs]

Different antennas do different things, longer is not always better. That antenna you bought will work fine. That frequency range is what its tuned for. It doesnt just stop working outside of it.

Honestly for GMRS 6 inch quarter wave antenna would work just fine and a 12 inch half wave would work great as well. One of my favorites for trail use is a little 6 inch quarter wave from PCTEL. Cost all of 9 dollars from the antenna farm.

Don't look for antennas marketed for GMRS look for antennas marketed for the UHF Business band. GMRS is right in the business band.

Heres a good graphic talking about antenna wave length/dBi gain.