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AR15.COM
5/31/2013 3:27:31 PM EDT
My Baofeng UV 5ra came today.  First I am NOT licensed.  I have been doing a bit of studying but not ready to take the test yet.  That said I am obviously not trying to transmit.  I googled around and found a frequency for the one repeater that is supposedly in my town.  I didn't bother with the off set or any other config because I don't want to trasnmit.  I just set it to frequency of the repeater and left it on it's charger.  Been listening for about 3 hours.  Notta.  Am I doing something wrong or is it just quiet in my area? Edit: How do I know I am "connected"?
5/31/2013 3:29:57 PM EDT
[#1]



Quoted:


My Baofeng UV 5ra came today.  First I am NOT licensed.  I have been doing a bit of studying but not ready to take the test yet.  That said I am obviously not trying to transmit.  I googled around and found a frequency for the one repeater that is supposedly in my town.  I didn't bother with the off set or any other config because I don't want to trasnmit.  I just set it to frequency of the repeater and left it on it's charger.  Been listening for about 3 hours.  Notta.  Am I doing something wrong or is it just quiet in my area?
Where is the repeater located in your town?

Are you doing this inside or outside?





 
5/31/2013 3:36:13 PM EDT
[#2]
Quoted:

Quoted:
My Baofeng UV 5ra came today.  First I am NOT licensed.  I have been doing a bit of studying but not ready to take the test yet.  That said I am obviously not trying to transmit.  I googled around and found a frequency for the one repeater that is supposedly in my town.  I didn't bother with the off set or any other config because I don't want to trasnmit.  I just set it to frequency of the repeater and left it on it's charger.  Been listening for about 3 hours.  Notta.  Am I doing something wrong or is it just quiet in my area?
Where is the repeater located in your town?
Are you doing this inside or outside?

 


Mapquest claims it's about 4 miles from my house by car.  The radio is sitting in my house on it's charger.

Edit: I had the wrong intersection, it's about 8 miles from my house.
5/31/2013 4:32:15 PM EDT
[#3]
It is possible you are listening to a seldom used repeater, one that gets very little traffic.

Go find yourself a local club and ask around there. They will tighten you up.

Get licensed MOST riki-tik, though. It's possible the club will have people there that can administer the test, too.
5/31/2013 4:44:09 PM EDT
[#4]
Quoted:
It is possible you are listening to a seldom used repeater, one that gets very little traffic.

Go find yourself a local club and ask around there. They will tighten you up.

Get licensed MOST riki-tik, though. It's possible the club will have people there that can administer the test, too.


Yep studying right now.  How far away should I be able to pickup a repeater?  I ask because even if I turn down the squelch to 1 and put it on scan, I do see the screen turning blue (receiving on this model I think) it stops on the frequency for a few seconds as if it is receiving something but I hear no audio and after a few seconds it goes back to scanning.
5/31/2013 4:59:42 PM EDT
[#5]
Can you hear anything on the NOAA weather frequencies (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz)?

We might be able to find additional repeaters for you if we knew what town you're in...
5/31/2013 5:12:18 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted:
Can you hear anything on the NOAA weather frequencies (162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550 MHz)?

We might be able to find additional repeaters for you if we knew what town you're in...


The only one I got was 162.450, comes in pretty clear, I am in Lowell, IN.

5/31/2013 5:17:46 PM EDT
[#7]
Zip over to the following link:

http://k5ehx.net/repeaters/qrepeater.php

Click on your house in the map, and then select "repeaters covering this location".  You should end up with a pretty good list for your location.
5/31/2013 5:27:41 PM EDT
[#8]
Give this one a whirl also:

http://www.amateur-radio.net/rptr

I came up with the following repeaters within 20 miles:

Merrillville, IN  147.000
Park Forest, IL  223.960
Grant Park, IL  441.300
Merrillville, IN  442.075
Lowell, IN  443.225
5/31/2013 5:44:05 PM EDT
[#9]
Sweet, thanks for the resources and your time!  I will listen on these for a while and see if i pick up anything.
5/31/2013 5:44:33 PM EDT
[#10]
Also:

http://www.ircinc.org/DirByRegByCity.html
5/31/2013 5:55:06 PM EDT
[#11]
Bingo just heard chatter on Merrillville, IN 442.075.  The local one in lowell must just be quiet.  Thanks!!
5/31/2013 6:28:21 PM EDT
[#12]
And here's Illinois:

http://www.ilra.net/DirByRegByCity.html