"Eric Patterson" wrote in message
ink.net...
Hi all. I will send you an update on the issues I have had accessing
repeaters. Last Wednesday, I took my HT with me to the local amateur
radio
club. When the meeting was over, I had another radio operator check out
my
HT. Here's what we found:
1. The radio is transmitting ok. I was standing in the parking lot while
he was in his vehicle. I was able to use my HT to call him.
2. The repeater shift is ok. I made sure it was set to .6 MHZ for 2
meters. I don't think the problem has anything to do with tones because
the
problem occurs when trying to access open repeaters. Does anyone else
have
any recommendations? Thanks again.



It may be that you are expecting too much trasnmitt range out of the HT.
Make sure the radio is on its highest power output. Then get next to
someone that can access a repeater with his HT and see if you can. Some 2
meter repeaters shift up .6 and some shift down .6 MHz.

If the ground is level or close to it you should be able to talk about 3
miles to a mobile unit on a direct frequency. YOu need to measuer the
output power. If you do not have a meter maybe you can get your hands on a
1/2 watt resistor from about 40 to 60 ohms. Put that on the rig instead of
the antenna. One lead to the center of the BNC connector and the other to
the outer part of the connector. The resistor should get very hot in 20
seconds or less. If it does not get hot then you may have a bad final
stage in the HT.