Baofeng Frequency hopping "Step"

[JohnyMac]

I just set up a repeater on my Baofeng UV-B5 radio. Does anybody have a clue what a frequency "step" is and how do I decide what the correct one is for 145.430 Mhz? I have looked on the interwiz and there really isn't anything.

Thanks

[Erick]

I have no clue but I think I know a guy or two who might.
I will send them a link to this thread.

No promises though 

[JohnyMac]

Thx Erick.

[Kbop]

just in case,

step usually refers to the frequency step size - in Hz or KHz.  if you are stepping through a channelized band plan - like CB or FMRS or even commercial FM.  you can program the step so you hit each channel center frequency.

in a duplex setup like most repeaters use, it can refer to the offset of the RX and TX frequencies.

in this case, i think they are referencing the downlink and uplink frequencies - receive and transmit.

check page 16 on the link.  (if you don't have the manual).

www.miklor.com/UVB5/UVB5-Manuals.html

[Erick]

First answer from one of my buddies:
"
Simple answer from this thread:  http://forums.radioreference.com/industry-discussion/264196-frequency-step-settings.html
 
Frequency (or tuning) steps (2.5, 5, 10, 15, etc) is the increment that the radio tunes when you tune the VFO dial. If you have 5 kHz steps and your VFO is set at 145.000 MHz, when you turn the dial it will go to 145.005, then 145.010, etc. If you had 20 kHz steps then tuning dial would change from 145.000 MHz to 145.020, then 145.040, etc
 
From Section 7.5 - http://codegreenprep.com/2013/04/tips-on-how-to-best-configure-and-use-your-baofeng-uv-5r/
 
If you wish to scan a block of frequencies (and remembering that these radios are not at their best as scanners due to slow scanning speed and lack of sophisticated scanning features) you should consider what frequency step setting you have.  The radios can be set to move from as little as 2.5 kHz up to as much as 25 kHz for each step while scanning and tuning.
If you set it to 25 kHz and a sophisticated opponent is using nonstandard frequencies for his own radio communications, you might skip right past his frequencies and never detect them.
For this type of purpose, it is better to set the frequency step low."

[JohnyMac]

@ Kbop, thx man...I have programmed in the off set at -.600Mhz

@ Erick, I think you buddy is correct the step is nothing more than the numeric value by which you adjust the frequency. 145.430 at 5K means you adjust via 5K increments.

Thx gents.

On another note: I can listen to the repeater all day long which is about 30 miles away but I can not access it. I have set up my radio to offset -.600 Mhz and put in the beacon code of 77. I am at 1,400 feet and the repeater is at 2,600 ft. I am using a Dipole antenna tuned for 146.000 Mhz and the repeater broadcast at 145.430 and I send at 144.830

I am using a Baofeng UV B5 set at wide and High power (5 watts).

Anybody have a clue as to what I may be doing wrong.

[pkveazey]

Make sure the PL tone is correct and make sure you programmed the radio to Transmit the tone. If you are going to use a dipole, make sure it is vertically polarized and not stretched out horizontally. There is a 20 db signal reduction when a vertical talks to a horizontal .

[Kbop]

good point on the polarization pkveazey.

JM can you check the TX & RX freqs?  you are in the 2M band but your offset doesn't seem to be 600 KHz.

[JohnyMac]

Sorry folks but this is an old post.

I have been using the 2 meter band with my Baofeng to hit local repeaters without a hitch since the end of June this year.

Been using a Moxon antenna with it and I can easily ping a repeater 30 miles away using only 5 watts.

I have since augmented the moxon with a 1/4 wave ground 2 meter antenna which is on the roof. I hooked up a 35 watt map to that antenna (5w in 35w out) and have no problems pinging repeaters as far east as Albany and far north as Ithaca, NY. Some of the NY repeaters are connected which is nice to so if I ping a local NY repeater I can go as far north as Rochester.

Thx for your help pkveazey and Kbop!