WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

Kind of an open-ended question so apologies for the vagueness;

What is the best way to determine the "performance" of my radio? I've just picked up a second hand GME TX3520 and a 60cm antenna to go with it. I've mounted it behind the car on the towball so I realise that's going to affect transmissions in basically a 180 degree radius toward the front of the car.

I know I can TX/RX (have a handheld motorola that I can hear/TX clearly on) but whenever I've tried to get onto a repeater (for example CH8 in Perth), I don't seem to be able to get over a lot of people, even though I am 1KM from where the repeater is located. People in Fremantle and Darlington are able to step over me pretty easily.

Any ideas?

Cheers

If you give a quick blip on ch8 with no one else using it does it give you a few seconds of blank noise?

I've not actually tried that. I'll go for a drive now around the city and see what kind of performance I get now that it's quiet.