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It is just a out the nicest day here.

Sounds like a great time t get a new act. This one is getting old.

Buying some antenna stuff. Got the Diamond NR240CA wide band antenna just to screw around with. Picked up the optional spring lower section for the Comet CA-2x4SR wide band antenna. Finally got the super flex dual band antenna with the BNC connector to use with the HT SMA/BNC adapters.

I don't have to worry about that too much around here. The GMRS airwaves are mostly silent and sometimes you can hear the FRS HTs when you are driving around in the mobile. None of them follow any etiquette. Likely unlicensed. We have 2 major repeaters and a minor repeater in the area. One major is much more active than the other and the minor and less active major are on the same frequency but different tones. My repeater is on the same frequency as another inactive repeater. I accidentally found their tone because it was one above mine and sometimes when I keyed up my base that repeater would activate. I chose that frequency because of it's inactivity and noise level. Lots of DMR crap in the area on all the frequenies. It's a plague to analog.

This is just part of the flea market area. Sitting in the grand stand area taking a break.

Okay that is all good, you sound like a good person. Picking the same tone would be like picking the same lane space on a road. Sometimes there is traffic but we all should make room for each other (even when others may not). Not if you check to make sure the frequency is clear first, then merge.

The issue is that all of the pairs around here are jammed up with "private" repeaters (most of which are mostly silent). Simplex is full of farm worker traffic in Spanish or Punjabi. Of course, they never use call signs or follow any rules in any way. I suppose I could poke around and find a pair and tone that isn't already "claimed". But if you are close enough, you can hear traffic regardless of tone. Would I then be "interfering"?

I guess my car metaphor really resonated with ya'all.

Of course not. I have been driving for nearly 50 years and am about the most courteous driver you will ever meet. I have never been involved in a collision, although I have avoided many because I was paying attention when others weren't. (I don't refer to collisions as "accidents", because 99% of the time, they aren't "accidents") I received my most recent traffic citation in 1981. And I always use my turn signal because it literally requires zero effort and is the courteous thing to do. I extend courtesy to all others on the road, and I expect the same in return. If I am transmitting on a public frequency and tone, being courteous and following the FCC rules, I am doing the right thing and being courteous. And I expect the same in return. Hell, I even hold doors open for people.

I'm running a 30ft flag pole from Home Depot for a mast with a GP-6NC. For a bit more stability it's also anchored to the house. I ordered a telescoping flag pole but they sent me a sleeved sectional (6 5ft 2-1/4" sections) by mistake. Didn't send it back, figured it would be more solid than the telescoping version and by loosening the clamps on the house I can remove or add sections by myself so it wasn't a big deal. I thought I could get away with no guy wires but it seemed to sway a bit more than I would like at 30ft so added some. Dropped it to 10ft or so with the antenna attached and it made it through a direct hit from hurricane Milton.

But why not just setup a repeater on one of the other pairs? Nothing is gained by intentionally running interference (and yes I appreciate that you said you wouldn’t.)

My dad just took one of the paks into a Batteries Plus and they disassembled it, matched the three main cells with new equivalents, and re-soldered up the connectors on the new cells and re-shrinked wrapped them together and made 3 more for all their handsets on that system. I think they charged him like $11/pak.

And if you did that you would be interfering with other transmissions. Along with just not being a good human. Do you go out of your way to cut off other people in traffic just because they do?

No one can do that. You can still use the frequency like you use the road. That’s why the FCC says to make sure you are not interfering with other transmissions.

Sure. But you also aren't entitled to park your personal vehicle across a public road, blocking access to others. You own the vehicle, but you don't own the road.

I suppose I could set up a repeater on the same frequency and tone and then claim it is mine. Of course, I wouldn't do that because I am not a di*k, but I certainly could.

Just because you can find a way to pick the lock and start a car that’s sitting on a public road it doesn’t give you the right to do so. Get your own car and drive the same road all you want, loan it out to neighbors and friends if you want. Feel free to pay for whatever fuel or power source it uses, parking fees and insurance and leave the keys in it with a sign that says free to use. You are not entitled to use someone else’s car without permission because it uses public roads. The GMRS repeater is owned by an individual. It’s his or hers to do with what they want. The FCC rules and common sense back this up. It doesn’t matter if it’s for their own family, or a family farm, or a radio club, or they just let it sit there unused, it’s not yours. Sure it’s nice when people make their repeater open for others to use but it’s a permission given not an entitlement. I find it amazing that this concept is so hard for some people to grasp.

Any day now, Scamazon will be importing their Brand New LoveBot 3000's complete with spermicide !

I have a old Uniden set that needs batteries so I nosed around on the batteriesamerica.com site and found a set ! They have batteries for quite a few different models in the 46/49 mhz. and 902-928 mhz. range.

I would at least try to get the antenna up higher than the house if possible. Not everyone can get antennas higher than trees in the area. There are all kinds of options when it comes to antenna masts. A study flag pole will definitely work as will chainlink fence top rail or 1 5/8" fence posts with couplers. Satellite dish/J mounts also work well. Some j mounts are 1 5/8" diameter and can be extended using couplers and 1 5/8" fence posts. Just remember to properly secure any mast with wall clamps and guy wires/ropes, depending on installation, to keep them from falling. I made a mast from 1 5/8" fence posts for my Comet GP-9. I used j mounts for my Comet CA-712EFC and HF cobweb antenna. I used an eight foot piece of 1 5/8" fence post on the j mount to get the cobweb up a little and it is secured with guy ropes.

About 15% at most. Figure close to 10% but it's all dependent on terrain and weather.

Here is a example of LOS communications that say Kenwood dual band ht have done with a Arrow dual band beam antenna and the HT only pushing 5 watts. ISS ring a bell to anyone, voice and packet. There is some advantages with amatuer that gmrs don't have.

I live near a military base, we used to listen to military aircraft between 220-400 Mhz. Nothing really exciting, mostly air traffic control stuff and an occasional 'target locked' announcement. I think they use LF as well.