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Bridgecomm's code plug isn't good for much more than connecting to their hotspot. It has no repeater channels but local to them IIRC. Other than as a starting point, it isn't worth anything as virtually the entire plug is copied from places like Brandmeister and RadioID. "

Doesn’t Bridgecom offer a codeplug that is a massive database of interesting frequencies!?

Check this site out Tropospheric Ducting Forecast for VHF & UHF Radio & TV

Sorry, I was just joking around. The FCC recently made clear that linking GMRS stations over the Internet was against the regs.

While I have great nostalgia for 6 meter AM when I was young, my experience here in SoCal is that 6 meters is dead, other than some FM repeaters that duplicate others on 440/220/145

How would I link them?

Do 10 meter SSB and FT8 before it goes dead with the collapsing of the 11 year solar cycle.

A repeater can't "repeat" to another repeater, because the output frequency from one repeater (462) won't match the input frequency (467) of the other repeater. Obviously, they need to be linked.

I specifically purchased the Quansheng UV-K5(8) and flashed the IJV3 firmware so that I now have a 5 watt HT that can communicate with 2 meter SSB for $20. I made a 65 mile QSO with my 5/8ths telescoping antenna.

Now that I have my HAM Tech Lic. I'm thinking of 6M and maybe 10M to start with. I'll DMR later if I feel the need but thanks for all in info and posts here guys.

$1500 on Amazon, my wife would skin me alive then chop me up and bury me in the backyard, LOL. The TK-11(8) looks decent enough to get on 6M to play around until I see if it's worth investing in. Until then I'll play with 2M/1.25M/70cm with the radios I have.

Here's a list of what I've gotten so far. I'm still having trouble with Repeater Off Sets but I think I've got it right. The listed frequency is the RX and you use the Off Set for your TX Frequency, correct? HAM Channels.

When I Upgraded my firmware, it changed the display screen, and, it messed up my unit. I turn it on and always push button 3 to turn on scanning of all channels. Once it starts scanning, it stops on a random channel and locks on the transmit button. The radio sits on transmit until the battery and unit get hot and i can feel it on my belt. I have to click the transmit button to break it loose, the scan starts back up and it doesn't get past 8 channels an does it again. Thought the battery was going to explode it was so hot. Had to take it apart and reach out to tid. Tid says that there is no way to revert to original firmware since I didn't record what version the radio came with. But, they said they will replace the radio. Just waiting to see if that happens..

Would they "work"?: YES Would they "work" the way you want/the way you are wishing they would to extend each other's coverage?: NO

The Yaesu FT-991A is a Favorite among shack in the boxes, and I've had mine for 5 years now and Still love it.

With our state of Readiness in question, and our Russian Agitators I've been listening to the HFGCS for some years now. The High Frequency Global Communications System operates 7 main Nets in the hf spectrum on ; 4724 khz. 6712 khz. 6739 khz. 8992 khz. 11,175 khz. 13,200 khz. and 15,016khz. All on USB. Granted, the cyphered transmissions won't tell you much, but Frequent transmissions in a 24 hour period will alert you to things popping off.

Two advantages of DMR you overlook: 1) point-to-point QSOs 24/7/365 2) the 11 year solar cycle is now heading downward, leaving DMR as a consistent means for international QSOs

I don't need to be told about the law with the FCC please. Would 2 GRMS (RT97L)repeaters work if they where about 4 miles apart and both set on the same frequency like 462.6000 tone 100.0. We are looking to extend our coverage in the dense woods and maybe our range. Thanks for your help.

NOT True, Digital modes such as Dmr, P25, M17, TGIF and C4FM are Alive and kicking Hard ! For example, there are nearly 290,000 Dmr users on the Brandmeister network alone !

I’m not sure if you meant that 6 meters is HF. Although most (all perhaps) HF radios include 6 meters, 6 meters is technically VHF. HF is 3 MHz to 30 MHz VHF is 30 MHz to 300 MHz UHF is 300 MHz to 3000 MHz (3 GHz)

1.25 is useful in and around some cities but not here. For me, it would be a less monitored frequency to use for local comms (like walkie talkie use). The comments I hear about 6m aren't very favorable. Same for 10m except when they get excited over band openings.

The FCC just recently made it officially legal on 11M. I guess it's popularity all depends on equipment availability and any real world advantage it might have over AM/SSB. Some people have no interest in digital on GMRS. That's OK. However there are apparently enough who do that a few threads have commented about the proliferation of digital voice signals in some areas, and it's not even legal! Oh well. The point of digital voice is the ability to have reasonably clear communications out to nearly the limit of the traditional FM UHF signal range. FM can get really ratty and noise polluted at extended ranges. One other reason to use it the digital signals, using the right mode, can fit between the main FM repeater channels with the likely hood of not interfering at higher power levels, unlike the narrow band FM currently allowed at 0.5 watts. In areas with substantial GMRS usage this opens up the service for much better coverage without begging the FCC for more spectrum we're very unlikely to get. GMRS Digital Voice - 20250723.pdf

While it’s still fresh in your mind start going through the General material. It builds on the technician test and adds more technical detail. I really enjoyed the studying experience. Upgrading your license doesn’t require additional money to the FCC.

All of the radios I'm using have 1.25M RX/TX and I have a couple 1.25M Repeaters in my programming list. One radio I'm looking at will do HF with 6M on the standard antenna.

Don't waste your time or money on an HF HH. Bite the bullet for a true HF base or a "shack-in-a-box" radio. General is almost as easy as Tech and it opens almost all the frequencies. Check with a local club before making any purchase, but don't overlook used radios. There are some good deals out there if you know what you want and can be patient. I bought my HF with extras for about $300 less than new. "