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I think I will have to program my unit then (still learning how to use it) as the only 467 mhz channels that are pre-programmed are 8-14 which the unit will not transmit on. Will do some more research and report back ! Thanks!

You’re not part of the Gang I was referring to… And, shouldn’t you be making Oklahoma hypocriticals?

You can still check the SWR on repeater channels even without actually connecting to a repeater. And you don't need to worry about tones when testing SWR. Just say your "call sign testing" just in case.

The bigger (i.e., taller) antenna is likely to help. More power is less likely to make much difference. I'd definitely invest in the antenna first.

Ran some channels SWR, is as follows. Was not able to connect to 467 repeater yet, so I will have to figure out how to do that. Channels: 1 - 1.54 2 - 1.55 3 - 1.55 15 - 1.73 16 - 1.73 17 - 1.73 22- 1.73 23 - 1.6

Go back and read what I said. I didn't suggest doing it. I said it's not likely to cause someone else problems so I'm not going to get worked up about it.

Error

I didn't say I'm going to do it. I have said many times that I think it's important to be considerate. I said I don't consider it my job to enforce things that don't affect me. My point was that someone using 5 watts in the middle of a 12,000 acre ranch in Montana isn't going to interfere with someone else.

I would definitely go with a radio that has an IP rating for dust and water. Everything is going to get wet or dusty even with enclosed cabs.

Anything under 2.0 is okay. Definitely check the SWR on the repeater channels (467 MHz) as they will have a different SWR compared to the 462 simplex channels. As others have mentioned, there will be a curve to the SWR. Generally 467 will be higher or lower than 462 depending on if the antenna is short or long. The best I did was when tuning a Tram 1174 for GMRS. I got the SWR down to 1.4 on 467 and 1.2 on 462. Yes I could have kept trying for the perfect SWR but it wasn't worth the time and effort. My two Comet 2x4SR antennas are at 1.7-1.8 on 467 and 1.4-1.5 on 462. Again that is good especially considering the SWR is at 1.8 or less on the other bands that the 2x4SR works on. While a Surecom will work to tune antennas, you will have to check multiple times across the frequency/channel range to find where the SWR is high or low. This is where a NanoVNA or antenna analyzer comes in handy. They will do a sweep and show the high and low spots.

In both our SXS on the farm we use them idland mobile. Simple, cheap and just works. They are covered in mud dust and other stuff all the time, I hose off vehicle once month and dont worry. Run 1/4 wave on a pipe mount bracket on both.

That's a nice neat installation! I like it when people post stuff like this. Good material to reference for ideas.

Ah, click bait!

I must be missing something.. I run 300w WB-C4FM on FRS 10 all the time, so when my wife is in the kitchen and I'm in the garage, she can hear my signal okay. Are we not supposed to do that?

You also wrote: I don't need to be told about the law with the FCC please It appears that you do need to be told about the law with the FCC or you just want to disregard any rule and be above them.

Amateur radio is all about playing with radios to see what you enjoy. The RT-880 might be a gas, but honestly, don’t expect much froman inexpensive handheld that does HF, even without a $100 limit. The only HF band you could barely do with a handheld with an attached antenna would be 10 meters and even then you’ll be limited. The simple laws of physics require a certain antenna length based on frequency in order to be effective. A quarter wave ten meter antenna is going to be two and a half meters long. Now there are some all band all mode portable radios with built in batteries that I would love to have. One is the Icom IC-705 and another is the Yaesu FTx-1. There’s also the Lab599 TX500, but it doesn’t do 2m or 70cm. All three of these are self contained hi end portable radios. All three require an external antenna of some kind. All three go over your budget by more than $1000. The battery for the TX500 is $400 all by itself. As long as I’m dreaming there are a lot of other QRP radios to play with such as Elecraft. And although I haven’t seen it available in the USA yet, there’s a handheld version of the Lab599 radio. There are good deals on older mobile and radios that show up at ham fests. I picked up an Icom IC-706MKIIG for a low price last year. That’s a mostly full power mobile radio that does HF, VHF, and 70 cm. I’ll put it in a go box with a battery and carry a separate antenna of some kind, maybe an EFHW or my BB7V vertical and tripod. Anyway, don’t get discouraged by the high price of HF radios. Deals come along. A guy in my area said he’d like to sell his FT-991 (not the 991A but the older model) for $300 just the other day. I don’t know what the difference is between the 991 and 991A, but that’s probably not a bad deal.

You are STILL not going to be able to have them on the same frequency if they are linked. In order to do that, they need to be run by simulcast controllers. They need a GPS referenced timing standard and frequency standard. There is a lot more to it than just linking them together. And I promise you adding height to your tower will be cheaper. Not to mention that they will need a stable connection between them. THe Internet ain't gonna do it, you will need s Microwave shot between them so there isn't the changes in latency (link delay) that is present in Internet linking.

Thanks.

It’s so typical on this forum to see the Gang of One, Two, Three, Four dump on the guy making a scholarly presentation instead of the one who suggests 5 watts on WBFM on FRS 10!

As Steve said, 1.75 vswr is Negligible. Getting your antenna UP over the body of your vehicle would likely lower your reading, but 2.6 watts reflected, according to your device is not harmful.

I don't think impressing anyone was his intent. But Proven Science is what it is, and L. Scott was correct in that formula.

Just remember, you GET what you pay for ! $100 isn't going to buy you Quality.

The rattlgram app Can play back a message much faster than you can speak it, and even faster than it can be decoded. Playback time IS Adjustable, once you learn how it works. Also using Your Own ciphered message, that others can't make any sense of is Important. Low tech apps, such as Rattlgram have Defeated Law enforcement when used by savvy criminals.

I guess some of you didn't see the $100 total limit that I have. The RT 880 will probably be the one I'll go with if I get anything at all.

Yes. Most people are not going around listening with the app at-hand ready to decode what you're saying.. and, it's not really meant to be "secure" anyway.