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Unfortunately there is no way to use the whole screen for one channel. Here is an alternative: Set "Channel A Display" to one display type and "Channel B Display" to the other and then tune both to the same channel. For example you could have the frequency on top and the station name on the bottom.

I'd say that if it gets you connected to who you want to connect to...then it's a great setup. I've been using the same antenna with a metal sheet in my garage, works great for what I need it for. If I needed to get out much further, I'd do something more elaborate as well. My main antenna is an Ed Fong J-Pole that's also up in my attic. We have a 'lot' of wind and weather here and I put it there while I figure out an external, and permanent, solution.

Ham is a hobby of hobbies. You figure out what you want to do or what might interest you and you do it. I think a lot of people judge the exams to be harder than they actually are, because they start reviewing the question pool and they don't know most of the material. But, you can learn it. There's also a lot of talk about "Amateur Extra is a lot easier if you have a background in Electrical Engineering", which might be true, but EEs weren't born knowing that stuff either. They had to learn it to get their degree and work in their field. If they can learn it, you can at least learn the minimum you need to pass the exams. I feel like you should aim as high as possible, then you can grow into your license privileges, rather than hitting a wall when you want to try something new and having go back and study for another exam. And, when you reach AE, you can just enjoy no longer being in perpetual "studying for finals mode." Just my take...

Yes, we'll take them. That's down near 6m territory.

Hello, I set up a quick and dirty base station antenna in my attic. It's a Midland MXTA26 antenna fed by a MXTA24 NMO cable. I put a 14" aluminum pizza pan under it as a ground plane. I have about $55 into this setup. The radio is a Wouxun KGSX20G+ fed by a Pyramid 12Amp power supply. So far I think it's working well. I guess I need some adapters to test this setup with my Surecom meter but no smoke yet. Any tips or critiques appreciated. I wanted to test the attic concept before committing to more expensive hardware.

So you'd need two different radios, or one radio with two different antennas to make use of these and the existing GMRS channels? Does not seem very user-friendly... If they are unused, throw 'em to the H.A.M.s.. they'll use it.. they'll use anything.

Doesn’t sound like something I’d do. Interesting read though. For those that missed it you purpose not just GMRS but MURS and CB linking too… it may be safe to say that you really like the idea of linking.

I agree with the RT97S repeater. It's weather tight and low power consumption. A small battery and solar panel along with an antenna make it a mostly permanent solution. You won't have the wait for the simplex repeater to do it's thing, just normal talk. Ya, it's more than $60 but it's also a better solution and in the end you'll likely be happier with it.

DELETE DELETE DELETE Docket No: 25-133 https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/10425259046292/1 Interesting comments on adding unused channels to the GMRS license These channels were licensed pairs for duplex portable phones and could be used for long range repeaters. They are no longer in use.

Does anyone think this is remotely a thing that is on the radar of law enforcement? “What ya got Bob? DUI? B and E? Domestic…?” “Na man this guy doesn’t have a valid GMRS license!” “What kind of animal is he?!!”

https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/document/1042589947921/1 Read the above comment to the FCC and file your reply to this nonsense. We are not trying to link all gmrs repeater channels together. Thats not what linking is. SO this is like its something new. Its been going on for 10 years and is proven not to do any of the above. Its important if you did file comments that you file another comment on what we are asking for when we say gmrs linking. We dont want to use all the channels in a town and we have proven all of the above to be untrue. submit your comments here https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard Quote ref DELETE DELETE DELETE Docket No: 25-133

Thank you! This is the way it should be done. I believe your efforts will be rewarded in the future. It's a balancing act between people that will donate and ones that won't. Don't sweat it and enjoy the journey of deploying it the way you want it. Let us know with progress reports.

Figure out how to propose that as a reduction or simplification of regulations and go for it.

To drag this (kicking and screaming) back on-topic.. Right now I have a free "access by request" system (with poor coverage - the best anyone has reported is a little under 7 miles in the NYC area). I'm waiting on an updated antenna (this whole Commscope to Andrew changeover has been a complete disaster, with even large corporate customers being quoted 4-5 month delays on catalog products and even longer for customized ones) and a tower climber to install it and the heliax, plus various incidentals (16 ground rods, cable to connect them, lightning arrestors, so on). Once all that is done, my repeater will still be free to access on request, but if someone wants to make a donation, I'll gladly accept it. My repeater info page will have a link to a secondary page with the actual invoices and amounts for the various pieces of the project, with a total dollar amount. There will also be a list of donations which can be marked either "anonymous" or someone's name and/or call sign if desired, along with amounts and a total dollar amount donated so far. Think of it like the giant "dollars raised thermometer" outside your local volunteer fire department. I doubt I'll recoup 10% of what this improvement project is costing, but it's nice to know that some people care enough to support a mutual hobby project. Nobody gets preferential treatment for donating vs. not donating. To add - donations will not be tax deductible, will be reported ny me as "miscellaneous income" on my tax returns, and so on.

I'm in your camp. I have very little desire to collect names from around the world like Pokemon, just isn't my thing. That and the cost of entry into HF is more than I'm willing to spend. I got my General ticket for the challenge more than the added privileges. 2m\70cm\1.25m are very active in my area and I do get a small thrill when I can key up a repeater 50-60 miles away with an HT running through an amp in the car. I've got 3 mobiles, 9 HTs, and still have less invested than a used HF rig would set me back. If I really want to reach out around the world, I can do that on TG 91. Yes, I know that many consider that cheating, then again, I really don't care :). They can enjoy the hobby their way, I'll do mine.

When Hams "sell Ham Radio" to non Hams, they tend to do more talking about communicating around the world rather than what you can do locally. Out of the guys I have talked to, that is the only thing they were ever really told about Ham. I actually tried to change their mind and show them the benefits of the 2m/70cm bands, but they were against it. There is a lot you can do with the local bands. It's too bad they don't get used to their full potential. If I had endless amounts of money to blow, I would be setting up repeater systems, linked networks with all sorts of added goodies and I would utilize the bands up as high as I could go. Sadly, I don't have the money or even the time. When it comes to the test, that tech test is really easy. It almost seems easier than when I took it back in the 90's. If you encounter any math, it is really simple. Memorizing will help. I really had to do it when taking my general. I passed, but just like the tech, I didn't really learn a lot, until I started talking with other Hams, experimenting, and applying what I learned. I always believe that the true learning part comes after you pass the test and really get into Ham Radio and meet others and start experimenting. I am with you on hoping these interested ones reconsider. The ones I have met were very knowledgeable. They weren't the run of the mill CB'er that just sits and chats. These guys had the basic tech knowledge.

I agree, but then again when you consider you’d be putting it on a car that cost about 150 grand brand new it seems like a drop in the bucket.

How about asking FCC to allow MURS/GMRS cross-band repeater function?

Regular. Learn to ignore it or use the forum function.

$190 is awfully high for a piece of steel and an NGP antenna. I'd look into making my own with a piece of stainless epoxied in place.

I apologize. I didn't realize we had a rule against it.

I last soldered SMT back in the late 60's. The worst part was getting the heatsink fastened correctly so you didn't stress the flat pack.

I just ordered an demo/open IC-F4021S from Ham Radio Outlet for $53.96, I'll buy the charger & AAA battery case for it But looking at this listing.....my Needing & Wanting are definitely at war Does anyone recognize the blue case model at the top? I've seen orange & red case Icom h-t's, but not a blue one Never mind: I think that I found it, I think that it's the IC-F3201DEX

What if I was operating under my maternal grandfather's GMRS license? He has a different last name and AFAIK, there is no requirement that a family keep documentation of such.