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Oh, not to forget the heating taking place on one's cross-band radio from the 'extended keyup times'...

All, I'm very close to getting the initial run going in Montgomery, IL of the RUGGED 675 repeater. (Kenwood TKR-850 with flat - pack duplexer. Obviously I'd get a BP-BR one if I was to go on a commercial tower). I have everything except the antenna and the short whip of 7/8" hard line just for testing - about 30 feet. No, I'm NOT using LMRxxx so don't even suggest it lol. Anyways, I can get a brand new DB408-B for $825 delivered unless someone can sell me one they have for less? I don't mind buying a new one but before I pulled the trigger here I figured I'd ask everyone here. Ultimately I might end up installing this on a 300' tall commercial tower in Naperville, IL but for now I'm just doing some testing at my house and want to set up a small 3 - 5 mile perimeter for testing. A big shout out to Mark Tomany - Joliet 550 repeater owner, Brent and everyone else for the help along the way here on this long, EXPENSIVE hobby lol! Thanks!

Not too much to update other than it’s still working great. I’ve been in contact with Wouxun regarding the fact that the backlighting does not time out while scanning. So you have to disable it if you want to scan. That kind of sucks. Considering the GMRS-v1 would time out. A couple of little cosmetic things like some particles underneath the screen lens; I can’t seem to blow them out. The PTT and all other buttons suck. The material is not great. Like a hard plastic with little tactical feedback. I know I’m nitpicking a little. But for the price I’d like something a little more refined as far as firmware and form. However, the RF performance blows anything in its price range out of the water. At least for a Part 95 radio. The superheterodyne receiver has excellent sensitivity and I tested it a couple of days ago on the go and I have got nothing but excellent feedback on my audio through repeaters. Some thought I was on a mobile. Excellent quieting free of static. I also tried with a buddy 8 miles away, yes 8 over simplex. Clear as can be. Now, I had some elevation over him; but still. I’ve only been able to do that with my old Icom 4021 HT. So, the performance of this unit makes you deal with the shortcomings of the radios form. I told Buy Two Way Radios if only the buttons were rubbery and had a tactical click to it and a little more customization with the firmware it would be a damn near perfect low cost Part 95 radio. It’s based off the KG-703E radio and it’s a single band radio. So you have the advantage of tighter filters and a more “tuned” experience than a dual band radio. That’s just my option though. It would be worth checking out if I were you. Danny is the man at BTWR too and he is willing to answer any questions you may have about the specifics of the unit. They provide great support. Yes. When BTech first tried to certify for Part 95 they left the power setting at 5w per the UV-82 spec. They later were required to resubmit at 2 watts to stay in compliance. The KG-805G is a true 4 watt UHF radio with clean output. It’s Part 95 certification is based on the KG-703E since that is essentially what the 805 is with a modified firmware.

There's also a Texas GMRS Network channel on Zello. That one is a little more particular on how you join the group. Those repeaters are mostly around Houston and Dallas. There is a GMRS repeater where I live. It covers the entire county. However, there isn't a lot of traffic on it and it's not on any network. I use Zello to reach other GMRS groups for the sake of conversation. As a newly licensed Amateur operator, I don't see too much difference using Zello rather than Echolink, Peanut, Dstar, DMR, YSF, or even Wires-X. Particularly in the GMRS and Ham channels of which I'm a member, a license is needed. I've been playing with Echolink, which I find a little wonky. Zello offers a more stable app and smoother experience.

I can recommend bluemax49ers programming cable. It works with both the TK-840(N) and the TK880-H 1

I really need to set aside the few minutes to add the Schererville repeater to my CS800 radios. That way I could chat with you via the Madison repeater!

I assume you perform this test in the close proximity of your mobile, right? Your mobile radio overloads your HT's frotnend. When you stop transmitting on the mobile, overload is gone, and you hear the repeater "tail". Now, give HT to someone, drive the block away, or behind the big building, and repeat the test.

Pretty much covered earlier in this thread. Thanks.

after i'm done playing with the CCR radios i program a few freq and give them to the grandkids and nieces and nephews they don't last long after that but the kids have fun while they do

Yes... a repeater to a repeater is usually not a good time. Plus, there is delays in key up times, leading to a word or 3 missing from the start of your transmission.

I had some appointments at the VA Hospital in Chicago last Friday. When done for the day I drove up to the top deck of the parking garage (8 stories!) and had a ball in 20m phone for about an hour on my FT-857. I tried 10m for a bit but no one was on the air and no one answered any CQ's...

I submitted the used-radios spreadsheet to them using ALL your suggestions. They say 1 - 4 days to review and get back to me so will see what they say. Not sure if the front panel programming mod you suggested is available on both the and TK863G so I asked that question in the Notes section of their form. I don't know if that'll be enough to sway me to the 880 (if display programming is not available on TK863G it might make the radio more stupid proof for me - avoid unintended mods). Also downloaded Service Manuals for both models. Gobs of options in there so I'm sure there'll be a sharp learning curve. If/when I pull the trigger and do a good install I'll know I went with the good stuff instead of off-the-shelf stuff.

Hey Shaine! I'm on GMRS-Chat right now. As you know! Here's the $60 10 Meter radio I was just describing: https://amzn.to/384L8YE

Hmmmmmm, if you dont like your neighbor??....................,!!