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got it !!! I'm now registered....

Conceptually all well and fine. However, who should provide this support? It isn't, in my view, the responsibility of those already involved in the service, they got involved to meet their particular communications needs and not necessarily promote the service to others. Also, many GMRS users are quite happy with things exactly as they are and see no need or reason to encourage others to get involved. Next, it is not the FCC's job, they regulate the service and, loosely, police it. But, they have neither the funds, means or charter to promote any particular communications service. So, what we have left are the manufacturers and resellers. We certainly cannot mandate that sellers also promote and support GMRS, so it end up being a marketing option for them. Some will provide support to some degree or another, some won't. And, don't forget that any costs associated with training and support will ultimately show up in the price of the product. But, and here is the rub, a huge percentage of radios used in GMRS were either purchased used or were not specifically certified for GMRS, or both. In fact, one very common recommendation on this forum is to buy high quality used equipment instead of new gear. For me, I am willing to help where and however I can. But, I have no interest in making a proactive effort at setting up a support program to encourage and support new users, and the responsibilities that go along with that. Fortunately, there are others around here who are interested in such endeavors and perhaps they will respond here as well.

Well... other than a spherical pattern. You can have apparent gain in 360 degrees around the radiation element vertical axis, but only 60 degrees wide on its horizontal axis, for example (using horizontal and vertical for the non-tech folks).

In fact, antenna systems never have gain, all they have is loss. The goal is to minimize that loss. What is called antenna gain is more properly called apparent gain. That is, the RF energy emitted from the antenna will always be less that that emitted from the transmitter or amp. The apparent gain is achieved by distributing the RF energy in something other than a 360° patten.

If you can hear it then you probably are going to be able to connect to it. Although, there is no guarantee till you try. Maybe get a friend/local to come over and hit the repeater. As far as the 5w, that really isn't going to get you further out. It doesn't increase distance, but rather the punch the radio has to get through noise. Plenty of hams making some crazy contacts with .5 watts. Its more about elevation, line of sight and antennas more then anything else.

Nice setup! I'm in northern Virginia also (Fairfax) and may do something similar. I can hit the Warrenton and Alexandria repeaters from outside, but not inside.

I appreciate the flowers... but there are two problems. 1.) I spent 3 years studying electronic technology and engineering. I can describe electron flow to a 5 year old kid at a level they understand. Right now I could start writing everything I know/think that could possibly help in any one given situation, and may finish in time to watch my 3 YO grandson graduate from high school. And I'm not even close to the smartest guy on this forum. There is WAY to much information in my head to share all of it, I don't want to write it all down, and I have no idea what is important to YOU until you ask. 2.) The issue isn't to know when to lead. The issue is for the user to know what direction they want to be led. Then, I can help you 'if' I am qualified to do so. Enter forums... a place were people can come with specific questions and experienced people will try to help. Yes... ^^^ This. We are all here to help, learn and rag-chew about the tech. However, goals, limiting factors and aptitude of the person needing help, makes possibilities endless.

And there is the problem. There is usually no clear answer as to what the best, or even at times, a good, decision is. There are far too many variables involved. It might be that one excellent solution requires someone with a service monitor to configure, or the ability (and courage) to climb a tower, or deep pockets, a machine shop, and so on. Some users here are computer gurus while others can’t even connect a cable between a radio and their computer. Etc, etc, etc. I for one, have no interest in becoming a leader in this field. On the one hand, the more I know the more I realize what I don’t know. On the other hand, I am completely uninterested is accepting responsibility for someone who blindly trusts in whatever I might opine. At best, I am willing to be a guide or counselor to someone else’s journey into self discovery. YMMV. And that is a good thing.

I often use 69.3 Hz specifically because many bubble pack and cheapo radios do not implement this tone.