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I don't have a cap yet, but i can reach it by standing on the rear bumper without an issue. I need to pick up a cap, it will probably be part of my next order. My wife called on her way to work yesterday, first thing she said was "I can't even see the wires or anything." That's a good sign, she was worried it would be a half butt install. Talking to her this morning after I dropped the kids off, she mentioned that I have to show her how to work it, which means she is not opposed to learning. I'd say its a double win. Now I just have to find time to study for my technician exam, because I definitely want to get that taken and put behind me soon. I don't do well with tests.

I think you've got the concept - run under Part 90 as an FB6/IG - but you need to certify that you're going to provide communications service to "Part 90 eligibles" - which means US Citizens and US Companies that would be otherwise eligible under Part 90. Technically - you could also provide FB6 Private Carrier service to Public Safety entities - or a non-profit Town Watch group. I'm not the law, and I'm not the FCC, but I've done this type of licensing for other entities. You are the one who needs to certify what you are planning to do, but I'm not aware of any requirement to "show your books" to the FCC to prove that you're running a for-profit business, or any site inspections. You will need to run Part 90 type accepted equipment, and you will need to certify buildout/construction within 1 year of your License being granted by the FCC. Judging by your GMRS license, you're located in a fairly populated area, so finding a decently clear frequency pair might be a bit of a challenge in the Part 90 spectrum. If you've already got a 60 foot mast, try to monitor some frequencies and see if you can identify any open frequency pairs in the area. Used to be that some of the older 451.8xxx pairs were clean, but most communications companies have snatched those up - at least in my area. I'd try looking up someone like FIT (Forest Industries Telecommunications) or EWA (Enterprise Wireless Assocation). They'll walk you through the steps. I find FIT to be a little more personable - but EWA is very professional & capable. Up front cost isn't cheap to get the 10 year FB6 license & coordination - expect to see something around $700, but it's still pennies per day. If you tell them you're looking for an FB6 UHF repeater pair with DMR/Trbo emissions, you'll be off to the races.

Looks great!

Well, I just finished. Ended up cleaning the garage yesterday, and was too tired to attempt today. I set the antenna 12" from edge of the back of the roof sheet metal. Routed the antenna cable down the D pillar, which keeps all the wire away from the airbags. Antenna is almost invisible, and I can still get drywall on the top. Also, I didn't have to move a roof rack bar. Antenna Installed by tweiss3, on Flickr Invisible Antenna by tweiss3, on Flickr Antenna Location by tweiss3, on Flickr Nobody is ever going to see or notice it. It fits right along the satnav receiver and the FM antenna. I hid the receiver in the access panel where the jack is. Still have full access to the jack. Radio Hiding Spot by tweiss3, on Flickr Mounted Radio Hiding Spot by tweiss3, on Flickr Routed the remote head wire up the D pillar and down the center of the roof, came out in the overhead shelf where it will be permanently mounted. Still waiting on the bracket, should be here Tuesday. Remote Head Placement by tweiss3, on Flickr Programmed it, and all works well. Wife is ok with it as long as it looks good. She recommended the head location. I like it because you can't see it though the window and won't give someone a reason to break in. Now to get her comfortable with using it.

I've currently got 45 P1225's (mix of 2ch & 16ch) and over 20 CP200's in my rental fleet. Then there's the mix of 36 VHF and 36 UHF Vertex VX & EVX portables - not to mention all the Trbo DMR radios. I think I'm set. Some folks think I'm just sick.

Am I the only one who goes full-send with a diamond-edge titanium step bit, a 30 year-old Craftsman variable speed drill and some cutting oil?

I am glad you posted... I haven't pulled the pin yet and am happy to hear from someone that actually put their hands on it! Thanks!

Bearing Boxcar's point in mind (taking the statements in the regulations broadly, rather than as strictly binding) that does make a definite difference in perspective. I've been looking at the broad amount of information available on repeaters, the sort of "community" in the linked repeaters and the nets, and people sharing their stories of communications, combined with the marketing of GMRS in offroad communications, and I've been thinking of GMRS as a sort of "Ham-lite". I guess the reality that "community" is a lot smaller piece of the big picture of GMRS than it seemed, and both in intent and largely in practice, GMRS is actually a lot closer to being "FRS-plus". I think I've also missed the context a lot of these stories are part of; that most people have a lot more "connections" than i do, that some of this "community" fits into, be it friends, family, or social groups/clubs.