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I have family in North Carolina, Virgina and Pennsylvania. I also prefer driving over flying when I visit with family as does my Daughter. As I did my research into GMRS I discovered the repeater network for it that almost covered (Pennsylvania is lacking on the west side in terms of the national linked system) every destination we visit. So every radio that is installed in our family vehicles are Kenwood TK-8180 which has the ability to program various groups of channels. Every repeater that is on our driving route(s) has been programmed (by state) into the radio by repeater name. I have gotten permission by all the repeater owners to access their systems that we have traveled past so far. I still have to get permission from the North Carolina repeaters but that will be done before my next trip this Fall. Everyone in the family has been encouraged and taught how to use the scan functions in their radios so as they travel they can switch to their corresponding "state" as they drive. I will be doing a little tutorial explaning the regional nets and how they are linked for family use. IE: When my daughter leaves home she can be 3 states away and still reach me via the Midwest GMRS repeater network in the event her cell signal is poor and she needs to contact me or I her. This is used as a backup in the event they are in an area with less than ideal cell coverage and they suffer a breakdown/emergency and require assistance.

Thanks for all of the input so far it is looking like a cheaper project with the Kenwood for what you get and the benefit of increased frequency storage.

I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of HK models. I have a mix of both and after doing field tests , whether it's in a mobile or base/home unit setting, the biggest difference I notice is temperature of the units heatsink when transmitting. That' not to say that their isn't any difference in transmission performance but it's not as big a difference as I would have hoped the extra 15 watts added. 45 watts does give you a slightly louder voice, but it doesn't make your ears anymore sensitive. Or put another way who cares if you can yell father if you can't hear any farther?

I've been looking for quite a while, and the HK models across the board are hard to find. Used Kenwood prices have been going up, but when I purchased, I grabbed my two TK-8150's from a local police auction for about $140 for both (with remote head kits included). You really have to do your research and find a deal anymore. Ebay prices are stupid. I had been looking at Ham HT's and Mobiles, and the price is 70%+ of the new price, which at that point, get the warranty, quick shipping and peace of mind.

As to your question of new/used: I purchased all my radios from Ebay. Brand new this radio was just under $500 and the "H" (higher 45w transmit power) was a few hundred more. Ebay pricing is all over the place but the cost is still WAAAAAAAY below what retail was when this model was new. I do believe Kenwood has recently discontinued this from a sales standpoint but the unit information is still on their website: https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/lmr/tk-7180h_8180h/

Yes, TK-8180HK is 45W. Edit: FCC ID: K4437313210

Kenwood: TK-8180-K------(30 watts) FCC ID: K4437313110 Part 95 certified. You do need kenwood software KPG-73D or KPG-89DK, which can be found online for $75.00 or less.

Honestly, I think the answer to the original question has been given in the posts above. Keep the CB to 4W, and keep the antennas as far apart as possible, but not some multiple of a 1/4 wave length on the GMRS band*. Trying to optimize the situation by antenna switching, adding dummy loads, or anything else is only going to add complexity and increase the chances of failure, without adding any benefit. * 1/4 wave is roughly 6.30 (467.725 mHz) to 6.37" (462.725 mHz) for the GMRS band. So, use some number midway, like 6.335" and give your self 1/2" distance around that: 5.85 " to 6.85" So, avoid distances like 23.4 - 24.4, 29.25 - 30.25, etc

3-5 miles? im doing better then that with my 4w handhelds inside my truck. a mobile with a external antenna at 40w should do better then that. i know repeaters dont count with range but with a 4w hand held i can hit a our repeater 20miles away and talk to my dad who is another 20miles further. so 40 miles as crow flies using 4w radios. i was just talking to my dad simplex 10 miles away. but he is at 1750' elevation. So that had alot to do with it. Cant wait for the Firing pin to get the other 3 repeaters up linked together. it will cover most on NY state.

This is exactly why people look for Part 90 and older Part 95 radios that have greater internal channel assignment capacities. Some new Part 95 radios may do this, but they are usually not as flexible.

Here in WA state there is a repeater 52.5 air miles from a parking lot in Lacey that I can hear traffic on and bump the repeater but I can not talk to them. The reason is the BTECH GMRS V1 hand held in my Jeep with the factory antenna and low power just is not strong enough which is what I expected. I am interested in a mobile unit as there are more repeaters going up in our area that I travel in. So to help you I make a log of the 8 frequencies and then list the repeaters in any area I am going to with the PL code for each one. I can always pull over and change the PL code then as needed. Of course I would prefer the ability to add the same frequency to different channels multiple times so all I have to do is change channels on the road. The GMRS map on this site is a big help in my learning curve.

Separate conductors also are much better at heat dissipation. Important in the event of a long-term overload that does not trip the breaker.

Congrats, wish I had done the same. Have fun. for me the learning never stops with this hobby. I never thought I'd have to become a pseudo electrician (all the electrical knowledge) pseudo astrophysicst (sunspots you know)pseudo mathematician (ideal angle for the sloper is, know how do I calculate they hypotenuse again?)pseudo audiologist ( omg was that dit-dah or dah-dit need to check why I can't hear it)pseudo botanist (now honey we can't plant that tree, it won't grow fast enough to give me the height I need for the dipole, or the venerable I think this antenna needs this leaf, so it looks more like a potted plant)pseudo camo expert (paint it this shade, it hides with the sky better).