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Just a caution to be civil here. This thread has the potential to get political fast, and that's not okay here. For casual listening to the protesters, I have no issue with sharing that information. I do have a problem with using that information for nefarious purposes, however. Just like how it's okay to share information for monitoring police and the military within the confines of the law, but once you try to use it for nefarious purposes that goes out the window and becomes a problem here.

From the conversation after national net tonight (8/2/20 around 22:00 EST) around BTech 50X1 vs QYT KT-980 Plus. Based on one account these radios are essentially the same, but the QYT has different software and will tune to VHF @ 75W and UHF @ 55W (which will include GMRS) and is a few dollars cheaper. If anyone is looking into a QYT KT-980 Plus, I found one on amazon. https://www.amazon.com/QYT-136-174mhz-Transceiver-Quad-standby-Programming/dp/B0721KKVHT/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=KT-980+plus&qid=1596419853&sr=8-1 I am definitely considering this unit as I will eventually merge into HAM as well. While it seems like a somewhat limited HAM machine it will surely get me started at least in VHF/UHF. That is, before i jump into something much more capable and, of course, much more expensive as well. If anyone would like to share additional information, I (and I'm sure many others) would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance! WREW975

That is the enclosure I plan on using. Thanks,

You don't want to hook your radio's negative direct to the battery, because your antenna is grounded to the body of the vehicle. If the ground safety cutoff device fails, or cuts off for some reason, you don't want the rest of your vehicle finding ground through your radio back to the battery.

"If in doubt, identify!" It is far better to ID more frequently than it is to do so too little.

I know I have posted this before, but I can't seem to find it. So, here it is again. GMRS is a radio service designed for a specific purpose: family communication. A mobile two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members, including, but not limited to, voluntary provision of assistance to the public during emergencies and natural disasters. ​Contrast that with Amateur radio a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill. It sounds like some of what @krvw and others here expect from GMRS is actually found in HAM (Amateur) radio. If you want to try and make GMRS into another HAM like service, you are doomed to failure. My suggestion is, take advantage of GMRS for what it is and don't fret what it is not. If you are looking for a broader hobbyist community, try amateur radio. You will find repeaters everywhere with all-kind of communities (some of which you will love, others which you will hate). An Amateur tech license is not only not hard to get, but in the process of getting the license you will learn a lot about radio in general that will help you with GMRS as well. And, if you become interested and go for your amateur general license, then there is the world of low-band, short-wave...