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This has been addressed before. But, in very basic terms UHF range is limited to line of sight. If a basic 1/4 wave antenna (I.e. no gain) covers the line of sight area, adding more gain will make no difference. On the other hand, if you have a clear view to the horizon, and will be contacting stations near the edges of that coverage, extra gain might help. Keep in mind, this is not CB and the radio propagation is quite different.

Not that difficult the help files are in alphabetical order so as you use the software (or browse around in it) you can open the help file and see what the abbreviations really mean, that is a big help. Not everything is logical to me for example using wide band versus narrow band does some weird things on my radio. An example is using GMRS 6 and experimenting with the two bands the narrow band works fine but if I change it to wide band then GMRS 6 goes into squelch mode and stays there (very annoying). I am most likely missing something or the Kenwood 8180 only works in NF except on repeater channels. It is a good quality radio and it does work!! Enjoy it but as stated in other posts get the Kenwood software on eBay as Chirp does not have all of the radio functions available. Hope this helps Mike

the short explanation is midland does everything in code, probably to fit on the small screens. they don't display frequencies, just channel numbers. all the CTCSS (pl) and DCS (dpl) tones are code numbers as well. the linked image below is a screenshot from the manual for the MXT115 (which will illustrate what midland users get to deal with) , but the tone codes match up with the gxt handhelds as well https://imgur.com/a/o8tu0li

Good to hear. I am getting ready to purchase one of these used. How easy was the programming?

OK thanks. The Bundle came with the 3dB antenna, so I'll set that up and see if it meets our needs. If not, I'll step up to the 6dB antenna. Thank you.

As to which coax, look them both up and note the loss figures. Calculate the length needed to go from you antenna to your radio and then apply the loss figures. Simple math, but you want the cable with the least loss as it means more power to the antenna. For the most part, you can ignore the connectors and their loss.

I would say (and have said to anyone who will listen) start with a cheap 1/4 wave antenna (I.e. no gain). Then, if that doesn't work, take a look at something else. 9 time out of 10 you will just stick with the 1/4 wave.

Thank you for your help, and your patience, in addressing my questions - I greatly appreciate it.

You need to activate the repeater channels on your unit. The transmit and receive frequencies are already plugged in. Let's say the repeater you want to hit is on channel 20. Tune to 20 it should say rp for repeater. Next you need to set the code. If you look at the table, 141.3hz is on the CTCSS Code chart. 141.3 corresponds to code 22. So on channel 20 you need to program the CTCSS code to 22. I'm new to this also but this is my understanding.

I do not own an MXT 400, so I can’t comment on how you should program it. However I can’t answer your question regarding regarding the travel tone,. “Travel Tone” is just a nickname for the 141.3 Hz PL tone. And, regarding input and output tones. The input tone to the repeater is the tone the repeater requires to be present in order to repeat your signal. The output tone is the tone the repeater transmits to allow you to listen to only the repeater you want and not other activity on the same channel. The input tone and output time do not have to be the same tone. And in fact fairly frequently they are not. This can create a problem if you have an MXT 400 because by default that radio uses the same tone to send to the repeater as well as to receive from the repeater. As noted earlier in another thread, it seems that it is possible to configure the MXT 400 to use different tones. But, for now in your case you don’t need to. I think I have probably already answered your question number two, but in case it wasn’t clear here is the answer directly. The tones are specified usually with the repeater frequency. For example where you have listed 462.55 MHz/141.3 Hz. The 141.3 Hz is the PL tone. has noted at the start of this post, I don’t know exactly how are you set the tone for a channel. But I’m sure it’s in the manual somewhere, and someone else is likely to come along with an answer for you as well.

Yes, they are programable via software. You program them with a computer. It is very easy to set up.

As there are no more GMRS or FRS channels, there is no need to block transmission on any frequencies other than the GMRS repeater inputs on those radios that are repeater capable*. OTOH, depending on the default configuration of the radio, it may be necessary to adjust bandwidth and power settings on some channels for FRS users. * EDIT Footnote added. There were never many GMRS/FRS combined radios that were repeater capable anyway. And, any new FRS certified radios don't need to (can't?) be configured.

Something to bookmark on your browser. The Enforcement Bureau has opened a new portal to report interference and complaints for Public Safety, Business users and consumers. GMRS/FRS users can report problems using the Consumer tab at https://fccprod.service-now.com/psix-esix/

For most purposes the difference between 3 and 5 watts will be undetectable. OTOH, the 3 watt radio is likely to have better battery life. As commented elsewhere, GMRS/UHF is not as much about power as it is about antenna location. Higher is always better.

Probably. As long as the same tone is used on both the repeater's input and output, which would typically be the case where "travel Tone" is used.

That would not qualify as a fixed station. A "fixed" station is one that communicates solely with one or more other stations, usually for control or linking purposes. The fact that @Riktar's station could, and probably will, contact stations other than his brother makes it a base station and not a "fixed" station. The FCC defines a Fixed Station as: A station at a fixed location that directly communicates with other fixed stations only.

Just bought the same package myself! The gain will flatten the signal radiated, less radiated vertically. more horizontally as the gain goes up. this raises the ERP (Effective Radiated Power). For every 3dB in gain, the ERP is doubled. For our radios, channels 15-22 and RP15-RP22 the limit is 50W transmitter power. BUT... For channels 1-7 the FCC limits the power to 5W ERP (Effective Radiated Power). So if we run at 5W and have an antenna gain of 9dBi, the ERP will be 30W! Check this out..... https://www.calculators.tech/erp-calculator I guess the point is, be cautious about high gain antennas on a BASE station, as you may "stomp" all over other users and cause them to raise a complaint. The FCC says use the minimum power needed to communicate for this reason. Everyone seems to recommend LMR400 cable to reduce cable losses. It is expensive, but if you have a tower it may be worth it.

I bought a hunting rifle, shotgun, handgun and ammunition instead of buying "gold" I would never see in my hand. I have a fishing pole and tackle. I have a back yard to grow veggies in. Looking at the way the economy is going, we as a couple are starting to prepare for the SHTF. A guy I was going to college with said he was buying "gold" in case the SHTF. I told him I would be taking the gold, if he actually had any, as he just won't be able to eat it. SO... Communications are important if one is not alone. If the SHTF, I figured a $1,000+ cellular phone may become a brick. Looked into it and discovered the GMRS.I also plan to get a CB rig. I am studying for my HAM Tech license. If the SHTF or the "big one" shakes the northwest, I hope to be of service to others in need. We live with Mt St Helens outside our back door, Mt Adams to the east, and Mt Hood to the southeast... Crap happens...

also in the 8180 program edit-options-common page 1 there is a setting for mic sensitivity, normal or high. I generally set this to normal unless the operator has a small voice. not too sure on the 8360 but go through the edit options thoroughly.

The best answer is depends. Higher power doesn't always mean better coverage/distance. One of the biggest problems with FRS is the antenna on the individual radio. You can't change it to use a better/longer one. The radio and its antenna are fixed by FCC rule. Your better choice is GMRS radios with mag mount antennas. Those not licensed for GMRS would be restricted to the FRS channels. Their using GMRS capable radios is a grey area because GMRS radios do have more output power on FRS channels and removeable antennas. The other option is MURS, a VHF service limited to 2W but because its lower frequency it will have a marginally better range than the UHF GMRS/FRS units.

you want to run Wide band for GMRS, narrow band for FRS. Setting this wrong could make your volume sound low so make sure that is set correctly first. If you still need to make adjustments I believe you'll need to do it in test mode and likely will need a way to read the signal coming out of the radio which means you may need to visit a shop.

Some handhelds can be programed for narrowband. The Tera TR-505 is one. It is 4 watts though. As for the Motorola T460, I had bad luck with the consumer GMRS radios from Motorola, they do not seem to be Motorola quality, I believe they are made for them. I had the 350R, and they had poor sound quality, and one suffered from the low volume issue. I bought the Midland GTX1000 handhelds to test against them, and the Midlands beat them in every way, with the exception of repeater use, since the Midlands are not repeater capable. I returned the Motorolas and kept the Midlands. They have worked well for the past five years. I did buy the Tera TR-505 handhelds though, and have been happy with them. The Midlands are still used at times though. The Tera has better sound though. I would personally avoid the consumer Motorola offerings. They professional radios though are great, which really doesn't need to be said. If you buy them, get them somewhere with a good return policy. And don't get hung up on 5 watts. The Tera is 4 watts, and has better range than the Midlands that claim 5 watts. There will be very little difference between 4 watts and 5 watts.

So many reasons I started using FRS/GMRS bubble pack radios so long ago I forget when I started, maybe late 70's or early 80's we all had CB radios in our 4x4 vehicles that we took on the beach at the Jersi Shore and the woods. CB gave us more range, but the CB radios were so big and bulky and required a huge antenna when most of the the time we were within line of sight, but just out or range to yell at each other especially on the beach, those bubble pack radios worked great, no problem with a mile or little more, line of sight on the beach, no obstructions. Fast forward to post 911, cell phones were down, lived in a close neighborhood, everyone dug out their kids bubble pack radios and were able to communicate and relay messages back and forth. Few years later at a rustic community in the Pocono Mountains of PA, the community office monitored one frequency in case anyone needed to contact the community management office. Everyone else monitored a different frequency as a "calling" frequency. If someone needed something they would just call out on the "calling" frequency like, anyone want to go trail riding this afternoon, anyone around that can give me a hand doing whatever for a few minutes and one of my all time favorites bon fire and adult beverages at the Jones, 7:30 tonight. Ya all get the picture. Currently we use GMRS & MURS around our farm. All of the equipment have a radio installed on them, additionally everyone takes a walkie-talkie with them when they go out. We are 8 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico about an hour north of Tampa, hard to believe dirt - sugar sand roads - very poor cell service when we have it, lucky to get DSL internet service at 1.5 gigs. So we initially used radios on our farm. As we met and got to know neighbors, they bought radios and now the neighborhood has our own network, our "family" channel has become the "calling" channel which is fine with us, we don't miss much going on in the neighborhood then. So much easier asking once on the radio if anyone has a certain tool or part for our tractors, atv's etc or something for the horses than making 15 to 25 individual calls. It works great, all the kids take a walkie-talkie with them when they are out on their dirt bikes or ATV's, they can switch to a channel and talk among themselves, they can call out on the calling channel if they need something. Pretty much everyone knows everyone, we all know who is trustworthy etc. Of course, again one of my favorite parts, as they say "pop up" parties .....The announcements comes over the radio Everyone welcome at the Dog House, grills on, fire is lit !

remember if buying new on ebay. most companies only offer warranties if sold by authorized dealers.