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Ham Radio ≠ GMRS Different in many ways: equipment authorization, power and features; history; community; user licensing; purpose; expandability; commercial support; etc. etc. You simply cannot, and, IMO should not, try to compare the two. And, even if you try what is the point?

Here is a list of currently certified GMRS radios, courtesy of the North Shore Emergency Association: https://nsea.com/index_files/New-Radios.pdf Seven wide-band radios that are Part 95e certified, and 100% GMRS compatible Twenty-two that are narrow-band only, Part 95e certified but not really compatible with most GMRS repeaters.

I like many new GMRS owners see repeaters as a grand "scheme to get extra range for free for little effort." Then it hit me after talking with a repeater owner that I should, no could place me a repeater right here (my home location) where one is badly needed as there are none! It seemed a grand idea, at first. Then the research began. Not far mind you, just statewide as to what was currently available and in use. We have sole owners (individuals) providing family & HOAs service to multi-complex memberships with linked systems and much in-between. But it struck me, it is all privately owned, just like my home & property. I get exclusive use to my property as long as I pay the local, state and federal taxes. I get to incur the maintenance cost and pay for improvements too. Like many, I hate cheap knockoffs so I'd want the best equipment, best location and highest height/range for me and my users. It would just me providing this service and realize it would be providing all the assets, time invested in setup, running and maintenance. This brings me back to my property statement. By law my property is private. You are by law required to get my permission to use it, afterall you might get injured using it and want to sue me so, I get the distinct previleage of providing the insurance too. Cut to the chase: A repeater is no less persons effort to provide a service that he while providing all those things might get sued for too. It is not that had to ask for permission, especially in a polite society... Isn't that what we all strive to be? No, at my age, I will not be setting up a repeater. I haven't seen enough pleasure in the GMRS/FRS environment ( like was in CB days of ole) to endure the hassle and cost.

Happy to report that BTWR has the Authentic Nagoya NA-771G Handheld GMRS Antenna (15.3 Inch / SMA Female) in stock, I just ordered one and returning my Amazon NA-771 (no G). I did a side by side check and two 805G with the NA-771G worked the best. Yes a double blind study with third radio. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-na-771g.html

All three I listed are high-power versions, thus the letter "H" in designation. 8180 is 45W, other two are 40W. There are 25W - 35W versions of the same radios without the "H". They are smaller, cheaper and with less amperes drawn on transmit. Often high power is not required, but you talked about camping, hunting, hiking in the other thread, and this is where another 10-15W would help. TK-860 is the oldest, then goes TK-880, both discontinued long time ago, but are in abundance as second-hand. TK-8180 is the newest, and I think, still can be bought new. Programming software could be found on the internet for free, or bought for $15-20. Kenwood does not lock CPS to the buyer or to the specific radio. CPS for TK-880 and later works under Windows. For TK-860 you would need DOS in virtual machine or emulator like DosBox. TK-880 and TK-8180 are covered on this forum in great detail.

MacJack, I'd love to see photos or learn more about your setup when you get it into your RV. I'm still scratching my head on an elegant solution for my travel trailer that doesn't require a tone of fresh holes in the metalwork. And GuestPete_M,, welcome to GMRS. It's a great solution for my family and current needs as well, and it looks like you've done some serious homework. I don't have the experience others do on this forum, so I'll avoid unnecessarily clouding your decision by withholding my amateur comments. I will, however, try to tickle a few the experts here into replying by mentioning the Midlands are narrowband on frequencies where wide is allowed. I have a pair of Midland's narrowband handhelds and have not experienced the often-cited degradation in audio when the grandkids use them to reach me on the BTech 50X1 I purchased here. However (and it's a big one), we haven't really stretched my rudimentary system's limits. When you start adding hills, trout streams and deer stands in a thick forest to the equation that extra width may make things more intelligible, or not. Hopefully some folks with more experience will chime in, but I did want to welcome you to the community, regardless.

I have a Kenwood TK8180k and it is an amazing radio. It works great and the audio is clear and the speaker is great. I highly recommend getting one, I use mine as a base station.

I agree with your comment about accepting responsibility for the consequences of our words [and actions] while keeping in mind the 1st amendment to the US Constitution applies specifically to the government: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Courts have held the term Congress to apply to government in general. However, private enterprises and citizens are not bound by this amendment. So, whatever freedom of expression we have on this forum is limited to that which the owners and operators allow us. Fortunately, on this forum we have been given a fairly broad latitude in this respect. However, along with that privilege of expression comes the responsibility to use it thoughtfully and not abuse it.

This is a classic example of a thread going off topic.

I would agree ham radio can probably be safely classified as a hobby. But, I would not make the same statement about GMRS. Yes, for some GMRS is a hobby. But, as @wayoverthere notes, probably a greater percentage of MyGMRS members than of the general GMRS population fit that description. Look at the history and licensing to get a feel for what GMRS is. It's roots were as a business service, and those early licenses are still grand-fathered in, and business use is still perfectly legal on GMRS. Licensing is by family unit, not individuals. This encourages use of GMRS as a practical communications tool, rather than as a hobby. Another point of comparison is repeaters. GMRS repeaters are limited to 8 frequency pairs, have no coordinating body, and commonly share frequencies using PL, etc. to control access. GMRS repeaters tend to be used for short, task oriented communications and less for rag chewing. So, sharing channels works well. Ham radio, with frequency coordinators, etc. seeks to limit the number of repeaters in an area to avoid interference. There are many other differences, but I think I have covered the main points. But, I would add one more thing. Where is it written that either as a hobby, or a personal communications tool, that getting people interested in two-way radio is, or even should be, a commonly agreed upon or shared objective? I think that is an admirable goal. But, I would also not fault someone who did not share that goal.