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For the TK-8180 I think you need to download and install the programming software for the radio. It should be the KPG-89D located here. There are other locations to find the software. The latest version is V1.61 I believe. Older ones will likely work too. Just make sure you have the serial install key. Normally most of the packages include one in a text file. http://rsws.zapto.org/RadioSoftware/Kenwood/ You will also need a programming cable for it too. Commercial radios are great to use on GMRS but are impossible to setup, or nearly so, without the programming software. Any used commercial radio you are thinking about buying make sure you can get the correct programming software and cable for it FIRST. If you can't the radio will end up being an expensive paper weight.

Forgot to click "Attach this file..." button.... Ugh

Here is the reply I received to my inquiry. Passing it along as promised. “I asked Wouxun and they said the radio is designed to hold up to heavy TX. They recommended that in a heavy TX situation, like a public repeater, they do suggest using the feature that automatically activates the fan based on the temperature (menu 37, and this is already the default). They also suggest using the TOT and TOA menu settings (menu options 11 and 12) to limit the maximum time for a single TX to at most 60 minutes.” I have also asked that they push the issue further to get some official numbers. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Depending on how tall the hills are and how close you are to them. It's likely be fine, if they are hills and not El Capitan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Capitan) and you are not at the bottom of it.

Could be a few things. many newer vehicles use all sorts of sensors, including some that use RF. I would try an external battery and putting the vehicle in drive and see if you still get static. If you do, you have some form of RF interference, if not then the interference is electrical based. For electrical based interference a line filter (20-40 USD) will usually resolve the problem.

I see that charge fairly often in the local (southwest Florida) news. In Florida it carries up to 5 years prison and $5000 fine, and is itself a third degree felony.

It's more of a CYA post by the FCC than anything else. If (that's IF) they arrest someone and they have a radio that is turned on they can make the charge even though they couldn't necessarily prove it unless they have a picture of the person using the radio while committing the offense.

Your better off using the KPG software, Check your PM's, I'll be messaging shortly.

In a nutshell if you plan to use repeaters near you (after asking for permission) then you would use wideband as the majority or repeaters are wideband. If you only plan to talk radio to radio and never use a repeater FRS and narrowband is fine. I could type a entire document on pro and con of each but if you search you will find a ton of info.

Note the term Type Accepted is no longer used in GMRS. Rather, radios must be Certified for GMRS.

Please, lets leave politics out of this.

Mbrun is correct. The Midland micro mobile units have very limited custom capabilities. When one privacy code is selected, that’s what you get in and out. He is also correct about the MXT400 but there are only 7 frequency slots available to program split tone or custom frequencies. Midland makes great radios but they are also made to be as simple as possible. I recommend these to people that don’t want to learn anything about radios - just want them to work when they’re needed. For the rest of us, I recommend something else so you can make them work the way you want.

CTCSS/DCS Codes are used with and without repeaters. They are the same “privacy codes” used by the bubble pack FRS radios you buy at Walmart. Two radios operating on the same frequency and that share the same CTCSS/DCS codes will typically operate together. Non-HT radios are not legally permitted to transmit on GRMS/FRS channels 8-14, so even the 50X1 should not allow communication on those channels. Non-HT radios are only permitted to listen on those channels. UV5R is not legally permitted for use on GMRS or FRS. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

I'll bite. So, if you are going to use repeaters to chat with other GMRS licensed operators, then any UHF radio will work. If you want something just to get started then go with a Baofeng BF-888s. It doesn't get any cheaper than 9 dollars, which is, if IIRC, what I paid for one of those last time. Don't expect to break any simplex long range contexts with it... but it will communicate with GMRS repeaters just fine. After playing around with GMRS for a while, then evaluate what you really want, and what the typical usage scenario would be. Is simplex range what you want? or you prefer chatting with other GMRS owners in repeaters? Maybe what you want is Ham radio, and not GMRS, which is a very different license than GMRS. In GMRS there are just 22 channels, so things like VFO, etc... are not needed, you only need to scan 22 channels. Most hams, used to VFO on their radios like to have one, which was probably the thing to have 20 years ago, when everything was FM..., nowadays, however, most, if not all radio communications in UHF are digital modulation (P25, DMR, NDXN, D-Star), which most of these FM radios won't do... so having the ability to scan the entire UHF band won't be of much use when all you'll hear is bleep bleep, thunk thunk thunk thunk (DMR) or a hissing noise like a good old modem (P25, D-star) etc.. So, again, for ham operation a VFO comes in handy since most of the ham stuff is all FM analog. but the rest of the world is moving away from analogue communications. Keep in mind, though, that if its long simplex GMRS range what you seek, you'll need to pay to play. G.

Likely do not have the correct frequency's in, or have them in the wrong order. There are also privacy codes (CTCSS/DCS) which could be in play. Without having the code plugs for the radios I couldnt tell you where the issue is. Also, just a side note, the UV5R is NOT GMRS compliant and some users have said they had issues with those radios in the past when used outside the ham frequencies.

Anybody try a smiley antenna tuned 5/8 wave tuned at 465?

Actually, the limit is 20' higher than the support structure. If one lived in the penthouse of a 40 story building, imagine the range one could enjoy even on simplex!

Do you hear the other repeater all of the time or just when your system is active? When YOUR PL opens squelch on your radio on a frequency you will hear ALL active traffic on that frequency regardless of the PL used by the other transmitter.