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When working out an RF, more info is a lil better. The SW-33 will only tell you the SWR reading and TX power out. The SW-102 will give SWR, Power out, TX frequency (to make sure radio is on frequency) forward and reflected power. I've never used the SW-33 so I cannot speak on how the user interface works, the SW-102 has a fair interface. Press button and you get your reading, press and hold button and the unit shuts off. Big screen so easy to read and it will hold the last reading it took from the transmitter.

I use a surecom SW-102, nice little unit, https://www.amazon.com/Mcbazel-Surecom-Digital-125-525Mhz-Antenna/dp/B01D86IKIQ/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2JRVRL343HI8D&dchild=1&keywords=surecom+sw-102&qid=1611170816&s=electronics&sprefix=surecom+%2Celectronics%2C360&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A263LSCPZJCHO0&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFQWUVGVVpLTjBDMUkmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2NjE4OTgxNzlPM0M5UEg1WE1QJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA5Mzk4NjcyRk4wV1NUTjJNNVFEJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

As KB2ZTX mentioned the repeater alone will not get you into the net. You would also need one of these: https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/repeaters-and-accessories/products/repeater-linking-bundle This unit connects your repeater to the internet and into the GMRS server, allowing you to operate on the network. Due to simplex (radio to radio) operations not needing a license, Rich does not want simplex nodes being set up everywhere that anyone can tie into which is why you would be required to have a repeater. As for repeaters themselves, I prefer the Motorola GR1225/RKR1225 (Its the same unit however the RKR1225 is rack mountable) They go for about $300 used and seem to work well. 100% duty cycle on low power (25W.) The nice part is that the bundle kit above is plug and play, order the maxtrac cable, plug it into the back of the radio and your done. If your somewhat serious about setting up a local repeater for friends or family, get a BP/BR duplexer(another $300ish plus tuning), good feedline($40-100 depending on length), and a fair 460-470 antenna($150), and mount it as high as you can. You should get some good coverage given the terrain you have, looks nearly flat farmland from google earth. Setting up a repeater is an expense, however if there are no linked repeaters, and very few operating repeaters around, it is an option to do if you have the time and money to put into it.

A repeater will not get you into the net either although many that do tie in via repeater. Also as reference Warrenton did have a repeater (I used it in the past). If you look at the map and click outdated listings the info should come up. I doubt it is connected to any nets but may be wrong. I can say none of mine are connected to any network's.

Exactly what happened to me... I spent a ton of money and things didn't perform to my expectations... and 2 mobiles and velcro.. yep,. that sounds like a good plan to me! don't forget the cable! G.

Good Morning O-B-1. Nice work on the antenna. Isn’t it amazing how simple it is to make a 1/4 wave ground plane antenna is? I have made versions for GMRS and amateur VHF. They tuned up quite nice. Love the low profile nature of the GMRS version. Did you use welding rods for yours? When I was tuning my antennas I used a NanaVNA to help me visualize the effects on SWR & Impedance. I could see the effects of driven element length, angle of the ground plane, and proximity to other objects. What a cool instrument. I see the picture shows the antenna close to the side of the house. Will you be raising it up above the roofline to improve coverage and eliminate the interference caused by the side of the house? Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Hello Joe, Welcome to MyGMRS The regional/national nets which take place every Sunday are only accessible two ways. The first is through a repeater that is networked through the MyGMRS network, the other through a Zello node (only one I know of is the Bronx zoo repeater.) If you are interested in setting up your own local repeater on the MyGMRS network there are kits you can buy from MyGMRS.com, or if you wish you can buy everything separate and build your own kit.

Yes, the software is open, its not licensed.

Does friend by chance have led drl and or taillights? I know I get some pretty bad interference on the cb from the drop-in led headlight bulbs I have in my truck, though I haven't noticed any interference from any of the others 3rd brake, dome, reverse, and tails).

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.

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.

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.

If you want a radio you can depend on in an emergency I would not recommend any of the cheap Chinese radios. The really cheap ones have no real resistance to drops, rain, dust etc. I dropped a cheap BTECH tri-band radio on a cement floor. The speaker died. Yeah it’s ok for a glove box radio or cheap scanner on the desk but it won’t hold up to hard use. I have a collection of Kenwood, commercial grade, hand held radios I purchased used. Some had busted cases from being dropped, dirt packed into the speaker grill from being used extensively outdoors etc. when I got them. The radios still worked after cleaning them up and replacing the busted case parts. They were designed and tested for that kind of usage. You get what you pay for.

I have 3 of the MTX275 and have yet to have an issue with needing more power than it has built in. Not sure the need for one with more unless your trying to use it for simplex over large areas. On all my repeaters it works much better than a handheld in the vehicle and on my jeep rides I still talk to folks miles away on simplex.