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Define inexpensive. In all honesty, you should expect to pay a minimum of $500 to get things up and running. It is not just the radio. You need all of the following: Repeater (receiver + transmitter and power supply)duplexerduplexer tuningantenna, mast or support, and coaxlocationThe Retevis RT97 sells for $400 (plus tax if applicable). But, you'd still need an antenna, coax, etc. They have a package deal: repeater, coax and antenna, for $475 (plus tax).

Do you have a good driver for the cable and select the correct port?

Something else you might consider is asking why there are no repeaters in your area? It’s quite possible that there are not enough, or even any, GMRS users other than yourself. So, I would suggest that unless you have your own needs for a repeater you might want to reconsider your project. On the other hand, if you do have a need, and then would also welcome other local users, should there be any, then that well seem to be a reasonable validation of the plan.

You need to check, and then re-check ALL the wiring, both ground and hot. Look at every connection, even the fuse holder, and especially the ground.

I just have to say awesome, awesome comments and thread to all of you. Very informative, sharing info I didn't think of and so friendly, Once again I had to double check I was really reading an Internet forum. And unless I'm mistaken (which I've been many times before and likely a lot in the future) Jeep Jamboree was ditching CB for GMRS in 2020, not 2021. Boy I wish every place on the web breathed life and pleasure into a subject, like what's happening here, instead of choking it to death with hostility. And Guest_Bryan you can get your GMRS license without owning a radio, to answer your question.

New guy from N.W. Indiana. Just recieved my GMRS. I'm here to learn.. Wrkp702

AURSINC is the name brand to look for. The real v3.4 H model should be around $55. AURSINC makes them upto $140 or so

Great radio! I am using it in my UTV. I personally wouldn't use Chirp, especially for the initial setup. The Kenwood software is much easier to use and allows you to set up multiple zones and gives you much more freedom in what you can program. I have 3 or 4 zones set up, all for GMRS though, to make it easy to change channels to various bubble-pack radio brands, such as the Midlands and Cobras preprogrammed channels. Chirp is great for easily moving channels up and down.

I've got an inexpensive Hirose to SMA adapter, but I had to turn down the one I got on a lathe just so that it would slip all the way into the chassis hole/cutout & reach all the way down to the board mounted bypass. Even then, you've still got to hold it in tight and press down with one hand while testing/tuning, not an ideal setup for trying to drive around town while working your HT. If you've seen the $300 Motorola "test fixture", it's basically a big clamp with a setup to hold the adapter in place. It works, but I still don't consider it to be practical.

You would be the best tester for us guys... Looking forward to your eval... take your time... I just spent $300 on GR1225 repeater and add to that antenna and parts one needs to make it work... So no money in my honey radio budget for more equipment is done... I told my wife that my GMRS interest with G Daughter is cheaper then a mistress or getting full service at massage parlor... just joking my 25 yo daughter told me about these words... how surprised I was... I have been staying home to much and and need to get out more.... Doing honey do's and working missing cause me to miss out on this life style out of marriage... Jack

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

How long did it turn out to be? I wonder if this works on the MXT275.

I know this is an old post but much thanks to you WRAA720. Very helpful.

If you're calling another station directly, always start with their call sign first, then yours - ex " WYYY345, WZZZ123." A good way to remember this is to insert "this is" between the call sign and you'll never forget the order - ex "WYYY345 this is WZZZ123." If you're not calling another station directly, the usual procedure is to announce your call sign and "listening" or "monitoring" - ex "WZZZ123 monitoring." If you're just monitoring simplex you might add "WZZZ123 monitoring GMRS channel 20." If you're monitoring a repeater, you might say "WZZZ123 monitoring [repeater station name or frequency here]." If you're looking for a CB-style radio check, people generally ask for a "signal report." For example you may identify on a repeater like this: "This is WZZZ123 monitoring CityRepeater1, are any stations available for a signal report?" A listening station may respond indicating the strength and quality of your signal and/or initiate a conversation. If you receive no response, you could wait a few minutes, identify with your call sign again and request a signal report. If you are not receiving any replies after one or two attempts, you should clear the frequency with something like "No contact, this is WZZZ123 clear, monitoring." Also - you should avoid just keying up the repeater and not saying anything (a.k.a. "kerchunking" the repeater) . If you just want to test if you're in range or have the radio properly set up, still identify - ex: "WZZZ123 testing." Here is a link with some good info about amateur repeater etiquette, but a lot of it still applies to GMRS as well. Radio involves a lot of listening, so keep yours on often and see what you can hear - hope this helps!