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My understanding is that there is a MyGMRS app, (I have it on my phone) however it is basic as Rich is the only one working on it, not to mention he is maintaining the site, a linked server, weekly nets, as well as a full time job and his family. Rich is doing a lot and so some projects will take some time.

I’m starting to realize that as I’ve been hiking with it. Will a shorter antenna work the same?

IF you have a digital volt meter test your power while you key up the radio and make sure your not overloading the power supply. You may not have enough power with the power supply. Also a true watt meter test would help.

I use FTDI cable from bluemax49s. We know him and we love him. 1. Go to Devce Manager, Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)". You should see "USB Serial Port (COM3)". COM3 is on my laptop, yours could be different. Remember the port number. 2. The setting of the port do not seem to matter, apparently KPG-101D changes them as it sees fit, however: Right click -> Properties -> Port Settings. I have the following: BPS: 115200, Data bits: 8, Parity: None, Stop bits: 1, Flow control: None. 3. Start KPG-101D, go to Menu -> Setup -> COM Port. Make sure that the correct COM port is selected from #1. In my case it's COM3. 4. Plug cable into TK-3170, turn the radio on normally. 5. Menu -> Model -> Product Information. Choose the correct model. That step seems to be optional. I do not see any difference between my TK-3170 and TK-3173. If you have 16-key model, you may need that. 6. Menu -> Program -> Read Data From Transceiver, hit "Read". Tada!! Or not.

Adding to the answers above, there is nothing different about a repeater. It is still a single antenna and subject to the same rules (or lack thereof) as any other GMRS station. About the only difference in a repeater antenna is if it is used with a duplexer, in which case you need to be sure the antenna design will provide good response on both transmit and receive. But, of course, that has nothing to do with where or how the antenna is mounted.

Personally, I would start simple and learn. To start with, if you cannot get the antenna above the roofline, you are going to have a limited signal pattern.Like between 180º and 270º depending on whether your deck in on a corner of the building. So, you can buy an NMO antenna mount with attached cable for around $15 to $18 (plenty on Amazon). Then mount that on a pie tin or small baking pan (at least 8" diameter) and finally attach the pie tin to your deck railing. A couple of holes in the pan and some zip ties should work. Then buy a 1/4 wave dipole antenna for around $15. Finally, get an adapter from the coax to your radio. Probably SO-239 to something. Now you are on the air. See how well it works. If you can place the antenna in different places, try moving it around. You can even try mounting it on top of a pole. Once you settle on the best location, see what you can hit. If you find some stations/repeaters that are workable, but marginal, then, you might consider a better antenna. But, chances are good that you will just end up sticking with the 1/4 wave. As for the radio. You can have cheap, or you can have good. But, unless you are willing to start looking at used equipment, and consider part-90 gear, you are not likely to find cheap & good.

Good day, and welcome to GMRS. Last question first. No, I can’t recommend a cheaper starter radio than what you have. So on the Antenna issue. In GMRS, antenna height is absolutely the most import ingredient in achieving radio range. Height is important for two reasons. First, the higher the antenna the further the signal can travel before it is blocked by the horizon of the earth. Second, because every obstacle (tree, pole, building, hill, etc...) that is between your antenna and other person’s antenna degrades usable range, and typically quite dramatically at that. I have and have regularly used the Ed Fong rollup J-Pole antenna, designed mostly for portable use. He also makes one for permanent installation. They are simple and very flexible antennas. The latter could be a good one to mount on the railing of your apartment. If you could give it some height, you would even be better off. If you have repeaters that you can access with your HT right now from your balcony, these antennas will definitely represent a marked improvement for you. Just about any antenna made for portable use could be adapted as well for your application. A mobile mag-mount antenna sitting on a pizza pan or other flat metal service outside (or inside). The pizza pan in this examples satisfies the need for a ground plane that many/most mobile antennas require to perform per manufacture specs. Some folks, even just put a mobile antenna on top of their refrigerator. There are even some after market ground plan kits available for use with NMO mobile antennas which may open up mounting options for you. Knowing what I know, and if I were in your shoes, I would choose one of the Ed-Fong antenna due to their simplicity, ability to make them inconspicuous and ease at which they could be further elevated on a pole on your balcony, perhaps without drawing unnecessary attention. One thing is for absolute sure. Any working external antenna you add to your radio is going to be an improvement over the stock rubber duck antenna that came with your radio. So there you have it. One man’s opinion to get you started. Again, Welcome. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The rigid 20’ rule was removed in the 2017 (current) version of the Part 95 rules, either accidentally or on purpose. Paragraph 95.1741 now covers antenna height. That paragraph redirects to 95.317 where it is described that antenna structures of 200’ or more may require FAA registration and where restrictions on antenna heights near airports are described. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

The 6.1 meter or 20 foot rule means the structure is not subject to registration. Towers and poles greater than 20 feet in height are usually listed on the license as the transmitter location. This primarily applies to services where individual frequencies are required to be coordinated which isn't needed for personal or amateur communications. There are other rules that apply such as being near an airport or lighting for antennas more than 20 feet in height.

If you're going to point out a problem, proper etiquette says you should also provide a solution. My solution is to suggest that you make the app.

Maybe is time for me to get my HamRadio certification....?

Pretty badass radio... its a Part 90 radio. Just keep it and use it for GMRS. It will serve you well... certainly a great starter radio over the CCR garbage. G.

If you do go ahead and take the radio you can find the documentation at the link below. http://manuals.repeater-builder.com/Kenwood/kenwood.html You'll have to scroll down a ways to find it. Look for file names like this for example: nx/NX-820/NX-820H(G) Revised_B53-7033-10.pdf I believe the programming software you need is KPG-141D. You would like to get the most recent version. Download a copy here: http://leon880314.com/software-de-programacion-para-radio-kenwood-kpg-141d/ https://hamfiles.co.uk/index.php?page=downloads&type=entry&id=radio-programming%2Fkpg-141-d-prpgramming_2 Or you can buy it from a place like this: https://www.ameradio.com/product/100727/description.html

What are you using as a Power Supply on the mobile radio ?