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For now I would have to second Yaesu System Fusion. But that is base entirely on how easy it was to make it operational on first attempt. Quite the stark contrast to the stories from others I have heard regarding getting alternate digital modes usable. I must admit too, I love the repeater’s interop capability with standard FM. That is appealing. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Here is a tip/trick we discovered last week getting 2 KG9000G's setup as a repeater. It was super simple to setup if you watched the video from BuyTwoWayRadios.com or NotARubicon. However one thing we noticed was we did not have a repeater tail. This is disturbing because when you put a call out there you don't know if the repeater is up or not. We found a strange menu option in the advanced settings called Repeat Hold Timer. Here is what the manual says: We were skeptical but we ordered the RT Systems cable and software and put in 700 milliseconds for this value in the software on the transmitter radio and now we have a tail. Very useful. @rayep

In the amateur radio digital world I am a fan of Yaesu System Fusion (YSF)… I have a Yaesu FTM-400 mobile unit at my home which serves as my 2 meter/70CM “base station”. With 2 button pushes it can be switched to a YSF “Node” connected to “Al Gore’s amazing Interweb” through a laptop. This allows me to talk directly in any of the hundreds of YSF “rooms”. I can push 1 additional button and set it up to act as a repeater via my home antenna and provide access to all of the same YSF rooms using my Yaesu FT3D handheld or vehicle’s FTM-400 mobile radio. Another YSF connection option I have is an OpenSpot 3. When I connect this garage door opener sized device to WiFi or tethered it to my phone, it allows communications access to many of the same YSF rooms. I can use it to talk in the YSF network with my home, mobile, or handheld radios. I can even make digital contacts while out hiking as long as I have a cell signal. Lastly, there are several repeaters in my area which support YSF digital communications. I can talk to other local stations just like on an analog FM repeater, but the digital audio is much cleaner and static free. As others have said when in digital “voice wide” mode (VW), it sounds really nice with an audio quality almost as full as analog FM transmissions. When I switch to “digital narrow” (DN), my radios include my GPS position information in the transmission. The sound quality is a little more “digital”, but I can now see bearing and distance information to the other stations as they transmit. Bottom line: I have used YSF to talk to stations all over the world, often on a handheld while sitting in my backyard or out hiking. It is an easy to use digital system and the number of Yaesu repeaters is growing daily. I would say it is the “up and coming” digital format. Edmo

I agree with what wayoverthere and michael before me said, so it does depend. The only way to know for sure in you environment is to test it. The terrain and the density of trees and buildings (aka obstacles) are the major factors. I have never had a case where HT to HT did not work at least 1/2 miles. That is my personal minimum in outdoor use over 20 years. The theoretical max distance of HT-HT communications between two people standing on a perfectly smooth round earth without trees, buildings and other obstructions would around 6 miles. However, when one uses a radio with an external antenna that is raised above high above the roof-line, range nearly always increases. The theoretical distance increases commensurate with height, as does the real-world distance. I my case, I have a GMRS high-gain antenna mounted at 40’. At that height I have reasonably reliable communications with mobile units around me out to about 3-4 miles with hit-n-miss communications in different directions out to about 7-8 miles. When I raise the antenna to 56’, my range numbers increase by several miles in all directions. If I could get the antenna above the tree line my range would increase further. Putting it into context. I live in area I estimate is 60% trees and a mix of homes, light commercial, and fields. Terrain is mostly flat to mildly rolling. My home is located at near the highest elevation in the immediate area. Hope this helps. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

There's a lot of factors that affect the answer, so it isn't quite an easy yes or no. With no obstructions, a lot further is possible, but gmrs (and UHF as a whole) is very much line of sight. Getting a good antenna up where obstructions are minimal will help, as will power to some extent (especially with the foliage part of the equation). Big hills may be problematic, though, and some areas are more restricted than others about setting up antennas. In relatively clear air (antenna in my attic) and 50 watts, I can reach a repeater a little over 60 miles out (that sits around 3000 ft up in the foothills) and another 30 or so miles the opposite direction at 5000 ft. The ratings shown on a lot of the "bubble pack" radios represent ideal conditions, which is why they include "up to" in the small print when they talk in miles of reach.

I have run across several articles that support the idea that alternative, non-OEM HT antennas do not necessarily perform better than a radio's stock OEM one. Here is one such article... https://www.hamradio.me/antennas/ht-antenna-comparisons.html The author also showed that the use of a tiger tail aka counterpoise does not provide a universal benefit - it does in some cases but not others. The author's takeaways: 1) For his Yaesu FT1D, the stock antenna performed well. (Perhaps the Yaesu/ICOM/Kenwood) engineers design an antenna tuned well for each particular model.) 2) If he needs a more capable antenna for demanding situations, he recommends a roll up antenna (e.g., Ed Fong DBJ-2). Note that there are amateur radio and commercial versions of that antenna. The commercial one is suitable for GMRS and MURS. The rollup antenna would be good for home use or for stationary work camping or hiking. Finally, and this is a personal decision for each of us - how many non-conspicuous extras do we want to add to our "portable" HTs? A giant whippy antenna? A counterpoise hanging off the radio? Maybe a suit of armor with an NMO mount at the top of the helmet? What a ground plane that would make. ? 4 out of 5 dentists say that walking around with an HT automatically disqualifies one from getting an invite to a Victoria's Secret show. Walking around with an HT loaded with octopus-like accessories may go a step further - it might result in a regular block party invite getting "lost in the mail." ??