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B=Base, R=Repeater, M=Mobile, F=Fixed, RM=Repeater + Mobile, etc.

Except the person you're talking to on 462.xxx simplex is still going to hear you if you're using a repeater to talk to someone else when transmitting on the high side of 467.xxx (PL mask or not, you're still on that repeater's output frequency.) There's no "extra" channel capacity - unless you're on the very fringe of a repeater's coverage area, and counting on the FM Capture effect of your stronger local Simplex signal over-riding the weaker signal of the distant repeater. Even then, any other user in your local area is going to be either listening to you, or waiting for you to be done before they can effectively use the channel for their conversation. You might segment people into talkgroups via PL based fleets or subfleets, but you don't gain any channel capacity. In short, I agree with the 22 channel comment.

A CDM radio is not Part 95 Type Certified. The CDM radios (and the matching HT portable series) are Part 90 Commercial. I'm of the mindset that Part 90 meets and exceeds all standards for Part 95, and it appears that the FCC agrees: https://transition.fcc.gov/oet/ea/presentations/files/nov17/54-Part-95-Misc-Eqpt-Filing-r1-TH.pdf So if you don't want to use Part 90 equipment, that's up to you. You're never going to find an example of the FCC fining someone for using Part 90 equipment, and you've got their own words above that basically say that their intent is NOT to prohibit users from operating with Part 90 equipment on GMRS. I'd use a CDM radio for a base - but like Steve says above, you want to get the "mid power" version if you want to operate at lower power levels. There's a ton of information on the CDM series over at repeater-builder.com . Beware of Ebay refugees if you're looking at CDM radios. There's a bunch of hacks that people used to take the LS trunking models and flash them into Conventional configurations. Done right, there's nothing wrong with using one of those - but done wrong, you're just buying a headache.

I know I found the firmware update on their site in the past, but like you, I only saw the setup file this time. Perhaps an email to them would result in them sending the file?

From the GM-30 specs: Rx Frequency Range: 65-108MHz, 136-174MHz, 400-470MHz The specs for the DB-20G shows the same. It looks like both radios receive the same frequencies. Of course 65-108MHz is the broadcast FM spectrum (~88-108 in the U.S.). I suspect the tuner won't allow you to tune in anything outside of the specified range, although I haven't tried to do so. As these radios are FM only, you won't pick up anything understandable on digital modes, although you may hear something when they're being used.

Both of those radios only receive FM (narrow or wide). I am not sure of the receiving limits of the GM-30, but the DB-20G can be opened up from GMRS to receive: 136-174 and 400-470 MHz. I did find this Glossary, but some of your acronyms are not defined: Radioreference Database Glossary

Radioreference.com? It seems to be offline right now when I try it.

I've noticed quite a few "Hot" or "Nashville Hot" chicken places opening up recently. There's a local-ish chain called Angry Chickz or something like that with several locations in the L.A. area and even one in Bakersfield. Anyway, we've strayed a bit from the original topic, so to bring this thread back a little bit... Do you think you could reach your home base from Crazy Hot Chicken?

Not familiar with Wicked Chicken, Love Rattlers! There's also a fairly new spot called Crazy Hot Chicken, where the old Tilly's was on Sierra Hwy, I want to try.

Placed the Midland MXT400 on the dash and the antenna is mounted on the driverside fender/hood.

I'm not familiar with it! It's been a while since I went to Rattler's. I don't think Wicked Chicken was there the last time I went. Perhaps I'll have to give it a try. Perhaps Papatree has tried it?

bookmarking these in the same list as Jocko's. will have to make a list of repeaters to try as well.

Here are the steps to set these particular options from the radio's keypad: Select the channel you wish to change the options for. Press MENU, then 2, to get to TXP (Transmit Power) option. Press MENU again to change the setting, then up/down arrow to select High or Low as preferred, then press MENU again to save, and finally, press EXIT to exit the menu. For selecting Wide or Narrow, use the steps above, except pressing MENU then 5 (instead of 2) to access the WN (Wide/Narrow) function. For PL tones, follow the steps above, but using the following menu options: 10 for R-DCS (to set the receive DCS code) 11 for R-CTCS (to set the receive CTCSS tone) 12 for T-DCS (to set the transmit DCS code) 13 for T-CTCS (to set the transmit CTCSS tone) To summarize, regardless of which option you wish to program, the basic steps are: Select the channel to be changed and tune the radio to it. Press MENU (to enter programming menu) Press option number (or use up/down arrows to select the correct option) Press MENU again (to change selected option) Use Up/Down arrows to select preferred value Press MENU again (to save) Press EXIT (to exit programming menu) The step I miss most often is the third press of the MENU button. I have pressed EXIT at this step more times than I care to admit, and when I do that, my selection is not saved. If you are following all the steps above and still having problems making the changes on your radio, it would most likely be due to having an early version of the firmware installed on the radio. I hope this helps.

Yes, connect a ground wire to it and then wrap it with butyl and vinyl tape to weather proof it. Make sure to properly connect the other end of ground wire to a proper ground.

I ordered 1/2 heliax and connectors today for the jumper. Now I just need to watch YouTube videos to see how to put it together. I put my 7/8 up today and by my measurement it is about 7-8 feet shorter than it was supposed to be so my polyphaser is going to have to be vertical on my tower. Should I just wrap it like a connection? It was a horrible job stringing it up by myself so I’m definitely not taking it down.