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Michael, the Radioddity website isn't charging sales tax, and as WayoverThere wrote, they're including an external speaker for $104.99. So little bit cheaper overall, with the added bonus of an external speaker.

I'm of the same mind; as I understand the certification rules, both 90 and 95, they're mostly directed at/enforced against manufacturers and distributors, and the intention seems to be aimed at preventing LMR/GMRS users from accidentally stepping over on other bands—both services are under the assumption that (most) end-users are less-than-savvy utility users, and the radios should be idiot-proof. As you said, if you're behaving, there's really no noticeable difference to other users of the service if you're not technically on a GMRS set. A bigger problem seems to be people buying business-band radios on Amazon and having no idea they're stepping on other licensed users. I've posted here about some software hacks on several models, and give out the disclaimer that they do violate certification; on another forum I got burned mentioning that I used a ham radio model on a GMRS channel (incidentally from someone who encouraged some more questionable practices on a different thread that nearly amount to jamming. I'm taking the risk legal but it's on others as well. But I digress; on the UV-5 series: I've read a number of reports of people upgrading antennas and ending up with worse reception, which seems to be owing to the front end being overwhelmed, but that obviously is dependent on how much RF is floating around in your area. A real 1/4 wave will definitely make a huge improvement on TX though. The battery for sure is a nice upgrade just for handling sake as well—I was shocked out how small the UV-5G was out of the box. Pocketable but almost hard to hold. Re: the external charging socket, Miklor has a neat hack for building a USB charger for it. And another side note: I did like how the GMRS-V1 handled, but not how limited it was on programming repeaters. There's a couple places around the web, both sellers and reviewers, who have suggested the parent UV-82 has some improved guts over the 5R on the front end, but I'm not sure I believe it. The UV-5G/X is definitely an improvement on programmability over the V1, and on the ham front, I'd guess some of the newer Baofengs probably add a lot of features over the getting-long-in-the-tooth UV82. That said, I don't know if the UV82 is frequency-hackable or has if it's been locked down the way the 5R has. What's $30 to experiment? (again, caveat emptor re: part 95.)

Be careful: Newly manufactured Baofeng UV-5Rs do not allow transmission outside of the Ham bands. That is why they came out with the UV-5X(G) for GMRS.

Good morning fellow GMRS fans! I am new to the world of GMRS as of about a month ago, but I picked up a Midland MXT275, but I have been reading about the upcoming MXT500 & MXT575 and am intrigued by the higher power offerings that are in the pipeline from Midland. Today, I did a quick google search for Midland MXT575 and found a link to Midland's official website that was live and showed their price and included live links to the Spec Sheet and Owner's Manual as well. It shows the price on the Midland website as $399.99 but is listed as SOLD OUT. But also shows "COMING SOON!" below it as well! There are photos of the unit and it shows that it comes with the following in the box: Package includes • MicroMobile® GMRS 2-Way Radio • Fully Integrated Control Microphone and Low Profile Hide Away Unit • Detachable Mount • Mounting Hardware and Microphone Holder • MXTA51 – NMO Stock Antenna & Large Magnetic Base • MXTA38 – Metallic Plate for Magnetic Mount • Midland Vinyl Sticker (Midland Blue) • Owner’s Manual • Quick Start Guide I would bet that I am not the only one that is interested in their MXT575 offering, so I thought I would share this bit of news that I uncovered. I'll include the link to the page, but please delete the link if it goes against the forum rules. Link to MXT575 on Midland website The other way to find it, is to go to the MidlandUSA website and type MXT575 into the search bar and it will take you to the product page. Here are the features that are listed on the page: Features Full 50W Radio 8 Repeater Channels, Split Tone Repeater Capable 15 High Power GMRS Channels Fully Integrated Control Mic NOAA Weather Scan + Alert USB-C Charging Speaker Mic Jack Detachable Mount 142 privacy codes Silent Operation Channel Scan Programmable Squelch Keypad Lock Monitor Mode Keystroke Tones Digital Volume Control Backlit Display Magnet Mount Antenna Radio Dimensions: 5.5" x 1.5" x 7.3" Compatible with all Midland FRS/GMRS radios GMRS License Required The MXT500 is also live on the Midland website now as well with the same "SOLD OUT" and "COMING SOON" information displayed on the page. https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt500-micromobile®two-way-radio

Other than your Santa Ynez split tone repeater glitch, I have found no fault in my two 779’s they even match up well against my Yaesu ft-857d for 2 meters and 70 cms

While I'm testing my AT-779UV, I'm also dragging in my other radios for similar testing. One of the things I'm checking is RF output. So far the AT-779UV is doing quite well. VHF is ~18 watts output, UHF is 15 watts, both on high of course. My TYT-8600 measures the same. Edit: I didn't have my connections correct when I was measuring my 778UV. Didn't have the dummy load connected. . . . Anytone AT-778UV, VHF band power is 18W. UHF power is 20W 779UV benefits over the 778UV 500 memory channels vs 200 faster scanning 8 alphanumeric character naming vs 5 dedicated volume control much faster downloading/uploading between the PC and the radio

Snap up the $30 TYT-UV88 while they are still available! Compatible battery with your Radioddity GM-30!

Baofeung already got the slap, I doubt they're going to sell any non-compliant radios anymore. Seriously, they updated the firmware on every model since then. None of these radios will TX on the channels that are outside of the license of the product anymore.

One plus of the upgraded batteries, though you trade the small size, is there's a USB chargeing pigtail available for them. Looking here: https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm with 2ajgm in the first box, and -uv5r in the second, I see a part 90 grant, and a bunch of 15b.

2AJGM are all the new versions of the firmware for these radios. In fact, I don't think you can even get (or would even want) the old firmware besides. They were buggy as all hell having problems saving channels and settings, etc. You want the old one you're going to have to get it on the bootleg at ebay, craigslist, or something. (or maybe someone around here. :D)

You _ARE_ allowed to use it to receive just not transmit on it. Also, again if the purchase is for emergency use realize none of the rules matter then. Ham or not ham if your life or property are in danger you can use the ham radio. You just have to remember the rules: "Identify you have the emergency, identify yourself via callsign or name if you don't have one, and ask for the direct assistance you need." RE: UV-5R - You will have to upgrade the antenna/batteries it's not even optional... The default battery is too small especially after you stick that whip on there. You will never be able to put it down on it's base without it flipping over. You may, however, want the higher wattage models if you're not doing VHF only (UV-5R is gold in 2m band, OK in 70cm but these radios are a bit noisy in that band.)

You had me at codes. I love programming and tinkering with my little radios.

For $30 and free shipping Let's Get Ready sold me the TYT-UV88 Ham Radio HT and told me the codes to open up transmission on other bands. It is very similar to the Radioddity GM-30 (and the Pofung P15UV GMRS only HT, which I purchased from Amazon previously) I initially purchased both for the ability to use it to scan CTCSS and DCS tones.

Radioddity had a sale going on through the 18th.

Yeah, I'm not particularly worried about it. I figure if I choose to take a risk, it's one thing....I've made my choices. It's a little different to hand out advice to others, especially if they're not aware of the risks...therefore, I try to keep up on where the line is, so I can give a good representation/explanation of the right way to do things. If someone chooses another route from there, they've made their own choice as well, but I've done what I can to help it be an informed one.

Until it happens. Just because you don't see anything in the FCC enforcement logs doesn't imply there hasn't been any "unofficial" contact with a strong suggestion to stop what they are doing. While the probability is low it's not zero. People are free to chose however it wouldn't be ethical not to mention it. At least they can make a more informed decision. Maybe at some point the FCC will get around to allowing Part 90 radios to be "officially" used on GMRS even if they never had any Part 95 certification. One can hope and keep sending the FCC petitions to that effect.

I agree, but I would have said it with the model numbers as I have outlined in RED

FCC.io is good for a quick check. But as you discovered the FCC database is the "gold standard". If it isn't there it's not real.

Nope. You had better luck than me. When I checked it didn't find anything. Yeah it looks like its certified for GMRS.

I was speaking recently on a local GMRS repeater to someone who would only identify with his last 3 digits and his first name. It turns out that the FCC database does not allow the "*" wildcard in its Callsign query; i.e. *123 So I googled it instead with his name and up his full callsign came. When I entered it in the myGMRS Callsign search, I discovered it was expired!

I just ordered another unit, the Radioddity branded one this time only because the pricing was a little better. Once I get it, I can compare the two units with that particular repeater. Anytone wrote back and said they tested the 779UV using a Hytera UHF repeater with the same PL settings and didn't have a problem. They said unfortunately they don't have access to a VHF repeater, but asked me to repeat my test of mimicking the problematic repeater using my 778uv radio. I'm guessing the 778 and 779 use the same chip for PL tone generation/decoding. So tonight I'll do that, but also bring my 778UV to work tomorrow and see how it works on this problematic repeater.

I spoke last night simplex to a Ham based in the Hills above Malibu and he told me their Emergency group has a grant to make Go-Boxes with the Anytone AT-779UV and a rechargeable Bienno 12v battery with a solar controller in it for distribution to homes in his area. Of course he does not have access to the Santa Ynez repeater from there, but he has not encountered any Tone problems on their Ham and GMRS repeaters.

You Sir are an asset and a Gentleman! Thank you for that link! they even make it hard to do a neame search until ya find the link on the bottom of the page... That website drives me crazy...

If your friend has his FRN he can do the search using it and the results will be any licenses issued under that FRN.

Here is the search form for a gmrs license (I googled "FCC uls lookup gmrs"): https://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/UlsSearch/searchGmrs.jsp

Alright. Since I am the guy with the tens of thousands of dollars setup and the commercial install I believe I need to interject here. Never did I say that a small repeater system is useless. And there are COMMERCIAL repeaters available that ARE indeed two mobiles in a box with a controller between them. And those work find if that is all you need. My point was if you are going to put up a big commercial grade install that you need to NOT pull the crap of wanting fee's paid for access, as this level of install has a huge footprint that will interfere with other repeaters on the same frequency in that footprint. And the frequency resource is limited for repeaters. I am all for guys that want to put up a repeater on their roof or short TV tower and be able to talk 8 or 10 miles. This sort of thing SHOULD be encouraged. But you still need to be aware of others on the frequency and try to find a quiet pair to set your repeater up on. The other thing that needs to be said here is IF you are going to stick an antenna WAY up in the air and cover a 60 to 80 mile radius, you DO need to have good commercial equipment and not two portables with a back to back cable between them and a cheap duplexer. And here's the reason. If you are the only one that will be using it, and the usage is light, it don't matter. But with a big coverage footprint there is a good chance that it will see a lot of use and portable radios are NOT designed to be run at that duty cycle. The commercial repeaters I use for GMRS are 100% CCS (continuous commercial service) rated. This means they are designed to be transmitting up to 100% of the time, 27/7/365 and live. If you were to try that with the two back to back mobiles the transmitter would not survive the abuse, even with a fan and additional cooling. Now, my repeaters are only logging 30 to 45 minutes of use a day currently... but that number keeps increasing. And that's fine. I built it to run all the time, and offer it for free to all licensed users in the coverage area to use at their leisure. But I would hate to see someone put in inferior gear at some remote site and it die when it was needed. That situation is actually worse in my mind than it not being there at all. Because if it's needed and expected to be operational. And that operational repeater is part of someones emergency plan, then it needs to work as such.

I know; I tried to make the comment as general as possible, as I'm basing it off of things that have been said not just in this thread, or even this forum in general, but in other venues as well...kind of what I see related to GMRS overall. I personally won't assume a repeater as open unless it's listed as such, and have reached out for (and received) permission on a couple. I do wonder if there's some in the listings that were listed to help with coordination but intended as private, but weren't clearly marked so when the owner set them up. As was discussed in the open/closed repeaters thread, they're still property of the owner, who does get to dictate who can or can't use it, despite the limited spectrum we get with GMRS. While I can see wanting to know what's around, I would also agree that it's extremely bad form trying to muscle into an unlisted repeater; if it's the ONLY thing around, I wouldn't see an issue in taking a shot and reaching out (by mail, if that's the only way) and ASKING if they'd be willing to allow access on an emergency basis, but if not, that's their option. 100% agreed that being respectful is the best way to win friends, whether catching someone on simplex, or when it comes to repeaters. Jumping in the middle of someone's conversation (especially since they probably aren't expecting other users, its definitely something to take into account if you try to 'approach'), or on their repeater unexpectedly isn't likely to win friends. Personally, I have to practically twist arms to get my family to touch a radio, even off grid, so my actual use on GMRS is minimal, though I do monitor here and there, or respond to a radio check if I hear someone asking. Like some others, I did get my hopes up based on the enthusiasm here, trying GMRS as a 'ham-lite' while everything was shut down, but my area is almost entirely more like 'FRS-plus", and once things started picking up I expanded into ham. The mindset on the ham side is definitely more open, and the attitude toward repeaters is also definitely more open. Finally, I'll also admit to being a little more 'flexible' on some rules than others, mainly based on "will my actions affect someone else?" and logic behind it, but I also feel a responsibility to encourage others on the "right" path as much as possible, and help them have realistic expectations of what they'll find in each.

Here is a handy colored chart listing VSWR ranging from 1:1 upwards. Note that 1.7 still allows just around 92% of the forward power being delivered to the antenna. In fact, anything lower that 2.2:1 is still considered "Good".

I was with the Anchorage Fire Dept when the quake of '64 (second strongest earthquake ever recorded) happened. I was at the intersection of Spenard Rd. and Fireweed watching the land roll in actual waves going south along Spenard Rd. The first thing I did was try to go down Romig Hill but the culvert that carried the creek was crushed and the road blocked by the mounded dirt and pavement. I headed east on Fireweed and made it into Airport Heights and from there onto the roads home in Mt. View. After determining our house was still standing and everyone was safe I went to my assigned station, Station #3 where we started doing search and rescue. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries but lots of closed roads and damaged buildings. As our area was the East side we didn't know about the damage along 4th Ave or the Turnigan subdivision. I will say if it wasn't for the hams and their HF equipment letting people get news and information out of, and into the primary damage zones things could have been a lot worse. The ham operators were a real lifeline collecting reports from areas having no available access and providing critical information about the Tsunami that destroyed Valdez and hit both Seward and Whittier. The hams did yeoman duty in keeping information flowing so emergency responders and relief workers were sent where they were needed. Your little repeater in Eagle River could play an important role should something like that happen again. I would think about it being able to keep people together more than closing it off for just your little group.

So here is my real world experience with emergency communication during an emergency, or rather lack of communication. In 2018 we had a 7.1 quake here in Alaska. It didn't cause massive damage but we did have power outages for 4-12 hours, infrastructure damage closing a few roads and breaking a few water mains. A few buildings collapsed as well. Gas lines went undamaged as far as I know. It happened just as everyone was either getting to or was at work. I was at home with our 2 year old. My wife was in the "city" which is about 20 min from us. I did not have a second car at the time. It was November so not too cold but still below freezing. I have a small gen set able to power up a few basic circuits and the gas furnace. The cell grid became overloaded and useless almost immediately. Calls did not work and text messages took hours. The internet was slow but still running if you had power to keep your modem/router on. I was unable to check on family and friends. Luckily our old and failing sea port held up otherwise we would be talking about a much different story. That is when I started looking into a way to set up a radio network that would cover my whole area but was user friendly. Yeah there are HAM repeaters set up on the mountains around here with elevations of 4500 feet and super wide coverage but most of my family and friends aren't interested in tested licenses. So I got a Retevis RT97 repeater tuned for GMRS, a SLA battery, a charge controller, a solar panel and a simple N9TAX antenna. I hiked up a mountain and set it around 2000 feet overlooking the entire area I wanted to cover. I now can easily get my family and friends on board. Most have radios at this point. Most have simple HT radios and as long as they are not standing in a deep hole with heavy obstructions around they can reach into the small repeater just fine out to around 25 miles. Those with mobile radios and better antennas can reach into it from basically anywhere in the city regardless of obstructions. So a single GMRS repeater works well for us due to our geography. I am not trying to communicate with people hours or days away. It may not work for everyone but it works for us. I have also thought about the whole extended grid down resulting in supply shortages and safety concerns. In something like that you need to try and isolate yourself, physically but I also programmed in "emergency"/"SHTF" frequencies into the repeater which are just outside of the GMRS band and in the LMR business realm. Things like a 462.525 and 467.750 split. These frequencies are un-used locally. If the world ends, I can switch over to them and at least prevent all the FRS/GMRS crowd from listening in so easy.

Tip: When mounting under the seat (or other hard to access locations), invest in another programming cable and leave it plugged in and coiled up so you can plug it in to a laptop whenever needing to re-program the radio's functions/memories.