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So I know I am reviving an old threat but I found what appears to be a work around for the Wide Band Recovery Tool and at least my EVX-534. I purchased a used EVX-534 on eBay for $40. When it came it was locked to narrow band. I am using the export version of CE151 which would allow wideband if the radio wasn't locked to it. I tried using the Wide Band Recovery Tool but I have simple USB programming cables and not the Vertex FIF-12. The Recovery Tool did not like the cables I had. On the off chance I tried to upload the stock EVX-534 programming files that come with CE151. I am now being allowed to program wideband as needed. No FIF or Recovery Tool Needed. I attached a screen shot showing the two test channels I put in.

For years GMRS 462.675 was the emergency channel in many folks area's as channel 9 was in CB. Many REACT teams had repeaters for this channel. Prior to SAR in CNY React had a repeater and got given to SAR when React faded. It is still on the air to this day on 462.675. While it was used more for SAR stuff before local VHF systems flourished it was used randomly by hikers on the FLT. There is alot out there on GMRS 462.675 (CH20) being used for this. I knw many monitor this channel while traveling still (my Priority) with the travel tone. As said in the end unless the FCC designates a frequency its going to be up to an individual or area to use what they want. Personally I think CH1 is the smartest channel as most never leave it. On my last Jeep ride that's basically the channel they said to go to if you can't get an answer on the trail channel. My guess is its simple and basic and most radios all match on CH1. If you use the travel PL on it you wont hear all the FRS users who just got a Christmas radio. On a similar topic State of Wyoming designated Channel 3 and PL7 (307) as a search and rescue channel. People are giving 100 reasons why it wont work. So no matter what gets picked some will like it and some wont. As for scratching the Line A idea I can't argue as it takes forever to get public safety and LMR licenses above Line A also, but its the rules. Saying to disregard the rules is not what GMRS users should be promoting. We should be promoting following the rules as well as getting a license.

RSSI meter usually corroborates the tester results, difference can be greater than 10 dB sometimes, sometimes is not that obvious but the radio tends to perform worse at long range, etc.... IMO, the rubber duck antenna is already a compromise, so why would anyone save a few bucks (if that) on a knocoff, which could potentially have even less performance... well, I guess CCRs are being bought left and right, so performance is not a priority, ... moot point. Oh well... G.

License challenges? $70 and covers your family then get a Radioddity GM-30 or one of its clones

Both. Fender mount antenna, ht inside and outside the truck. Might have to pull fuse to find the offending system. Think I might pull out the sdr to see the spectrum a bit better then chasing channels. Oh. Sigh. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

As said many repeaters are not listed on any site. I have multiple that are not listed, nor will ever list them.

Great info......I was once told by a member of my crew, while stationed in Iraq and in charge of a military radio shop, that we were out of UHF antennas, but had many VHF antennas as spares. Then I introduced these younger and less experienced personnel to the art of antenna cutting. These were magnet NMO (New Motorola) style mounts and Laird VHF whip antennas. An Internet search led to the UHF antenna cutting chart and we were back in business. Magnet mounts were used, as many vehicles were locally procured Toyota pickup trucks and Mercedes sedans.

Welcome, and yes, GMRS is great for use in the woods, even though UHF and pine needles do not necessarily mix well together. I am further north in WA State, but still manage a mile or so in the woods with handhelds, but also carry Motorola 1 Watt DTR410's as some places in my area, everyone is using FRS/GMRS. Welcome again.

Welcome to the forum. Enjoy GMRS and the knowledge you’ll gain here. Michael WRHS965 KE8PLM

Is that a double entendre or just a double error? ?

Welcome to the forum! There are many helpful folks around here, so you'll enjoy it!

Technically speaking, if you are going to use that terminology for GMRS channels: Channels 1-7 are Medium power Channels 8-14 are Low power; and Channels 15-30 are High power. Just like on my Anytone AT-779UV:

It's an important line. My house lies about 1000' north of the line. Lines A and C also affect Part 90 LMR and Amateur Radio where every UHF LMR system requires coordination with Canada and and ham radio cannot use 420-430

@Lscottmakes a pretty reasonable case that Channel 20 is historically the travel channel. Why not accept his perspective and not isolate any percentage of the population?

From ehat I can tell there is a repeater on 19 in nova. Alexandria I think. Haven't been able to get the repeater I'd, apparently its been running for a long time. I catch it college park, MD. Lots of picket fencing in the truck. Much stronger in Rockville Md. Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

I wish people would do some basic research first about travel tones for open repeaters and the semi official channel 20 for travel. A simple Google search lists a bunch of references on this topic. If people just used what has been the norm for years instead of trying to change it maybe we would have more people using it.

I have two. Both are N9TAX. One I modified by removing the RG58 and replacing it with RG400. It it attached to my repeater (RT97). The antenna has been in a tree for about 2 years now. It does what I need. Once I get the repeater to a more permanent position I will switch out to a more traditional antenna. The second is again an N9TAX SlimJim tuned for GMRS. 16 feet of RG58. I use it when backpacking once we set up camp. It definitely helps extend the range. This summer I used it to get back into my GMRS repeater which was behind some heavy obstructions (think mountain). Its hard to see, but in the photo its in the tree to the right of the tent. The antenna itself is up near the top third of the photo. It was attached to a 5 watt Vertex VX-231. There was no cell service back here. This was our only means of reaching back. The repeater was about 15 miles away behind the mountain on the right side of the 2nd photo. I am sure being in the valley helped "tunnel" the signal through and/or we got some refraction over the top edges.

The FCC, in its wisdom, mandated that those simplex users transmitting between greater than 5 and up to 50 watts, must do so on one of the 8 repeater output frequencies. If you "don't want to listen to others all the time just traveling thru," you should set a transmitting tone on your repeater that is not the traveling tone and set your receiver to only open your squelch when your repeater's tone is detected. In this way most of the simplex travelers who are using the travel tone will not open your squelch and hence you won't have to listen to them. There is a subset of travelers who you will hear, even when this plan is in effect: Those simplex travelers who are within your simplex receiving zone who transmit while someone else who is properly using your repeater. In those situations you will hear both the simplex user and the repeaters output of the repeater user, which will cause some interference depending upon which station "captures" your receiver and to what extent.

If the whip separates from the mag mount, you may be able to reuse the mount if it's a standard connector (such as a uhf/pl259 or nmo).

Back in my CB days whether degraded the less expensive coax and poorly weather protectors connection within few years. Never new it till you find you reception and transmission begins to decrease. Midwest weather are brutal on antenna systems.

Never say never but no. Just pick up a standard 1/4 wave uhf mag mount on amazon.