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Not quite sure where all this paranoia about the Federal Government comes from, but the events since the presidential election of 2020 show that election workers have more to fear from being Dox'ed by anti-government activists than the other way around: Attacks Against Election Officials are taking a Toll

Sure: Buy another radio, unscrew the nut and put the rest in your parts drawer! Jack Nicholson needs a nut for his HT! ?

Unless the UV5R is unusual, the only "nut" I can visualize is the thin plate that holds the SMA connector in place on the body of the radio. Those tend (at least in my mind) to have teeth cut in the rim for a "special" tool to unscrew them, as normal nuts are too thick and don't leave room for a socket. https://mgs4u.com/product/nut-for-sma-female-bulkheads-thru-walls-and-feed-throughs-7815-s-nut/ https://www.data-alliance.net/bulkhead-nut-washer-for-rp-sma-sma-mount-connector-on-enclosure-or-pcb/ Didn't see any of the flat plate style.

He has (or will have) a repeater with an SO-239 connector. He already has an antenna that has an SO-239 connector. He has LM-400 feedline that has PL-259 connectors that will mate directly to the antenna and repeater, no adapters needed. In terms of loss through connectors, that’s the least he can make it, regardless of whether he uses hardline or anything else. If he gets a jumper with N connectors on both ends he would have to add N to PL-259 adapters, which (using your numbers) would add 1 dB loss and negate the 0.75 dB difference (your numbers for the loss through 25’ of LM-400) in losses through the feedline. But what are the losses through 1/2 “Commscope? The losses per 100 ft (according to the Commscope website) are 2.342 dB or about 0.55 dB for 25 feet. So, by using Commscope Superflex and two adapters, the losses are 0.56 + 0.50 +0.50 or 1.56 dB So now he’s 0.8 dB negative compared to using what he already has. Yes, he might decide that he doesn’t have the coverage he wants and decide to buy an antenna with more gain. He still has that as an option. “But I digress I keep forgetting the hobby is about doing it as cheap as possible as hams do in this new age.” Way to lash out at both hams and those who have already stated they don’t have deep pockets.

You don't work for Radioddity, do you? You're gonna get me in trouble with the wife, my Amazon cart is getting really heavy.

Yes, a mobile with antenna AND a mobile as base station at home with an antenna 30' above ground level would solve some ore most of that problem. ? Getting clear of the berms would help.

TNRonin, Youre getting good advice from radio professionals about the best antennas and feed line. That’s great if you really want the best. If that’s the case simply ignore the rest of this post. If you’re still reading you might be a hobbyist who’s just interested in “good enough“ and the financial savings that implies. You already have LM400 feedline. I think you already have a J-pole. A short run of LM400 will have nearly no discernible incremental losses compared to hardline. Just make sure you seal the connectors against moisture. A better antenna will make a difference, but how much is that worth to you? Hook up what you have and try it. It won’t cost you anything but your time and I guarantee you’ll learn from the experience. Then, if it doesn’t work like you want, you can always try a different antenna (or perhaps raising the j-pole). You can always upgrade the feed line as well. I would hate to see your enjoyment of the hobby diminished because you’ve been convinced that what you have isn’t good enough when the actual incremental improvement is only measurable to professionals. Don’t let the best stand in the way of the good enough. Lots of people use LM400 and j-poles with inexpensive repeaters and do just fine. In the end elevation and location are the most important factors and all the money you have cannot overcome that.

For a magnetic mount antenna, you'll need an adapter cable/fitting if the antenna doesn't match the radio. You don't necessarily need a mag mount to transmit from a car or truck. You get calls and texts while driving right? While some signal may be blocked and reception may be reduced a tiny bit, a car has enough glass for you to talk on your radio. I transmit regularly to a repeater about 12 miles away from inside a metal building. Its not perfect, but I am perfectly readable. You losing signal with your wife is likely not a function of being in the car. I cant talk to my wife when she is on her HT and I'm on mine 1.5 -2 miles apart. Terrain and location (rural, urban, suburban) have a lot to do with range too. Bottom line: Height is king, get that antenna up higher if you want "more Fars" (put the antenna on the roof of the car) and check for local repeaters. Btech sells the Nagoya UT-72G for about $35, it comes with the adapter for the radio too. I've had good luck with mine so far.

1st..your relating CB & Ham radio even in the same sentence is ludicrous! CB was doomed from the get-go for many reasons. And Ham radio is for thoughts who want a hobby and learn the inter-workings of radio per sic. Most of use just want dependable, clear and static free commo…period! So putting up repeaters to provide dependable service to cover larger areas/communities makes since. I, myself; want something…mobile, low wattage for family camping/fishing trips or shtf sinario. Just my $.02. WRUE648 RicD

You (and everyone) is welcome to join our National Net via Zello, every Thursday night at 7PM (Pacific).. No Facebook, no dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings. See how here: https://www.notarubicon.com/zello-gmrs-repeater/

Thank you for the reply. Not all of us are on Facebook or have a desire to join. Is there a website or contact instead for the Oklahoma group?

I wouldn't say it failed. Some ORI repeaters are around me that are not listed here, and there are also a plenty of ORI repeaters listed here. YMMV, as usual, depending on the area.

You can also tie multiple licenses to the PO Box without issue. When looking for a PO Box (I used USPS), shop the Post Office that around you within a short driving distance. The Post Office that is like 7 minutes from me, a PO was $65 every 6 months. A Post Office about 15 minutes from me was $30 for 6 months. You REALLY only have to go to that Post Office ONCE to pick up the keys, especially if its JUST used for GMRS/Armature licensing. ANNND sign up for informed delivery and you can see anything going to it. I also use the PO box address for when I ship anything sold online.