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I picked up a NanoVNA-H4 analyzer and ran a quick sweep of three antennas I have. A Comet GP-6NC dual band (GMRS/MURS) with 50ft of 400MAX cable, a N9TAX dual band (GMRS/MURS) Slim Jim and a KB9VBR GMRS J-Pole with 25ft of RG-213. Here are the results, first time using the NanoVNA and there are lots of other options to play with but will take a bit of time to learn them all. I will say the Comet is perfectly tuned for GMRS. Comet GP-6NC 1.07 VSWR at 462.5 Mhz 1.06 VSWR at 467.5 Mhz N9TAX dual band Slim Jim 1.30 VSWR at 462.5 Mhz 1.30 VSWR at 467.5 Mhz KB9VBR GMRS J-Pole 1.75 VSWR at 462.5 Mhz 1.35 VSWR at 467.5 Mhz

It'll work. If you want the best GMRS only HT antenna though, in my book, it's tough to beat the Nagoya 771G antenna. I can personally say it increases our range in full 100% heavy dense woods from 1-1.25mi to 1.5-1.75mi and increases clarity alot on the edges.

Here is what it looks like in Chirp, Select the "S" under the skip column for any channel you want to skip. I also found it helpful to increase the squelch levels to cut out unwanted noise. your settings may vary from mine. I just played around to find a happy range where I am located. I hope this helps

Well, off-road enthusiasts have adopted GMRS channel 16 because it's the product of 4 x 4. That's widespread. Highly popular YouTube Hobo (his terminology) Notarubicon has "decreed" channel 19 on GMRS as the highway frequency in a YouTube video, as discussed here: Obviously he has no "official" standing to do that, but he's a natural leader and s a lot of people who enjoy his videos support the adoption. Not everyone gets his humor, but personally I like it. The major reason to adopt it is the fact that the number 19 has been recognized for years in CB and GMRS is sometimes seen as CB 2.0. Unfortunately, a treaty with Canada results in a prohibition printed on all GMRS licenses against using channel 19 above Line A, which runs across top of the northern tier states and includes approximately 12 millions American citizens. Channel 20 has no such prohibitions, but channel 20 doesn't have the recognition that Channel 19 has nor the endorsement of Randy at Notarubicon - aka @OffRoaderX on this forum. From a purely practical perspective everywhere south of Line A Channel 19 is probably the first place to visit for highway contacts. History has proven that it's always a poor bet to be ignorant of groundswell movements. FCC no longer identifies any frequency as an emergency channel on GMRS as far as I know. So, if you're going off-roading, Channel 16 is probably the channel you'll end up using and if you want help on the highway try either 19 or 20, whichever works.

Never thought they would beef up the IRS with so many people, but surprise, they did. Am I "giddy" at the prospect of a clamp down by the FCC? No. Remember when Hams were begging the FCC to start enforcing Part 97 reg's? Nobody thought "anything" would happen, it did, not much, but there was some action taken. The way things are now I wouldn't dismiss anything, however, we're living in the Twilight Zone at the moment.

I have two of these. I added the answers inside your quote.

I got a Nagoya 771G antenna for my UV-9G and I like it a lot. I will get the SMA-male for the UV-5G thanks for the reply!!

That looks like a great radio. I have been contemplating that radio myself. I like the fact that it can pick up air traffic too. I'm torn between that and the KG-935G. So many people seem to like it. I don't think you can go wrong either way and hope to hear your thoughts once you got it. When I use chirp I'll download from the radio twice so I have an unchanged version should somthing go awry. I think I picked this idea up from one of Notarubicon's videos.

Thank you both Sshannon and WRUU653 for your replies. I will try out Chirp next week (already downloaded the GNU/Linux version) I am a big fan of Notarubicon, and his videos helped me pick my begnner GRMS radios: a UV-5G and one UV-9G. I have also ordered a Wouyxun KG-UV9GX which, I hope, will allow me to try the next level up. Thanks for all your pointers!!!

Unfortunately, based upon the manual I located, the front-panel menu system does NOT include Scan-Add/Scan-Del (or Rem) capability... I don't have the unit so can't verify if Chirp supports scanning restrictions for that model. Many years ago, the FCC specified .675 PL 141.3 as a nationwide emergency/traveller assist frequency. That's Channel 20 in the unified numbering scheme that came out of the 2017 reorganization. And you'd need to try both simplex and repeater mode on .675 On 11m CB, channel 19 became a sort of standard "trucker's" channel (9 is still an FCC regulated emergency channel). On Maritime VHF, channel 16 is the international calling/emergency channel. However, neither of those are frequencies in common with GMRS (CB is 27MHz, Maritime VHF is 156MHz, GMRS is 462MHz). Selection of 19 or 16 is likely just based upon people knowing that 19 is the common CB road frequency (though few others are used in specific areas of the US), and Maritime 16 MUST be monitored unless one is using the radio on a different channel [after making initial contact on 16].

Welcome! According to this YouTube video, it requires a firmware update. So you are back to finding someone with a Windows computer to help you.

Yes, you got it. It really does help with clarity. I still haven't figured out how to get out of the quotes though, when I accidentaly post a reply with my comments inside them. Portables are a subset of mobiles. It's in the definition: Hand-held portable unit - A physically small mobile station that can be operated while being held in the operator's hand. It's a requirement embodied by the wording of the definition. The definition lists what types of stations base stations communicate directly with. Base station. A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations. Repeaters are not listed. It's a requirement of the requirements of the channels. Base stations are not allowed to transmit on the 467 Main channels that are inputs to repeaters. 467 MHz main channels. Only mobile, hand-held portable, control and fixed stations may transmit on these 8 channels... (I snipped the rest, but it doesn't change this answer.) That just doesn't exist within the GMRS regulations. That's up to you. I would hope they have someone on staff who answers these kinds of questions and I would really be interested in whatever response you get, but I doubt you will walk away less frustrated. I think your frustration stems from a desire to have a nice tidy set of rules that make sense to you, but we all think differently. What makes perfect sense to me might not make sense to you and vice versa. I just want to know if a "station" can fluidly change from one station type to another based on usage. I like rules. I like understanding rules. Ever since I started doing compliance work I sort of wished I had gotten a law degree in addition to my engineering degrees. Obviously you appreciate clear rules also. GMRS has relatively few rules though and those it has are sometimes difficult to fathom. There's no test of knowledge or qualifications and very little control over who can operate under one person's license. There's no limit on who in my immediate family can operate (not just use) a station under my license. My three year old grandkid can be a station operator (not just user). Of course I still bear the responsibility, but station operation by minors is permitted. Anyone can set up a repeater - no coordination required. Anyone can create a network using Fixed Stations. The FCC literally knows nothing about what each station is because stations are not licensed. And they know nothing about the capabilities of each licensee. I found this in the regulations: § 95.329 How to contact the FCC. For information about the Personal Radio Services, see the FCC's internet Web site (www.fcc.gov). To speak with an FCC representative about the Personal Radio Services, call the FCC's information line 888-CALL-FCC(888-225-5322). To write the FCC about these services, address the Federal Communications Commission, Attention: Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, at the address of the FCC's main office indicated in 47 CFR 0.401(a). [82 FR 41104, Aug. 29, 2017, as amended at 85 FR 64411, Oct. 13, 2020] D

Can any of those be remotely controlled using DTMF? Especially #2 - Transit Function?

Thank you both for the information. I am not sure if I am brave enough (these days) to build a COS detector. But I will give it a lot of thought. If I can't trade these radio's away for others that will work for me, then I just might give it a shot. Thank You both for responding. -Fred-

When I ordered up the Comet GP6 antenna from DX Engineering I knew I needed at least a Type-N to UHF/SO-239 adapter for the KG1000+ (antenna is Type-N) and had plans to buy the NanoVNA once the antenna came in. DX Engineering had "all gender" Type-N to UHF/SO-239 kit (4 piece adapter package) for $20 that allows me to have any gender (Type-N male or female and SO-239 male or female) at the end of the cable. Another $20 got me the same kit but for Type-N to SMA. I'm covered on hooking up any of my antennas to a radio, HT, or the NanoVNA.

3 pages of arguing over a control station, fixed station....yet we help guys use non certified radios for use......im baffled...

That response for the Comet is impressive.

I actually carry 2 antennas to use. Depending on where I am, I swap them around. I use the 6dB gain antenna when I am relatively flat areas, but if I am driving through the mountains (like when I go offroading) I use the 1/4 wave antenna.