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This is a very bad choice for many people because the programming software/CPS has a very steep learning curve, is often difficult if not impossible to find, often (depending on the radio/software) does not run well on newer computers, things like batteries, cables, etc, are also often difficult to find or expensive, and it will almost certainly cost a lot more. And most important: Those commercial radios are not Part 95 approved so it is illegal to use them and they will go to jail!!!!!1 I know this because I've seen this posted on this forum 100 times or more. Sometimes "cheap junk Chinese radios" are plenty good enough for normal people, despite the poor QC, but "some people" just cannot seem to grasp this simple fact and will live the rest of their lives proselytizing against inexpensive radios completely oblivious to other people's needs/desires.

I heard two guys one day arguing about how tall a tower was. I told them to lay it down and measure it. They said we don't care how long it is, we want to know how high it is.

If safe (always like to throw that in there), try taking your hand held up on the roof and see if that improves your position enough. You may get an idea if it’s worth putting an antenna up. Also if you know where the repeater is you can get an idea of line if site using a tool like this.

I carry them with the batteries removed and stored in ziplock bags. I just put them in my notebook computer bag.

So, with that being said, my memory did serve me right, 75 cm is 400 MHz. Well, not too shabby for an old guy with some memory left in the gray cells.

The formula for converting between wavelength and frequency is very straightforward. Frequency is the number of waves in one second. They’re usually expressed in terms of millions per second (MHz) but could also be thought of as millions of waves per second. C is the speed of light: 300 million meters per second. RF waves travel through vacuum at the speed of light. The wavelength is the distance between the same point on any two adjacent waves, expressed in the same units as the speed of light (meters). Wavelength x Frequency always equals the speed of light. W x F = C 1 meter = 100 cm. Algebra allows us to rearrange that to solve for anything you want For instance: W = C/F So, for example, you have a frequency of 150 MHz. 300 million meters per second divided by 150 million waves per second equals 2 meters per wave. In other words 150 MHz is a 2 meter wavelength. Or find the wavelength for GMRS: 300 million meters per second divided by 462 million waves per second ≈ 0.65 meters or 65 centimeters wavelength. Or, given the wavelength, calculate the frequency: F = C/W So given 70 cm (0.70 m) the frequency in MHz would be 300/0.70 = 428.5

So, its been a month since my original GMRS UV-5R purchase. After going through EIGHT units, here's my epilogue: 1 - First pair purchased (on eBay): Neither unit would transmit on Channel 15. Units simply beep and the red transmit light stays blank. Seller eventually refunded my full purchase price 2 - Second pair purchased (this time on Amazon): Both units properly transmit on all GMRS channels, but now, neither unit can be programmed using the keypad. Any frequency (including all GMRS frequencies) entered and saved into the units' memory will not allow any transmission - units simply beep. (Note: Frequencies programmed using CHIRP work fine). Both units returned to Amazon for replacement 3 - Third pair purchased (the Amazon replacements): Same problem as the second pair... units will not transmit on anything programmed via keypad. Both units returned to Amazon, this time for a refund 4 - Fourth pair purchased (back to eBay for another try): Yep, same problem as the first pair purchased. They again refuse to transmit on GMRS Channel 15 I kept 4 of the 8 units purchased above (the four eBay units), as the ability to program "in the field" is more important to me than losing one channel (Ch 15) for simplex transmission. Pros: Transmission Range: I can hit four different repeaters all over 75 miles away "as the crow flies" (probably more a function of my elevated location) using the extended range "771 knockoff" antenna. Transmission Audio Quality: Excellent - everyone I have interacted with on repeaters reports that the received audio is loud and clear Battery: Approx. 10 hours of usage with an approx. 90/10 rx/tx ratio on a full charge (which takes 4 - 5 hours) Technical Support: Baofeng's technical support was very responsive to my inquiries (even though I did not purchase from them directly). They even sent me the correct WIN10 driver to use with my programming cable (something the seller failed to do). But ultimately, they could not resolve any of the transmission issues on these units Cons: Quality Control: The obvious weak point. And as with most Chinese electronics, the customer and the beta tester are one and the same. Since I'm a glutton for punishment, I'm now going to try out the Quansheng UV-K6 for comparison!

It’s entirely possible that you’re blocked by the structures and topography of the town. It’s also possible that your radio isn’t sensitive enough. Sensitivity is a problem with inexpensive radios, but being blocked is more likely the reason for your problems. Can you see the location of the repeater? Could you see it if you were higher? How close are you to the repeater? Is there a location that’s on the same line from the repeater, but higher, even if it’s further out? Go for a drive to see. A higher antenna is generally better, but if it’s not, getting a base station isn’t necessarily going to solve the issue.

"It's easy to become confused by these questions. Before we take action we need to talk about this some more at another time." ~ Ten Bears, Dances with Wolves

Our VEC electronically submitted my results the night I tested. The next day I had my license.

The requirements are clear. A base station is allowed to talk to other base stations or mobile or portable stations. A fixed station may only communicate with other fixed stations. Both are stations in a fixed location. What hangs people up is that they cannot imagine how they would use them within those constraints. One other thing that I think is interesting (apparently I have no life) is that fixed stations may transmit on the 467 MHz main frequencies, but only up to 15 watts outpu. Base stations may not transmit on the 467 MHz main frequencies, but they can transmit up to 50 watts on the 462 MHz main frequencies. There’s a very long and contentious thread that’s probably named “What’s a Fixed Station?”

PL tones, no PL tones...neither can keep anyone out.

Do it without fear!! Great little radio. I love mine.

You dont mention the cable you are using. If you have alot of cable and poor cable it will kill rx as well as tx signal. more power will get out but if the repeater is using less power you wont here it. Balance. Also the antenna is not what I would use but for some reason folks love them

I’m a new member and just recently got my GMRS license. I understand how repeaters work but my questions are: 1. If the repeater says OPEN SYSTEM do you need permission to use it? I see a tab that says request access even though both the input and output tones are shown. 2. How far can a GMRS 5W HT radio go to hit a repeater? 3. Just to be sure, I would need to input both tones to be able to hear and receive communication? Thanks in advance for your help!

Welcome! #1: No.. If they publish the tones, that means they want everyone to see them #2: "It depends".. you can expect anywhere from 1/2 mile to 80 miles #3: You only need the TX/Encode tone (the one you transmit) to use the repeater. The RX/Decode only makes it so you only hear traffic from the repeater and not kids down the street talking on simplex, etc.