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This is a really good deal for a radio that’s small enough for a go-bag. $85 with a magnetic mount, but be sure you get a whip with a pl-259 because the mount is an so-239 (thanks to Fe2O3 for the catch!): https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-db20g

Just FYI - Prepare yourself for all the "experts" that are going to tell you that antenna location "won't work".. Just ignore them. It is true, that location wont work "the best it can be", but it will work just fine for trail comms. On both my jeeps i have the antenna mounted just about a foot to the left and I can get 30+ miles simplex and i have hit a repeater at 93 miles - that should be plenty "good enough". When mounting on the tailgate like that you should run a grounding strap (not a 'wire') from the antenna mount to the tub of the Jeep - make sure the connections are metal to metal. You can use any UHF coax - try to keep it as short as possible but if you have a foot or two extra, just loosely coil it up. Ignore the "experts" that tell you this will make your antenna/radio "not work". Be aware that the Diamond NR7900A is not a GMRS antenna - unless you are also planning to transmit on the ham bands, I would recommend getting an antenna made/tuned for GMRS antenna - I use the Midland MXTA26 You will probably also need an NMO mount to connect the antenna to the bracket, like this: https://www.amazon.com/Assembly-Connector-Adapter-Connect-Vehicle/dp/B0BLMHJ338/ You may also need some kind of SMA to SO-239 connector to connect the BoofWhang to the antenna cable - something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Bingfu-Antenna-Adapter-Coaxial-Kenwood/dp/B083D5TMKG/ But check the gender on both ends to make sure you get the right one for your radio - and get a couple of them because they tend to wear out. I'm sure i'm missing something, but this should get you started.

Maybe use the Up/Down vote available in the Technical discussion forum.

I'm not positive, but I don't think the mount you shared will work 'out of the box' with a UHF connector, which is what you need for the Diamond antenna you mention. You may have to modify it to work. If you are handy with tools and have a drill, you should be fine. I have used Diamond and Comet lip mounts on the swing gate, too. You may want to look and see what they have, and get a proper mount for the antenna selection you make, rather than a CB antenna mount. If you do get a lip mount, be sure the mount doesn't have a stabilizing tab sticking out or you can destroy the back window. Also, that is Diamond way too much antenna for you. It's a wonderful antenna and performance is amazing, but I use it because I have several radios sharing that antenna, of which all but my GMRS radio are way over 100w out... one being 315w. I agree with Randy on a lot of what he mentioned, including going with the MXTA26. I also have the same UHF to NMO adapter that he linked and it works well. If you get an NMO antenna and use the adapter on your UHF mount, be sure to set the jam nut correctly and use anti-seize to be sure the NMO disc doesn't unscrew with the antenna on removal. It can be a massive pain in the six to get out. I have had a bunch of antennas installed on the swing gate over the years. Follow the grounding advice and you should be fine.

On both my jeeps the antennas are mounted on the tailgate hinges, just to the left of what shows in your mounting bracket picture.. That NMO mount will work as long as you are able to feed/thread it to the places you need. That is the correct type of strap - i got my from the local auto-parts store - i think they call it a battery grounding strap and they come in different lengths. Should be able to find it on Amazon as well.

You captured it perfectly.

I have and SDS200 scanner that downloads everything from RadioReference.com's database and I am able to pick up a LOT of VHF traffic.. Mostly things like forestry service and several other federal agencies, public service traffic, some ambulance service companies and the California Highway Patrol.. On UHF I am also able to get a couple of police departments, the Los Angeles County Sherrif's department and a couple of fire departments, but all the others are encrypted.

Summary: Don't follow MFGR instructions to upgrade firmware on new radios - check your version 1sts! ISSUE: I purchased 2 new Radioddity GM-30s. Upgraded firmware took me down V06.03.009 to V06.03.009 RESOLVED by Radioddity. See below for details. The Manual said to download software and latest firmware and install firmware, I did (Doh!) I went from Firmware V06.03.009 DOWN to V06.03.009. MY EMAIL: Hello, Summary: PLEASE GIVE ME THE LINK TO YOUR NEWEST FIRMWARE so I can get back to or better than V6.03.009 I do LOVE my two new radios - XLNT for the price. I got my TWO new Radioddity GM-30s and followed instructions and upgraded the first one. The Firmware "Upgrade" took me DOWN from V6.03.009 to V6.03.006! DId I download the wrong one? Factory Reset did NOT put it back to V6.03.009. MY 2nd radio I do NOT 'update'; so remains V6.03.009. My request: PLEASE GIVE ME THE LINK TO YOUR NEWEST FIRMWARE so I can get back to or better than V6.03.009. I hope to hear from a human. Thank you. ========================= RADIODDITY's (David's) OUTSTANDING REPLY!! Radioddity Online_Store Attachments 1 (firmware v6.03.009 bin file) 12:13 PM ) to me Hi Dave, We have never made v6.03.009 up for download, as the manufacturer had insisted it is the same as v6.03.006. That said, I have been able to secure a copy of the 6.03.009 firmware, which is attached to this reply. (I am human - at least 5 days a week ) Cheers, David Little Radioddity Support Team ======END========= Great support. Gotta Luv Radioddity!!! (after this - I certainly do!) My lesson learned, Don't follow MFGR instructions to upgrade firmware on new radios - check your version 1sts! [This is my 1st submission, hope it's appropriate and in the right place] David Stewart WRUQ282 Their link is here (but check your version first!): https://www.radioddity.com/pages/radioddity-download

I'm thinking about switching to this combo. Shouldn't need an adapter fir the mount. Midland – MXTA24 Low Profile Antenna Cable with NMO Connector – CB Antenna Cable Extension – 6 Meters (19 ft) with Removable UHF Connection https://a.co/d/chaGRps NMO Fender Mount Antenna Bracket JK https://a.co/d/clQoU5F

Thanks man..

Spare tire mount works well on my 21 Wrangler. All antennas and their mounts are a compromise of one sort or another. There is no one perfect antenna

Okay, I think many of us recognize that an FAQs thread would have some value. So here’s what I propose. Start a new topic in the Guest forum called FAQs. Whenever we see a good answer to a question we consider an FAQ, we copy the question and it and add it to the FAQs. We ask a Rich to pin it to the top of the Guest forum. I recommend we keep the bickering away from there. For example, Iif I don’t agree with your interpretation of whether repeaters must identify, I should go somewhere else to argue and mark the question as ambiguous in the absence of an official ruling from the FCC. How does that sound? Steve

Something made to bolt-in to my custom tailgate hinge/spare tire holder. i think they make one for the stock tailgate as well - i got it from quadratec.com

I bought a Nagoya folding whip ( NA-F30G) for my Baofeng UV-5R GMRS at Amazon and got the original in the original packaging. The folding whip is easy to deal with in the vehicle and transmits OK when folded. I wanted to see if it would improve my reception at my house, which is in a RF black hole! The antenna is 30-inches long unfolded and not for walking around or using in high wind when unfolded because it is very flexible and folds easily. I've gotten used to that and got a modest 20-30 percent or so in reception which is great quite a difference in clarity. I have two UV-5Rs and had them on the same table out in the patio - that's how I tested it. I can hit the clearest repeater 24 miles from my house but its scratchy at best. Nine miles away it it hits it well. Here's the link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BZ59WT5D?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

The House of Representatives should open an investigation by the House Un-GMRS Activities Committee and subpoena Ham Radio operators and ask them under oath: And then ask them to name other Hams that they have spoken to on GMRS!

Forgot about FPD. The two towns I live closet to are unincorporated so I just listen to Madera SO who provide our LEO services.

WRYZ926 Ya I'm always amazed at how many people don't seem to want to do any research of their own. They get an idea that they want to get into radio, get on you tube for five minutes run out and buy a Boofwang (thanks Randy) and then find a forum and start asking "how do I work this thing and why will no one talk to me? I must need a repeater, whatever that is". I spent a couple months researching and reading this forum (and others) before signing up. I was able to answer most of my questions just by reading. I bought books on radio communication. Most of the questions they ask can be answered with a search on the forum. I agree that an FAQ section could be useful to point them to.

It just so happens that the main site (www.mygmrs.com) has a shopping portal: https://shop.mygmrs.com Other purveyors are: https://www.radioddity.com https://baofengtech.com/shop/?swoof=1&pa_user=gmrs&pa_product-type=radio But as long as you pay attention to which store you’re buying from on Amazon, you should be fine. I buy lots of stuff from Amazon and I very seldom need to return anything but when I do it’s very simple. I usually only buy things that are shipped from Amazon, rather than a storefront I’ve never heard of.

Don't depend on the accuracy of the frequencies you see in their database. They depend on users to send them info, which they try to verify. I have noticed some retail frequencies for a local mall where the store has been out of business for a number of years yet the entry remains in their database. I had attempted to get some frequencies added a few years ago but I was told by the admin for that area he wouldn't do it without further confirmation. After that experience I just don't bother. If you're not hearing any traffic on the frequencies it's very likely they are no longer used. One fairly good check however is look to see if there is an FCC call sign listed. If so then look it up on the FCC's database. Under that call sign there is a tab for frequencies licensed. If the ones you have are not listed then for sure they aren't used any longer and you can delete them.

I have the ham version of this radio and while I haven't used the manufacturer software you can do what you are looking to do with the beta they have in Chirp. Chirp is currently working on the software for the KG-Q10G along with the KG-Q10H and you will be able to do this with Chirp. Here's a link to their progress.

Maybe. And/or show both viewpoints.

We could bring them back here and vote on them?

Welcome to GMRS! As you can see, some of the more vocal members of this Forum continue to press for their personal preference that GMRS is "bring your own contacts." Whether or not this is historically true, the fact of the matter is that many of the newest members here are expressing a preference for the ability to reach out and have non-family/friends contacts with other GMRS licensees, too. Some are motivated to setup new repeaters in their areas for just that very purpose. And in some geographical locations, such as Southern California, there are many established repeaters that allow and encourage non-family/friends contacts; such as the Club650 and the Santiago CREST 675 repeaters. YMMV and good luck with your use of GMRS!

Yeah, a decent FAQ or “Start Here” post could help with several of these questions, or just a referral to Notarubicon videos.

You sure? Because: I have been dying to use this image somewhere

I'm thinking that since this topic comes up so often by new GMRS licensees, an email should go out to every new registered user of this site explaining the distinction(s) between FRS/GMRS and amateur radio. Just a thought.

That’s pretty common. For the most part GMRS is something you buy to talk to friends or relatives who also have GMRS radios. If you want to meet new friends on the airwaves, ham radio is more fitting.

With the exception of some built in antennas such as the Garmin Rhinos, none of the antennas used with commercial GMRS radios are “designed for the radio.” They’re standard off-the-shelf items picked for a combination of cost and performance.

And if you get your GMRS License and technician (or higher) license then you can double the costs since you will be looking at radios for HAM and GMRS. Yes I fell down that rabbit hole.

The UV-5R(G)(X) series of radios is an excellent "gateway" radio into a lifelong struggle of buying newer, bigger and better radios to meet your needs!

This kind of crap doesn’t belong here.

It's ham lower case. Amateur radio has more facets than most people can begin to imagine. My advice is to study for both Tech and General, it's not that much of a workload to bump up to General. #1 look for your local ham club, ask if you can go to a meeting and look at the club's equipment. Talk to members. #2 purchase a SDR radio and start listening before you buy any equipment.