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It's always good to have both GMRS and amateur radio to use. We are getting our amateur club to install a GMRS repeater so that we have an addition method of communications for emergency situations.

It’s easy to get started with a cheap Baofeng (many of us did) or you can get something better like the KG-UV9gx that already has SHTF receive frequencies programmed to monitor public agencies in case the worst happens. https://bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg-uv9gx-gmrs-two-way-radio-shtf-scanner/ The single most important thing is to have a communications plan prepared in advance.

As someone who had an FFL for over 40 years, I have to say that sounds very painful. I would also encourage you to do the ham test. I found HamStudy.org to be a great way to study that made it fun for me to learn the principles rather than simply memorizing the answers. It truly was easy. I chose to pay $5 to buy the app for my phone, but the website use costs nothing.

I had to think about it for a minute, but I have that antenna and have used it on all 3 bands with a UV5X3 with success. On top of a 14 story building I was able to hit a repeater 23 miles away very clearly. It's a bit long and unwieldy, but that is a trade off for all 3 bands. I only use it when I know I am going to use 1.25m

From my limited experience along with web and YouTube searches, the DTMF codes allow a user to access devices using the radio. This can include repeaters, garage doors, and anything else where your radio might be used as a remote with a particular configured device. I have not use for this function and dont want to make my radios open to receiving unwanted codes. The Kill/Stun function is an anti-theft function. Government agencies have this built into their public safety equipment. Depending on how much one spends for a mobile or HT, I can understand how you may want to brick the device if it was stolen. Getting it back would be another issue. I think if you change the default code in CHIRP or CPS software it should limit someone from using a factory code to mess with your radio.

I have neither of those radios. I don’t recall hearing good reviews about the A36 Talkpod, but maybe I’ve missed some. The Wouxun KG-805G is a superhet radio that has received good reviews, supports split tones, has been reported programmable with Chirp, and sells for right at $100.

I think the best use for the long whip antennas is for fringe areas of receptions not as your every day carry antenna. Keep one in the car or backpack when out and about and put it on when needed. It does get tiring having it in the way all the time otherwise. You can also keep a mag mount antenna in the car as a back up for even better range if needed and while driving.

First welcome to the forum and to GMRS. @WRZE995 brought up some good points. You can get started on the cheap with a Baofeng hand held, from there the sky is the limit. I will say that an outside antenna on your vehicle will help any HT (hand held) have better range versus trying to use the stock antenna inside the vehicle.

Did not modify at all. Used this one from Amazon, then trimmed to fit an existing dash blank to the right of my steering wheel (4Runner) so my Midland 575 plugs into the dash. CERRXIAN RJ45 Male to Female LAN Ethernet Network Cat 5e Panel Mount Cable (Black)(2m) https://a.co/d/1WLc6Wh

Well, after 3 years without a CB radio, I bought a new unit. It's a Cobra 75 All Road. I haven't been following CB, but i do know the FCC rule changes about a year ago now allow FM use. I have been curious about it, especially knowing how well FM works on 29 MHz. I had a customer tell me they were interested in this radio, asked if I had an opinion about it and asked if I would install it for them. So, I bought one to check it out. I have to say, it's a little weird running a "stock" CB... but so far, I like it. It's just AM/FM with weather channels, but the transceiver is remote and the controls are in the mic (a familiar setup). BUT, the mic and all the controls are done wirelessly. The mic plugs into any USB port you have, or comes with a power outlet adapter. The mic works over Bluetooth so well, that I had the transceiver in my Jeep, but tested the mic range in my son's Jeep. It works about 30 feet away, which was awesome. I haven't chatted with anyone yet, but I was listening to AM Skip from all over the country. The receiver sensitivity seems real good so far. I am going to ask a friend of mine with an FM CB to help me do some range testing. I'll follow up soon and share the results.

Its like Christmas. My I get my Wouxun KG-1000 G Plus Mobil Today. It is out for delivery. The only issue is that my play time is reduced because I have several irons in the fire including my upcoming Ham tests which I have not studied for recently. I just inherited a WWII Mauser my great uncle brought home from Europe after the war so I am cleaning and researching. I am trying to sell some estate property, and my son just sent me the book "One Second After" which is a pretty riveting and interesting book so not enough hours in the day. I am not complaining, It could be worse. I will start by setting it up as a base just so I can get used to it without sitting in a car and have it next to my PC for programming. I do have a laptop however so that is not a big issue.

Thank you, I am considering the mentioned Nagoya NA-320A, and I also saw the Diamond Antenna Tri-Band HT SRH320A for over twice the price but about 4 inches shorter. I would need an adapter, which is no big deal. I will have to decide how much I want to sink into this purchase.

But no Jennings or Lorcins

Here is a tri band 2m.1.25m/70cm Nagoya antenna. https://www.amazon.com/Nagoya-NA-320A-2M-1-25M-70CM-144-220-440Mhz-BTECH/dp/B01K10B9XK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=tri%2Bband%2Bantenna&qid=1700346610&sr=8-1&th=1

I have 4 days to prepare for my HAM test and I am only halfway thru the General material so I have to knock out 4 lessons a day. I think the Technician test is in the bag however and I can live with passing only that test. Bottom line is you wont hear much from me until that test and my first Ham meeting is behind me. I am honestly not sure I would do this if I knew what I know now back when I started with the Ham prep. From what I have learned and experienced with GMRS I think I would be quite happy with a good GMRS setup. Since I am this far in however, it is now a quest like going to see Marty Moose Once I have my Ham license it gives me options so that makes it worth the effort to me. Time will tell what if anything I will do with the Ham license once I have it. I do have two cheap Baofeng UV-5Rs but we will see what that develops into. If nothing else I can be a Sad Ham when I get bored. Back to studying. Fortunately my father repaired radios, and TVs when I was a kid so Ohm's law, diodes, cathodes, multimeters have all been part of my life and years as a Computer Services Manager with the Dept of Justice all give me a little bit of a base to build on. I am primarily using a paid site "HamRadioPrep.com" but I have also spent time on HamStudy.org.

First, everything Boxcar said is correct, but to directly answer your question, if you used a mag-mount antenna on a cookie sheet on your roof it would not drain the power. The coax cables used for those antennas do attenuate the signal somewhat, but they are short, so the effect is limited AND not as negative as the positive effect of using an elevated higher gain antenna. In other words the net benefit should be positive.

Many online "experts" highly tout the Nagoya NA-771-G as one of the best antennas for GMRS HTs. My new Baofeng UV5R came with this Abbree AR-771 antenna. Is doesn't seem to get any better reception than the shorter rubber duck antenna. Is this AR-771 just trying to capitalize on the Chinese copycat name? Is it garbage as I suspect? I smell a review/comparison coming!

Antenna height is the key. A higher antenna means the distance to the horizon increases along with clearance for obstacles like hills, trees, and buildings. You can use something inexpensive as a mast for an outdoor antenna such as PVC pipe. You can easily use 2 ten-foot sections of 1 1/2 inch pipe to get your antenna up over 20 feet.

Welcome! Spend some time reading through past threads. You will find tons of info. These questions get asked by new people almost daily.

For those with unlocked radios, you can use CHIRP to turn TX off on individual channels by turning duplex to off.

How many SEALs are carrying two Palmetto State carbines rather than a single M4A1?

I'd rather have TWO good well engineered working radios than a sack full of junk handies.

Ya that was always a long shot. But didn't hurt to try.

IMO, it is important to point out that the RG-58 coax that comes with most magnet mount antennas, while not "the best" you can buy, is more than plenty 'good enough' for average, normal, GMRS users.

As mentioned using a Ham Radio on GMRS is not legal. On the other point about high power HT's. Most people find out the Chinese radios rarely generate the claimed power output. I've seen claims of HT's that can do 20 to 30 watts plus. Just not believable. The other point is the higher output power drains the battery pack faster resulting in far less operating time. Also the radios are not 100 percent efficient. For various reasons the real world efficiency is about 50 percent. That means if the radio is doing an honest 10 watts of output the battery is being drained at a 20 watt rate. Further the 10 watts of heat generated, 20 watts input minus the 10 watts of output, is soaked up by the tiny body of the radio. Those palm sized radios are the worse. Even a 5 watt radio turns into an uncomfortable "hand warmer" when operated at high duty cycles. A few Hams have destroyed their HT's power output stage doing this from the heat generated and the high internal temperatures. One posting else where the Ham said he did this more than once to the same radio. There is a reason why you see the duty cycle specifications of 5-5-90, 5 percent transmit - 5 percent receive - 90 percent standby.

Yes, you can do that, and nobody would care... But dont forget that the HAM version does not have "channels", so you would have to program them all as you mentioned, and also manually set & configure your repeater channels.. Not a big deal if you know/understand how to do that, but based on your question I am guessing that you may not know how. Also, as I'm sure you know, there is virtually 0 difference in farz between 8 watts and 10 watts - the only difference you will see is the battery draining faster.

I’ve had my President Thomas for year, and works great for what I need it for. You’ll like FM. We use 24 FM quite a bit on hunting & fishing trips.

No. GMRS is not about that. Thats what Ham is for.

I got to do a range test today and I am very impressed. In an area I typically get about 5 miles of simplex range with a 50w VHF or UHF radio (Ham and GMRS) I was able to have a conversation at 14 miles apart, while moving. One of my friends who also has a good AM/FM CB and a good antenna setup were able to run a test while driving in Norther Virginia. I have to say, 14 miles for both AM and FM is fantastic around hear. The furthest I have ever talked on a CB on the local level was 26 miles, using a 104" (1/4 wave) steel whip antenna and 12.5w peak. This 14 mile contact was using 3.5w and a 86" Diamond HF10CL antenna, which isn't as good of a performer as a 1/4 wave would be... but it's pretty darn good. Much better than if I tried a 3 foot or 4 foot Firestik, I'm sure. This radio seems like a win for a compact FM CB.

Hey folks. I just wanted to take a minute to thank the members of MyGMRS.Com for the support and well-wishes. I know sometimes we bicker among ourselves, but at the end of the day we're all human, trying to enjoy the hobby and help we're we can. All of the messages, emails, etc. have really shown me what a great group we have here and how when someone is truly down, the petty stuff gets put aside and concern for a fellow member becomes the priority. Again, thank you all. - Marc