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Good catch.. I assumed he was doing it right.. But now I'm putting my money on this... On the MXT500 you have to go in and ENABLE the repeater channels, then set the correct channel, in this case, channel 30 with the tones.

How dare you quote me and then sort of agree with me in principle.

I don't consider locking the keyboard dummying anything down. It is using an option available on the radio. To each their own.

Whoa, love your YouTube channel man. It is actually what got me interested in this in the first place. From everyones responses I gather that I maybe in a poor location to use a HT. I am about 16-18 miles from the repeater with plenty of obstructions from ground level outside. I purchased an Ed Fong GMRS antenna and will build a base station as fast as my budget allows. Hopefully that will get me a clearer signal from my roof. Thanks everyone for your responses, Im excited to learn more from everyone here.

I went with a Midland MXAT01VP Grand Vista 7.5db fiberglass antenna. Mine is mounted on the gable end of the radio shed about 20' up and I'm easily reaching repeaters 40-50 miles away. The whip is only about 4' tall so you could easily mount in your attic space. As mentioned above you need an NMO base with ground plane radials. This configuration is working very good for me.

Just a thought here. Are you on "channel 22" or "repeater channel 22" AKA channel 30? If you are on channel 22, it isn't a repeater channel and you would be sending out on simplex 462.725. Repeater channel 22 or channel 30 sends TX on 467.725 and receives on 462.725. Most GMRS radios (if not all) have the +5 already programmed into the repeater channels.

There is no setting that would cause your voice to work on simplex, but not be transmitted on a repeater assuming the radio is actually transmitting. Have you confirmed that nobody hears your voice? ie; are they saying "we hear someone keying up, but not saying anything", or are you listening yourself with another radio?

Locking the keypad is a good idea whenever you don't want to inadvertently change a setting or channel, such as hiking etc. How many times have people accidentally changed the channel and had their com's fail as result? It's happened to me more than once. And it will enable a non radio person to use a complex radio like the 935G. Pick a channel hit the lock button and hand it to them. Volume still works. And you still have a radio that has all the capabilities when needed. It also has a bit better reception than the KG805. KF8YQ maybe get the KG935Gplus for use in the US and a couple of inexpensive FRS Radios for the Canadian portion of your trip. They are all compatible with each other so kids can use them also. An out board antenna can turn the RV into a base station while camping. Just some thoughts.

If you’re trying to stay legal in both countries and have NOAA channels, the only way to do it is to buy an FRS radio that is certified by FCC and IC. This looks promising: https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Solutions-T475-Extreme-Rechargeable/dp/B08KBP1RH7/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3TBAZQH0VFFXA&keywords=frs%2Bradio&qid=1704558129&sprefix=FRS%2B%2Caps%2C1536&sr=8-17-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

This person is having an issue registering for this site, not an FCC licensing issue. I’ll report it to Rich.

The only problem I have with power stations like this is the amount of noise they put out. They are so buzzy. I have two Ecoflow River2 Pro's that I swap out for my camping setup. Use one while the other charges, etc. They put a loud buzz into the 12v power output that I can hear thru the audio on handhelds that are powered on while charging, and they put a loud AC inverter buzz on audio equipment if it has an amplifier. I'm not even going to test how noisy they'd be on a radio transmitter. For general use, they have been a game changer for camping and for keeping my tool batteries charged for work. But noisy for sensitive electronics. Far noisier than I expected them to be; the River 2 Pro is one of Ecoflow's flagship models. It's their biggest small one. Well, I'll say they are noiser than I *wanted* them to be. But it has to be very difficult to make something like that quiet. The best thing I've found for backup power is just a battery. You can use the solar power station to charge a good backup battery, but I don't know if I would use the power station to run the transmitter directly, unless I just had to.

My wife and I have a couple of 935G radios as well as several others. She was never interested in getting a license when I got my amateur license and is not familiar with radios. When she first started using the radios she was worried she would hit a button or turn a knob by mistake. I just set up the radio and then use the setting to lock all keys and knobs except for PTT and volume. That solved the problems.

Start over.

I think I heard that Radio might come with a glued antenna because it transmits data (gps) over gmrs. I’m pretty sure you can still take it off but it might void the warranty. Don’t quote me on this but look further into it, if you feel the need.

Here’s one example of an open source codec. https://www.rowetel.com/wordpress/?page_id=452 Note that the open source mode dPMR has bits that tell the RX radio what codec is in use. The mode allows up to 4. One could be an open source version like the above. See attached file. dPMR MoU tech lib Voc Bits V1 (2019).pdf

a better antenna might help, a little, assuming it is properly tuned for 467Mhz. But going outside/getting higher/clear of any obstacles between you and the repeater would help more.

Morning all..... This will be somewhat multi-topic and I've posted before some time ago about the same. First of all, I am very interested if anyone would be interested in starting a club in the south east portion of Virginia. We have a club in northern and south west Virginia but nothing here in the south east AKA Hampton Roads area. I am a member of a few repeaters in the area. If anyone would like to consider starting something like this, please reach out. Secondly, I'm very interested in setting up a repeater to increase the options here nearby. In Yorktown, VA, we do have a repeater that covers a portion of the lower county area but I'm much closer to the Yorktown proper area not within reach of the Tabb repeater. I'm not really a "radio" guy and do understand many basics but expertise isn't in my wheelhouse. Nevertheless, I would like to look in to doing something like this if there's anyone that would like to help. Thanks in advance.....

New GMRS user here in Chesapeake Va on the southside. I’m fairly new to GMRS but I have recently put a small 2 radio / duplexer repeater at my home for my family to use. Definitely interested in meeting other local GMRS users and repeater builds. Van - WRZI840

I'm relatively new to GMRS and very new to my MXT500. All this was a bit confusing to me at first also, but it all makes sense once you understand how the TX/RX repeater channels work. I think with the advice above you are very close to success.

It's time for me to switch things up again. Not sure what I'm switching to yet, but I pulled my XTL5000'S out of the Jeep today. I'm thinking of going back to a MXT500 or possibly an MXT575. I love the simplicity. Also, I removed the hi-lift from the hood and removed my light bar in preparation for some new Rigid cubes that are on the way. Of course I had to flex to showoff the clean, new look. LOL

Does your display say RP Ch 22? If not, you need to go into the menu and activate the repeater channels. I believe fhe menu setting will display "rpt ch" then you need to turn on the feature. The display should say "rpt on" in order to transmit on a repeater freq pair.

Go read it again. It says you cannot use 19 and 21 above Line A in the US (i.e. close to Canada). As others have said, "GMRS" in Canada is more akin to FRS in the US. No repeaters, lower power, etc.

Yes the 805G is very simple to use that I gave mine to my 13 year old nephew and.......strike that.......I gave it to his father who holds a GMRS license But I love my 935G Plus much more

Very good antennas. Ed is a professor, he explains alot of the theories in YouTube videos. Keep in mind follow the directions closely. He has accounted for the pvc tubing, which is a bit specific. Personally, 90% of complaints of the antenna come from using the wrong pvc. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You raised your hand. Because that is the only way to change some absurd laws. My birdhouse random wire hf bird perch antenna and slim jim in electrical tracking inside the house salute you. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I disagree! The KG-805G is the MOST simple to use (quality/higher-end) GMRS radio

Consider the KG-805. It’s a relatively simple to use GMRS radio. However, Canada doesn’t permit 5 watt radios on GMRS frequencies. You’ll need to do some research to see if you can even use these radios in Canada. Their GMRS is more like our FRS.

Now there's something upon which we agree!

You seem angry. I think you need some alone time.

How far away is the repeater and were you standing outside, inside a vehicle, or inside a structure? Being inside a vehicle or structure makes a difference, especially the farther away from the repeater you are. I can talk on my local repeater with good signal reports on my KG935G as long as I am standing outside. The repeater is 21.5 miles away. I can make it into the repeater from inside the house but my transmitions are full of static and hard to understand. Same goes if I try to use the KG935G inside my vehicle with the stock antenna. Terrain, structures and trees will also effect things. I have tried my Abbree 17" GMRS antenna on my KG935G but it didn't make any difference when compared to the stock antenna.

Update 1-5-2024 6:48 am NEW! We can connect to the Roadkill network and the GMRS Live. License GMRS users on our network is 223! Welcome to BAMA HUB - GMRS radio linked repeaters network. The BAMA HUB! GMRS radio linked repeater network. The following repeaters are linked. Spanish Fort 550, Spring Hill 675, Mt Vernon 675, Dauphin Island 675, Fairhope VFW 700, Bay Minette 625, Wallace Fl 650. with more to come soon. FREE MEMBERSHIP. SF 550 - TX/RX 141.3 Range 30 Miles. Bay Minette 625 TX/RX 141.3 Range 30 Miles. Wallace Fl. 650 TX/RX 141.3 Range 20 miles. Spring Hill 675 - TX/RX 141.3 Range 40 Miles. Mt. Vernon 675 - TX/RX 141.3 Range 50 Miles. Dauphin Island 675 - TX 156.7 / RX 141.3 Range 30 Miles. VFW Fairhope 700 - TX/RX 141.3 Range 20 Miles. GMRS Live! A nationwide network. If you have a location and Repeater that you would like to link into the BAMA GMRS Radio linked network, we would be happy to help make that happen. We have a lot of stuff that is setting around. Here is the current list of items, 1. 3 Paul units sound cards, 2. 20 Foot section of pipe for your antenna tower 9 3. LMR 400 cable 4. Contactors 5. SWR meters 6. Mini Nano meters 7. lots of other things. please contact Scott at 251-656-1926 or by radio WRVH341. Node assignments. 50170 - SF 550 - Spanish Fort Al. 50743 - B M 625 - Bay Minette Al. 50175 - SH 675 - Springhill Al. 50176 - D I 675 - Dolphin Island Al. 50750 - W FL 650 - Wallace Fl. 50173 - VFW 700 - Fairhope Al. Thank you for your time. Scott Bond WRVH341 251-656-1926

@nokones Nice setup. I have a friend I talk to on GMRS often who has a Jeep and an XTL5000. He has a channel mounted overhead and that is where he mounted the remote head. @OffRoaderX has one in his Jeep. Seems like Jeeps and XTL5000 kind of go together.

My Motorola XTL5000 remote will no doubt work anywhere my "ISARUBICON" takes it. I finished up the radio install this morning. Next will be the CB Radio. Besides the comms, I have all the get-dirty trail stuff on order with some unfortunately on backorder.

One problem with solar panels at tower sites is that you have to keep them far enough away from the tower so that ice won't fall and break the solar panels. Now if you live in an area that stays above freezing and/or low winter precipitation then solar panels close to a tower is fine. We have a shed at the tower site for all of our repeaters and we had to build a cage above it to keep ice from falling off the tower and caving the roof in.

I want to contribute to this thread, but I have nothing. No experience. No longevity. And no reason to speak about anything I know nothing of. HOWEVER, There ARE GMRS/HAM operators here in Hawaii that could contribute. We're in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and are important in relay/global communications. I personally KNOW NOTHING. BUT... I would like to challenge all of the HAMS in Hawaii to expand their networks and show more interest in GMRS

I've gone almost completely solar for my little projects. So it has been a shoe-in for getting involved in radio stuff. Just a natural fit. Solar panels are going down in price. I saw a 100w 10 bus bar panel on sale for $55 on black friday. I have 300w of solar on my work van and another 300 watts of portable solar that can go anywhere I need it. I've also been nerding out on youtube looking at microhydro setups. I was watching one guy's video who has a steady 600 watts of power coming in from the little creek running through his land. Batteries are still expensive, though not prohibitively so. I was looking at a self-heating 100Ah/12v LiFePo4 battery for $340 plus tax, etc. Self-heating so it could keep itself above freezing temps. I bet I could wire up enough solar to keep it going.

I'd even think now a solar backup systems could be fairly feasible for some repeaters given some battery reserves, though there's probably a short life on those in a prolonged power outage situation.

That was one of the arguments we used when talking our club into adding a GMRS repeater to the tower where our 2m and 70cm repeaters are. We have a backup generator on site and are adding a battery backup system too. We are still in the testing phase with the GMRS repeater but we are averaging 20-25 mile radius. Which is not bad considering the forested rolling hills of central Missouri. The other main selling point we used when pitching the idea was that we could always use another tool in the tool box for emergencies. And we will be adding a GMRS radio to our emergency coms trailer. So far we have all of the HF, VHF, and UHF bands covered in the trailer. No repeater will be online in an emergency without some type of backup power supply. We will be able to run up to 2 days on the new battery backup system plus we will be keeping the generator in place.

There are already repeaters linked up for emergencies. The system in my state is found at mtears.org I would be surprised if other states/countries/planets don't have something similar in place. Someone else suggested it and I agree; ham radio would be the main system used for getting information spread across a region, but it would fall to GMRS and FRS and similar services for last-mile dissemination of info.

I've been trying for over a decade to do that mostly with 2m HAM, but with more focus on statewide than national. The only reason it won't work is the attitude of the HAMs. I hate the answer that HF is necessary; it is only if people are to stubborn to cooperate on another approach. HF is faster for long distance but there's a possibility that conditions won't be good for propagation. We should be practicing using all the options available. What I plan on doing with GMRS is a neighborhood radio watch. My GMRS base station can reach those FRS users around me who don't have HAM or GMRS. I can give them info even if they can't talk back, arrange meetings, call for reinforcements, etc. What most of them do is volunteer to work with agencies. They don't seem to want to work with individuals. So after 10 years in ARES, I quit and I'm following my own plan.

It still is. In an actual widespread emergency people will be desperate for information. My generation was alway reminded to keep an AM radio with extra batteries available. Of course AM radio worked well because it can receive signals across literally thousands of miles at night, so even if only a few stations survived a person might hear something. The only “grid” was our public utilities (electricity, gas, sewer, and water). Now, people are more likely to listen to FM, satellite radio, or internet radio. Cell phone service is nearly ubiquitous and getting better. The “grid” has expanded to encompass all of the above. People have been conditioned to expect two way voice, video, and data communications wherever they go, but most wouldn’t have a clue what to do if the grid now goes down. So don’t give up on the idea of coordinating last mile communications and don’t get discouraged when people ask pointed questions or make critical comments. Get involved with local emcomm groups. This is what they do and they almost always need people who are motivated.

Oh, I know all about the FUN aspect of it! lol