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As a repeater owner I am noticing a trend that is concerning. I get a good number of repeater access requests that are marked for 'family emergency communications' in the request. I get A LOT of these. Now many of these folks never key the repeater past once or twice to see if they can hit it and verify they are in the coverage area. Then they are never heard from again. But if I have 100 individual license holders that are all considering my repeater as their primary means of communications in a disaster, there's going to be a serious problem. If all those are individual licenses, and not going to communicate with each other, then that's 200 users on one repeater all expecting to able to communicate within their licensed group individually. Meaning the possibility of 100 different conversations that might want to happen at more or less the same time. That's not going to work. The repeater is gonna be on the air for at least a week or two after a failure of the power grid. The generator will run for several days and then the batteries will take over for several more. Not saying that the tower can't fall, but it's not the standard guyed tower that many repeaters are on. It's 50 feet wide at the base with 4 legs and is very sturdy. To the point that the ones that were extended in height had broadcast quality tower sections that were 4 foot faced mounted on TOP of the existing towers to extend them and part of those installs are 60 foot free standing (not guyed) towers mounted to the top of the tower type I have the repeater on. So yes, a direct hit from a tornado may bring the tower down. But a better possibility is the antenna's being ripped from the structure. Outside that, it will be on the air. But it's still ONE repeater, with the possibility of a HUGE number of people wanting to use it at the same time all trying to get in there and use it at once. Now I realize that GMRS requires ZERO understanding of radio to get a license. The service is marketed and meant to fill the need for people that just want radios for whatever communications they require without any additional knowledge or understanding of the underlying technology. Appliance Operators would be a correct description. And that's fine. It's here for that very reason and is the expectation. But if there are a large number of people expecting to all use the same repeater, that never talk on it, you're going to be in for a rude awakening when the SHTF whatever occurs and you yank the radios out of the closet and fire them up and find the repeater you planned to use busy with other traffic.

I like this approach. Kind of a Chevy Chase response. Q) what kind of radio you using? A) Motorola. Q) A Motorola? A) Icom. Q) wait, an Icom? A) Kenwood, it’s all I use. Nothing else, why would I? Q) huh? A) I like you Betty.

Why would you care what they say? Just tell them that its an iCom and they'll say it sounds great.

Something else the users of our repeaters need to understand is, if we as owners need the repeater for our own emergency use or to augment an emergency response somehow, we're going to change the tones and access methods, stopping most other traffic. Not that we would want to put families in a tough spot. If my repeaters aren't needed for an emergency response, I'll leave it on as long as I can. That said, service to the whole community has to take priority over basic traffic.

I'm guilty of this myself, I purchased 2, uv-82hp myself many years ago for emergency communication just in case shtf. Well shtf in western nc and because I have never used the radios or developed a network they were useless. Never again will I, nor my family be in this situation. I will be an active member of the gmrs community and do what I can to promote and build our gmrs community.

100% correct. How do you break that to them when you approve their access requests?

I wouldn't worry about it and use what you like and fits your budget. All GMRS radios are made in China, yes this includes Midland too. When it comes to amateur band radios, even some Yaesu radios are made in China. And just because a radio says Icom on it doesn't mean they are any better, depending on the model. I have an Icom IC-T10 and it is no better than the Baofeng UV-5R. Both are susceptible to interference and front end over load. My Wouxun radios are better and do not have those issues. An example is that the IC-T10 and UV-5R will pick up interference from my computer monitors when tuned to 70cm or GMRS frequencies where my Wouxun, TYT and Quansheng radios do not pick up interference when tuned to 70cm or GMRS frequencies. Here is a photo I like to send to guys when they give anyone trouble for using CCR radios.

I seriously doubt anyone is literally yelling at you. I could whisper something to my kids when they were kids and if they didn't like what I was saying, they would say I was yelling. Furthermore, me and every one of my ham friends, in addition to expensive Yaesus, Kenwoods and Icoms, own at least one, if not multiple CCRs. And we're certainly not going to tell people we're on an Icom if we're really on a Baofeng. We're proud of being cheap fiscally-responsible.

How does anyone know you have a Credence Clearwater Revival unless you tell them? Practice saying Motorola. You want an ECR? Expensive Chinese Radio, or do you want something not made in China? Wouxun is an ECR that’s pretty highly considered. It doesn’t sound any different than a UV5R though. My Garmin Rhino is made in Taiwan, which is the other Chinese government, but definitely not our communist foe. It’s very well built, but will not allow the antenna to be interchanged. It has the best screen of any radio I have.

This is the primary reason I went from GMRS to amateur. At the time I received my Tech license (2021) there were no GMRS repeaters operational in my area of south Asheville and the only traffic was on FRS from a couple senior residences and a local fast food place. My experience with amateur prepared me for the loss of power and having my Go-Box radio up and running on fully charged batteries. We lasted 3 days before traveling out of state due to no water and a route being open allowing us to go north. During the 3 days we were here, our club repeater was running on emergency power and traffic was being passed both in and out of the area. With no AM radio, we had no news except for what was passed over our net. So, when the fecal matter hit the revolving impeller, my wife and I were both prepared and able to contribute.

This is wisdom earned the hard way.

Yes the KG-Q10H can be unlocked. I won't get into the subject of unlocked radios on GMRS. The KG-1000G is strictly GMRS only and cannot be unlocked. Wouxun does make the KG-UV980P quad band amateur mobile which the KG-1000G is based on. I haven't messed with the KG-UV980P so can't comment on it.

I have a KG-1000G Plus, KG-935G Plus and a KG-Q10H (amateur version) and all are good radios. I had a Midland MXT500. To me, the Kg-1000G is a better radio.

My dozen CCR Tidradio H3s are great as far as I'm concerned. A bit scratchy in the speaker, but it gets loud. I have a Wouxun XSKG20G and it doesn't get half as loud as the HT does. Now I also have the H3 setup to listen to the nearby airport which is pretty cool. CCR

Years back I had to go to a GM plant to look at some malfunctioning equipment. The security guards wanted my SSN to let me in. I told them to F’off and left.

I think a good Jeep Trail radio is the Midland MXT500. It is a simple radio to use for GMRS and has a 128 channel capacity. The radio is small, provides good RF power output, almost at 50 watts, but you should see about 45-49 with no problem. Also, the power draw is pretty decent at not more than 9 amps at the most. In addition, the Midland mobile antennae are decent GMRS antennae and have good VSWRs on the GMRS freqs. I would think that a 128 channel capacity radio is more than sufficient for the trail. The MXT575 is a decent radio but very very limited on channel capacity and and custom channel programming as opposed to the MXT500 radio. Thd MXT575 does have a handheld control unit for simplicity and convenience. The MXT500 radio can be programmed with CPS whereas, the MXT575 is only menu driven programming. The other Midland mobile radios are also good trail radios but they put out less RF power and in respect will draw less amps to power the radio. I'm not familiar with the channel capacities of the other Midland mobile radios and their drawbacks, if any.

I’m glad to hear you say this. It has been my experience as well. I was thinking it odd that someone would do this when everyone around where I am has some inexpensive radios as well as their expensive ones and I don’t hear anyone giving grief over using them.

Distance doesn't matter if there is line of sight. I hit a repeater 17 miles away as well as one 5 miles away because the 17 mile away antenna has a GREAT location.

All you are going to get is people re-enforcing their opinion that whatever they bought is the best.. and, you will get one that will say "brand X is junk and everybody i know that ever had one returned it or threw it away"...You can ignore him because we are all pretty sure that he is rhee-tarh-ded.. Tell us what is important to you in a radio and you will likely get some better recommendations ..

I spent 20+ years on CB, hehe. I kind of miss it. The only thing I do not miss is cab drivers and truckers with dirty radios talking between frequencies on sideband and splashing everything 6 channels up and down the dial. I used to get in my car and fox hunt them. Then I would sit close by and key up with a 500W linear. They used to get quiet after that for some reason. I do miss the skip on CB (dx) as well. Farthest I have ever contacted someone on CB was Australia during the summer of 1996. Sat in my driveway on the mobile rig for that one. It was tough because EVERYONE was trying to contact this guy... but I lived on a hill overlooking Boston Harbor, heh. My base antenna was also almost 130 feet above sea level and it could see everything around it. Used to talk straight to Concord, NH from that base on stock wattage with my Cobra 142 GTL on the daily. I had 2 mobile units: Cobra 29 LTD and the President HR2510 with the chipswitch... but that wasn't truly a CB radio, per se. Heh. Good times... good times... I wish you people would stop making me buy radios.

You can find power supplies on Amazon that put out the correct 13.8v DC and have a 10 amp accessory port (cigarette lighter) that will work fine for a 20 watt radio. I suggest buying a 30 amp power supply just incase you ever decide to get a 50 watt radio to use as a base station. Here is one example: 13.8V 30A Bench Power Supply, Analog DC Power Supply with Cigarette Plug, Ham Radio Regulated Switching Power Supply, Noise Offset Control I know its a generic brand, but that exact power supply is sold under various names and has a good reputation. One thing to remember is that most, if not all, power supplies are marketed at their peak power output. The continuous power output is between 75 and 80 percent of that. SO a 30 amp power supply is really only good for 22-24 amps of continuous use. A 20 amp power supply is good for 14-16 amps continuous and a 15 amp power supply is good for 10-12 amps continuous.

I guess these are fake then

I have noticed the same thing with the recent requests I have received. And people will be disappointed during an actual emergency. Our organization's main focus is to support local agencies so that is where our priorities will be. Plus we still need to move our GMRS repeater from its temporary spot to its permanent home in a rack along side our 2m and 70cm repeaters so that it too will be on battery backup. Our GMRS repeater is not currently on any type of backup power. I guess that more people are buying radios from Amazon lately due to what happened in the Southeast and not bothering with getting licensed. We have had a lot more kerchunking on all three of our repeaters in the last few weeks. It's a bit aggravating t say the least. And it isn't as easy to change PL tones on the 2m and 70cm repeaters since that has to go through the local repeater counsel. What was worse was today. We had to do some final tweaks on our new (to us) 2m Quantar repeater along with trying to get Allstar backup and running. And we has a ID10T or two that kept wanting to kerchunk the repeater all day. Even had a kid get on and say "breaker breaker 19" on the repeater. I guess it's time to build some hand held yagi antennas and go hunting.

This is my family. The wife and I are active. She somewhat clueless on programming but knows the ins and outs of getting in contact with others. My youngest son seems to have a clue as we were using them today when we were using separate vehicles getting supplies for a brick patio. Finding each other in the store, relaying information when I was getting the truck to the forklift for loading. Even getting a breakfast sandwich. Got it with a poppy seed roll. My sister and my brother might know the concept but lack of experience. Not a good plan.

In my opinion, the answer is yes and no. If you need to communicate between your home and mobile or other location, you just need a good radio setup to support simplex communications. No repeater needed. The best reason to need a repeater is if you know everyone will be or plan to potentially be somewhere that simplex isn't going to be possible due to line of site limitations. The problem is, that usually means you need a massive antenna system at your house or at some rented space some where. Towers and commercial repeaters are typically cost prohibitive, and tower installation restrictions at any given location also restricts repeater installs.

I wouldn't worry about it one bit. You are providing a limited service. It's not any of your fault about their misunderstanding of the way a repeater works. It's very likely out of the 100 that are signed up only 15 of them will be using the repeater during an emergency. And they'll also learn that you need to take turns and be patient for the use of a limited service. Sounds like you would like them to use it on a regular basis instead of just for emergencies. I think some will come around to that.

I made my own. It is compact, portable and I hang it outside my doorway during the day. It transmits well and receives very well. It was about $10 in parts and an hour of time between build and fine tuning it. Using two AWG 8 copper wires at 5.8" in length each for a total of 11.6 inches, some solder, some RG-8X and an electrical tee box that is weather proof at IP67. I get between 1.1:1 - 1.3:1 SWR across the band with reflected power hitting at 0.05W at the highest. I used a NanoVNA to tune it. I have a ferrite choke on it near the feed for noise control. Big improvement over stick and rubber duck antennas that I own when using indoors, but that has a lot to do with it being outside. I live in a very low lying area that is prone to ponding during rainstorms as well as being surrounded by trees and buildings.

It also seems the non crap china radios are not made in the US ether in some cases and are just nowhere as capable feature wise. Loved my Midland MTX but my cheep Tidradio H3 blows it away feature flexibility and in ease of use. Only thing it lacks is power. Deciding between Wouxun KG-Q10G and/or KG-1000 since i want the most capabilities and no US made radeo within reason seems to comes close.

For what it is worth, I use an Ed Fong antenna in my attic. Does very well. I was previously using a copper j-pole from KB9VBR Antenna's. Both work well and only a slight perceived difference in TX/RX range. I am getting a better SWR with the Ed Fong and continue to use that antenna. Here is a pic of that install.

I'm running a non-ground Laird mobile antenna tuned for 465 Mhz that I placed in my attic and ran a LMR400 cable approx. 32 feet to one of my base station radios. I can hit all the repeaters that are within range of my location.

So that's what? Just a CR then? Because while not cheap, those are made in China.

I run the MTX-275 in all my Jeeps for trail communications. Paired with 1/4 wave UHF whip on an NMO on all.

Sure, but the govt likely isn't listening and it's not being stored in the Utah facility like every cellphone, text, email and digital transmission is.

I don't want any kind of national ID. Whether it's for voting or any other purpose. The govt has enough information on all of us without us being categorized even more so. One thing I like about my radios/HTs is that I can leave my govt tracker (cellphone) at home. Keeps the govt out of my business more.

I'm starting to think this one is the UV-5R of mobile radios. It's popularity is quite impressive.

I have been happy with my KG-1000G, KG-XS20G, KG-935G and KG-Q10H.

Any recommendations for a reliable GMRS radio for both off roading, travels and around town. Would be great to hear pros and cons on experiences on usage, brands and prices.

Agreed. I say have a lot of fun with it. Lots of stuff you can do with CB. I do not recommend getting a heater, though. That was probably bad on my part even though my radios were all verifiably clean on tx!

I agree with everyone, especially expecting e-comms to be there without investing time, personal relationships, experience, and money into it. We have a private business repeater relaying network covering Eastern Tennessee, Western North Carolina, Northern Georgia and the NorthWest side of South Carolina. When everything went to sh1t it was useless. Private networks are invaluable!

It’s a good radio. I like it. Personally I find it well worth what I paid for it. I may grow out of it as I get more knowledgeable in radio but as a complete and utter beginner, it’s a good radio.

Doesn't much matter...there's only 8 repeater channels for everyone, and in addition, they are outputting to FRS channels. It is a very limited service, and if you do not participate with a local group, or practice basic emcomms long before SHTF, you are not likely to get much value (from repeater channels) during SHTF. On simplex, if you have done your homework, you should be able to stay in contact with your (properly equipped) inner circle.

H3 is a fantastic little radio. But that damn Queen made me order a RockyTalkie 5W radio... dammit. To the OP: Screw anyone telling you the radios aren't good enough and as others said, tell them it is an icom or a kenwood or a yaesu. They can't tell.

Another example of line of sight being more important than distance ... on 70cm (GMRS is the adjacent 65cm band), I have heard a station 250 miles away on a regular basis when I plan on listening. I don't know exactly what their antenna is, but I know their radio has a maximum of 25 watts transmit output.

It sounds like Wouxun has been getting there act together and seem decent. Im also eyeing the Wouxun KG-1000 for my truck.

I'm hearing digital on 725 now so I can't stand to monitor it anymore. It does have good coverage but he needs to kill that linking once and for all. That would work the best for me but it being closed off to new members is what kept me from getting GMRS license 10 years earlier. How far up the lake? There is still the 550 on the Lexington side of the dam right? And 625 on the Ballentine side should cover the lower half of the lake on the water and waterfront (and the owner is friendly). And there's a 575 in Batesburg-Leesville but it's not open. If you could get approval (big if), putting it on the same tower as the 147.000 would be my best suggestion.

You are in good company

Perfect, thankfully the H3 is super cheap so it should only cost $300. I would also assume for more $$ the quality and accuracy will be better. Thank you for the confirmation and info. It looked like the next logical step with similar features to the H3. A shame its not fully unlocked but i understand the reason even though i know better not to transmit where i shouldn't since i don't have my Ham license yet. Do they even make radios that can both transmit and receive on all bands besides these cheep TID radios? The H3 was my starter besides my old Radio Shack GMRS radios. H3 will likely become backup too.

An RF ground plane is a conductive surface that serves as a ground reference point for radio frequency signals in antennas. It provides an electromagnetic reflection of energy to complete a portion of a radiated signal.. and is often an electrical ground, as well.

Well hell, I guess I’ll just throw away my GMRS and ham radios. GMRS is specifically geared towards family use.

I disagree. Author said he had cell coverage… that’s not ham speak not even sad ham speak. I think they’re a shill for T-Mobile.