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On a Tupperware lid.

There is probably a missing sock somewhere full of missing o-rings.

Not if you use a beacon transmitting one -way messages. But yes, if you’re tracking a person or hidden repeater which is engaged in two-way communication.

According to what some other people on here have posted FCC's Part 95 definition of a base station: "BASE STATION: A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations." In other words, by simplex. If you are using a radio at a fixed location through a repeater, such as with a mobile radio on a power supply on your desk, the FCC considers that a "control station". "CONTROL STATION: A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations." My mobile unit will be a control station at that point.

If a station that is located at a fixed location with a fixed base station type antenna, and transmits on a 467 main freq in order to communicate with another station such as a mobile, through a repeater, wouldn't that station become a control station? However, if that same station communicates direct to a mobile on a 462 main freq, wouldn't that station now become a base station? And isn't all that compliant with the rule?

The best deal on O-Rings is Harbor Freight. You can get a box of several hundred or so of different sizes for about $7 or $8 bucks. There will be one that will fit the bottom of the antenna. Also equally important is this nifty little trick. The Power/Volume knob is real easy to turn on. It could happen inadvertently while bouncing around in a back pack or go bag and you'll have a dead battery when you need your radio the most. Solution: Pull the Power/Volume knob off. You won't hurt it. It comes straight off. There is a flat index spot for reattaching it. Slip an O-Ring over the collar of the knob and push it back down on the stem so it fits snuggly. It will create a little bit of friction so when you turn the power knob on so it doesn't turn on too easily and preventing your battery to wear down while your radio is in a back pack or go bag.

You got it exactly right. You’re good to go either way you use it.

No. Licenses are issued to individuals only in the Personal Radio Services. However, you can use FRS freely within your group.

What I was gonna say in answer to my "Yes, but..." comment. But you got in here first on that! Yes, but needs to be done within the regulations there in 47 CFR 95 et. seq. I'm thinking the "Marco - Polo" version would be the best. They could do 2 for one if the M & P stations traded off being the fox.

According to both theory and real-world testing (a rare occurrence) a more powerful radio won't typically increase your distance much, but it will usually give you a clearer signal at the same distance. Also according to both theory and real-world testing, a better antenna will usually do the same. Since what you need is a better signal, probably either would do the trick. An antenna is cheaper and less subject to failure than another radio. Furthermore, with a better antenna, you may discover some simplex traffic in addition to the repeater. The Ghost Antenna would work, or perhaps even something like a Nagoya NMO-HDG with some plastic flowers wrapped around it or some other form of disguise. My logic is this: I'm 99% certain you'll want a better antenna before too long no matter what radio you have. Getting the antenna out of the house is probably the most significant change you can make. Structures are a significant impediment to RF radiation. There's only one repeater I can reach from my home about 25-30 miles away. I can usually converse on it from my back yard and occasionally from my living room with an 8 watt HT but I can't hit it from the driveway with a 20 watt mobile and 48" antenna. In between is my house. With a better antenna, you may feel the radio you have is just fine for quite a while. Of course, funds permitting, you can certainly do both, but I suspect you're never going to be fully satisfied until you move the antenna out of the house. Stealth antennas are a whole thing in some forums, with a number of videos on YouTube dedicated to the subject. I'm sure you can find something that will fly below the radar.

One of my area ham radio clubs (they also run a great GMRS repeater) runs an event every month at a local park. Every month is a different theme, one month is QRP and the next may be GMRS but they always encourage GMRS users to come out and participate and always have a GMRS station setup. A few months ago they held a fox hunt theme with three stations. One GMRS, one 2m and one 70cm at different locations. I was out of town but heard they had a lot of fun.

The radio eats them.

Steve and I simply quoted the actual FCC definitions of base and control stations. Goofy or not, that is exactly how they are written.

Yes, but...

Just so you know, the FCC's Part 95 definition of a base station: "BASE STATION: A station at a fixed location that communicates directly with mobile stations and other base stations." In other words, by simplex. If you are using a radio at a fixed location through a repeater, such as with a mobile radio on a power supply on your desk, the FCC considers that a "control station". "CONTROL STATION: A station at a fixed location that communicates with mobile stations and other control stations through repeater stations, and may also be used to control the operation of repeater stations."

Usage is what determines whether a radio is a base station, a mobile station, a fixed station, a control station, a repeater, or a handheld portable station. So while you use a mobile radio as a base station you have to follow the regulations for base stations. The FCC will almost certainly never know or even care though, but I just thought you might want to know what the regulations say.

Lose 'em. That's what I'm going to do. That's why I need to get them cheap. Almost every time I change an antenna, I lose the stupid O-ring. I don't know why; I don't typically lose other small parts. The $6 for 100 of them is cheap enough to avoid the frustration.

Thank you. The reason I was hesitant is because the ad copy that accompanies the radio on Amazon specifically states that they can only be used with other Retivis radios. I messaged the company, and their rep responded that the radios are programmed by default with the 5 MURS frequencies without codes but can be customized using the provided software, which I took to mean the software comes with the radio. If it's programmed by default with the MURS channels without codes, it logically seems that it should communicate with other brands of radios. I've ordered one to play with. If it interfaces seamlessly with other MURS radios, I may want to have a couple of them around. They're still more expensive than the 888s or Arcshell, but at $16 each, they're cheap enough for a group.

@WRKY933 good tip. I haven't had that exact problem but I have had a similar problem. When I'm at the park throwing the Frisbee for the dog, I keep the radio on my belt just over my back right pocket. Sometimes as I walk, the volume gets turned down so I can't hear anything. The O-ring should help with that as well. PS I think Harbor Freight is where I got my box of O-rings.

Perhaps you're not as afflicted with OCD as some.

“Only?” That’s one of the best and most rugged handheld radios around. Nice choice! I’m sorry you have encountered some hams who are poor ambassadors of amateur radio. I hope you run into some others who are encouraging and welcoming.

Or the opposite. My house is at 5000'. All of our repeaters in the area are on even higher mountain tops, with not much more than open valley with some rolling hills in between. 50 miles to a repeater on an HT easily. But, that's obviously not the norm. If you get into the wrong parts of the back country, yeah, you'll be lucky to get a mile in the canyons

I have areas in my town where my 50w can't get 2 miles.

Another flat lander.

It is $20 cheaper than the Midland GXT67 Pro and many people consider it to be a better radio.. So, as mentioned in my video, my previous perspective was rooted in fear and ignorance ... FYI - comparison of the Rocky Talkie and the Midland GXT67 Pro coming soon.

Check out the Polk Co (Bartow repeater) net on Tuesday's at 7:00pm. It started a few months ago and there are usually 30-40 folks that check in a week.

For what its worth I use a Alpha Delta switch. Its a manual switch, there are a couple of different versions depending on frequency. The version I use is good through 1.3 ghz. Losses are down in the .1 range. There is good isolation between in the switch. They are not cheap, and I got mine through dx engineering. Best of luck ... UPDATE: Just added in picture of switch... good luck