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You're not a dummy! Users of GMRS should never feel that they are somehow inferior to hams. I've seen some really stupid hams and I know some really smart GMRS people. There's shouldn't be a comparison. The two services were created for different reasons. GMRS is for facilitating activities. Amateur Radio is for learning about and extending the use of radio. Both are valuable for emergencies. The stated purpose for GMRS is as follows: § 95.1703 Definitions, GMRS. General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). A mobile two-way voice communication service, with limited data applications, for facilitating activities of individual licensees and their family members, including, but not limited to, voluntary provision of assistance to the public during emergencies and natural disasters. The stated purpose for the Amateur Radio Service is as follows: 97.1 Basis and purpose. (Of Amateur Radio) The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles: (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications. (b) Continuation and extension of the amateur's proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art. (c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art. (d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts. (e) Continuation and extension of the amateur's unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

Most GMRS users use them in pursuit of other activities rather than listening and hoping to talk to other, unknown, GMRS users. They usually just use their call sign occasionally to comply with the regulations and their first name or position in a family “This is grandpa. There’s a huge grizzly in the area. I want you to come back to the cabin. I’m sorry I let you play with the salmon guts before going into the woods. Make a lot of noise while you’re walking. Scream if you need me. WROM258.” But some GMRS users do listen for others on local repeaters, hoping to strike up a conversation. That’s much more of a ham thing, but it definitely does happen in GMRS as well. I have never heard someone use a handle on GMRS. Even calling them “walkie talkies” rather than “handhelds” could be fodder for some good natured ribbing. Get your license and jump right in.

I am also sure that the antenna will do better once it is outside and above the roof. As Steve mentioned, make sure the base of the antenna is at least a half wavelength above the highest point of the your roof. That is only 1 foot. I just noticed how close the metal rafter plates are to the end of the antenna. That can have an effect on things. I know that some people don't have much of a choice on antenna placement but an attic is far from ideal for any vertical VHF or UHF antenna.

UPDATE - Tidradio replaced the non-tranmitting one, no questions. So

So the difference between one S-unit and the next is 6 db. So an S9 signal is 6 db or four times the power of an S8 signal, yet makes little audible difference. S7 would be 1/16 the power of an S9 and you’d be able to easily tell the difference. I think (hope) putting it on your roof will help, but be sure you get it at least a half wavelength above your roof. For GMRS that’s not very much distance.

In the end you use the service in a way that best fits your needs.

Great to have you here! GMRS is a great place to start you comms journey. Back in my day, it was CB (which is making a comeback but I like GMRS more). I've had my ham license since the 90's and, while it's much more on the technical side of things, it also gives you a lot of capability. There's tv transmission, data, all sorts of things you can do. So, while you're getting your feet wet here, I encourage you to get into ham, as well.

Welcome!

About as close as we get on the group of us that hang out on Ch 19 hereabouts is using our Firstname and then the numbers on our call signs, as in, "hey Joe 690 are you out there?" "Yo Dave 283, yeah, what's up?" After that we converse and then ID at the 15 and EOT as required by the regs. That way if there's more than one Joe or Dave out there (and there usually is) we can differentiate who we're looking for.

When *I* was a boy, we had to smack together quartz crystals we dug up ourselves to send radio signals. And we could only receive by hanging a cable on a tree and holding it with our tongues! These damned kids, with their "electricity" and "antennas" are too lazy and stupid to be allowed to have radio!

Low SWR is desirable but does not always indicate or guarantee best radiation. Don't get caught up in that trap. A good dummy load has a very low SWR (1:1), but radiation is abysmal.

Just idle curiosity... What is the longest range repeater in your area? As a relatively new GMRS user primarily for four wheeling use, I've been checking the repeater map in the places I'm likely to travel and I've come to realize that I'm extremely lucky to have a couple really nice repeaters in my area, and around the state. In particular the Tiger Mountain Oly-Comm3 is a monster and lists 90 mile range. It covers all the major metro areas of Western Washington and well beyond. I can hit it from my house 55 miles away on HT. Most surprisingly, it's quiet most of the time, but always has folks listening. I do understand our unique geography is a major contributor to the great coverage. It's just really cool that I can drive 3 hours down the interstate and still talk to the mothership.

HamStudy.org is free and interactive. I really enjoyed using it to the point where I bought it as an app for my phone/tablet. The Hi-Line has a lot of hams. I hear from some of them almost every night when they check in on the Montana Traffic Network. And if you see Helen Inabnit please tell her hi from Steve Shannon.

WSGQ856, Tidradio sent a replacement due to power button not working, so with being said I am up and running and have all of my handhelds up and running. If anyone is thinking of using this wireless programmer please try it, it makes life easier when programming! Thank you again for everyone who replied to my dilemma I thought I was having WSGQ856 to for now

Do you still see the ads? Disregard TCP2525. There's nothing wrong with your browser. It's a hiccup in the database syncing to your membership status. The ads are a symptom, but you probably don't have access to the Premium features either so it must be fixed. As a Premium member here is what I see at the bottom. I just use Chrome with no ad blockers or anything of the sort. If you still are seeing advertisements and you're not seeing the blurb thanking you for being a premium member let me know and I'll report it to Rich again.:

In the past I've referred to it as 'ham lite' or 'frs plus', depending how it's treated in a given area...not intended as a dig, just GMRS can be a bit less complicated way to play radio, and some areas have just as much enthusiast involvement as ham, while others it's really a "stick to your group" crowd .

I'm along the hi-line in Havre. I was interested in Amateur radio, but doing research GMRS looks more accessible (and cheaper to start up). Mostly got into it for non-cell communication when I'm kayaking out of sight of the family, but it's neat to find other folks interested in my newfound hobby! Hi everyone!

As mentioned, GMRS requires one to have a license and also to use their FCC issued call sign. No one will really care if it is just a few of you and you are out in the middle of nowhere talking on simplex. But it's a different story when you use most repeaters, The Repeater owners will expect you to follow FCC guidelines as far as using your call sign. If you don't have your license, then I suggest getting it. It's only $35 and good for 10 years. One license will cover the entire immediate family.

Ordered a second pair of green TD-H3's. Bluetooth Copy from one of prior black pair to both. One hits two repeaters like the other two, but this problem green one will not. Checked programming and it matches across all four for required tones. Swap Smiley antenna from known working from factory antenna (that works on the 2nd) and same result. It works on GMRS ch 11 'in house' - but won't trigger the repeater. Performed a Reset ALL and no change after reprogramming channels. Updated firmware from factory to latest June, no change. Other three running that same firmware. Repeaters are distant mountain but no problem for the other three where line of sight to the mountains is clear. Sent email to 'support' on 6/27/24 and no reply. Got online contact to work finally but no response from TidRadio. How quickly might they respond? Seems the radio has some fault?

For more about 3/8 x 24, maybe this will help. I haven’t watched it.

Tell me about it. This all started pre-internet with traffic circles and 4-way intersections with stop signs. The majority of Americans don't have the mental capacity to properly use them. Same with GMRS and other radio services, too many choices. back in the day when GMRS first started you did your research and figured out what frequency you wanted to use and ordered your crystals from Jan Crystal and you were happy. Now with all the choices we have the forum is in chaos with the complexity of what channel and tones to use.

You see... that's the problem in this country: You give someone a "choice" and they make their choice; and then THEY want to force their "choice" on everyone, claiming: "like it supposed to be in the first place!"

Power and gain does not defeat a terrain dead zone. Having a central located repeater on a high spot is the correct solution.

@WRUU653 and myself have tested the KG-Q10H. Our results are posted above. I tested on high power while he tested on ultra high power. We had different results due to power setting we each used. And you will see differences between radios even when on the same power setting. You can't go wrong with the 935G Plus. I've been very happy with mine.

It's not that it keeps me awake at night. But this larger invasive mentality that GMRS should be treated as a ham radio jr is a problem, and the little ham call field in the profile areas of this site is an artifact of that..

Not really. I enjoy knowing who else is a ham. I use an alerting software when I do FT8 that watches for specific call signs. I might run into them on the air sometime. Like most aspects of life folks should simply ignore it if it doesn’t apply to them.

Once I got the right folks at Tidradio they were prompt with a full unit replacement - hopefully are still responding the same way since they are still sending some out acting weak like that. I have not used them much - but they do work when I do, including a repeater 55 miles away. Turned one to HAM and it works as well with the right antenna. Have done some firmware updates without issue here too. Nothing helped that 'weak' one though.

Not only that but having a radio that can transmit on ham and GMRS is non-compliant. That's why I was referring to switching modes. I wish they would change their stance on that when we have both licenses, but that ain't gonna happen.

I like the cigarette lighter plug and I use it. It's actually part of what I like about it...

Exactly right. Almost every car comes with a power port that accepts the cigarette lighter plug. Although the cigarette lighter plug isn’t what many of us might eventually use, it’s the closest thing there is to being universally available and works well for these low power radios allowing them to be used immediately.

Absolutely not. This is actually a dual band radio that can be opened up. Why would you want to pay more for a radio other than bragging rights? If you feel the need to impress others, just get the label maker out and type in "Midland".

There are several repeaters with a 40+ mile average distance from my house that I can hit fairly easily. The one that is most active is the Crowders Mt. repeater, that has an estimated range of 75 Miles. it's fairly hilly around here, so elevation is king.

Unless your current coax is making significant loss, changing to lower loss coax isn't going to make a difference in your TX distance. Elevation is the place to spend your money. (Fars and moneys in Randyspeak. I don't know the proper Randyspeak term for elevation; might be highs, talls or ups.)

You're welcome. If I had it to do over again I would upgrade the radio to a good 40/50W unit with a Midland MXTA26 antenna. Just depends on your budget and how much you intend to use it.

I live in West Asheville. Got internet back some hours ago. Things that worked great during the aftermath which featured zero cell phone service, no power, no water, no internet. Power was out 1 week. Water out for 2 weeks. Wouxun KG-905G with Nagoya 771G or Diamond RH77CA. I bought 3200mah packs for both HT's and they were charged fully as well as the original 2800mah batteries. I never had to charge them during 4 days of no cell service. I never had to swap out batteries either. I used one to scan to listen to work crews with a Laird FG-4503 antenna on the roof. It and the Bolton600 feed line went through the storm no problems at all. Wind rated to 125mph. A few days later I replaced the 4503 with a TE connectivity FG-4607...also 125mph wind rated. Giant improvement for listening close as well as far away! I only have the 2 Wouxuns so I gave my daughter a Quansheng K5-(8) Programmed with all gmrs and frs channels. We stayed in the first 7 channels and that radio performed flawlessly with it's stock antenna. It just sipped the battery and still showed full charge after 4 days of being used. Daughter much preferred the smaller "cute" radio. A solar power bank kept the cell phones charged as both ladies ran the batteries in them down as they fruitlessly searched for service. The electric chainsaw and other Dewalt XR power tools did all I needed and also did not need charging for the week with no power. Whatever base radio you get, make sure you can power it. Overkill on the antenna windspeed rating is also recommended! Both GMRS antennas I have used have one piece radomes. And a 5 year warranty. I bought a Midland MTX-500 because I wanted to test it and figured if it works ok it can be used as a mobile or base. It arrived on the Wednesday before the storm. On Thursday the antenna arrived...and I took a break from pumping out the basement to unbox it. Friday all services disappeared. The midland is extremely easy to program repeaters into without a computer and it has enough power into repeaters to work well. I never needed it during the blackout. The HT's were more than enough. Power output seems fine as it draws very close to 9 amps@13.9 volts into the 4607 on repeater inputs. It has 128 channels too. No tone scan, a major omission. Audio recovery is excellent on weak signals. I was going to buy a part 95 kenwood but it will have to wait for my finances to recover. The Midland is way overpriced...it cost more than my Icom 2730A which is dual band and has crossband repeat built in. And tone scan and so many other features its nuts. But it's legal and works well. The ANL is obviously a DSP noise reduction scheme that rapidly nukes intelligibility as you go past the lowest setting. The radio gets hot if you transmit a lot on high power. A small nearly noiseless fan I have on hand blowing air under the radio makes it stay nice and cool. The Midland never exhibited intermod or signs of overloading here before the storm when used with a high Comet GP-3. After the storm I heard some weird stuff that sounded like intermod but my SDR showed "someone" was using equipment that was a wide pulsed signal that moved around the band occasionally. It was heard on the Wouxun on the other antenna at the same time...as well as a Icom 8500. Not intermod. A strange out of place transmission. Only noted during heavy military air traffic. Its gone now...air traffic is much much lower. The midland is great for scanning as the audio is good and it is much less noisy than the Wouxun. It performs on par with the Icom 2730 as far as sensitivity. It actually has a useful signal meter that only goes all the way up for really close or ultra strong signals. The wouxun pegs its scale so early it is useless for determining when someone is very close. I like the Midland, even though it is overpriced. The Wouxun KG-905G and the Nagoya 771G are both very highly recommended...as is the TE Connectivity FG4607 and the Bolton600 feedline. Sorry if this post is a bit chaotic or unclear. I am still a bit disoriented. I used ham radio, GMRS, and the scanners heavily for information. I won't post some of the things I heard. Really horrible stuff. Much worse than the media coverage conveys. I fared very well actually. But others lost everything. Many others.

Hey fellow WA resident here. I live in the San Juan Islands and can hear the Tiger Mt repeater loud and clear. I listen regularly to a group of folks that chat on their commute to work every morning from all over the Puget Sound area. Kind of entertaining at times. Just looking at the repeater map that has got to be maybe 130 miles from my location. I'm about 40 miles outside the green circle. I am up on top of a 500 foot hill so probably is line of sight for me. I don't use repeaters at this time as I just use GMRS to talk to local friends and family. But nice to know how great the range can really be.

My Sincere Apologies to you all for my bonehead goof-up!!! Come to find out the DB25 come in different versions (i.e., Pro Dual band Quad, the D, and the G), the one I got was the Pro Band not the G, as in GMRS. Gonna go sit in my corner now and reflect on may hasty purchase (cool bundle pack for $99) and the importance of being aware of the details.