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Welcome! The first thing you will learn is that the FRS channels are all GMRS channels and the GMRS channels are all FRS channels.

Hello everyone! New to GMRS -- My sister gifted me a Midland MXT275 with the 3dB ghost antenna, as well as the 6dB whip which is still on the way. It was super easy to install and has been fun to use on the FRS channels when we road trip with friends! I haven't talked to anyone on the GMRS freq's yet, I've only made a couple calls into the abyss asking for a radio check. Still learning, and hoping the MXT275 will last me a while! Located in Eastern, WA - Zack

There’s a very high probability that he has everything unlisted because he doesn’t want to allow anyone else on it. That’s his prerogative. Stalking him probably won’t make him more amenable to allowing you to use it.

This means it’s an open repeater and no request is required. Follow any rules they have and enjoy.

I recently installed some NMO mounting points on my truck, but for a variety of reasons, I wasn't entirely satisfied with them and decided to do it over. For the first installation, I used generic Chinese RG8X coax, but this time I went with USA-made MPD digital RG8X. The first thing I noticed was that the MPD coax is much more flexible and easier to work with, but even more significant is what happened to my SWRs/Smith graphs. With the Chinese coax feeding a Diamond SG7900 Super Gainer NGP 2m/70cm dual-band antenna, the 2 meter and 70 centimeter bands were good, GMRS was in the "I can tolerate it if I don't use it too often" range and MURS (Which I've never used and could live without, but why not test it?) Started at 2.0:1 and went up from there. The first four pics are the sweeps of GMRS, 2m, 70cm, and MURS in that order with the Chinese coax and the last four are the same after changing to the MPD coax on the same antenna. 2m and 70cm remained good and even improved a little, but GMRS and MURS improved dramatically -- all the way to, "Yeah, that'll do." If (like me) you have sometimes wondered, "Does it really make that much difference?" the answer is yes, it does. The MPD ain't cheap at $2.34/foot, but I only needed 30 feet. TBH, even if I needed 100 ft, I'd buy the MPD. The difference is that obvious. As the saying goes, if you buy the best, you only cry once.

I see you met our resident troll. Yeah he’s kind of a piece of work, not real good at social cues. Welcome to the forum anyway and congratulations on having an awesome sister! Cheers p.s. there is an ignore setting

Mic Gain

Seriously, why not? They are not that much different to install than PL-259. In fact with these M&P connectors you don’t even need solder:

Yes, using cross tones/codes will work that way. I don’t know of any benefits to doing that, but yes. Anybody nearby, listening on 462.550 with no tones or codes, can hear anything that is transmitted by either radio.

some 30 odd years ago i mounted a NMO UHF antenna in the center of a MasterCool Swamp Cooler sitting on top of a 3 story building... Worked good and the antenna is still mounted where i left it when i left that job.

Welcome to the forums!

When I got my first pair of HTs they were the TDH3 but the HAM version. Shortly after I discovered they could be switched over to GMRS. I looked into it and discovered the licensing was just $35 and that covered the family. The process was a pain and by the time I had finished up I had 8 windows open that were required to obtain this license. Not really the surprise. After playing with these radios I was surprised to find out my wife didn't hate them. After a short while I ended up getting a mobile tranceiver that I put in the house as a base station. My wife didn't really care for talking on it but she did like to listen to the active repeater. Eventually I put up a good antenna and I got a mobile unit so I could keep in touch with my wife. She enjoyed being able to contact me. I put up a repeater at my shop and even though communication was difficult because of hills and trees she enjoyed contacting me by the radio over texting or phone unless she couldn't get me through the radio. Eventually I found out my antenna and/or coax was faulty and changed that out and now the connection is much better. My repeater is 50w and the mobile is 20w and the repeater can get to the house better than the house can get to the repeater. So I decided to get a 50w for the house. Ordered the power supply and the radio. The PS came today and my wife was excited. She knew nothing of what I had ordered. She thought I got a new radio. I was a bit shocked. The normal expectation when a husband spend money without the wife knowing about it on his hobby is to be frowned up or worse, being yelled at. She was disappointed that it was a power supply and not a radio. She still doesn't know I ordered the radio. I didn't want to take the surprise away from her when it does arrive. Can a guy be more lucky.

Welcome, Zack!

No flashing required. Some early models had a few differences: USB-A and R8 firmware, and some USB-C models had the R8 firmware; so I specified to help whoever stumbles on this next. Could probably ship to Midland to flash. But you're right, at that point it's worth upgrading. But hey, gotta start somewhere!

I do wish that Wouxun would include a way to adjust mic gain in their radios. And yes the KG-1000G mic is on the hot side. Another thing that greatly helps is holding the mic at an angle to your face instead of flat. PS: ignore Negative Nancy

He's got the 50W radio, he should make them change.. and they will have to endure his wrath if they refuse.

If his friends/Trail Dudes are using FRS radios the OP may be forced to go narrowband since most or if not all FRS radios are only narrowband emissions.

I am sorry you are having reading difficulties. But thank you for letting us know!

I created a 30% off coupon code available at checkout for you, or anyone else looking to buy one this week! MYGMRS is the code and shipping is free! If my math is mathing correctly ha ha, it comes out to $11.34 prior to tax. Let me know if you have any questions! I'm working on a few more projects, including desktop cradles for portable radios. If there's something you'd like to see in my shop, drop me a line!

Thank You

For manual programming of my Baofengs (UV variations) with the keypad, I know that unless I hear "Saving Memory," this channel number already has data assigned to it --- and that this assigned/occupying data must be deleted before any new data will be reliably saved. I no longer try to update any occupied channel---I simply delete the channel and program anew for that channel number. To manually create a channel memory, using the keypad menu, I enter/ define everything I want from the keypad menu options (including tones) before saving the channel memory. Again, If I don't hear "Saving Memory," ... I don't have a reliable saved channel. Hope this helps someone. Best Regards!

Damn!! I'm ready. The hell with PL-259s, its time to eat. Let's go all the way in our journey to clog our arteries and get some hot out of the fryer funnel cakes.

I prefer beignets.

Oh I can feel my blood sugar levels spike just looking at that photo. Why tease a diabetic like that. Outside of just stocking one type of connector and keeping the prices and inventory down, there is absolutely no reason to use PL-259/SO-239 connectors for any VHF/UHF radio when N Type connectors are better. While N Type connectors are definitely more weather resistant, I still wrap them just like I wrap PL-259 connectors out of habit.

I decided to convert my Motorola XPR5550e Dashmount radio to a Remote Mount in my 23 Wrangler IZARUBICON. It was a fun project in the early morning hours on a Hot Momma Day here in Arizona. I'm still waiting for my accessory connector so I can hook up my remote speaker.

Another reason I started this thread is that repeater in question publishes its call sign, via Morse code, where owner's name does not match listed postal address based on the public records. I was able to trivially find and talk to the owners of all other repeaters I can hear in my area, but not this one.

Katie and I share an interest in 2 way radios. She was EMS and came into our relationship carrying a fancy Bendix King. We have cute code names for each other and use our radios every day. It's enough to make normal people sick.

I have a wonderful wife and I honestly wouldn’t want to dwell on life without her beside me. When I went back to college at 32, she worked two jobs to take care of me and our kids without ever complaining. Now that she’s in a wheelchair with MS she still never complains. I know that not everyone is so fortunate but I’m delighted for @LeoG. It appears he has a good one.

The main reason I operate tones on the RX is noise. There is a lot of DMR and other digital noise in my area that is beyond annoying. It interferes with medium to strong signals by either degrading the voice or overriding it. Tones don't help when the interference is active while someone is talking. But I would be insane by now if I had to listen to all that crap.

Newbie to GMRS, but boat loads of radio experience from the Army. Not sure how much will be relevant. But I'm just in it for fun. After buying a pair of radios, I realized that there are ZERO repeaters near me.

Welcome from another newcomer!

Hello..I'm new to gmrs . I've been a listener to scanners for 30 years so I've heard National Guard chopper, U of I air care, Police, Fire, Ambulance, etc. as well as HAm, CB and gmrs on my Whistler 1040 scanners connected to a Diamond antenna at 54' on a fiberglass telescoping mast for the past 30+ years. I bought a pair of Btech 50v2 radios and I monitor Ch 19 mostly. I've heard traffic on Ch 1 young kids, CH16-17-18-19 adult conversation. Just got my Surecom SW-102 SWR meter today and tested all channels - both radios, home base and truck 1.0 - 1.4, so now I'm ready for some gmrs conversation WSHI503 Waverly, Iowa 73s Doc out.