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In that event you won't be worried about the FCC rules, you'll be too busy running from the zombies to care.

Interesting, QRZ did a review on a Siglent last year but the model they reviewed was $600 bucks.. The review was pretty decent.. I'll got thrugh these and figure this out.

I was using a DTMF switch that required an HT transceiver to remotely shut down my repeater. It worked but wasn't always reliable. One of my friends told me about an eWELink WiFi switch he uses for his garage door opener that works off a free eWelink phone app.. (both androoid & IOS). I bought one on Amazon along with a fused 30A relay. All together $12 bucks. Tested it out on the bench, works great. I can shut down the repeater anywhere in the world and it's pretty much 100% reliable.. Just got done printing up a case to hold it all.. thought i would share for anyone looking for an easy solution.. If you want the 3D box print... message me, i'll send it to youl. The eWeLink switches come in a one Ch, two Ch or 4 Ch DC configurations. i used their 'one Ch.' for this project. IMG_3172.HEIC

Also check out the Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV mini-mobile: 20 watts, mic controls, cigarette lighter plug, $99-$109 Add a $20 mag-mount antenna and Amazon cup-holder mount and it easily installs/uninstalls in your vehicles.

Correct, except GMRS is subpart E. Also, a GMRS radio which transmits data are required to have a non-removable antenna and may not transmit the data through a repeater.

No, programming tones is not a modification. In fact for a certified GMRS radio, none of the ordinary changes made from the panel constitutes a modification. If you “unlock” the radio to allow it to transmit on a frequency outside of the 30 GMRS frequencies designated by regulations that would be considered a modification.

995 opinions to go…

The length of cable needed to get from the tow vehicle to a good spot on the trailer will probably introduce more loss than just using the antenna on the tow vehicle, with the (almost standard) 13' RG58 type coax that comes with most mag mounts.

It's exciting. Almost like getting to the prize in a box of Cracker Jacks. I can't wait to find out what it is.

There aren't any exceptions specified in GMRS Subpart E for LMR/Part 90. The things you list do not authorize other services; they are just limitations on GMRS. The examples given are references for 2 selected services, not all services in Part 95, that's why it's e.g. There's nothing I can do to make anyone understand what the wording means - you either get it right or you don't.

It also has a Special Feature, so you've got that going for you!

Ok. No specific interest. I actually have a set of Midland LXT-600 (FRS) radios. They are pretty useless. Used them once when moving as a travel channel between me driving the truck and wife following in car. I could still see my wife in mirrors behind me and the static was so scratchy she became unreadable until she was the vehicle right behind me. That's why I became more interested in GMRS.

If you’re specifically interested in Channels 8-14; only certified HTs can transmit on these channels. Not mobiles, for example.

I think it’s really saying that a radio may be made that’s certified for multiple services as long as it’s properly certified for each of those services and not capable of transmitting on non-certified services such as ham. So a radio could be certified for parts 90 and 95e and used for both by a properly licensed person.

"The fact of the matter is that the Baofeng UV-5RM is a ham radio and hence can never be certified for use on GMRS." I think you just summed it all up for me even though I still can't understand the FCC rules

Unfortunately I'm a rule follower so opinions don't do me good. Wife originally bought radios for an apocalypse but I figure I need to learn how to use them before then. I also have very poor cell service in my rural area so not uncommon for locals to use GMRS for emergencies, off road, family communications on large properties etc...

Yes, but I doubt that there is a 5RM model for FRS. Most 5RMs are 10W, with SMA antenna connection.

Adding tones doesn't break certification. If your 5RM did not come pre-programmed with GMRS frequencies, I'd say it's not a certified GMRS radio. Or maybe someone modified it. My 5RM variant, and most of the ones I'm familiar with, are HAM radios.

Radio specs are submitted by the manufacturer to the FCC and the FCC issues a certification. Look and see if the radio has been certified. A certification identifier should appear on a label attached to the radio. However, you’ll soon learn that as long as you make any attempt whatsoever at following the rules the FCC will never know or care.

Just get the same size screws from the bins at Ace, Home Depot, or Lowe’s. Because the old screws already tapped the threads you no longer need self-tappers.

Ok, so not all encryption is compatible between manufacturers. I'll give a common example. Both Kenwood and Motorola had DMR radios, but their "basic" privacy is not compatible between the two. Motorola's is a 16bit XOR, Kenwood's is a bit different, thus incompatible. The "basic" privacy is typically a non-standardized encryption that is for basic privacy at little/no cost. Now, you can use Enhanced Privacy/Enhanced Encryption in Moto/Kenwood DMR, because they use a standard, ARC4/RC4 40bit encryption. Same goes for other standard methods of encryption such as DES (64bit) and AES256 (256bit) which is compatible between manufacturers, as secure interoperability is required. These methods of encryption can be used with NXDN and P25, based on options available (both cost and free) for each radio. Loading encryption, when meeting opsec/FIPS requirements, creates the key, which is stored in either a hardware or software vault, and then loaded into the radio via manufacturer specific software, or with a hardware device called a keyloader. The keys can be transferred between secure devices (keyloaders/vaults) but after creating and storing them, you can never view what the key is again, so store it properly. In the case of many of these Chinese radios, security and standards are typically not followed. You basically copy the key into the software, apply it to the digital channel desired and that's it. Keep in mind, since they don't follow the standards, the encryption may not be compatible with others. The AES could be AES128, or just a completely made up 256 encryption method applied to DMR different than the standard, thus not compatible with other radios using industry standards. @WRYZ926SINCGARS uses frequency hopping for security, which not only doesn't show up on a scanner/close call, it's impossible to follow without the starting frequency and hop-set, which is why it's just as secure as AES, if not more.

I always used either 6" or 12" numbers when using a hand held in vehicles. I use to run a hand held CB radio with an external antenna for a while back in the early to mid 90's. Adding another 6-12 inches of RG58 to the antenna coax won't hurt. Most mag mounts use between 13 and 15 feet of RG58 on average. I have SMA to BNC adaptors for when I want to use my hand held with my portable yagi or faraday cloth j pole antennas. Having a box full of adaptors comes in handy.

I've standardized on BNC wherever possible. You can usually find and adapter for some weird RF port to a BNC. For example I have a few Icom HT's that use a rather strange port. I had to special order adapters so I could use an external antenna with them. https://forums.mygmrs.com/gallery/image/500-ic-f3162dt-front-and-back-sidepng/?context=new BNC jumper cables are easy to find. As long as they are kept short the usual RG-58 coax doesn't cause much of a loss.

The NotARubicon approves!

Hi marcspaz. Its a '06 LJ Rubicon

Installed a Midland MXT105B with a MXTA26 Antenna using a Midland Magnetic Base NMO Mount.

I agree that it is courteous to ask for permission to use open repeaters. But it's definitely not required. As the custodian of our GMRS repeater that is open, I always try to approve requests to use our repeater when I receive them. If they are courteous enough to ask then I will be courteous enough to grant permission quickly.

There are a few encryption options recognized by various manufactures. The typical digital encryption requires a radio with a native digital voice mode, usually DMR, NXDN and P25. One already mentioned was AES256. Some include it for free, Anytone does this, while others charge a lot of money to install it on the radio as an option. Then you may need a special bit of software, and or hardware, to function as a key loader. Another one is the 40 bit RC4, or ARC4. It's a much weaker algorithm, but good enough to keep the scanner guys away for a while. It's also included for free on some radios. Others it a fairly cheap option to add. The keys are typically loaded through the radio's programming software so no additional software or hardware key loaders are usually required. You're more likely to find more radios that have have RC4, or an option to install it, than some of the others out there. This is a point to consider if inter-operation between various manufactures is a requirement. Note that encryption is a No-No on Ham and GMRS in general. However a few people have radios programmed with licensed LMR frequencies where it's legal to use on those.

I have BNC connectors on the radios I use a lot. It makes connecting to a mag mount antenna much easier and doesn't stress the SMA connector nearly as much.

Yes, Sir. We went there specifically to run Bee Line. It was a great trip. We will be back on August 9 for a club trip. I am heading back to Uwharrie in October. I am going to try to hit Good Evening Ranch soon, too.

Listing a repeater as "open" is typically taken to mean no permission is required. However, politeness is never out of style, and there's no harm in contacting the owner to say thanks.

Using an external antenna gets the antenna up higher and out of the metal box of the vehicle. I set up my wife with the Nagoya UT72 and a handheld microphone with an H3 radio. Makes using it much easier and gives much better range than the short antenna on the HT.

They either mean what they say when they label it open or it’s not really open. I would use it without seeking permission but if you get a chance contact the owner to say thanks.

Many of us have used hand held radios with an external antenna with good results. As others have said, getting the antenna outside of the vehicle is the biggest improvement you can make. Adaptor cables that go from SO239 to SMA are cheap and make connecting an external antenna to most hand held radios easy to do.

As has been said, you may get SOME additional punch through trees and what not at 20W over 5W, but the biggest thing is putting the antenna outside of the big metal box. The nice thing about it though is that with the antenna on the outside, not only does it improve your transmit range, but you'll be able to hear them from further away than you otherwise would as well, with a handheld inside the car without an external antenna. All that said, if staying in touch is super important to the group....if a large separation happens, have a plan for correcting that / regrouping.

The manual is available on the Support section of the Radtel website. It is very brief. The radio does not appear to be FCC Part 95E compliant or Part 95E certified. Its stated output power (10W) exceeds the maximum allowable for portable GMRS devices (5W). The higher power seems unlikely to provide greater range but would certainly drain the battery more quickly than the legal power. The RT-493 also supports frequencies that are not part of the FCC-allocated GMRS spectrum, though Radtel asserts they are GMRS frequencies. Specifically, it supports 44 of the 30 Simplex channels [sic] authorized by the FCC. I checked Part 95E as of the date of this posting, April 6, 2025. Personally, I would avoid the RT-493, especially if communicating with devices other than the RT-493 itself, since you may inadvertently choose a non-GMRS channel. Moreover, I strive to operate in full compliance with FCC rules and regulations.

and risk a hefty fine or jail time? It's your choice, but is it really worth it?! SOURCE: "some people" on this forum.