WRPL700

When I passed the Tech test (35 out of 35) they did offer me to take the General test but I chose not to because I had not studied for it.... Kind of wish I had taken it just to see how I would have done.

As I remember it, I was originally an O5B-A4, but then they changed us to 31V??? And then to 18E. We used a lot of wired half-wave dipoles. I still remember using the 468/frequency to get the ball park length. We used metal audio tape reels to roll up the extra wire and parachute cord thrown over a tree limb to lift up each side. The radio was a AN/PRC-74B 15 watt. Good memories.

Hey, thanks. This was a long time in coming....... 40 years ago I was an Army radio operator (18E) so I was pretty good with morse code back then. The guys were always after me to get my Ham license, but I never did. So fast forward: a few years back I got my GMRS license and played with that and then last fall convinced my wife to allow me to try for the Ham license. I still need to work on dusting off my CW skills again. My hand isn't as steady with a straight key as it once was. But this is a lot of fun.

Oops.

Thanks for the HamStudy.org heads-up. I will check it out.

I also bought the General book about a week ago and I think I will take that test next month. I don't think I need the Extra.

Nope. Just bought an ARRL book on the Tech test and studied it for about two months, then scheduled an in-person test. Having the GMRS license for several years actually helped learned some things that are in common with both.

Yes, I finally did it. I got my Tech (KD3AKT). Had a lot of fun on 10M on Sunday. Got 2 contacts from TX, one from OK, one from ND, one from OR and one from CA. All on 20 watts. What a fun hobby.

I did not see this covered in previous posts: I remember seeing in the 5RM manual (toward the back of the manual-page 36) that there are two versions. M version and L version. Could this be the problem?

I have one of my two DB-20Gs in a go box with 12ah battery. Mine puts out about 18 watts. It is a great little radio for the price.

Anybody seen or ordered the new Retevis NR30S GMRS HT? https://www.retevis.com/retevis-nr30s-long-range-noise-reduction-gmrs-two-way-radio-with-display-us Looks kind of like the HA1G. Some of the features: High / Middle/Low Power Adjustable Two-way Noise Reduction VOX Hands-free Group Call Monitor Scan Roger Emergency Alarm Low Battery Alert 30 Channels (GMRS) Power Save/Low Power Alarm Squelch Weather Weather warn TOT（Time Out Timer） Talk Around Also says it has a 2800mah battery and IP67 waterproof.

That is a great use of GMRS radios. That is one of the main reasons I have the radios that I have, for when SHTF. I am glad they were useful to you.

I just downloaded the manual and did a quick scan of it. I cannot say what it does. The manual is pretty skimpy on details. I am thinking that maybe it has to do with allowing channels 15-22 to be enabled to use a repeater (+5Mhz)??? That would be very non-typical. Just not sure though.

Probably not likely. What repeater capable means is that if there is a repeater near you and if you set your radio up correctly, you can use your radio to talk through the repeater to another radio. What radio do you have?

I kind of did the same thing with buying a pair of Midlands. I then bought better units, but kept the Midlands for when I am out working in the garden so the wife can call me and tell me it's time for supper................

Nice review. Thank you.

Looks like OffRoaderX will be doing a review of it:

Have you guys seen the new repeater available from BTECH? https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-rpt50/ This looks pretty cool. Too steep of a price for me, but still looks pretty cool. General Specifications Feature Specification Product Analog Repeater Model GMRS-RPT50 Frequency UHF Zone capacity 16 Channel capacity per zone 16 Typical RF output 50W Frequency range GMRS Dimensions (HWD) 88 x 483 x 366mm 3.46 x 19.02 x 14.41 inches Voltage demand 100-240 VAC (13.6 VDC) Weight 11kg (w/o antenna) 24.25lb (w/o antenna) Current consumption: – Standby 1.0A (100 VAC), 0.5A (240 VAC) – Transmitting 4.0A (100 VAC), 1.8A (240 VAC) Working temperature -30 to +60 °C -22 to +140 °F Max work cycle 100%

That is very interesting. I wonder how far down the road that one is to being marketed on their website....

I did find a link to download programming software for it (SUPPORT PAGE), but there is no manual to download yet. Also, it does say it includes a programming cable. What’s in the box? 1 x DB40-G GMRS Mobile Radio 1 x Handheld Microphone 1 x Power Cable with Fuse Tube 1 x Mounting Bracket 1 x Spare Fuse Tube 1 x Microphone Bracket 1 x Programming Cable 1 x User Manual

I just saw this last night, Radioddity has a new 40 watt mobile coming out: https://www.radioddity.com/collections/consumer-radios-frs-gmrs-radios/products/radioddity-db40-g I wonder who really makes this radio, Anytone or maybe TYT? Specifications Frequency Range: Transmitter: GMRS frequency; Receiver: 400.000-480.000MHz; Channel Spacing: 5KHz, 6.25KHz, 12.5KHz, 25KHz Supply Voltage: 13.8V±15% Transmitter Output Power: HI: ≥40W, M: ≈20W, LO: ≈5W Receiver Reference Sensitivity: 400-420: ≤0.30uV; 420-470: ≤0.25uV Microphone Gain: 16dB Carrier Frequency Tolerance: ≤2.5PPM Threshold Squelch on Sensitivity (ASQ2): ≤0.20uV Modulation Limiting: ≤5KHz Audio Harmonic Distortion: ≤7% Dissipation Current: ≤10A Modulated Receive Bandwidth: ≥2KHz (Narr)/5KHz(Wide)

That sounds great.... interested in seeing your results!

Looks like Radioddity has the DB-20G on sale today for $84.99. That is a great deal.

I have two DB-20G radios and love them (approx. 18 watts max). I don't have any experience with the DB-25G but have heard that it really does not put out 25 watts. I am in the process of using one of the DB-20G radios and an ammo can like storage container and 12v 12ah battery to make a go-box.

And it was not a dumb question for a noob to ask. Please don't be afraid to ask anything. Somebody will help....