nokones

The Midland MXT400 has been discontinued and only has a capacity of 30 channels. The MXT400 programming software will not work on a Windows 11 PC. The Midland MXT500 radio has a channel capacity of 128 channels now. It is a very simple radio with very few features. The programming software is compatible with Windows 11. The Wouxun KG1000G Plus has several features that you probably would not use and some marketing gimmick overrated features that you will never see on other radios including professional radios. This radio has a channel capacity of 1,000 channels. The programming software for this radio is not complicated to use and is compatible with Windows 11. The performance between the MXT500 and the KG1000G Plus insofar as Farz and reception is essentially the same or at least you won't be able to tell the difference.

Those are not too shabby either. I used to call those hockey pucks. For UHF and 700/800 Megs they work pretty good. The ones designed for 150 Megs not so hot for Farz. Short range Ok.

For trail comms that should work great within your group. As for the FARZ, that would depend on the location of your stubby and the orientation of your off-road vehicle relative to the location of the repeater or receiving radio. Overall, the stubbies are not too shabby. As for the pills, I would stay off the pills.

I have the 29 LTD Nightwatch with the FM. So far I haven't found anyone that has the FM capability to try it out. Unfortunately, it is way too big for my "IZARUBICON" so I use it in my dually diesel. It's a great radio.

For simplicity, a Midland MXT500 is small and more than likely will fit your needs. It is a simple 128 channel radio but not with a lot of features. A Kenwood radio like the TK880 is a great radio and very small and has several features and will operate on any frequency within the designed operating band range. If the operating band range dips below 450 MHz into the 70 cm band technically by rule it is not legal to use on GMRS freqs. If you decide on a Kenwood look for a radio that operates above 450 MHz. The TK880 has two RF Output power options 24 watts and 40 something watts. The 40 something watts is a tad longer because of the heating. The 24 watts on your case not make much difference and would be a smaller radio for your dash.

I would check and see if the seller or manufacturer has some type of customer support and call them and see if they have the ability of remote control of his computer and maybe they can do a factory reset back to default to the radio over the internet.

$27? Wow! That price gotta be just for Californians to help with the State's budget deficit.

Why would anyone would want to password a cheap Chinese $18 POS for?

Actually, they still offer both cables but I agree get the FTDI cable. I have never had a problem with their cables and there customer support is top notch and if necessary they will walk you through any problem loading the program onto your computer and ensuring you that the cable willl communicate with your computer and radio.

Blue Max 49ers has the software for up to Windows 11 and you will need either the Prolific or the FTDI programming cable.

Not sure who is the spectrum manager for the military. The NTIA is the spectrum manager for the Federal agencies. The FCC is the spectrum manager for the non-federal agencies and entities.

The TK8360 is a 128 channel radio. Will 128 channels be sufficient for your needs? The Kenwoods are good radios. I have a TK880 and it's been a good radio.

Good point. My guess it has something to do with military operations

I believe that is the Chuckwalla Remote Radio Site that you pointed out. I wonder if the interference is a result of the geomagnetic storm that hit us for the 3 days or so which gave us the Northern Lights.

Are you forgetting about the second sentence in 95.1761(c)? Technically, by rule you can use your Part 90 radio on HAM freqs but not on GMRS freqs if it has the capability of being used on HAM freqs. If the type-accepted Part 90 radio operating band range is 450-520 MHz you are good to go to use your Part 90 LMR radio in accordance with Parts 95.335(a) & 95.1761(c).

You should look into the North County 675 repeater. The owner will give you permission and the required tone. I was able to get permission some time ago. It appears that the repeater on Cuyamaca isn't panning out. Also, there is the El Toro 600 repeater but that might be blocked by Palomar. There is/was a repeater on Palomar 725 repeater. I'm not sure if that repeater is still on the air.

Insofar as farz, you more than likely won't be able to tell the difference.

For Trail Comm. it really won't do diddly to add a ground plane and most likely you won't be shooting skip anytime soon on GMRS. On my 23 IZARUBICON 2 Dr. I run a glass-mount Larsen antenna on my rear glass with great success. If I remember correctly, my VSWR on 462 MHz is 1.12:1 and on 467 MHZ is 1.6:1. As for my farz, I don't know what the difference would be in comparison with either a quarter wave or my Laird 1/2 wave 2.4 dB gain omni antennae. I just don't see much differences. As for my CB antenna, I am using a 5 Ft. Firestik II Tuneable Tip antenna and it is mounted on my Mopar Heavy Duty Rear Spare Mount Bracket. Mopar provided the means of mounting an antenna near the door hinge.

Yes he owns Diamond Point as well all the 575 repeaters (Mt. Elden, Greens Peak, and the new Signal Peak). I don't believe Signal Peak is linked yet or if it will be. Last Tuesday, I was on a Jeep run and I noticed that Signal Peak covers very well on the back side of the Four Peaks and I'm sure it should cover out your way like a blanket. I think I am hitting Signal from my driveway in Sun City West at least I'm kicking something on that freq and tone with a noisy kickback. I thought he was going to implement what was done on Pinal last year instead of making just a PL change on the Towers 575. That would have prevented his current situation he has now. Looks like Shaw Butte is back on the air without any changes.

The Tower 575 and the Shaw Butte 725 Repeaters are owned by the same person. There is a person that has a hard-on for the repeater owner and has been creating havoc on those two repeaters. Towers 600 is no longer open and now has controlled access by permission.

It is at someone's home. I believe it will be moved some time in the near future. The Club is working with an owner of a former Grain Silo to replace the Mesa 725 location. Also, the Club has been collaborating with the owner of the Valley 625 repeater. For now the owner is willing to link his Valley 625 repeater to the White Tanks Repeater and the network on Tuesdays for the two Nets. The Club is also exploring sites for south of the Valley and the Casa Grande Areas. However, this is a far future plan for now unless something becomes available insofar as a available remote site. The owner temporarily shut down the Shaw Butte Repeater again and I have a feeling that he may restrict the Shaw Butte repeater just as he did with the Towers 575 and only allow a handful of his close and dear friends.

I believe the other three sites may be at non-commercial remote sites

I believe the queen said in the video repeatedly, that you "cannot" use it as a base station because the hand mic looking device is only for programming the repeater unit. That probably means there is no method/means of inputing voice audio directly into the unit. Although, I am not an expert on the matter, I'm just trying to recollect on my 12 hour old memory from watching the video.

I bet you a dollar and a donut it (coverage as in your farz) will be a lot worst.

Ask the Queen.