WRWE456

Really really hate to say it but many problems can be avoided by reading the manual. Just sayin, it's in there, page 32 with pictures.

The screw on covers on many radios are for maintaining the water and dust resistance.

I've got my popcorn. Good luck with the install!

Here is a link. Very interesting. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/can-lmr-i

I have not seen this antenna yet but I do have an active magnetic loop antenna for my HF radio. It is a receive only antenna that works on the magnetic portion of the signal instead of the electrical portion. It does indeed work very well. It is much quieter than a normal antenna. Picks up much less electrical noise. At 36" in diameter is very compact and does not need to be high in the air to work well. Could be a promising idea. Will keep my eye out for this.

Have you seen any of Scott KS6DAY video reviews? I like his stuff. He views radios from a emcomm perspective. Has reviewed the KG-935G and calls it the best GMRS radio on the market. And has a series of videos on it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MmuHqzbXqc He is starting the review process of the KG-Q10H. Should be out in a week or so. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4sVca1MK48 He has also done a series of videos on the VX-6 not sure about the VX-6R version you can search his channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-mKibwkODI&list=PLkoi40PWhXbtpeJ0Am_Uq49eJIqMgjPp4

This is what I use. Works good for me so far. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-wpcc88-1

Ya same here I'm not interested in repeaters. Just my local contacts.

Hi WRPT980. I also run an omni on top of the mast which is for my scanner and a Yagi for GMRS about 3 feet lower on the same mast. One thing a directional antenna does is concentrates most of your signal energy in one general direction and can help get through forests and obstructions better. I get reports of better signal quality at times with the Yagi. Also most of my contacts are in about a 30 degree arc so I seldom need to rotate it. Besides behind me is Canada (I live on the border) so no point in broadcasting in that direction. Works good for me. I like experimenting and don't mind spending the money to do so. The more I do the more I learn.

The headliner will not hold screws. They are usually made of heavy cardboard foam and fabric. Every car is different and most modern cars are very hard to find a place to mount radios. Here is Lido's site. I found a cup holder mount that works for my truck. You may have to get creative to find a solution. https://www.lidoradio.com/

Welcome!

This is what I use and have had excellent results. In stock as well. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dxe-400maxdx050

I wish you luck in your quest!

This is simply based on observations of the constant complaints of mostly newbies having trouble getting software to work. My only point is that software is not needed to use the radio. That's why it and the cable are optional accessories.

This seems to be a common problem, getting programing software setup in the computer, with most brands of radios. Are you wanting to program lots of custom channels and/or frequencies to memory? If just a few it is easy to do from the radio itself. If many then the software makes it faster. Unless you really have a lot to program (or are wanting to be able to clone multiple radios) you could have it programed in less time the you may spend screwing around trying to get the software to work.

It seems like the main issue with dual antennas is if you can keep them separated enough to avoid interaction with each other. I understand that can be a problem. If that is the case a dual band antenna may be a better solution? WRXR255 have you noticed any issues with this in your setup?

Thanks Lscott for reminding me of that, I'm not quite awake yet. I also use the Diamond switch and that was why I chose it, though I have the type N connector version for my GMRS base radio. This is the UHF SO-239 version for the OP. https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/dmn-cx210a

Here is a selection of SO-239 connector switches. https://www.dxengineering.com/search/part-type/antenna-switches-manual?N=antenna-switch-connector-type%3Auhf-female-so-239

Just curious but what are you needing to program into the radio that you need a computer for? I have the KG-1000Gplus and have not ever plugged it in to a computer. In fact that's one of the reasons I chose Wouxun radios is because most can be programmed without a computer. So I would hardly call that a POS. in my book it is an advantage. It's not like you can't use the radio if it has not been programed with a computer. My radios are for back up emergency comms and the last thing I want is to be tied to a computer if I need to change something on a radio. But that is my use case, yours maybe different.

Good now we are getting somewhere. I guess the first thing to point out it that GMRS is intended for families and groups to stay in touch and less for chatting with strangers or "making contacts". That is why the GMRS license covers your family under one call sign. Now many people use repeater's (which are special two way radios mounted high on hills or towers that receive and then rebroadcast your signal out over a wider area to allow greater coverage) to "make contacts" and have chat sessions etc. But that depends where you live. Much more activity in cities and much less to none in rural locations. You can try and find local repeaters by scanning with a GMRS programed radio or scanner or you can use the repeater finder map on My GMRS main site. Ham radio is better if making random contacts is your thing. Here are a couple of links to check out. https://mygmrs.com/ https://mygmrs.com/map https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2024/01/how-to-buy-your-first-gmrs-radio.html

The first real question we should ask is what are you wanting to use two way radio for? Answer that and you will get better advice.

Correct. Assuming you are trying to use GMRS you need a GMRS radio.

I have the KB9VBR GMRS Slim Jim also. Tested at 1.3 with 50' LMR 400.

The last step is the 'SAVE-MODE" You have to finish with saving your settings. You may have missed this step.

On page 34 of the hand book It says "(Channels 8-14 are only authorized for very low output power and are listen only.)" Channels 1-7 should work.