WRXB215

If you are in an older neighborhood, you may be ok. If you are in a newer neighborhood, think in the future. Those trees may be young and have a lot of growing to do. While you are going through the trouble and expense of putting up an antenna, it might be good to make sure the height is good for several years. That way you are out there trying to raise it in a year or two.

@WSCJ959 Read this for an explanation.

There are still some in my area but I think they are reserved for emergency use. Ever since I started using the automobile insurance "safe pilot" app, I've realized it would be nice if I could use autopatch to call my wife while I'm stuck in traffic. That way I could talk to her and let her know I'm going to be late and still not get dinged on my insurance.

Then US repeaters will not be of any use to you. If you are just wanting to participate in the forum, you can continue to do so just the way you are doing it now.

@WRDJ205 If all three radios are supported by chirp, you will be able to copy from one to another easily. Read from each radio separately. CHIRP has to identify the radio it's dealing with in order to write to it properly. Some radios are the same internally but many aren't. It's safer to use a separate code plug for each brand/model. Save each file(code plug). Now, it CHIRP, with all three files open, you can easily copy rows from one to the other even though they are different radios. Connect each radio one at a time and use the matching file to write to the radio.

@WRDJ205 You aren't supposed to copy from one brand of software to another brand of software. You copy from one code plug in chirp to another code plug in chirp.

I think "Farz" is the European spelling.

Love the spelling.

That's what forums are for.

And they fit in your pocket.

That's interesting, I thought I had see good reviews on that antenna. Maybe I'm thinking of a different one. Edit: Just remembered, it was probably the small one from Midland that got good reviews.

Yep, sure enough the MXT500 is in fact programable in addition to having software for a firmware update. Here is the programming software: Here is the firmware update software:

@WSAV285 That is where CHIRP comes in real handy. Download from each radio to create a file specific for each. After that, copy the channels you want from one and paste into the other. Good luck. PS See here for an explanation of the columns, especially tones.

I was really close to buying that radio. I like the control mic. Programmability wasn't quite what I wanted so I ended up with an AnyTone AT-778UV. Still like the idea of the RA86. Retevis has it on sale for $92.99 right now.

It's better than the Baofengs I have.

@WSCS844 welcome to GMRS. What radio did you get?

It only plays when you are trying to focus on doing some other work.

Sorry, it was not my intention to highjack this thread. My comment about the GM-15 Pro was only meant as a general comment to back up Randy's comment about firmware updates.

@WSCF738 In my limited experience, the biggest benefit to more power is when trying to transmit through a bunch of thick trees. Now don't get me wrong, if you want more power, go for it. But if you are having trouble with perfect line of sight, there is likely another issue you need to be looking at besides more power.

Good point. I'm not going to update the firmware on my GM-15 Pros. I don't actually "need" to use repeaters with them so I don't want to chance bricking them for that feature.

Not sure I can eat my breakfast now.

@WSCF738 just an FYI, propagation can be very different from what most repeater maps show. Typical repeater maps indicate a perfect circle when in fact, actual propagation looks more like this. As you can see, there is a dead zone in the square with "Dallas" written. It extends from the lower left of the square upwards. Then you can also see areas of light green much further away than that. Elevation, trees, houses, buildings, etc. all affect the actual propagation. This is why you can sometimes be closer and not get a signal but further and get a signal.

@LarryWRWH885 Take a screenshot like @WRXR255 did and post it. That will help debug. Also, smudge out the tones if they are not public.