[RADIO - dual use FRS+GMRS and 70CM HAM]

15 hours ago, WRUI365 said:

Also have a Harris XG100pP

WOW! 

[UV-5G Plus Charging Analysis]

37 minutes ago, WRYS709 said:

Doesn't the UV-5G+ use the same battery mold as the classic UV-5R? And if so, wouldn't the desktop cup chargers for the UV-5R will work?

That's a good point. I would ask Baofeng though just to make sure.

[Would like to know what radio you are using]

Current:

• 2x Baofeng MP31
• 1x Baofeng UV-5R GMRS
• 2x Baofeng UV-5R8W
• 1x AnyTone AT-778UV
• 1x Kenwood TH-75A
• 2x Abbree 771 antennas
• 2x Abbree 701 antennas
• 1x Nagoya UT-72 mag mount

Added March 29th:

• 2x Baofeng GM-15 Pro 8W
• 2x Extra batteries
• 2x Big Blue 14W USB solar panel

[Would like to know what radio you are using]

@Lscott show off 

[The scariest numbers in history.]

666 - Mark of the Beast

911 - Terrorist Attack

322 - Skull & Bones Society

111 - Your latest RST report

[New Feature? Offline Repeater Database Functionality In The App/ Downloadable Repeater Database]

Even if the decision were made to add this feature to the app, it likely wouldn't be ready in time for your trip. You might think about making a spreadsheet and/or marking repeaters on your downloaded GPS map. Even marking them on a paper map might be helpful. It would be a lot of maps to go all the way across but it would be nice when you are stopped. As far as I know, any state will send you a map for free if you ask. I use my GPS mostly but I still like looking at a paper map. I just feel like I get a better visual of the area like that. The phone is too small to get a good picture of the area.

[Interference on 462.5325 MHZ Oakland Co Michigan]

It's not RF. It's demonic. 

[Solar Panels to charge a typical 1500mAh HT battery]

Well, my AC is fixed now and it didn't cost nearly as much as I originally though so maybe I will be able to get back on this soon. 

[Building a Portable Box for MXT500]

@Merky1761 That looks like a very nice project. Congratulations. 

[UHF amp]

Not sure what it's like trying to do a return but it's cheaper directly from BTech.

[Vanity]

13 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

Write it on a piece of tape on the radio or mic until you have it memorized.

I pulled out those MP31s I have to use while I was in the attic last night working on the AC. They still have my call sign taped to them. 

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

My wife and I wrote a script for a training video on how to program and use DMR radios. Yep, our marriage was strained for a while. 

[Guest]

Welcome to myGMRS.com.

In one sense GMRS is quite simple, yet you can take it to quite an extreme. And some people do.

Your budget will determine a lot about what kind of radios you buy.

I would start with a couple of HTs to get your feet wet.

GMRS is in the UHF band so don't expect to get the distances you hear by hams doing HF. Trees, terrain, etc. will affect your distance. It could be anywhere from 1/2 mile to 50 miles or more. Do your own testing in your area of operation to find out what's real for you.

"Privacy Tones" aren't private. Others can still hear you, you just can't hear them unless they transmit with the same tone.

Repeaters typically use tones to operate.

These are just some basics to help you get started.

@OffRoaderX has some good videos to help you get started.

As you come up with more specific questions, feel free to ask.

Also, you can do a search to find questions that have already been answered.

73

Edit:

I forgot to mention, @marcspaz did a real good video on intro to GMRS.

[During the day, I can have conversations on a repeater. At night, it's different.]

44 minutes ago, WSBV579 said:

I'm learning, and that's what matters most to me.

It has become apparent to me that I will be learning for the rest of my life. That's one of the things I really like about two-way-radio. 

[UT-72 vs. UT-72G]

I use the UT-72 for GMRS and have not had a problem with it. A friend and I were talking this morning through a repeater and at one point we hit talk-around for a while. The antenna works quite well for GMRS.

Marketing and manufacturing costs are certainly always in play but keep in mind that the UT-72 is designed/tuned for dual band so the UT-72G should perform better for GMRS than the UT-72.

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

9 hours ago, WSBB368 said:

I do plan to get a ham license but that all get thrown out the door in an emergency.

Even though this scenario can actually happen, I encourage you to get your ham license and get on the air. You will increase your circle of trusted friends which can be a real asset during such an event.

Also, I think it was @Lscott that pointed out once that in a stressful situation you want a radio that is very simple to operate. It sounds like good advice to me.

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

5 minutes ago, Darmie said:

Think before you push one of the buttons to know if you want to xmit on A or B.

Yep, dual watch can be confusing if there are conversations on both at the same time.

[NewBe Question Baofeng UV-5G Plus Software]

baofengradio.com or baofengtech.com?

The file I downloaded from baofengradio.com is:
Baofeng_UV-5X_Programming_Software_V2.0_20210308.zip
5X and 5G are listed as the same radio. This software installed with no problems for me.

I can't find anything for UV-5G or UV-5X on the boafengtech.com site.

[NewBe Question Baofeng UV-5G Plus Software]

Where did you download the software from and exactly what is the name of the file?

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

11 minutes ago, WSAA635 said:

it would be easy to do since the 805m MURS version IS VHS

I wonder if VHF and UHF use different hardware.

Yes, I knew what you meant when you said "VHS." 

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

@WRWE456 Well said.

I'm out of reactions, again. 

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

42 minutes ago, back4more70 said:

I think it makes me more attractive to the chicks to have two on my belt clips.

Don't forget the hand mic, one for each. Cross the cables to make an X on your chest. That really gets them. 

[GMRS Type Accepted Radio List]

@AdmiralCochrane and @Lscott I like the SDR idea but I don't currently have one so I'll have to stick to Lscott's suggestion of testing with another radio. And since my AC is out, all my planned purchases are on hold for a while. 

Edit: I do have an old scanner so maybe I can use that to test UHF.

[I now have a LEGAL GMRS Radio.]

9 hours ago, WSAA635 said:

I thought it would make some of the GMRS Karens happy

Well, my name isn't Karen but good for you anyway. I'm starting lean towards being more legit with my radios myself. 

[Can you reduce syllables in your call sign ("Ten" instead of "One-Zee-Roh")?]

9 hours ago, WSAA635 said:

If you don't follow this "Rule" then you know what'll happen......NOT A DANG THING, that's what.

We all understand the lack of enforcement by the FCC. 

 

11 hours ago, AdmiralCochrane said:

Not following rules because "I don't have to because I don't feel like it" is the reason CB is now useless.   Espousing the same for GMRS hastens its similar demise as a useful band.

@AdmiralCochrane hit the nail on the head. I'm sure we would all like to keep some degree of civility and usefulness in GMRS.