WRXB215

Although on paper the UV-5R is not as sensitive as my XTS5000 and XTS2500's, the UV-5R is far from "deaf".  and in my daily, "normal person" usage, I have never noticed the difference in sensitivity between my Motos and my Baofengs. I dont doubt that you may notice a difference, but the average, normal person, doing average, normal things, will not notice any difference 97% of the time.

And they fit in your pocket.

It's better than the Baofengs I have. 👍

@WSCK857 Welcome to GMRS. 👍

I think "Farz" is the European spelling. 🤣

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:

Well I run the extended battery’s and 771 antennas  but yes still smaller and easier to stow.  Mine get used every day on horse back or quads.  They have just as many fars but if one gets damaged or lost it’s ok.   And I’m ok loaning them out. 

I love all my boofwangs, especially the uv5 radios.   I have woxoun and Motorola and the boofwangs get more use because they are cheap and work. 

The radio will probably come with the right size fuse holder and fuse (maybe two) in the power cable.

You shouldn't see more than 9 amps peak when keying either radio. A 15 amp fuse should be very adequate and appropriate.

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

I fear it may already be too late to save yourself, nothing to do but say welcome! One of us, one of us… 😂

The USB-C port is for charging external devices such as a Cell Phone, etc.  

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

Hello Sonicgott and welcome!
It would be better to start a new thread asking your question. You will likely get more answers.
Going directly to the battery helps avoid possible noise being picked up from other circuits. That is why it is recommended for radios even car stereo systems. Also a 50 watt radio needs more power than a cigarette lighter plug can provide so you have to make sure whatever circuit you use is rated high enough.

Updating the firmware is not the same as programing the radio for channels etc.

Your statement about losing 180  degrees of radiation is incorrect. An omni antenna has a larger lobe facing the ground plane and will still radiate in all directions. The increased radiation is from the opposite side of the radiation pattern.

Just my little $0.02 of an update.
According to the man that spec'd the KG-1000G with Wouxun, all of the GMRS rules & restrictions are burned into the firmware, and according to him, the radio cannot be unlocked.
 

Hi Mark,
I commend you for wanting to do things right.  Unless you are working as a “representative of a foreign government” I don’t know of any reason you couldn’t obtain a GMRS license.  It’s only $35 and it lasts for 10 years. The tallest hurdle will be navigating the FCC ULC system. Notarubicon has a guide that takes you through that step by step. I believe you need a U.S. address for a GMRS license.  It’s just a mailing address, not a transmitter location. https://www.notarubicon.com/how-to-get-a-gmrs-license-easy-guide-to-gmrs-licensing-on-the-fcc-website/

In general you register for an FRN first.  That definitely allows international addresses and there are 2244 Australians with FRNs already. Registering for an FRN is free.
Then you apply for the GMRS license using the FRN you just got.  It takes a separate step to pay for it.  Please don’t judge all of us in the USA by the FCC licensing system.  It’s terrible and we know it.
Hopefully you’ll also bring a dual band ham radio handheld.  There are a lot more ham radio repeaters across this country and as you probably already know amateur radio operators can operate in the amateur radio service in many countries they are visiting without needing to obtain that country’s ham license.  

Many people do operate without a GMRS license in the USA, but if I were doing that I would not provide an easily identifiable call sign for another service.  Choosing to disregard regulations is a personal choice and a lot of my friends do it, but they don’t complicate their situation by providing a ham call sign that can be traced.
I hope you have a great time in the USA. 
73 de AI7KS

https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-E/section-95.1705
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-95/subpart-A/section-95.305

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

Firmware updates make me nervous. I take much time researching the issue before I do them. 
i have not yet bricked a radio, but that is my fear. 
 
My concern was not the hijacking of this thread but that a more focused thread will get more replies and information 

Okay, I figured it out.  All of the problems were because the frequency counter and CTCSS/DCS decoder functions were enabled.  I disabled that and everything started working fine.

@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.

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.