WRXB215

@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.

I suggest you be careful getting answers to deep questions about a firmware update on the gm-15 pro in a thread about the TD-H3.
You are just not going to get the depth of responses from experiences users of the gm-15 pro, because, other than a few, why would they be here?
For example: I do not have a TD-H3 and am only here because reviewing "Unread Content" at this particular moment in time revealed:
 

@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.

The firmware updater runs only on Windows..  It *might* run via Parallels on your Mac.. But, it might not.. and I dont recall, but you may also be able to do it via the ODMaster app...
But... are you really sure you even need the firmware update? I usually avoid firmware updates unless it fixes something I actually care about.

I have been using CHIRP on a mac book m1 for about 3 months now.   Now this is on a wouxun kg1000 plus, but CHIRP supports a ton of radios.  You may try the manufacturers website first since there software may be more tightly aligned with your specific radio, than CHIRP.  I went with CHIRP since wouxun did not support mac m1.  So far all works.   try https://chirpmyradio.com/projects/chirp/wiki/Home .  best of luck
 
UPDATE:   You may end up using CHIRP, but only for programming.   Any firmware would be by the manufacturer of the radio

In your situation personally I wouldn't rely on radio. I carry a Garmin Inreach for places like that now as I rutinely work/play in areas with no cell. People can argue all they want about coverage but I've never had a message not go thru for giving an update to family or friends. For $15.00 a month I like the safety of it in my back pocket. 
 

My wife is to refer to me as El Conquistador when in public or on the air.

Heres a good start:
https://www.miklor.com/COM/Review_UV17proGPS.php
Specifically, this part:
GPS Capability
 
The UV-17 Pro GPS supports both GPS and BDS modes. The coordinates and elevation measurements are exact as expected. This includes location sharing between two UV17 Pro GPS radios. The UV17 Pro GPS also has the ability to send GPS coordinates between two radios.
 
 
Verify GPS capability
 
To verify that your radio has GPS, Menu 4 should display GNSS to select the GPS options. When GPS is turned ON, a long press of the Blue key in the upper right of the keypad will display the GPS screen.
 

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

@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.

@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.

If I'm on a handheld  and my wife is at home with a radio, I say "Mobile to base" after our call sign.
But, I'm old and set in my ways. Now, get off my lawn.

I've heard that story before, but the Harvard Radio Club history says nothing of it: http://w1af.harvard.edu/php/history.php
Wikipedia has an interesting page on the etymology of "ham". A couple different versions of that story appear there, but nothing truly definitive.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymology_of_ham_radio

My GMRS personality argues with my Amateur Radio personality constantly.  It's like the other voices can't get a word in.

I assume you mean RG58.  
It certainly might be the antenna, but I would consider the coax first.  RG58 attenuates nearly 12 db at 400 MHz.  Every 3 db is half of the signal or power, so 3 db loss is 1/2, 6 db is 3/4, 9 db is 7/8, and 12 db is 15/16 of the power lost.
Coax is fine, as long as it’s a type that’s compatible with the frequency used.

Your friend is wise. Remember though, while your immediate family is covered by your license, everyone in your party who isn't covered by your GMRS license needs their own license. But if you are using amateur radio to keep in contact with other people in your party, everyone needs their own amateur radio license. No free lunch for your immediate family. Not everyone wants to take a test. That's the beauty of GMRS. You don't have to know much. You just need $35 for a license, and maybe $30 for a radio.

If that makes you happy, go for it!  Me, I'm saving my points for that toaster oven with the ARRL logo emblazoned on it.   😁

We get ham points. Every hundred points allow us to describe our medical condition for five minutes. 

The setup needed for repeater use varies depending on the make and model handheld you are using. Check for user manuals for your HH units as they will also have the necessary steps to load in repeater channels. Also, remember the axiom High in, low out. Your transmit frequency is always the higher frequency while you receive on the lower. 

WHAT?    That would cost postage!    We have 235,385,823,556,235,765 illegals and 28 foreign countries to support with "foreign aid".  No way you're getting the US Government to waste postage on YOU, taxpayer.  Joey Biden doesn't do ANYTHING for the taxpaying American.
 
BOHICA
 

I learned that lesson years ago buying sockets. After my second trip get a new socket, the light went on. 🤔

Also if the antenna is not "resonate" at those frequencies it will contribute to reflected power back to the radio and an elevated SWR reading.