I'm just one of these type of people that could benefit from just about all these replies and much more, belt antics and all. Was gifted these "cheap" radios and have had much excitement and intrigue, gifting "cheap" radios to others to distribute my frustrations evenly. Doesn't matter really because the process has been educational, crunching the FRN, getting a better rig, watching the right tubes. An Ed Fong antenna and some EMT has me reaching Parker Ridge from the lower streets of Bakersfield. Scratchy, static, and still don't know what I'm doing. Yes, demystify the doings of repeater consistency, and yes bringing a crew with you would have been helpful. My work continues. Please include me willingly in any class coming up.