WRYS709

You’re Welcome! These inexpensive units have consistently passed the test of time. I picked up the Radioddity DB25-D mini-mobile to add DMR versatility to it and now if they would only add SSB; we could have the full package for 2 meters and 440 MHz.

I sure hit that one on the nose! hahaha

Why don't you test out your theory and report back for us. Cruise over to Mexico, MO and go on Channels 9 and 10 and blast away and see if you make any friends on the Mex 600 Repeater!?!

Another reason I recommend the Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV

DR;TL (the previous comments) Here is the scoop: Channels 8-14 are the so-called interstitial channels situated halfway between the Inputs of the 8 Repeater Channels: Theoretically using higher power and Wide-Band FM on these channels MAY cause interference on the Adjoining Repeater Input channels, so the FCC limits them to HTs using 0.5 watts and Narrow Band. Since you are in the highly populated SoCal area, probably ALL 8 Repeater channels are populated by some one or more repeaters in your area. So, using a 4 Watt Kenwood on Wide Band is probably not that advisable and yes, you should lock out these channels (which you have done)!

Wow, so that Randy guy (not the horny one) was prescient when he Royally declared Channel 19 to be the nationwide Calling Channel!

Another nail in the Midland coffin!

Another popular 20 watt is the Radioddity DG20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV: mini-mobile, 500 channels, cigarette lighter plug, easily opens to full VHF/UHF Ham $85-$109

It's a bug or perhaps a feature of the firmware. This radio is a clone of the Radioddity GM-30. Radioddity did a firmware update back in 2021 or 2022 that opened up DIY repeater channels on Channels 31-55 as I recall. The remaining channels are still Receive only. See NOTE below* I believe the Baofeng UV-15 Pro is the same, but I do not have one to test. I purchased the Baofeng UV-13Pro from AliExpress some time ago ($20) and it is the Ham Radio version of the 15, already open so as to allow transmission on GMRS and MURS on ALL channels. I also recently picked up its baby brother: the UV-12, which is the Ham Radio version of their FRS radio, again open on all channels: * Here is a link to the Radioddity firmware update page. Attempting to update the Baofeng GM-15 with Radioddity firmware may BRICK your radio; so do it at your own risk! https://www.radioddity.com/blogs/all/how-to-update-radioddity-gm-30-firmware

See my answer to this thread:

Take your Radioddity GM-30 for a road trip!

Some of us refer to it as: "desense!" Picky, Picky, Picky!

Great and informative review!

Yes, and I posted my answer:

Without attempting to flash this radio with another Baofeng's firmware (which was recently discussed here in another thread), the GM-15, like it clone, the Radioddity GM-30, do not have Chirp profiles available for them. On a related note, you can use the Radioddity GM-30 updated CPS software to program your Baofeng GM-15 radio.

This site allows non-owners to post information about repeaters?!? Sounds like trouble; right here in River City!

Glad to hear that the suggested tips worked for you, so that you do not have to return your DB20-G. I 2nd @tcp2525's comment that it is a terrific radio. I have purchased two DB20-Gs and my original Anytone AT-779UV.

It is an FCC requirement for narrowband on the low power interstitial channels: 8-14

"Talk Around" is a common feature on many GMRS radios, as opposed to "Reverse" utilized on many Ham Radios. But Talk Around is just a quick way to convert a GMRS Repeater channel into a Simplex channel. All of the Repeater output channels are available for simplex use on GMRS up to 50 watts, which is their advantage over the other GMRS channels.

I may have posted this on another thread, but I did an "impulse buy" of the Baofeng UV-12 for $15.50 from AliExpress. It is basically the Ham Radio version of their FRS radio and it is open to transmit on MURS. I have not found the Baofeng CPS programming software to download yet, but using the Retevis RB27 template on Chirp works to program this radio with my FTDI USB to K-1 programming cable. Of course it does not qualify for MURS under FCC rules, but it is an option nonetheless.

Christmas Spirit!

Sound like a bad unit to me; return for a swap if none of the suggested steps solves the problem

How long have you had the DB20-G? Did it work before; that is, have others heard you? Yes: I recommend leaving out Receive Tones for now

Also, I did an impulse buy of the Baofeng UV-12 and it arrived yesterday. It is their Ham Radio version of what is essentially an FRS radio and is open to transmit on all frequencies. There is supposedly Baofeng software available to program it. In the meantime, I programmed it with Chirp using the Retevis RB27 designation for the Read template. AliExpress has them for about $15 each.

How long have you had the DB20-G? Did it work before? You are probably encountering "desense" between your DB20-G and the mobile as they are too close to each other. If you can drive away and have someone work you from the DB20-G that is a better test. What Channel are you using for Simplex? The older units, including the Anytone AT-779UVs, did have a microphone hole issue, but the more recent generation of these mini-mobiles have mostly fixed that problem. Don't use Tones for Receive for now. That may also be the problem.