WRYS709

You can monitor two frequencies at a time and scan VHF/UHF (500 channels). I believe other threads here make the claim that 40 watts does not enable that many more “fars” over 20 watts; antennas being more significant.

I personally like the $99 - $109 Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a AnyTone AT-779UV 20 watt mini mobile with everything on the mic, cigarette lighter plug and a cup mount (or here) and $20 mag mount antenna for easy in and out in my car and I have another one in my home. And I avoid all the Midland problems I read on this forum.

The following HTs are Ham Radios that have the technical ability to receive and transmit on GMRS: 1) Legacy Baofeng UV-5R; more recent ones are locked out of transmitting on GMRS, but some will transmit on GMRS only and are labelled as such. 2) TYT-88UV - a code must be entered into the keypad to open transmission on GMRS 3) Baofeng UV13Pro There are other Ham HTs from the legacy manufacturers, such as Kenwood, Yaesu, etc., that have a "MARS/CAPS" mod available that may allow GMRS transmission after that mod is applied.

What times of day on each band?

Congratulations and welcome: On the Map, I see the BKFD650 Repeater in Bakersfield (private probably the Fire Department) and the 501 Repeater (462.550) in Lindsay, CA, but requires permission. You can go to its listing and ask for permission if it is close enough to you. And there are 5 more in Tulare; close enough? https://mygmrs.com/map/7560

Are you all discussion GMRS, or Ham bands (yes, I realize that 10 meters is Ham). What times of day?

You did not mention which software, so I took the liberty of assuming it was one or the other, for purposes of this tutorial answer: or:

If 20 watts will do it for you, check out the Radioddity DB20-G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV, a mini-mobile with cigarette lighter plug GMRS radio that can easily be opened to operate in the 2 meter and 70 cm Ham bands; clocking in at only $99-$109. There is a thread here that shows how to DIY an inexpensive cup-holder mount that makes it easily removable and reinstallable in your vehicles or you can buy one from Amazon.

Go under the Help menu to About... What version are you using? You should be using version 2.06, available here: https://www.radioddity.com/pages/radioddity-download The earlier version had the problem of the wrong transmission frequencies on transmit on some channels and was fixed on the updated version.

Before I got a 120v to 12v home power supply, I used to use my 28Ah SLA battery Duracell PowerPort 600 for both home and portable use. Much cheaper than Lithium Ion but much heavier. I prefer the $109 mini-Mobile Radioddity DB20-G 20 watt, cigarette lighter plug, VHF/UHF radio (opens to 2 meters/70 cm Ham radio). The City of Malibu funds Go-Boxes with them for their residents "at risk!" With a cup-holder mount and Mag-mount antenna it comes in and out of my auto with ease.

Can you post a screenshot? What version of Windows are you using?

They have a Saturday 7am Net.

Yes, there are drivers available for Windows 10 and 11.

You can download the compatible Radioddity GM-30 CPS software from the Radioddity website and with a good USB cable (I recommend a FTDI chip based cable) it will work in Windows.

Try out the GMRS codeplug as well, as it opens up pretty much all of the microphone shortcuts (and manual programming steps) for use there, too.

Oh, I did not realize the FCC database can sort by City. I have a link somewhere that provides that information by City from another source, but since you can do it on the official FCC site, I won't go to the bother of trying to find it now. Good luck!

I have the Radioddity DB20-G and its Anytone AT-779UV clone; one is in my automobile with a cup-holder mount and Mag-mount antenna for easy removal. For about $99 - $109 each they are dual band radios that easily plug into a cigarette lighter outlet for easy connection and removal, provide 20 watts transmit power, are locked into GMRS (but can be easily opened for Ham use on 440 MHz and 2 meters [146 MHz]). I do not have experience with HOA antenna restrictions. Good luck!

https://www.13abc.com/2023/10/12/ham-radio-experiment-planned-solar-eclipse/?outputType=amp

https://www.youtube.com/live/LlY79zjud-Q?si=3X9rfV0GUgV-wxhA

IMG_0486.MOV

If you are in GMRS Mode, you cannot change the Power setting with either the front panel buttons or the microphone buttons; they are locked down. You must use the Programming software. If you "open" the Radioddity DB20-G (or Anytone AT-779UV) to MODE: (136-174)(400-470)... You can change many of these settings on the fly, so that you would not be required to remove the radio from your truck and bring home to keep programming. I have attached the "GMRS generic" code plug that will work with this MODE for GMRS and you can build it out to your localized repeaters, etc. from there, if that would be helpful to you. Although it is named "Anytone" it works with either the Anytone version 2.01 or Radioddity version 2.02 CPS software. Let me know if you have any questions. NOTE: Even though this Codeplug is programmed to be consistent with Part 95E rules for GMRS, some people believe that its use on GMRS in the “open mode” is inconsistent with the radios Part 95E certification and hence, use at your own risk. Anytone AT-779UV GMRS 202310130140.dat

I purchased from Amazon the one you linked as 7.4V just over 5 years ago to use my Baofeng Tri-Bander UV-5x3 in the shack with my 12 volt power supply and external antenna. The difference in voltages: None. It is 12v input and 7.4v output.

In my experience, code plugs created by the Retevis Ra-25 CPS software cannot be shared nor used by those who use the Anytone/Radioddity CPS software. This is especially a problem for radio clubs that offer pre-programmed code plugs for their members.

My personal preference would be either the Anytone AT-779 or Radioddity DB20-G because of problems that the Retevis CPS software imposes on the code plug produced.

Use of FRS radios is a controversial topic amongst GMRS users, as they mostly see it as more interference to their licensed activities. So you are asking the fox how best to protect the henhouse! I say: Just get yourself a GMRS license and now you can use detached antennas and more power! Good luck!