WRYZ926

@Lscott I agree that it is just as easy to go with a mobile radio versus messing with an amp.

The BTech AMP-U25 is for 400 to 480 MHz so it will work fine with GMRS frequencies. And don't feel bad about being new. I am new to GMRS and amateur radio myself. Find guys around you that have been in amateur radio for a long time and ask questions. The old timers are normally more than happy to help new people out. A lot of stuff as far as antennas, radios and amps will be very similar between amateur radio and GMRS. The obvious differences are frequencies and allowed power output restrictions. I'll suggest again to consider just getting a mobile GMRS radio since you can get one for the same price as the amp.

Best is to charge the batteries all together at 48V. That is how every 24V, 36V, or 48V system I have worked with is set up for charging to include engine driven alternators and generators. Look at all the electric golf cart chargers for an example. They charge to the correct voltage for the system versus the individual batteries.

Looking at the specs for that amp, it is for 1.25m (220-225MHz). GMRS is between 426.5625 to 467.7250. I don't know if that would cause any issues or not. The BTech AMP-U25 might be a better choice. I will say that you can get a BTech GSMR-20V2 for the same price as that amp .https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6DB3SCL/?coliid=INSG1QQ020V7H&colid=2A7BPH9LMGKQ&psc=1&ref_=list_c_wl_lv_ov_lig_dp_it And from what I have seen from different videos, BTech and Radioddity have done a good job on their radios as far as spurious RF emissions. You could go with an amp or with a mobile radio for the same cost so the choice is yours.

I ended up buying a Midland MXT500 to use as a base station and put the included mag mount on my Escape. With the mount in the center of my roof, I was able to run the coax through the back hatch without any issues. That does leave the cable too short to put a radio on the dash. I might use that mount for a dual band radio with a detachable head unit and get another mag mount for my GMRS radio. There isn't a whole lot of space to mount radios in the Escape. I might go with the BTech GMRS-20V2. That way I only need to worry about the dual band head unit and two mic's.

As much as I would love to use a MXTA26 antenna, I just don't have the clearance between the top of my Ford Escape and the garage door. For those like me that have a SUV or truck and Parkin a garage, keep the antenna height in mind.

I have a couple of the cheap Baofeng mic's that I use on my GT-5R dual band and UV-5R GMRS radios. While they are not the best, they do work. And yes the MXTA26 will improve things even with a 5 watt hand held while in your vehicle.

Welcome to GMRS and the forum Zack.

The Abbree AR-771 antennas I have work fine. I'm using them on a pair of Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios.

Good to know. I didn't even bother with the rubber duck antennas since I put the Abbree 771 antennas on right away.

I have a couple of Abree AR-771 antennas that came with my Baofeng UV-5R GMRS radios but I haven't tested them compared to the stock rubber duck antennas. I can say that an actual Nagoya 771 antenna is an improvement over the stock rubber duck on my Baofeng GT-5R dual band radio.

The rules can definitely seem convoluted at times. People having different opinions and interpretations of those rules don't help matters either.

I might have went overboard a little with my GRMS antenna. I have a Comet CA-712EFC mounted on a 40" J mount on top of the roof. I couldn't go any higher without chopping a tree down. I know the Comet and Tram antennas are popular here for a base antenna. I don't have my dual band antenna mounted yet so I am just using a magnet mount mobile antenna mounted to the side of my house with two shelf brackets and a cookie sheet. It working okay for 2m. I can hit a couple of repeaters that are within 30 miles of me.

That sounds about right for a HT given the circumstances. Now having a mobile radio setup as a base station with an antenna above your house will definitely increase the range. If you were inside a vehicle while using your HT then you did good. Vehicles will block a lot of signal. And it looks like you are going about things the right way by starting off with HT's and then deciding what you want /need as far as equipment goes. It is too easy to go crazy buying radios and such right away. An easy solution for vehicles would be a good antenna hooked up to your HT along with a hand mic. That saves you from having to buy a mobile radio right away and you can use the antenna for a mobile once you decide to get one.

Yes they were using illegal amplifiers if that was happening. CB radio is restricted to 4 watts. My buddy would scramble everyone's TV signals that were nearby when he would key up with his amp running. But that was back when hardly anyone had cable TV and only rich people had satellite dishes (the big ones).

Yep some myths just won't die.

I have the Baofeng GT-5R which is the same price and it works well for a $26 HT. The GT-5R definitely gets better reviews than the standard UV-5R. I can stand outside my house with the GT-5R and hit the repeater 20 miles away. Granted it is pretty flat around me. I am using a Nagoya 771 antenna on the GT-5R

The only things I have seen CB amps do is interfere with analog TV stations and light up a fluorescent light bulb. The 4 ft bulbs had to be right next to the antenna though. My buddy would key up his CB with amp next to mine and my CB radio never blew up.

Yes a 20 amp power supply will be plenty for a 20 watt radio. You could even run a single 50 watt radio on that power supply. Most 50 radios will draw around 12-13 amps at full power. Now if you think you might end up running two 50 watt radios at the same time then get a 30 watt power supply. One thing to remember with power supplies (and generators) is that they are rated for the maximum/peak amperage. On average the continuous amperage they will run is 80% of the peak amperage. So with your 20 watt PS, you can easily run up to 16 amps continuously.

I knew from the get go that there can/will be an issue running 70cm and GMRS at the same time with antennas close together like on a roof of a vehicle. I do have a little more room with the Escape versus a sedan to space the antennas out a little. Right now I am mostly using 2m and GMRS occasionally. The use of GMRS will change now that others in our club are starting to get GMRS radios. We discussed looking into a GMRS repeater on the 900ft tower that the 2m and 70cm repeaters are on.

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Well I sure won't try to transmit on 70cm and GMRS at the same time with both antennas on the roof of a vehicle. I probably won't even tune to 70cm while the GRMS is on. They are close enough in frequencies to cause issues. I was more concerned about 2m an GMRS. ANd I do appreciate all the helpful input from everyone. So please do not turn this into a pissing contest.

I'll stick with the phonetic alphabet that I learned in the military, which is the same as most amateur radio operators also use. It is not hard to learn.

@WRYU400 thank you for the information.

I have decided to go with a magnetic mount for now on the Escape. I will have to use a 15-16 inch tall antenna so I don't tear up anything pulling into the garage. Next question for the gurus. How far apart should I keep a 2m/70cm antenna and a GMRS Antenna while mounted on top of the Escape?