GreggInFL

Aha, 42". Should have known Steve would nail it. Thank you, sir!

I haven't tried it yet. It's my mobile antenna and the idea of running cable with adapters for something that will eventually go back in the vehicle makes little sense. Presently looking for an antenna I can park in the attic as a permanent base antenna. Any recommendations? 5' - 6' max height.

I returned one to Amazon because the unit would go through a power-down-power-up cycle when keyed. Happened about 25% of the time. Replacement works fine.

Yup, that's simplex. I usually figure range in a wooded area to be 1/2 - 2 miles with a handheld. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake. The more elevation and antenna the better. Congrats on getting it running.

Similar here. I assumed my 25W mobile and 3dbi mag mount would work great with a pizza pan in the closet. I was very wrong. Time to get a base antenna, some LMR400 and drill a hole.

Welcome! You're in the right place. There are some very smart and helpful members here, many amateur + GMRS combos like yourself. And a few lightweights like me.

35 miles, which is lot for this area.

^ Agreed. I have a couple of those, and that ain't right.

Don't bait him, bro.

That would work. Hopefully the RX and TX tones are the same.

LOL. Yeah, that one could be a problem. Odd they would call it "Open" yet not provide the tones. You could always brute force it; try all the tones and see which one works.

I've had multiple requests pending for over a year. If the repeater is listed as open, and I've had no response to a request for access, I just use it. If the owner doesn't want me on it they'll let me know. I'd do the same if it were my repeater; i.e. just turn it on and let it go.

I bought one this summer when Amazon had it on sale for $89.99, which made it cheaper than the DB20-G. I returned it immediately because about half the time it would go through an off-on cycle when the PTT was pushed. The replacement has worked fine. Connected to a Nagoya UT-72G I'm all in at ~$125.

Ordered a pack of the Baofengs mentioned in the OP. Tried one this morning on an HT and hit a repeater ~5 miles away through the woods. I'm sure the signal is poor compared with longer antennae, but still surprised it connected. Could be a nice option for campsites or road trips. At $9.66 for a four pack, may as well throw some in the bag.

You're welcome.

A recent FB post said there will be a net on Orlando 700 at 7:00 pm tonight. News to me.

I certainly hope so, because my mag mount that works so well on the vehicle is worthless stuck in a closet on a pizza pan. An HT with a rubber ducky is better. Time to run some cable out the window I guess.

Yes, I'm using that software with good luck.

You're welcome. I have this same radio. To set the tone you want menu item #12. When you get there, just keep pushing the up button until 118.8 appears. Lock that in and you should be good to go. Let us know how it works.

Go to this page and find which of the three Muncie-area repeaters you are trying to connect to: https://mygmrs.com/map/. Then we can give you some numbers. EDIT. Check that. Two of those are paid membership, which you can look at later if you wish. For now I suggest you connect to WRAM564, which is an open system. You'll need to transmit on 467.650. This is channel 27 labelled "RPT - 5". Go there, call up the menu and set a transmit tone of 118.8. Listen with no tone. This repeater's specs are here: https://mygmrs.com/repeater/9044. Even though the repeater is labeled "Open", it's always polite to request access, either by clicking the tab in the upper right or asking verbally.

People who hunt tend to fish. They are probably using their marine VHF radios on simplex. Is it legal? Nope. Have I seen it happen? Yup.

Nice. Thinking of doing something similar. What repeater are you using?

Nope. Even the USCG doesn't rag chew on 16. If they have something to say -- other than "Get off this channel, captain!" -- it's referring you to 22 where announcements are made. These days the announcements are often about staying away from the Cape coast during a launch.

...or marine VHF channel 16. You'll need to move quickly or the USCG will bark at you.

True, but I've noticed some newbies wanting to talk lately when I've thrown out a radio check. I suppose there are better ways to meet strangers, but nothing comes to mind...