GreggInFL

Any way we could get elevation data for a repeater's antenna? Would help when plugged into SCADAcore.

For the record, not me.

I'm using a Radioddity DB25-G with a Nagoya UT-72G antenna. At ~$137 total it's a mid-grade package but will still hit repeaters at 15+ miles, which doesn't sound like much but I'm pushing through a mountain of trees. Had I gone with a Midland MXTA26 antenna and mount the package would hit your $200 budget. That antenna with the Wouxun radio noted above (nice combo) is going to run ~$300. My next upgrade will be that antenna.

Welcome! Looks like you have three repeaters nearby, with 550 being rather healthy.

If all you want to do is talk to someone I suggest you start here. This is probably the worst GMRS radio on the planet, but at $11 each it's money well spent for someone who wants to dip their toe in the water. If you mean "excellent" regardless of cost you'll probably end up with a Wouxun or similar. If you just want to buy one radio once I'd recommend the Baofeng GM-15 Pro. It's my everyday go to radio. As noted above, it's a long list.

Happened to me briefly: https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1713-whats-missing-from-mygmrscom/page/4/#comment-84085

Jack in the Box, hands down. Followed closely by In-and-Out.

And that's why I'm here.

Nevermind. That was fast. Back up and running.

At the moment, a functional map. The page comes up but the repeater sites don't load. You guys stuck in that Crowstrike event?

Good points all, and thanks for getting into the detail. I have connected with a neighbor who has similar interests and we will probably end up working on this together, with a plan similar to what you describe. I love this bar.

LOL. Guess who bought a base station radio today? Love the logic. Thanks.

I hear ya, brother. I'm at the opposite end of the LOS spectrum and am dancing the jig when I get five miles on an HT.

Yes. Tones are filters that filter out everything not on that tone, so if you want to receive everything coming from a repeater just don't set any receive tone and you will filter out nothing.

^ The GM-15 Pro is my everyday hand-out HT. You'll like it.

Good to know. I like that. Thanks.

We are trying to put together a comm solution for the neighborhood to back up cell towers that may go offline. The odds of that happening are low but not zero (especially here in Hurricane Central). Consequently, we don't want to throw a lot of resources at something that may never be used. We only need to go about three miles through the flat woods so, as WRXP381 noted, emphasis is on elevation, which has nothing to do with equipment of course. This means a fairly simple system could be used, like this Midland bundle, which could be set up post hurricane with a 12V battery and a solar panel. Simple and cost effective, but I'd hate to buy it only to learn that more power and/or antenna is needed. Hence the question about renting.

Good points all. I especially like the idea of budgeting better used equipment. Thanks.

Behind Door A are the 10W/5W portables offered by the likes of Retevis and Midland. If these work, great; if not we must open Door B, the full-blown mast/tower 50W versions. We'd hate to buy a portable setup only to discover it to be inadequate wrt power and elevation. Does anyone rent these? TIA.

Welcome!

That's about what I thought. It doesn't matter if the leaves are low or high. Thanks all.

Quick question: Is it all-or-nothing when it comes to clearing tree height? In the case above, is it necessary to get 100'+ for any improvement or would, say, 80' be noticeable?

Nice. What size battery are you using?

I don't know which is worse, hilly areas with trees or flat areas with trees. If you are at the right place on a hill you might get your HT above the trees; that will never happen on the flats.

How about, "Hey Sweet Cheeks!" ?