WRZD706

We are planning a trip from MI to AK this summer. How prevalent will the use of GMRS be on the route? I see that there are many repeaters in the US south of Canada and a few in AK. How does Canada handle GMRS? Do they also have repeaters? Is there a database of them if so? I am not intending to rely on GMRS for anything serious, but rather use it for road conditions ahead and entertainment to pass the miles by. Is CB a better service? Is there a mobile GMRS radio that can receive CB that I can convince my wife we need in the RV?

I have a BTECH 5 watt handheld and the stock antenna, the 701G, and the 771G. For me in my non-scientific testing (my friend staying put on high ground and me moving further and further away and testing each antenna), the stock and 701G are very similar but the 771G is better by abut ~30%. Of course, that will vary from user to user, but I use my stock or 701G when within 1.5 miles or so, and my 771G for greater simplex or repeaters.

Yep. That is not quit right. It looks like you tried to program them over the simplex (radio to radio) channels GMRS 1, 2, and 3. Undo that. Program them in their corresponding pre-programed repeater channels (REPTR3, REPTR1, and REPTR5) and make sure that you have a +5 offset. Once you confirm that works, change your "tone" to "TSQL" and make sure it works. Then you will hear only the repeater on that channel and not simplex. There are some really good youtubers that have videos that make this process super simple.

Your call sign is similar to mine. Mind if I ask what is your general local area? I have the 8 watt version of that radio and am also new. Things that have been helpful to me are the programming cable and CHIRP software. I just got a NA-771G antenna, and it made an unexpected difference for a ~$20 item. If you want one, get one from an online radio store like buytwowayradios not Amazon. That way you know it is not a counterfeit. Also, if communicating with someone using an even cheaper radio like a Midland GTX1000 type, be aware they might be only narrow band. If you set your radio to the same, it helps a lot in making the communications clear, especially if you are on the fringe of range. Hope that you are having as much fun as I am figuring this stuff out.