WSAA635

I had a Baofeng UV-5R8W and used the standard UV-5R to access the radio. It wasn't perfect(no low, med. high for TX) but it was close enough to work to get channels programed. Now before I buy a radio I check to see if my version of CHIRP supports it or if there's something close. My plans are to get a Wouxun KG-UV9G Pro or UV9GX and from what I've read any of the UV9 radios should work and CHIRP has a UV9D Pro that I plan on using to access my radio. I look for updates every couple of days(easy to do in a Debian Linux based system, just drop a terminal and type "flatpak update" and hit enter) and it'll look for any new updates. If you have an older laptop or desktop sitting around collecting dust or running an older non-supported version of Windoze look up how to make a Live USB and do a Linux install then use that as your CHIRP computer for your radios. JMHO, YMMV.

99% of the time I charge from solar since we get a good amount of sun year round here in AZ. I highly recommended the 36v/200w Edostory solar panel for the Pecron because in my observation it can be picky on the lower power solar input. Pecron makes some solid no frills units.

HoboTech has a good YouTube channel where he tests a lot of different solar power stations. If I recall the Pecron was a bit slow to use as a UPS. I have(and did a review)a Pecron E600LFP and for the money it'd just about the best "bang for the buck" power station you can get. 1200 Watts, 614Wh battery and it'll take up to 400 Watts of solar. See my video on my YouTube channel for more info @ TN.Frank.

I think sticking with something that's GMRS out of the box will just make life easier. Not that I don't like to tinker, I'd just rather have things set up already. I can tweak the installed channels as needed. So, for now(subject to change)the KG-UV9G Pro looks like the one I'll get.

I've given the KG-935G Plus a close look but I don't think it'll do Airband. The one that I'm really looking at is the KG-UV9G Pro which will keep me GMRS Legal and it does ALL the stuff I want to scan for including Airband and 800MHz. Better Safe Radio has them on sale for $168.00 which is a pretty good deal and well under the $200 that I planned for. Also, unlike the KG-935G Plus the KG-UV9G Pro is a SuperHetrodyne radio which is suppose to make a bit of a difference in selectivity. Still have 9 days until my Crypto unbonds so I just hope that they're still on sale by then.

Not interested in getting a scanner. I want more functionality I.E., being able to not only scan channels I'm interested in but also being able to talk on GMRS channels. Looks like the KG-UV9P can be easily "unlocked" in CHIRP to transmit on GMRS and the price is less then the Q10H with the same number of channels I'll be able to scan.

Not going to get a HAM license, I do have my GMRS license and that's the freq. I'll talk on. Main use is communication while dove hunting with my grandson, talking to friends in the neighborhood and keeping in touch while hiking or camping. Secondary use will be scanning local LE/EMS, Air Traffic from Luke AFB/Glendale and Goodyear Airports. Also NOAA Weather. A HAM version of a GMRS would be ok IF it can be easily unlocked to allow TX on GMRS especially if I'll get a few more Watts of TX power so that I could hit some near by repeaters. Wouxun seems to make some solid radios and so far the KG-935G Plus and KG-Q10G/H seems to be the top 2 on my list. Like I said, I'll get another BTech GMRS V2 so I'll have a less expensive pair for hunting/camping/hiking use and then 1 of the 2 above for a higher end option. I hope this clears things up a bit.

Ok,so it looks like it's coming down to 3 (baring more info on something else), All are Wouxun. Starting from lower price to higher price. KG-UV9P-$150 KG-935G Plus-$170 KG-Q10H-$220 I'm also going to pick up another BTech GMRS V2 so I'll have a pair of them for general use.

And now I've looked at some info on the KG-UV9P and for $150 on buytwowayradios and 8 Watts it looks pretty good.

I've kind of narrowed it down to 3, BTech GMRS Pro(only issue is no keyboard but has an app I can use with my phone) the Wouxun UV8H(I can unlock it for GMRS use) which does have the keyboard but no app. and the KG-935G Plus. All are under $170 and both get pretty good reviews. I'm sure either one would give years of service. P.S. The KG-Q10H may be an option depending on weather my crypto pumps or not. Money will be the final factor.

Been watching some reviews and wow, pretty awesome radio. It may be worth spending a little more to get it. Seems like a "ONE RADIO TO RULE THEM ALL." kind of deal.

KG-Q10G looks good but I'm trying to stay under $200 if I can. The UV9D Plus and doesn't look too bad and the KG-935G Plus would work but without Airband. Also adding the KG-UV8H to the list. It can be unlocked and used with GMRS too. I just may have to give up on Airband for now. I really appreciate all the replies. My Crypto doesn't unbond for another 10 or so days so I won't have any funds until then. I'm sure I'll figure it out by then. Thanks again.

I'd rather have something that I can use with GMRS and also listen to Airband and other freq. . I have the V2 set up with GMRS TX/RX and added all the local DPS channels on RX Only so I can listen to them as well. Versatility is the name of the game. The Wouxun KG-UV9D Mate could be added to the list since I can unlock it and program it for GMRS and then lock out the TX for channels I just want to listen to. I found a vid from Randy(NotaRubicon Productions) on YouTube that will explain the difference between the KG-935G Plus and Pro. I know the radio I want may be unrealistic but hey, a guy has to try, LOL.

Now that I've gotten the BTech GMRS V2 I'd like to get a second radio. I'm looking at the BTech GMRS Pro as one option but I'd also really like Airband and 800MHz(RX Only, of course)and the Pro doesn't have those Freq. I'm also thinking the Wouxun KG-935G or KG-935G Plus which doesn't have Airband(not sure what the difference is) or the ＷOUXUN KG-UV9D Plus so I'd have Airband radio as well. I'd also like to pick up another GMRS V2 so I'd have a pair of them but then have one really nice radios listed above as a "special" radio. So, what are your thoughts on this as folks who's "been there and doing that"? Thanks.

Thanks for the replies.

So when programing a GMSR repeater using CHIRP with my BTech GMRS V2 do I need to put a "+" and the 5MHz offset in or will the firmware figure that out for me? Thanks.

I've been running a Linux Distro of one kind or another for well over 12 years, I'd rather now have a computer if I had to use Windoze. That being said, I've been running MX-Linux for about 3 years now(if it ain't broke, don't fix it, LOL) and it's Debian based with the KDE Desktop. I was about to get the CHIRP Flatpak installed without much issue and it works perfectly. If you have an old PC or Laptop sitting round download and flash a USB stick with MX-Linux and do the install then have fun with a light, fast op-system that'll bring life back to your old hardware.

Just getting into GMRS and found the forum so I joined. Just wanted some Comms for Family Outings/Hunting/ETC. and GMRS looked like a good way to go because there was no Test needed to get my License. Still not made any contacts and just did give programing some Repeaters a try using CHIRP with my BTech GMRS V2. Anyway, I see ya' in for forums and hear ya' on the air. WSAA635 Signing Out.