WRZP383

Just received my KG-XS20G and trying to figure out if I got a bad one. Using it mobile with a UT-72g magnetic antenna. Originally had a KG-935g+ and it receives great but I'm a little out of transmit range of the repeaters in most places so decided to upgrade. Receive is now scratchy at best, squelch seems to shutdown reception regardless of setting, and transmit doesn't seem to be much better if at all. I keep flipping back and forth between the 2 units just to confirm it's not just lousy reception in general but same thing, 935 fine xs20 bad. I checked with a Surecom 102 (yeah know this can potentially be bogus) and SWR is 1.4 on both units using the same antenna. Power is 5.5-7 watts on 935 but only 15.5 on XS20 which is low from specs and way low from various reviews. I have tried various channels both simplex and repeater with no real change. Any ideas before I call BTWR?

Don't want anything on my hood and hatch would be essentially where current antenna is. Have stayed away from high clearance bumpers, don't want the extra weight. Rig is used to haul the SxS and more trail type excursions so I don't tear this one up. Thanks for the ideas though! To Randy's point I'm gonna slap the antenna on and see how it does. I can overthink/tune this if it doesn't work.

So I guess I should figure out which NanoVNA to buy. Looks like a couple models

The Laird is supposedly 450-470 and adjustable. Do I try shortening or lengthening and how much should move at a time? 1/8" 1/4" or ? Looked at NanoVNA but haven't dove down that rabbit hole yet

The tops of the bars are right under the top of the spring part on the 72g. It works better on the roof between the bars than on the plate mounted to the top of the bars. Figured mounting the plate would be a double bonus, maybe better for the Nagoya and also get an NMO mount for other antennas. 5th Gen 4Runner Roof Rack | 2010-2024 4Runner | Sherpa Equipment Co. (sherpaec.com)

Just catch some local repeaters currently and later on the trail. Found it interesting that putting the antenna on what I thought was a good ground plane made it worse from real life can't hear as good and catch the repeater for transmit where I used to. I just checked SWR to be safe since people said high SWR is hard on radios and saw the big difference between the 2 which I found interesting/wondering how can make better just to know.

Newbie here trying to figure out some antenna stuff. 2021 Toyota 4Runner with an overlanding rack on the roof. Aluminum side rails with aluminum cross bars 8-12" apart. Rack is bolted to stock roof luggage rack mounting points UT-72G magnetic antenna Laird B4502NR antenna Melowave 3/8" NMO antenna mount with 14.5' CFD200 cable Wouxun kg-935+ handheld I have been using the HT with the Nagoya on the roof of the truck between the bars and it has worked pretty decent. Bought the Laird 1/2 wave for my SxS since I do not have a good place to put a ground plane. Saw some threads about that I really should have the antenna in the clear on the truck instead of between the crossbars so I got a piece of 16ga steel 12"x18" and mounted it on top of the crossbars for a ground plane/place for the magnetic base to stick. I did paint the steel with some Rustoleum. I also put the Melowave in the middle of the steel thinking I could try the Laird on the truck and potentially move it between the truck and SxS if it worked better. Reception with the Nagoya now seems to be a little worse on the steel and transmit I can't hit the repeaters as well either. I checked the SWR with a Surecom 102 (yeah seems people really don't like them) and Nagoya shows 1.4 but with the Laird/Melowave it's 2.4 so I didn't hit transmit to try it. Is moving the groundplane off the roof itself a bad idea? Obviously the roof is painted and it worked there but is the type of paint a problem? What would cause a high SWR with the Laird? Also saw some threads with a handheld the SWR is not that important/made to handle a high SWR?

Figured I'd give an update in case someone is interested. Ended up with this one off Amazon and so far seems to work decent. Paired up with my Bose earbuds no problem and the included push button worked out of the box. Need to get a little more time with it to see if the mic is consistently good in various environments. Also need to pair it to the truck built in handsfree to see how that works. Amazon.com: BAOFENG Walkie Talkie Wireless Headset, Hands-Free K1 Plug PTT Earphone with Noise Cancelling Mic UV-82 UV-5R Walkie Talkie(K Plug, K Connector) : Electronics

Looking for a bluetooth adapter for my Wouxun kg-935g+ handheld to connect it to my Bose QC II earbuds and headphones in addition to my Toyota 4Runner stereo. Want to use the EQ to help make it easier to listen to (ear problems). Also for the noise cancelling abilities of the Bose mic when in my SxS which is loud. Tried a cheap Amazon adaptor that kind of worked with the Bose but was painful to get/keep paired. Never got it to work with truck. Pryme Blu looks to be pricey but if it works... Anybody have experience with bluetooth adaptors for suggestions? Don't care about VOX, pushing transmit button is fine.

Contacted BTWR to see if they could get it. They are ordering it for me and bonus at a competitive price. Looking to buy a KG-xs20g+ to go with it but out of stock unfortunately.

Appreciate the suggestions but that one is the ns not nr model. From what I have read the nr is a "elastomer" mount instead of steel spring so less noise. New to all this and I do get some noise from my antenna on the truck moving vs sitting still so the claim of no moving noise is appealing. Or maybe I am way off base....

Don't have a good way to do a ground plane so looking for a 1/2 way no GP antenna. Also want to stay away from something that is really tall since it will get snagged in branches/rocks/torn up when upside down. In hilly/rocky terrain with trees. Do you have other suggestions?

Thanks! Minimum quantity is 10 from them unless there is a different way to order.

New to radio hobby and got a GMRS KG-935g+ for out in the woods. Looking for a B4502NR for my SxS and doesn't seem real common. Found it at SolidSignal.com and Radioparts.com for ok price but have never bought from either. Does anyone here have any experience with either or a suggestions on where else I can find it for a decent price?