warthog74

Not really, no. You might see a small drop in power output, but that’s about all i ever noticed. Not every Kenwood model will let you do this, but most every older conventional model i’ve tried it with worked. Can’t recall if i ever did a 880-2 or not. If it programs and transmits without beeeeeeeping when you key up it worked. If not, put it back to its original band plan and sell it. (or keep it for parts)

Or just “force” it to use one of the other UHF band plans which are selectable in the software. It will complain when you go to program it, but it will allow you to do it anyway, and it will work. I’ve done this numerous times with various Kenwood VHF and UHF handheld and mobile radios without issue. 780’s / 880’s / 863G’s, etc, etc.

Sure it’s for 11 meter band (CB), but…. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-25-456A1.pdf Now you know.

I went with a copper j-pole for 3 reasons. Weighs 1 pound, it has next to no wind resistance, and cost. With my cobbled together setup consisting of thin 1 1/4” aluminum electrical conduit with some wood slats to help anchor it from swaying, it made the most sense. There will always be something better. There will always be something worse. For me it works well and does what i ask of it. No complaints. I also have another j-pole that i have 50 feet up for my small solar powered GMRS repeater. I set it up for our (semi rural) neighborhood to use, but it actually covers about 10 miles. Again, no complaints. People can crap on them all they want, but a copper j-pole wont snap in half or splinter like fiberglass does. Oh, and i clear coated mine, so don’t yell at me about oxidation. J-pole base station antenna at about 30 feet. (Don’t mind my cat. He loves it up there). J-pole repeater antenna at 50 feet on 30’ flagpole + 20’ aluminum electrical conduit.

I started playing with solar about a year ago. Nothing overboard. Just a little 320ah power bank w/150 watt panel to keep things running and/or charging (phones/handhelds/flashlights/fans/led rope lights/portable tv) while camping, fishing, etc. Also built a small ammo can gmrs simplex repeater thats powered by a 10 watt panel and 6ah battery. Great for extended comms when out in the wilderness.

Same thing happened to mine recently. However i’ve owned it for about 12-ish years now, so i’m not too disappointed. Now i just shut VFO B off and have it display voltage instead.

That's fine. Marketing “lingo” aside, proper wrapping/sealing is all that’s required regardless of connector type is all i’m saying. There is nothing wrong with pl259/so239 if installed properly. Spending money on N connectors is not really going to change anything or be a magical “permanent fix”.

There are thousands of websites that say this. Google it. Believe what you want, but weatherproof does NOT = waterproof. An N connector will not solve your problem as it is not waterproof. But suit yourself and waste more money, and have this same problem again in 6-12 months. If you properly wrap your connections regardless of connectors, you shouldn't have any problems for a few years.

Source of info: https://waterproved.com/definitions/ There. It’s settled. You’re welcome.

I use one of these for my 5 watt GMRS repeater. https://www.jpole-antenna.com/shop/462-mhz-land-mobile-gmrs-j-pole-antenna/ Cheap, light, and works well. You’ll want to get it higher than 18 feet though. Trust me. I ended up using a 30 foot flag pole, then i attached 2 10 foot aluminum poles on top of that. Antenna now sits at 50 feet and covers 10 miles of city and rural mixed. At 30 feet i barely got 5 miles. However at 30 feet, it should have no problem covering your 250 acres.

Good for you. Do you want a cookie too?

I just used a light layer of clear coat as i like the copper color. You can however spray paint it to match your house, the sky, etc. Won't harm anything.

I am using that same GMRS tuned j-pole for my repeater. It's up on a 50 foot mast. Works great.

Odd. I got my CB500 in 6 days.