I do tend to agree that this would be helpful. In my AO, I can catch the Roadkill network on 3 different repeaters and their simplex frequencies. It about the only traffic around here so I can just change the channel.
Growing up with Smokey and the Bandit and CBs in every vehicle is a great memory of mine. I do think that the use of cell phones have made it much easier to communicate in some of the same ways that made CB useful (traffic jams and bear traps).
There is a place for GMRS tho but it will be specific to each individual (or users). As SteveShannon mentioned, we use it to communicate with kids who don’t have phones or where phones don’t reach. Or, if the cell networks are jammed up bc everyone needs data during a hurricane (yea, that happens).
I got the programming cable because I wasn't sure how easy or hard it would be to program.
It wasn’t that hard to program but I couldn’t full get it to copy and paste from the chirp programmed channels I used for my other radios. So, just had to type in the tones for the repeaters and the frequencies that I wanted to monitor in other bands.
Got the license after my wife gave me the radios. We use them to communicate on some rural property (hiking, riding atvs, tractors, etc.).
Now at home, it’s part of our plan for communication after a disaster or emergency.
Great choice. I had my eye on the 50w but it was out of stock when I wanted to order so I got the 20G. So happy with that choice. Love the fact that I run it off the cig lighter. It does everything I needed.