WRDJ205

Started with the GM-15Pro but using Baofeng GM-5RH more now. The programming was a little easier.

We use “mobile” and “base” to differentiate.

The base is custom built but very similar to the flag bases used for tailgating that can be found on Amazon. You park your vehicle on the flat part.

Here’s a pic of the painters pole and the base mount I use for it.

Interesting. I don’t notice that with any of the ones I have. They’re probably all a bit different. I would still recommend them for basic communication or hand out radios.

Depending on how close you are to the repeaters, you might be able to use a more portable (re: not permanent) set up. I have a J-pole antenna on 24’ painters pole that I put up and take down as needed. I use ratchet straps to stabilize it on a basket ball goal when I put it in use. Then take it down when it’s not needed or in bad weather.

Found that the ones I have put out about 2W. Very compact and slip in a pocket easily. Even tested with the earpieces and really no complaints. These would be the radios I hand out for people who might be intimidated with too many options. At the price I bought them I’m not worried if they get lost.

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.

I’ve had issues with cable connections lately. I’d check those first (it’s also likely the easiest to verify).

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).

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

Can you give more details on the radios and what you’re trying to do?

I think he got a good deal for $70.

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.

Can you take it to the park and try it outside with less obstructions? It seems to make a big difference.

Per the meter, i frequently see 8-9W. The higher number is with ta Midland ghost and the lower is with the long rubber duck.

I agree. The Baofeng equivalent is the GM-15 Pro. They use the same programming software. I’ve had good service with the GM-15 Pros.

Haha, I’m not the limiting factor in this situation. But I see your point.

But I understand, emergency use, etc, may not be an issue with licensing.

I was thinking along the lines of if we didn’t all have Ham radio licenses.

It helps to have communication options. GMRS is another one of those options. We tend to loose power and comms during major storms. It’s a benefit to me to have the ability to talk to friends and family to check in them. Phone lines (cellular or hardwire) are not always an available. Repeaters can increase the range of the radios. I have family greater than the range of a single repeater so linked ones work well for that application.

Yup. There you go. You figured it out.

It would be nice to hear and understand issues after a natural disaster like a hurricane with others in the region. Certainly, this could be done with ham but it’s a lot less cumbersome if GMRS repeaters were linked at least locally (say 50-100ish miles).