808Beachbum

The RP setup could be more easily packed, as each component would be quite small compared to any laptop. Tuck the components in multiple available areas of a backpack, for instance. The RP, monitor, and keyboard could be had for around $100 if you don't have an RP lying about. I had a similar setup 3 or 4 years ago for some different HAM use as a "hotspot", worked great, very compact.

Why not a Raspberry Pi with a 7 inch monitor and wireless keyboard?

Since you state that you are looking for people to talk to, you need to research your area, by checking with local radio clubs; recreational groups that you might be interested in; and sources such as the repeater map on this site, in order to determine first if there IS anyone in the area to talk with, and if so, what type of equipment is needed to communicate with them...GMRS, HAM, or others? The saturation of potential contacts varies a tremendous amount depending on where, pretty specifically, you will be operating from.

RIGHT! So I have to open EVERY topic to see which topics have been updated...UNLIKE any of the other forums on this site, and 99% of forums on dozens of other sites that I follow more or less regularly.

Well, I guess for whatever reason you have a different display than I do...

WTF does voting have to do with how the Technical Discussion forum is presented? When I click into a subforum that I follow, I want to be able to see which topics/threads have been updated since my last visit. It is simple to look down the right hand column to see if a specific FORUM has been updated on the main page, but when you click into the main page of the TECHNICAL subforum, you have no way of discerning whether 2, or 2 dozen, threads have been updated without opening each thread. Sorry, I do not have instant recall of how many "votes" or "answers" were tallied at my last visit. None of the above responses make sense.

Although I am relatively new to GMRS, I have been a HAM (General) for over 10 years. As such, I will go out on a limb and agree with @OffRoaderX and tell you "it depends". For best results, you need to provide clear and unambiguous requirements. First of all, GMRS, compared to HAM, has a much more limited range of areas/use you can "grow into", so what are your expectations? If you belong to any one of a number of types of groups- hunting, hiking, skiing, prepping, GMRS specific local radio groups, or dare I say, offroading, you already have a specific group you wish to communicate with. Of course, anything within your immediate or extended family could also be your "group". Groups are what GMRS is primarily used for, although in some areas there are larger "repeater" networks and internet connected "nodes", but generally it provides little value for simply striking up new friendships with otherwise unconnected strangers. You are limited to the 22 channels (plus 8 repeater only) for transmitting, whereas with HAM radio, you are restricted to a number of relatively broad, but different, frequency bands (with differing characteristics relating to typical distance (including penetration of obstacles), necessary power, frequency bandwidth, and largely unlimited frequencies within each band (based on type of transmission). Digital data, video, automated beacons, CW (continuous wave, otherwise referred to as Morse Code), and a variety of packet methods are available depending on the level of your HAM license. You can bounce signals off the moon, listen to satellites, talk to the International Space Station, and have literally endless other possible areas to learn and experiment in. You can, with relative ease, meet new people over the air any time of day or night, and, depending on conditions, in every corner of the world. I actually spend a fair amount of time doing just that with a HAM HT, an Openspot, and my cellphone hotspot, all while simply walking through the park. I have made contacts in Scotland, Japan, Australia, most of the 50 states, Canada, Africa...there is no limit other than your choice and use of easily available equipment. My first radio was one of the ICOM HT's, which in addition to using as an handheld, I made a simple bracket to clip it to in the car, added a quality Diamond magmount mobile antenna, and extended my range significantly over the basic rubber duckie. I figured a mobile radio install was just an invitation to thieves...(same as a call sign vanity plate). First of all, regardless of whether you choose GMRS or HAM, you should learn what is active in your area. Look for Amateur Radio or GMRS specific clubs in your area, or talk with others in the "groups" previously mentioned to see what they are using. Check with RadioReference to see what they may have listed for your locale. I'm in Honolulu...it should not matter to you what my preference is, since what band is actually in use in your area (or areas that you plan to visit) is what you should be learning about, in addition to getting an understanding of how terrain, structures, trees, and electronic noise will affect reception differently depending on band and the type/quality build of a given radio. Having said all that, your first statement was inquiring about "purchase price". In general, I prefer to concern myself with Value, rather than Price. Personally, I have a couple ICOM HT's, a Yaesu Portable, and a Baofeng HT, all HAM gear; and a pair of Baofeng GMRS at present. There is no question the ICOM and Yaesu units are far better built, with better design electronically and easier overall user interface. The ICOM's were both in the $500 range; Yaesu around $1200; but the three Baofengs COMBINED are less than $100. For my purposes, I keep the Baofeng HT in the car as a backup, and the GMRS pair, after initial testing and familiarization, I plan to put into a faraday bag with another pair of Baoefeng HAM HT's..."just in case" as Cheap Insurance. All of current local repeaters, marine, air, GMRS, MURS, and local "calling" and simplex net freqs are set up on all of the radios (as available based on model...the GMRS can still monitor many of these, although will not transmit, which is fine for gathering some intel.).

Unlike the others (General, Guest, Equipment, etc.), it does not show the last post info in right side column.

OK, thanks all, @WRQC527 your pic did help. Besides the "reverse polarity" terminology, the Baofeng has both internal and external threading, which, although I understand the external threads are for the retaining nut for the terminal, were still throwing me off. I have just been overthinking it...

The adapters I am looking at appear identical, yet, as noted, some brands mention "reverse polarity", which indicates to me that they are electrically different. Normally, in coax cable, the outer conductor, or "shield" is grounded, which is why I am asking... I know that with other "gadgets", some patch cords are straight, while some are reversed with respect to the pins, but I have not run across this particular term for just a straight male to female adapter with no cabling. Just being cautious...would hate to damage a $27 radio

I want to try my Diamond mag mount UHF/VHF antenna with a Baofeng UV 5R. It works great with my Icom ID 51 and 92 AD in the car or on a sheet pan. Looking at the adapters, it seems there are some with, and some without "RP" or a reverse polarity type of construction. I'm thinking the Boobrie SMA Male to SMA Female Connector RF SMA Coax Coaxial Cable Adapter brand item looks right and makes sense, but, I don't want to Bork the radio or my signal making the wrong choice. Or is the RFAdapter SMA Male to RP-SMA Female Adapter the proper type? It seems to be a higher quality construction, but who knows what is marketing hype and what actually contributes to performance...

I had to look through several sites, most say nothing at all about the antenna or optional antennas, but found this directly on the Baofengtech site: Q: Is the antenna removable? A: Certification requires the stock antenna to be an integral part of the radio. The GMRS-PRO antenna is permanently glued in place and tampering with the antenna will void the radio’s warranty. What made you think it WAS removable? I have no plans to purchase one, so no first hand experience with that model...

I recently purchased the same exact package. I bought the proper Baofeng programming cable, and downloaded the free Radioddity software for their GM-30. Worked perfectly, first time, no fuss or muss figuring out com ports or anything else. With radio off, plug in the programming cable to desktop and radio. Open the application (after installing the download), turn on the radio. The FIRST thing you should do is "Read from Radio", then save that file as your original factory setup, before making ANY changes. This package came with all 22 of the FRS/GMRS shared channels pre-programmed, as well as 8 pre-programmed repeater (duplex) channels with NO tones, and also 24 "DIY" channels, where, in theory, you would actually just pre-set the tones for your preferred regular use. The TX/RX freqs shown for these DIY channels does not 100% match the lower channels designated freqs, not sure just why yet...