GizzardGary

On channel 8, I occasionally pick up conversations from the local Bomgaars store (farm store chain) about 1000 ft away. Usually a manager up front yelling at one of the stockers to get something from the back, or someone asking if it's time for their break. It can be funny when someone gets caught loafing though...

As someone with experience in IT tech support in my pre-retirement life, we had to ask customers to give us the serial number of their equipment. Even on a state-of-the-art telephone, it is often hard to discern "F" vs. "S", "M" vs. "N", etc., so we asked our customers to use the phonetic alphabet. It helped considerably. I can only imagine, when giving my call sign of "WSCS844", that people on the receiving end might have trouble discerning the "S" unless I overemphasize the "...sss" at the end of each. I know, it really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

I finally watched the entire Salton Sea Walk video yesterday for the first time. Truly incredible story, gave me a whole new respect for him and his work. It's too bad that the ending isn't a happy one (yet?).

Funny, I considered doing exactly that. No more GMRS traffic than there is in my area, I'm pretty sure no one would even notice.

I purchased a Nagoya UT-72G, and I want to install it on my Jeep Compass Trailhawk. On the roof, there are 5 raised ribs running almost the length of the roof, and you guessed it, one runs right down the middle. The ribs are narrower than the magnetic antenna base, so placing the antenna in dead center of the roof isn't going to be possible. There is about a foot or more at the rear of the roof that has no ribs, and I could put it there, but that would place it close to the radio antenna (which might be an issue). So, should I place it slightly off to one side, about halfway down the vehicle, or in the center towards the rear, closer to the radio antenna?

Speaking from my experience, also just getting into the GMRS thing, I'm not going to spend mega bucks on something just starting out, until I learn the basics. Plenty of people are using Boofwangs or something similar at first (we aren't all made of money, so excuse us for not dropping $200 on up on a radio). As I understand it, using narrowband presents its own issues, especially on a repeater.

Welcome!

Eh, the FCC would limit the laser to 50w of power...

Welcome!

I was thinking more along the lines of a mobile unit to mount in my vehicle, for the times I am on the road, and using a hand-held unit would be less than optimal. I would invest in a home unit, but seeing as the nearest repeater to me is over 30 miles away, and I live in a small apartment, that might not be feasible.

Boofwangs...lol. I'm familiar with NotARubicon, he's probably the reason I have the UV-5G Plus I have now. He is a character, and we are the same age. I speak sarcasm.

Yeah, I started out with the UV-5R Plus (just listening, of course). I bought it back in 2020 to listen to local emergency comms back in the day. I knew I couldn't use it to transmit. When I decided to get my license, I wanted something that was legit to use on the GMRS. I'm sure it will lead to more expensive radios down the road...

Baofeng UV-5G Plus. Yeah, I know, I know, it's a learner for now.

Boy, I sure started off on the right foot here. Lesson learned, don't type when in a hurry, and always check before hitting Enter. GMRS, dammit!

Hello! New user here, Gary from Burlington, KS. Just got my license yesterday, radio came this afternoon. Ready to jump in and learn more about GRMS GMRS.