Ziggidy

All of this helps, thanks.

All of this is very helpful, thanks. Appreciate that but I am uncertain at this point.

I know it's been asked but I'll ask again because times change and so do opinions. I'm looking for a 20w mobile with a cigarette plug or some other connection so I do not have to wire it in. I know there are many good brands but if you cannot recommend one, can you tell me what to stay away from? Yes, I'm in the early stages of learning. Looking for portability, ease of programming at a decent price. Thanks

Sorry....

I must say, there is a learning curve here; but it's good one. Every couple days I learn something new; either from mistakes or the expert replies I am getting from all of you! Thanks!

I am using a HT and wondering if location is my concern would a mobile unit with 50watts get me out further, potentially through all the obstacles that may be limiting me now. IOW, does power improve punching through some obstacles?

Considering any interference may be a factor, on paper what is reality? Example. A local repeater says it has a 40 mile radius. My HT has, let's say 1 mile radius. Will my HT need to be within that 40 mile radius of the repeater or does my HT need to be within 1 mile from the repeater for best communication? It's confusing to me how I can communicate with one repeater within Indy but one just as close I cannot; all tones being correct (at least I believe so). I am in Hendricks County and reach 1 repeater but none other. I am using the member tones provided by MidwestGMRS. Thoughts?

I will try that. Thanks.

Sorry I forgot to mention the channel I was using; although I have tried many of the repeater channels. For all practical purposes, I use channel 25 which is repeater 462.6000 and when TX it does jump to 467.6000. I check and recheck the tone and it appears correct. I use Chirp and manual to make sure. Nothing. Do I still need to request access even with I am given the tones by MyGMRS / MidwestGMRS after joining?

First, Happy Fathers Day! I hope all you great fathers are greater dads! That said, I musty say I am wondering about GMRS.....and me. I have 2 HT's UV-5G Plus and the DT-H3. Both were inexpensive so I am trying them both. I am using both the software and manual programing on both. Have read up and tried a number of things but nada, no communications. I truly believe I have the right repeater setting the repeaters near and around Indy. Still nothing. I have tried driving around but no help. I decided to buy a mobile antenna and did purchase the Nagoya UT-72G and drove around and nothing. I live in Brownsburg area and decided to drive to Noblesville yesterday afternoon and took all highway, thinking it would be less interference but still nothing. I can hear just fine. I have tried programing both the RX and TX with proper tone and have tried just using the TX (DCS). No matter what I do, I cannot get a response on any checks I request. There is no acknowledgement if I am even heard. Are my HT's that poor or is it something I am doing? I will not post the tones I am using because they are for members of Midwest GMRS but it's got to be something I am doing wrong, but what?

I think that will be my first try. Thanks!

Are radios like other "things" that people talk about when it comes to purchase price? I have often heard people say don't waste your money and get something less expensive; after all, they all do the same thing. I even heard it about some HT's. "Get the least expensive, you won't go wrong". Although I may agree somewhat, I certainly am not knowledgeable enough to make that determination with GMRS or electronics in general. So what does one do when faced with a question and they have a handy forum close by that has a gazzion experts all giving great advice? You ask! I have 2 HT's just to learn what this GMRS is about and how I may benefit from it. I live in a suburban setting and those HT's are good but I am not getting the full taste of GMRS and how it may be used by me. Knowing that, I am thinking......thinking about a mobile unit. When searching I see a wide variety of prices, watts, features and such but nothing shoots out to me as "that's the one". If 50 watts is the best, why would anyone settle to less? If a $200 unit is as good as a $300 unit, why pay the extra? What I want? To talk as far as capable, easy programming, good reputation, great customer support and who knows what else. I'd want it so I can grow into a communication process with family. Apply that knowledge with emergency responses, cell tower outages and such. I do not know all areas I can grow into using GMRS. I don't have a base but I may have access to convert the mobile to a base if needed. Ok, what is recommended? What to stay away from? What to be cautious of? Ya'll are the experts. BTW, I have 2 UV-5G Plus and 1 DT-H3. THANKS IN ADVANCE!

I usually do both. I will ask on a forum but also research online. I like asking because at times people will elaborate what usually works for them and what to stay away from. Along with that, friendships are often made when asking through a forum. A tad more human interaction in forums; something that is lost searching videos over the internet. I hope I did not cause you any distress by asking.

Newbie here. I was wondering if it is possible to place a magnet mount antenna on a vehicle and connect to a handheld GMRS. Before I try, I want to know if it's possible and if it's even advisable.

Reading this thread brought back some great memories!

I used an Apple cord "USB-C to USB" and CHIRP works fine. I have a M3 MacBook Air.

Got my license and 2 HT's - OK! Now what? I have been listening to local repeaters for 2 days and getting the feel of the UV5G+. I have not ventured into CHIRP because I need an adapter since I do not have an USB port on my computer (MacBook). Remember, I know nothing about GMRS and at 71y/o I get bored and need to keep the brain working. This will surely help, at least initially. My understanding is we have 30 channels and 8 of those are dedicated to repeaters. Any of the other 22 we can tx and rx. Using the repeaters I need to get access, which will be my next move. The repeater in essence extends my reach to others within that repeaters range. I can RX /TX as long as we're both in access of the repeater. Question #1. Can one repeater communicate with another repeater? Let's say I am in Central Indiana and my contact is in Chicago or even further. Can my signal bounce from one repeater to another and vice versa? I have heard communication from Ohio and Chicago while I am in central Indiana. Question #2. Do channels/frequencies ever get busy? I remember the CB days when channels were very often very busy, often with people talking without saying anything (I think you know what I mean). What is GMRS etiquette? And now the last, Question #3. Can you recommend reading material GMRS for dummies or anything like that? Thanks in advance. I am certain I will have more questions in the weeks to come. Don't forget, we were all newbies at one time or another! Thanks, WRZB774

Thanks for the info. This is good to know, the reality of distance versus expectations. Would you recommend being a newbie, a first radio full of features, with room to grow or would you recommend one with less features and buy new as one grows? From what I understand the less expensive radios basically function (TX/RX) the same as the higher priced units with the price differences based on features. With your experience, what are the minimum must have features? What would be the "I would like" features that you do not have now? Should I buy a good radio that I can grow into or should I just buy a basic and change it later anyway? It's like buying a car. Do I need heated side mirrors and moon roof or is it something that is just fun? What would best prepare someone for HAM? I apologize if I ask too many questions. Thanks, Mike

Hello! Major newbie here. I recently received my GMRS license but have yet to buy a radio. Over 50 years ago I was into CB's for fun and just about when I was gonna go for amateur ham, I got sidetracked. Over 71 now and started thinking about current affairs and communicating with family and others. I thought I'd play around with GMRS, here I am. Looking for a decent radio and did read some threads in the forums here. Have a few ideas what I'd like based on what I "think" I'd use it for. Most of the posts that I read talked about which is best and such but I'd like know what to stay away from! What should a newbie be cautious of? Buyer beware based personal experiences. My wants? Hand held that I could use (listen) in apt., ability to go the distance through repeaters, easy to program with software that is compatible with Apple computer, and a whole lot more "I don't know yet". I want to be able to RX /TX about 10 miles or so. I do live about 10 miles from a small midwest city. I know I should go HAM but I thought I'd try this out first. Anyway, hello to y'all. Looking forward to this new adventure / hobby. I know I have a ton to learn, be gentle.