TrikeRadio

Good point. I don't think twice about the AM/FM radio that is factory installed. So yeah, I assume a mobile unit would be fine. I guess I am just a bit paranoid. I currently only have HT units and I don't leave them in the car for both fear (however unfounded) of the heat killing them... and because I don't need them to attract thieves. (of course I could just put them out of sight in the glove box or something.) Maybe I am over-thinking this!

Hmm interesting idea. I guess that means that the mic's problem was maybe not so much the ablity or quality of the hardware it just needed some sound diffusion material. I might open up my hand mic and see if I can put some cotton in there too! THanks

any suggestions for a small lapel mic that works better? Just find one that costs more than the cheap ones from Tidradio?

Thanks, yes that is kinda what I was asking for since I already hook up my HT to a mag mount antenna and use a hand mic... which is great but this question is more for things I might want to do to "upgrade" a bit for the future. Good point. Yeah I was kinda wondering if I should just forget the swapping out option and get one for the car and one for a base if I want it. Just trying to see if I can ease into it without the cash getting out of hand right away. I too seem to have too many other hobbies demanding money. lol. That (yeah I have this habit of spilling drinks on things), and I guess I am also concerned about leaving a radio in a hot car and it being a visible target for thieves. Do mobil radios do ok in hot cars? I am kindof afraid of cooking it to death if it is a more permanent install.

interesting solution... My cup holders are in the center console close to my arm and the parking brake lever so... Not sure if there is room for it, but cool idea.

Yeah that is what I am doing right now with my TD-H3s.. but I don't have a cupholder mount like that. but when and if I decide to get a "real" mobile radio, I was wondering if there is an easy quick mount / quick release way to put it in nicely that is secure and usable. For now I am happy to use my HT setup but... just thinking toward upgrades.

And as @WRXB215 Stated earlier in the tread... it might be more appropriate for her to user your sister's callsign if she lives closer... use it as unit two or something.

How do you like that "upgraded" shoulder mic / hand mic? I have the older model and it is ... ok... but it feels cheap and people think it sounds bad. Does that newer model sound better?

I assume this has been asked and answered before but searching and finding the answers in the forums past posts is a pain so... I am wondering what kind of ease or pain it can be to have one mobile unit that you use as a base AND occasionally put in your car and then remove to use at home as a base again. Are there quick mount methods that you can easily and quickly put radio in your car securely and hook it up to your antenna, and then easily take it out and easily hook it up to your power supply and home antenna? or should I just not be cheap and get a radio for the car and leave it in there and another for the house? I would really like to see if it is at all practical and easy to be able to move it back and forth based on everyone's experience, or if it is just not really worth the trouble. Thanks

Yeah it works well, it is just a bit more of a hassle having to take the HT antenna off, hook it up to the roof antenna cable, then figure out where you can mount or place your radio and handset. I suspect that if I decide I like using the radio in the car a lot i would eventually mount a permanent radio in the car but for now I am keeping it inexpensive.

yes she can.

I have used mine in my car with a mag mount antenna and pigtail adapter... and a hand mic. Works great.

I have a pair of these and have been very happy and at times surprised by their capabilities.

On radio they are probably not looking for a lifetime commitment.

I just typed *NONE* ... because it required something..

That is great to hear.

Because in this TECHINCAL DISCUSSION forum that is what the button is called and what it is set as? You can't post anything in this forum without using that "ask a question" button.

nope

If you can contact the repeater owner, or users on the other repeater, and get in touch with the owner - it is always good to contact them and tell them what you are thinking so you can coordinate CTCSS tones that will not interfere with each other. Just good to be good with neighbors to start. But also... of course no one owns a frequency so they can't tell you not to setup on that channel. but still try to make sure the tones don't conflict. You might even find that their repeater could serve your needs and you would not need to set one up... or coordinate to make one that serves both groups and covers more area. just a few thoughts

I generally run the power save on 1:3 and with mostly monitoring but with a significant amount of transmitting too... I think I get two days or more out of a battery charge. I also bought the two radio set that came with an extra battery for each of the radios so... I really never worry about running out of power.

Which is rather ironic because the Queen insists that GMRS is not for "radio hobbyists" but for "regular people" who want to use if for communications during other activities. I do primarily use GMRS for practical communications with the rest of our little cycling group. It helps us announce turns and safety issues to everyone during a ride as well as hear back from riders in the group if they need to stop or have had some kind of mechanical problem. And yet I also have a radio geek bug and enjoy learning and using the radio just for the fun of testing and trying things. I dont have a ham license yet, and I may or may not every get one. but GMRS serves both my geeky need to fiddle with radio tech, and a practical use for my cycling hobby.

Oh... wow. I have TD-H3s too and ... I didn't realize I could enter custom values into the CTCSS fields! I thought it only let you scroll up and down to select them. I tried it and I was also able to enter any number I wanted like you. Thanks! Great to know that is possible since three other friends of mine also have the same radios.

Thanks Steve, I guess I shoulda thought to check Wikipedia. Interesting to read about how it works too.

Yeah, that is a great function. It does make it easier.

It is no wonder that sometimes getting older GMRS tones and FRS radio users to get the correct tone set is such a pain. The 69.3hz tone is essentially the second option on my TD-H3... but if you choose the code 2 on the older radios... that is not the same tone ... it would be 71.9hz! I can understand them skipping tones at the end of the list if they were trying to save space... but to not include the second tone ... just because... messes up the count for basic FRS users who don't understand it.