RayDiddio

I use a 20 watt radio as my home radio. Works great. Power does not need to be 50 watts to be effective


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I have two of the db20g radios. I like almost everything about it: small, easy to use, powerful enough.
What I don’t like is the fact that you cannot use Chirp or RT Systems, and the software provided by Radioddity doesn’t allow imports, and copying and pasting doesn’t work the way I want.
Also, this is probably the most frustrating: once you have a configuration file created, you cannot change the frequency range in the CPS to another, even if all of the channels you’ve programmed are well within both of the ranges. There’s a range of channels that goes up to 470 MHz. There’s another range that’s higher in the list of available ranges that goes to 490 MHz.  A program file written for one range cannot be used for the other and changing the range in the settings wipes out all the channels you’ve created.

Way back my then Elmers taught me that a good signal report is not based on what you see on a meter, but what your ear holes hear or can't.
Similar to my Army days, you either got a "read you 5 by 5, Lima Charlie" or a "say again, you are weak and unreadable"  (one we used a lot when doing Electronic Countermeasures on ID Ten Tee's).
Or, just go Contest Mode, where er'body gets a solid 59!

Some radios have S-meters which display the signal strength. For most people there is a somewhat noticeable audible difference between each number. 
Although radio S-meters are not precisely calibrated, generally speaking (and a question on the ham test 😊) one unit difference on an S meter correlates to 6 dB. 
What that means is that if 40 watts gets to S9, 10 watts gets to S8.  

Reuters seems to know more about this than Massad 🤪

A Foreign National can get an FRN Number, FCC CORES account, and a GMRS License.  They may not be a representative of their Government, and must be at least 18 years old.

Exactly!  
And there isn’t anything wrong with wanting to have a pointless small talk with someone on GMRS. 

Or for group recreational activities such as Jeeping out on the trails. I don't normally see Jeep Creeps using HAM radio while on the trail.  99.98% of the trail comms are normally simplex. Although, occasionally, I will hear some CB traffic on Ch. 16 AM during a Blue moon situation way out in the boonies on the trail.

Might be meeting the wrong people, just about everyone I have ever talked to about radio has been very welcoming to the hobby. 

What is it that you think people should be saying on the air?
What is it that you say on the repeater?  Maybe you could be the one to start the ball rolling.
GMRS is not ham radio, where people actively seek out people to strike up conversations on the radio just because the radio is there.  GMRS is more designed to be a utility for two people or an entire family who wish to communicate, generally while doing something else, possibly recreational like hiking, biking, etc., or possibly as a business, like farming or ranching.

I haven’t, but is that gain dBi or dBd?
 

I wanted to share my results of my 2nd Ed Fong GMRS antenna.  This is on a 18' MFJ tripod mast on a Retevis RT97 GMRS repeater go box, powered by a 50AH lithium battery charged by tactical solar or wall charger through SAE ports on the box.  Also using a repeaterid.com ID system with morse code.
Couldn't be more happy with the results, the machine ran all weekend and solar kept it fully charged, and hardly any battery loss over the night.  Using the 462.550 / 467.550 repeater pair with TX and RX codes.  SWR under 1.1 and getting 5.2W output after the duplexer.
The Fong GMRS antenna is the star, so lightweight and portable, with no need for grounding. Using 18' of Messi & Paoloni Ultraflex 7 with the good waterproof connectors (also have a 25' run of it if needed, love this cable and connectors for tactical or shorter runs).
If anybody has any questions regarding this set-up, I will be more than happy to help.

Tico, on the Fong, I am also using HVAC nylon zip ties instead of metal hose clamps or clasps as to not have any metal anywhere near it.  In my experience that does make a difference. Yes also on a PVC mast, thicker of course, and I made it adjustable for a service if necessary
 
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I think car monkey hairspray, but big toe likes rocky road. Hair gel makes fun times but trees are there. Your sister wash with hose but I still like pie.

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Oh, "some people" would VERY strongly and VERY vocally disagree! 

I don't care either way. I recently signed on to a repeater. The owner requested that I disable my roger beep. He is gracious enough to open his repeater to all users. I am happy to abide by this simple request. I do find it odd that anyone would have a strong opinion about this, one way or another. 

I told my wife to delete that!!! 

Some people like them. Those people also look like this.

Totally depends on the repeater owner.  Some say ok some say no.  As far as simplex.  That’s totally your choice.   Nothing cool or uncool about them.   Personally I think it makes you sound like a kid in a back yard with a Walmart bubble pack FRS radio.   But I’d never tell some one to not use them unless on a repeater that has a rule against it. 

I appreciate the input guys!!

*The NotARubcion has entered the chat-room* 
 
   ...your radio, your choice....
 
*The NotARubcion has left the chat* 

Some people hate to hear them. Many of us simply don’t care. We were able to diagnose one of our member’s microphone issues because we recognized his Roger beep. 
It’s your radio, as long as you’re following the rules operate how you want. 

No..just no