RCM

Yes.

I can help you out there, if you're interested. I have a Motorola M1225 already programmed with GMRS channels that I would be willing to sell. It's in great condition. I'll even throw in the programming cable. Nothing wrong with it; I'm just not using it because I have enough Kenwoods to cover all my GMRS needs.

KPG-49D v 4.xx, as linked in this thread: https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1629-programming-a-tk880/ It's available various places for free, and in fact if you buy the cable from "BlueMax49ers" on ebay he will probably send you a copy of the software too, if you would prefer to get it that way. As for radio condition, please let me know if you run across any TK-880s that need to be torn down, cleaned up and repaired. Radios like that would probably sell for $10 each or less, and I would be in the market for a dozen or so. But most of the TK-880s out there for sale are in very good to excellent condition. The arduous task of setting one up consists of connecting power, plug the programming cable into the mic jack of the radio and the usb port of your Windows computer, run the program, fill in your desired frequencies/offsets/tones/bandwidths (W/N) in the spreadsheet of the program, and click "write to radio." Done. No tearing down, no cleaning, it's actually easier and quicker than figuring out the settings on a Midland, and you actually end up with the correct settings instead of the closest facsimile the Midland offers. There are even sellers who will program the radio for you, free of charge, when you buy one from them. Most of the sellers of these commercial radios are, after all, radio shops. That's how they got them to begin with. Not to step on anyone's toes here, but the only people I see defending the Midlands are people who have money invested in one or more of them. Here's an example of what I'm talking about: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenwood-TK880-UHF-TK-880-1-V-2-250Ch-25-Watts-450-490-Mhz/123813584035?epid=619911360&hash=item1cd3dd5ca3:g:MxYAAOSwE5BdERZ0 I don't know this guy; I just found it in a quick search. It's on the high end price wise, at $99 + $12 shipping. But the radios look great, include the mic, mount bracket and power cable, and free programming of up to 16 channels. The seller even has a 90 day warranty. Connect power, connect antenna. It doesn't get any easier than that.

A lot of problems are probably exacerbated by the presence of salt, whether it be on or near the ocean or in an area where salt is used on the roads. You wouldn't believe the amount of rain we get here, but not much salt. Btw, the wideband uhf antenna I linked does have an N connector. That's one of the reasons I chose it.

Disregard

The link posted above is correct for the TK-880.

Larsen guys say the same things about Diamond, Comet etc. antennas.

You're absolutely right about the danger. Besides the instability, if you run them dry they have a tendency to suddenly drop the vehicle on you while whacking you upside the head with the handle! I learned that as a teenager when one dropped a Massey Ferguson tractor and whacked me right in the chin. After that I learned to always have a can of oil and dribble a bit in the workings before attempting to use it.

Nice! I love the CUCV pickups. One of my friends has an M1028A1 which is the dually pickup version, Dana 70 rear (still with Detroit Locker), NP205 'case. I would like to build something like an M1028, but with a crew cab and a bobbed bed. I've seen a picture of one done like that, and it was sweet!

Yeah, I think I was conflating MURS rules with GMRS rules. Or vice versa.

I just drilled a hole in the hood of my JK and added an NMO mount. I'm using a simple 1/4 wave antenna. I've been using farm/ sheepherder's/ high lift (Hi-Lift is a brand name; lots of other companies have made them) jacks for at least 40 years. It is a true multi-tool; a jack of all trades even (couldn't resist!) Those exhaust jacks are nothing new either. They are a great invention, but the farm jack can do a lot of things an exhaust jack cannot. I like your Chevy truck, Marc. I have the military version of that. They came with a 6.2 diesel, TH400, full floater 14 bolt rear with Detroit Locker, Dana 60 front, 4.56 gears. All as standard equipment.

Yes, exactly.

I might be mistaken. I just looked in Part 95 and couldn't find it.

Exactly. The point is that it's illegal.

Great test! Thanks for posting this. Sounds like either your GMRS-V1 has a receive problem or your UV5R has a transmit problem, at least on low power. In my opinion the first option is most likely. Do you have a third, narrowband radio to add to the mix? Even an old FRS radio, although you would have to move closer for that test.

This is a pretty good forum. Folks here are easy to get along with, for the most part. There are some other forums out there that would absolutely make you wish you had never heard of the forum if you hijacked an existing thread on your very first post. Here's a friendly suggestion: instead of coming into a thread about a specific mobile radio to ask an off-topic question, how about starting a thread with a title like "Repeater-Capable Portable Radios" and then ask your question there? That is why you got a one-word answer. And I can guarantee that one-word answer was more polite than the response such a post would get on some forums. Welcome to the forum.

Quoting myself because I was just reading back over this thread and thought an update to this statement might be in order. I searched the web and found the manufacturer's data for the dual band Yagi I have. It indicates coverage of the 902-928 (and beyond) band. Because I didn't have a way to check the match on 900, I bought a Bird 43 wattmeter and a Coaxial Dynamics 400-1000 MHz (at 50 watts) slug. As it turns out, that Yagi is a near-perfect match.

Yes.

Congrats on getting the best radio out there for GMRS! Chirp won't work. It would be great if it were added at some point, but KPG49D is readily available free, and works well. Look for version 4.xx for Windows. I have a Windows 10 machine and it works fine except for the help files, which you don't necessarily need anyway. I originally started with Version 6.xx, thinking the later version would be better. But nope, it was DOS only. Once you have the software, it will also work (with a different cable) on the TK-380 uhf HT. And btw, the TK-880 can be easily programmed with freqs down to 440 or maybe even lower. The software will warn you that it's out of range, but it will accept it. Most radios are deaf below 446 or so though, and the vco also loses lock. There are a couple of simple adjustments to make it work down there while not sacrificing operation up to 470. The TK-380 works on 440 without needing any adjustments. Welcome to the forum.

Good deal! I'm glad you dodged that bullet.

And another one: https://archive.org/details/TM11-666

You're welcome. Here's another, really good book that is not specific to NVIS but contains a lot of great information. https://archive.org/details/Fm24-18

There is a new 900 repeater fairly close to me, and I have worked it a couple of times to verify its existence. I've also been in contact with the repeater owner. I have more 900 rigs now, too. TK-981s and a couple of TK-481 portables. Both are awesome radios that use the same programming software. The TK-981 is a mobile that is the same platform (and uses the same software and cable, accessories etc.) as the TK-880 that is popular with GMRS ops. The 481 is the same platform as the TK-380. Anyone who is at all interested in 900 MHz should look on ebay and possibly elsewhere; TK-981s are kinda' flooding the market right now at prices as low as $50 shipped. A year ago they were $140-$200. Next year you might not be able to find one for any price. That's how it works. Apparently one or more sizeable entities are replacing their 900 MHz system(s) with something else.

Just found this and thought some of the hams here might be interested (Marcspaz !) http://w7dbo.net/dbo/documents/nvisBook.pdf

I think I doubled with you. Could you hear his FRS radio?