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There is always static on any radio frequency. You set squelch to raise the receive threshold so any stronger signal will open the receiver to listen. Monitor disables the squelch setting.

Pink antennas always work as chick magnets (and longer is better).

Boofwangs and other similar units are referred to as CCSDs (Cheap Chinese Spy Devices) and I own 6.

Air always works as long as the pressure isn't too high. For canned air, keep the nozzle at least 6 inches away from the part being cleaned.

Try this one: Super-Elastic Signal Stalk — Signal Stuff

It sounds like hog wash to me.

Beef, chicken or fish?

Using code words or phrases in normal conversations would be against the regulations as has been clearly stated. However, in an actual emergency you can pretty much throw the regulations in the trash. The key point being the FCC, should they investigate, would have to agree the situation did rise to the level of a true emergency and agree the use was justified.

I use the mantra High In, Low Out when dealing with repeaters.

There are several amateur radios that will use a Bluetooth headset or microphone available but, I'm not aware of any such radios made for the GMRS market.

www.signalstuff.com/faq/

There are a lot of electronic products, including RF amps that either do not have or have counterfeit FCC approvals.

Welcome to the group - and prepare to attempt to fill the hole in the ether with dollars.

The spacing numbers are correct. Channels are 25 kHz wide, but the modulation deviation is 20 kHz leaving a 2.5 kHz guard band to prevent bleed over on adjacent channels.

Not bad for Bluetooth. Oh, wait, you were on GMRS weren't you?

Take a look at this antenna. It does work well on GMRS a is a 20" length. Super-Elastic Signal Stalk — Signal Stuff

The short answer is the radios are not comparable, at least comparing Anytone or other low-cost radio to Motorola. Motorola radios are in the very top tier of two-way radios which includes brands like Tate, Codan, Harris, Kenwood and other manufacturers of commercial grade and public safety grade radios. All the low-cost Chinese brands fall near the bottom of the quality list ranking below commercial only units and most amateur units. Within the top tiers there are really only two grades, public safety and commercial. the two levels may be identical inside but differ in the case and ergonomics. There may also be differences between the components used even though the values are the same. ICs, resistors, transistors and all come with different abilities to handle heat and other stress factors. Public safety units will use the highest or military grade while commercial will not resulting in a unit that doesn't meet the operating range of the public safety unit. Low cost units use consumer grade components which is an even lower grade than those used by commercial units. In other words, you get what you pay for.

Try these as well Business Radios-Mobile Radios– Radioddity

Yes. 2.1 dBi is unity or 1dBd.

Putting together a "good" repeater using components built as a repeater will run over $1000.00 before adding an antenna, feedline and installation. It's easy to spend $5K to get a repeater like you want on the air.

I second the advice on getting the ham Technician license and a good 2M/440 radio with the MARS/CAP mod. Another antenna to consider is the Signal Stalker from Signal Stuff (https://signalstuff.com/product/super-elastic-signal-stalk/).

I found another Ghost antenna for you -- Should work as well as the one you have.

My suggestion would be for handheld, a Yaesu FT-4XR or FT-65. Both can be set to receive outside the amateur frequencies through the keyboard on the radio. The instructions are easily found on YouTube.

You do not need an FCC license to LISTEN to any radio frequency.

Your passive solution works as it doesn't combine services.