WRTC928

Would that go on for more than an hour?

That makes sense.

You are incorrect. The FCC rules list them as part of the allocated GMRS frequencies, although the power and bandwidth restrictions are the same as for FRS. I understand that to mean that if you are using a Part 95-accepted radio to transmit on those channels, a license is still required.

Wide bandwidth is authorized for GMRS users on 1-7 and 15-22 per FCC rules.

I have a couple of HTs that output 0.5 watt or less on the low power setting. On the others, I block transmission on 8-14, but I usually monitor them.

I think most hams who also have GMRS licenses have amateur and GMRS frequencies on the same radio. It's so much more convenient than carrying two radios...I've heard... Regardless of the radio used, I'm a proponent of sticking to the authorized power levels and bandwidths because I don't want to interfere with someone else's enjoyment of the airwaves.

It has started again at 7:10 pm. It seems to occur in the 7-8 pm time frame, which argues for some sort of signaling device or the like. I'm still puzzled over how it can be heard on GMRS 15 wide open, but also 15 with a digital code and 15 with a tone code set. I timed it, and it's occurring every 30 seconds.

Listing a repeater as "open" is typically taken to mean no permission is required. However, politeness is never out of style, and there's no harm in contacting the owner to say thanks.

The UV-5RH Pro GPS is almost the same radio in terms of features and function. It lacks the support and updatable firmware of the BF-F8HP Pro, and those things do matter, but it's 1/4 the price. If I were going to have only one HT and use it for many years, I'd probably go with the F8HP, but I bought the 5RH instead. There's not really one right answer to the question of what radio is "best". It depends upon how you think you will use the radio.

I don't think so. The probability of getting separated is about the same no matter what radios you have, but with the mobile, you at least have a chance of getting a message to them even if they can't effectively respond. One-way is better than no-way, IMO.

Probably, but not for the reason you think. The biggest factor is that the antenna of a mobile radio is outside the vehicle while the HT antennas are inside the vehicle -- essentially a Faraday cage. Transmission and reception will both be adversely impacted by being inside the vehicle. Second, a mobile radio antenna is usually a better antenna in general, because it doesn't have to be short enough to be easily carried. Third, a VHF or UHF radio signal is significantly impacted by obstacles -- mostly hills and buildings in the case you're describing. The rule of thumb is that in order to double the distance of the signal, you have to quadruple the power of the radio. All other things being equal, your radio should yield about twice the effective distance of the HTs, but all other things are not even close to equal in your case. Short answer -- yes, I would expect them to hear you further than you can hear them, but it has less to do with power than with other factors. You could learn a lot by simply doing the experiment. Try communication between your mobile and an HT under different conditions and see what you get.

No kidding, though, I really like it. It has everything I like about the 5RM with a couple of extra features. The screen is still impossible to read in bright sunlight, though.

Well, there ya go! Spend your 30 bucks and get it all. You're welcome.

I think it does. I'm not sure because I'm not interested in listening to air bands. Edited to add: It's advertised as receiving AM 108-136 MHz. Does that cover the air band?

It was the bank scanning that decided me. I really like the 5RM. The lack of banks was one of my few complaints about it. The 5RM is still useful for most of my purposes, and will get plenty of use, but there are occasions when the bank scanning will be nice to have.