kidphc

If your antenna is 100 feet in the air an additional 1.5 db might be worth it. As you increase db the antenna's radiating pattern on an omni-directional antenna gets flatter. It sends more of it signal to its horizon. I would recommend plugging the info into a one of the free typographical antenna coverage calculators to quickly ascertain if it is worth it. They changed this tool it seams. It use to allow you to map it out and set each site differently with gain and antenna values. This is what I use to recommend. https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/ Have you thought about a yagi on with a TV rotator? Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yeah, was listening on it was pretty wild how good it was. Meanwhile, 11m(cb) ssb was dead. 40m was cranking as well. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Self Edited/deleted due to useless info

I know those mounts.. at least it think i know the owner/fabricator for that goldiee... Either case, back to the op. My current favoriteamateur/gmrs ht that i grab, is the Harris XG100P. Dream is the APX8500 HT. For mobile, it's the XG100M and FTM400XDR both suit different digital modes. For the base, I use either the CDM1250 or XTL5000 for GMRS. The FT991a for everything else amateur related, can't mod the UHF/VHF side sadly. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Think its because the average person sees extra antennas, it's got to be the police/military. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Gone to Toronto multiple times. Truck looks like a porcupine. Never questioned, never asked by either Canadian or US border patrol. I do carry all my FCC paperwork with me (amateur technician). Pretty sure now I mention it I will be stopped next time. Also my gmrs radio in the truck is an xtl5000, which is usually tuned into local p25 amateur repeaters. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Good question. Even my amateur radio gear is the same way. My LMR stuff, I set it and forget it, wouldn't really touch it anyways. Mostly using pl, don't really monitor simplex often. What I wish all radios had was nuisance delete. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Standard UHF rules apply. Get it the antenna up high. 5 miles or so can be rough with HT due to terrain and obstructions. Base stations probably would be able to do it no problem with 20w. Fortunately these radios are under $100 usually. Unfortunately, the antenna and power supplies add to the cost. Plus your 9 year might be ptt shy on a repeater. Yes, most of the community is great but there are still a-holes out there. Gmrs was meant for exactly what you are trying to do. I would suggest looking at cheap ip ht radios as well. The conversation will be local to your group over an internet connection. Yes, it's not true rf to rf. But hey you are trying to fan a spark. I would also suggest looking at getting him on a Santa net. Dstar has one, requires a Dstar radio. If you are a general with a decent setup the wheelers have one on 80. You know where another ham relays to Santa, so the kids can talk to Santa at the North Pole [emoji6] Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

As well as people like me whom are more visual then auditory. I find it easier to identify signals and their types visually than listening to the signals. Doesn't hurt that the entry cost for it are as minumum as you want. So it is worth a try. Usually, a cheap RTSLDR dongle is under $80. The software for basic usage is free or minimal in cost. Tons of articles on setting up antennas. There is very little that is as cheap with the same flexibility and versatility in the radio world. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I get it. But some of the newer people might be unaware. That this opens up the radio to lmr 2m/70cm band and amateur radio lmr 2m/70cm. There is a reason there is no skill test for GMRS and locking down of the radios. Not going to get into it further either. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Note: Those that do this should know. The radio is no longer type 95 certified. Not like any one is going to hunt you down. You will be able to transmit outside of gmrs band even between interstital frequencies. There are lmr frequencies assigned and licensed there. Which could get you into a bit of trouble, if a digit or number is off. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

My mommy said I was special. But not in a good way. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Morsetoad app for android used it for a while. Stop playing with it for 2 years.... and it's all gone again..lol Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Had no clue till now. Basically almost always use Tapatalk, which there isn't even an option for it. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

You can certainly use a transverter. For 2m/70cm work it ended up with the ft991a. It can't be unlocked for GMRS. I mean most of the GMRS users are looking at Baofengs be it a uv5r or a gmrs locked variant. So a 1k HF radio isn't normally on the radar. Plus GMRS gains nothing from having a waterfall [emoji22] Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk