kidphc

Awesome. I did find out that Anytone and a lot of the other radios are essentially cousins (some have pretty big changes). Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Again awesome. There aren't great reviewer. Most are crap let me open the box type reviews, that do range review (really why?). The lack of technical review for a lot of radios make me cry, I can read specs and the manuals for the most part. I try to avoid RTFM (READ THE F@*KING MANUAL) and ID10T (idiot, you sound it out as id ten t) type of moments. I think I will be buying the 878uvii plus over the alinco md5 series (this is cheaper, with many similar features. I originally wanted to invest in higher quality gear and was willing to pay for it. Turns out I am slowly turning into an Anytone whore, with an at6666, 20g and likely 878. This article has swayed me to not bother with 220 (open transmit) and towards the 878. http://members.optuszoo.com.au/jason.reilly1/868mods.htm#SelectingBands Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

New clarification. As always appreciated. It's like the manafacturers expect you to have worked the commercial trade and their particular model lines Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Yes, you are correct almost all ht will recieve gmrs without mods. I perfer the mod for when I wish to transmit, all legality a side that is speaking. I do have multiple frs and gmrs radios to use. Often will carry one of the gmrs radios to use with the family. There times where I will only carry one radio. Like on some particular hikes up mountains. Sorry, I was using all band in the like in the lmr modes. Parts of 2m, 70cm (more like 65cm) and 800-900 band. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Now it is kinda between the Allinco and Anytone.. Price versus some features... guess the commercial gear is going to have to wait. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Think it only works with bluecat. Which is for like 2 yaesu units Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

I believe so. Didn't see it in reviews or features. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Icom, kenwood thd74a, anytone 878uvii plus (current winner for me) have a near repeater function. Not all repeaters are in the database. Using the onboard gps it will try to locate a repeater that is near by. Some of the manfacturers have also implemented a feature it will then try to connect to it, if you want to. It's a feature that I wish it was in all higher end mobiles and hts. Currently, got to walk around with a repeater list, or have it preprogrammed. Me I have repeaterbook link on the homepage of my phone. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

Hmm.... interesting. Just to need to find out it if has near repeater functionality. I REALLY would like that in my next radio. Sigh a Kenwood THD74a would of worked, but it would be nearly the cost of some commercial radios used. Hence the start of the thread, for an all around radio that could do it all, but not perfect, just close. For most part i will try and carry a dedicated radio for that service. But would be nice say at the beach to work the ham radio and still listen to the little ones on their gmrs radios. I currently have multiple SDR cards for my FTM400XDR so I could travel and load up repeaters on the route. Thought about doing that with a FT5DR. But that 1.3 watts kinda destroys so of the flexibility of the radio for me.

Definitely, easier on the FT"X"dr series then on something like the FT-65/uv5r style radio. Only because of the menu system vs touching different things. I have manually programmed repeaters on my FTM400 and will say I think the UI designer was drunk when they designed it. So yes mass programming repeaters RT systems all the way. I would of killed myself on any of the radios if I had to program 400 repeaters using FPP.

IF you feel the need https://imgur.com/account/favorites/QVHfAiw

Just saw the ft"x"dr series that. Take off the battery and there is a rubber plug. Remove and the resistor below it is removed. Thank you yaesu for pointing it out. It reformat the memory card and restarts... But I also read that the 5dr will only transmit 1.3 watts in gmrs. Which begs the question, what antenna to use. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

yup... I can see why there are reports of the radio saving officers lives from bullets. It is starting to look like the Harris for me might be the ticket.

I do have a radio that I am currently using that is similar to what your are suggesting. I am using the BF-F8HP. It does have FPP although at times makes me want to cry. If you have FPP programmed you understand the pain, mostly for me is "is why did I program that again?".

Love the tone agility. Lack of frequency agility kinda sucks especially for ham use. Its doable but not on the top of the list.

Fug, my bad..... Turns out it was an APX7000 UHF R1 still learning

I thought i was looking at an all band XPR7550 all band this past weekend. I will have to double check with a friend. I also thought it was a rarer vhf/uhf 2 model.

I had looked at buying a FT5DR. Which would require mucking with SMD. Kinda why I added the cavet of not doing a mars/cap mod.

All band commercial/lmr/amateur HTs. Not looking to mars/cap mod it, want it built so it is capable. Trying to keep it below $2500 All legal discussions aside. Do you know what old commercial/amatuer ht gear falls into this terriotory? -all Band ( capable of 2m,70cm, gmrs, so has to have analog built in. -front panel programming I have come up with three so far that fit the bill. - Anytone 878 uvii plus -Motorola Xps7550 all band -Harris Unity Xg100p

You can go to the map section. On the right side "control panel" under ""My Request". That is one way unfortunately, only going to list the ones you ask for access to and get a reply.

You might have a better chance if your city has a REACT team or emergency communication team. Kinda like https://mcacs.net/ whom has P25 repeaters in our area. Maybe even amateur radio clubs might be able to help. We are fortunate, here we have REACT repeaters peppering D.C. (you need to be a REACT member to use). I also got access to a repeater, part of a several repeaters, which are not "LISTED" on purpose. Their main function is for the Red Cross. I guess the owner of the repeaters select users to limit usage. Most of us that have access do not mention them, nor do we share the information (mostly out of respect for the owner and its purpose, not to be selfish). The real repeaters (the one I have access to) are big $$$$$, commercial antennas, commercial gear on commercial sites. You may get the city to budget repeaters for emergency communication usage. Stating regular use of the system by locals can assure the system is ready when needed. I do imagine it being tough with a city that has a small population. Plus most municipalities will want to set up a emergency communication system on p25 (preferably encrypted) for interagency interoperability (most likely P25 phase2). A Retvis 97 is just not going to cut it for city coverage. Maybe start a local GMRS Club with the amateur radio operators?

Marc, I had my Comet 2x4sr mounted on a ditch light bracket (used hood hinge screws as mounting location) right off the corner of the hood on my Landcruiser. I was having issues with RFI on half of the GMRS frequencies. Wrote a thread on it. Also was getting wiper motor noise etc. Well recently i moved it half way down the hood on a different mount about 2 feet further. Mostly because the ditch light mount was rocking. New mount the antenna is too damn stiff and rocks the mount as well. Not as bad since its secure to the fender and not the hood. Side benefit seems to be (still testing). That there is a metric crap ton LESS RFI. Even though its now next to the fuse box and battery. From what I figure on my truck 90% of the noise was being generated from the Vacuum accumulator motor (not a stereo typical booster setup). Super long winded. Sorry. Chrysler products are not known to have the best ecus nor wiring. Have you tried moving the antenna further down the hood (towards the bumper). Although hearing wiper motor noise from another vehicle is a bit much. Was this an issue with your old 400?

Sounds like you did the math and experimenting. I'll trust you on it

If that happens I would be more worried about the Fusible links going up in smoke. Unfortunately, cigarette lighter plugs tend to be 12 gauge or less on the back side.

Same location, same mount, same antenna, and same car. Moved from a massive metal ditch bracket/antenna mount. There was way too much rocking of the mount with the Comet, combination wind load, stiffness and weight. Wasn't a problem with the 2/70b. Only thing I noticed is a hair more deafness , and a bit more picket fencing at some locations recieve/transmit at gmrs frequencies. Great antenna if you need combo 2/70/gmrs. Location of antenna usual so so so performance. Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk