Downs

this software can be used to adjust power levels to your liking BTECH UV-25X2 and UV-50X2 Squelch Engineer Software

Wasn't trying to be argumentative earlier just clearing up any miscommunication on what I was looking for and for what. What program do you use for the TK-880? 
I don't have a problem getting a used radio and taking the time to get it up and running, heck it's the cheaper option for a quality unit. But my plate is loaded down and I was looking for something turn key for now. I have a 1986 F-150 that I am restoring that will get one of these radios most likely. I actually have two vehicle projects, three kids, a house to finish renovating, work 40-50hrs a week, and am in college full time trying to finish my engineering degree. I really don't have time to tear down, clean and repair any radio units lol. This is why currently I'd rather drop $200-300 on a unit ready to go that I don't have to worry about instead of $65 on something I have to spend a few hours on or stress about the risk of being non functional. This is also why I haven't responded... Been too busy to be on here to follow up.
 
My position is another pivot on what Marc said. And to support his point, you may have a bunch of people with no mechanical/electrical ability or general handiness wanting to get into GMRS, and drop the money on a license for one reason or another who need turn key options and if the only thing a community can ever give them is, buy this 25 year old radio tear it down, then buy x y and z and then program it etc it's going to overwhelm and scare people away from the hobby.

I wanted to do that, but my wife complained that she didn't want to see the antenna in the middle of her field of view.  Figured that was a nice compromise.  LOL
 
 
I love my farm jack.  I agree, they are a get multipurpose tool.  I like the air jacks but my Jeep is too tall.  I can't find one that actually gets the tires off the ground.
 
 
Thanks!  I know it doesn't look like it now, but that is/was an M1008 CUCV.  At least it was when we bought it.  It started life on Fort Lee, and eventually made its way here.
 
We completely restored it to original military spec, including the troop seats and paint.  The original 6.2 was in it and it only had 52,000 on the clock.  It had the IR/Service lights, 24v electrical (basically for just the starter and jump port).
 
Sadly, the motor let go, then the TH400 let go and took out the transfer case.  After that, someone smacked the bed with a big truck and made a mess of it.
 
We put a 6" lift kit on it, cross-over steering, high-performance carbed 350, rebuilt the turbo 400 with a manual reverse valve body, and slapped a new transfer case in it.  It has all new brakes.  Its about to get a new hydro-assist, front and rear winch, and some other minor stuff.
 
Anyway, we changed it so much that we decided its not much of a M1008 any more.  So we are restoring the full interior and we are going to slowly rehab the outside.
 
After the first restore...
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/CUCV/CUCV1.jpg
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/CUCV/CUCV2.jpg
 
 
 
 
I volunteer with the County, doing emergency comms.  So, we are setting it up for 'Hi-Visibility'. We still need to finish the paint, but this is what it looks like right now...
 
 
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/CUCV/CUCV3.jpg
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/CUCV/CUCV4.jpg

Comet mount and antenna for daily use.
 
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/HAM-GMRS/Comet_Mount_And_Antenna_1.jpg
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/HAM-GMRS/Comet_Mount_And_Antenna_2.jpg
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/HAM-GMRS/Comet_Mount_under_hood.jpg
 
 
 
Comet mount with Tram antenna for offroad use (so I don't break the other antenna).
 
 
http://fiveguysracing.com/marc/HAM-GMRS/Comet_Mount_And_Tram_Antenna_.jpg

I use an l bracket in the hood channel of my Jeep XJ. My goto is typically a Commet SSB5 which is 1/2 wave on 2m and 2x 5/8 on 70cm. SWR across the board for HAM and GMRS is sub 1.7 MURS is 2.1 or so. Ive got a commet SS680 thats a little shorter that i get similar performance out of
 
If i know im going to be running nothing but UHF for doing something like a trail ride Ill switch my my cheap little Tram 1181. Its sub 1.8 on 70cm and GMRS even on the fender. Does about 2.0 on 2m and a little more on MURS.
 
Next time i have my headliner out i think I'm going to punch the roof for a NMO up top but the performance on the fender with these antennas has been very satisfactory for my uses.
 

 
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We're looking at this from a different perspective.  Hoping to do a blended-function setup with analog voice and SMS via GMRS from a single, non-repeater mobile station to a set of HT receivers in the field within a 1 km radius.  Still catching up on the learning curve on this.

There is a usb cable for the TK880. No serial adapter needed. Here's the one I have: https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Kenwood-Programming-Cable-TK-780-TK-880-KPG-46p/152618254912?hash=item2388c1c240:g:JnkAAOSwytJaBd~n
 
There are also cheaper ones on ebay, but this particular seller was recommended to me and it is the one I have direct experience with.

I literally laughed out loud when I read this.
When I first got my gmrs license, I was tempted by Midland's marketing hype. And it looked like such a neat little radio. However, after I did my due diligence I decided against buying one. I'm really happy about that decision, too. Had I bought one, it would undoubtedly be sitting in the very back of a high shelf right now. I would probably not want to give away something I paid $250 for, nor would I want to take advantage of a newbie by actually taking money for something that I knew would handicap him from the beginning.
 
As for commercial radios failing, I've seen radios selling for $40 shipped that are way better than an MXT400. Even at double that price, you could buy three of them and a programming cable for the price of one MXT400. The software can be found as a free download, especially for Kenwoods.
 
My first gmrs radios were Kenwood TK-805s. With those you don't even need software: remove two screws, pop off the top cover, move a jumper, then power it up while holding a certain key sequence to enter programming mode. This allows you to program everything on the radio. The factory service manual (available as a free download) details exactly how to do it. When finished, power it down and back up and it's ready to operate. You can either leave the jumper in that position for future field programming, or move it back to the locked position. It doesn't affect radio operation, either way.
 
And, the TK-805 (like most of the Kenwoods) is part 95e accepted, so it is 100 percent legal for gmrs.
 
I bought several of them. I'm using one of them as the transmitter in my repeater. I'm thinking about putting up another repeater, and will probably use two of them for that. None of them have failed.
In fact, one of them was caked with dried soup or something when I got it. It worked fine, but it was ugly and some of the buttons would stick because of the caked-on goo. So I used soapy water and an old toothbrush to scrub it clean. After that it was good as new, and still is.
 
So, if you prefer to rely on the warranty from a proven (to be deceptive and misleading, that is) company, so be it. But I would rather have the better and less expensive commercial radios, and use the money I save to buy more of them. If one ever fails, it will just become a parts radio.
 
ETA: I just looked on ebay and found a few TK-805s on there for around $60 each. I also found lots of TK-880s for around the same price, including one seller who has 5 TK-880s for $55 each buy it now with free shipping, and a "make offer" option. You could probably get all five for $50 each, for $250 total. That's the price of one MXT400. A programming cable is about $12.
 
The TK-880 can also be set up for field programming if that's important to you, but it holds up to 250 channels so field programming is not necessary for most folks. Just enter the eight repeater pairs as many times as you need to get all the tone combinations you need.

The majority of Part 97 mobile units are not capable (on their spec sheets) of accessing GMRS frequencies but are modified for operation in Part 95 frequencies. It is also true that almost all Part 97 radios are not certified for GMRS operation but many do reach those frequencies and are used by licensees throughout the areas covered by FCC regulations. We all recognize that a radio must carry an FCC certification for the service it is used in however, many of us holding GMRS licenses knowingly use, and champion the use, of Part 97 radios on Part 95 frequencies. 
 
Is the Commission aware of this issue? You can be certain they are. The question that remains is if the use of a radio certified for use in the amateur UHF band causing issues affecting users in the GMRS frequencies problems. As it appears this is not an issue affecting other licensed users it may not be seen as an issue requiring action by any division within the Commission. Bottom line, yes it is against the FCC regulations to use an uncertified unit but as the unit is certified to operate in a companion service on adjacent frequencies the radio would probably continue to operate within the limits specified for the uncertified service.
 
Thank you for your insights as to the use of the radio as a same band repeater. I may have to rework the configuration to add an external duplexer and second radio.

GMRS power output is defined as transmitter output power, not ERP. Go have fun with your beam, or even a beam array.

I did a short Youtube video on this.  Got a lot of flak from RR defenders.  They are sponsoring a bunch of off road channels on YouTube now so their re-badged overpriced stuff is getting more and more out there and gaining more supporters who IMO either dont' know any better or are getting free stuff from them anyway. 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChdwiXtukR4

I dont know much about the MXT 400, I do know there are other reviews on the site, some good, some not so much. I can say the Kenwood 880 is a strong commercial and emergency service radio that was used for years. They were designed for abuse and can take it. I also found the kenwoods are a little less cost wise if you do your research correctly. I purchased all of the mobiles at about $40 per radio, one for each vehicle, one base camp radio, and 2 for a portable repeater project I am doing. The portables were about $55 each since I had to buy new batteries and antennas. Still less than the MXT400's price of $250.
 
Kenwood 880H (the 40 watt model) usually go for around 75-100, but even those you can get deals on.

The nice thing about the 880/380's is that there are extra features on them. One feature we use is the texting feature. I've programmed 14-15 status messages using fleetsync and we can use them to text one another or the entire group. Fleetsync also allowed for Radio ID, which allows me to see who's calling even if they don't talk on the radio.

One last thing, if I recall, the MXT does not allow you to store repeater information on the radio. You'll need to change the settings for each repeater you may use, or each time you change the channel. The Kenwood stores the frequencies into channels so you can have 5 different repeaters on one frequency using 5 different codes, and all you do is press up or down to change between them which is nice when your driving and cant watch the radio and the road at the same time. Im sure there are some pros to the MXT400 radio, but I couldnt tell ya any off the top of my head.

I did a short Youtube video on this.  Got a lot of flak from RR defenders.  They are sponsoring a bunch of off road channels on YouTube now so their re-badged overpriced stuff is getting more and more out there and gaining more supporters who IMO either dont' know any better or are getting free stuff from them anyway. 
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChdwiXtukR4

What are you doing that your 6" antenna doesn't clear something? I have an MXT11a on my Jeep, along with a 2m/440 Ham antenna and a 114" CB whip. I do some of the most aggressive trails in the mid-Atlantic and I have never bent, broken or lost an antenna.

Legally? All any user of your license is required to do is to identify as WRDV917. Whether you are nearby or in the other side of the country or with or without cell coverage is not relevant.
 
As @BoxCar suggested, you can add additional identification information, like unit number x or mobile x, or base, your name, or whatever you wish. But, that information is not required and actually has no official significance.
 
Look at it this way. The FCC only wants to know what license a given station is operating under. In other words, your call sign. Any other identification is for your own purposes.
 
However, the group you joined may have their own internal rules or standards and while not legally binding, might cause you problems with the group. You might want to ask someone if they have a set standard.

Rugged Radios is a complete rip off. I would never buy anything from them, the radios they sell are rebranded CCRs with a ridiculous markup.

:dunno:
 
Pretty much all the Baofeng models have come as "pofung" labeled radios as well. But im certainly no language expert im sure they changed the labeling based on our pronunciation of their word. I dunno.
 
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Great review by the OP.  Thanks for doing that.
 
I thought it was interesting to see that there are less than 60k GMRS licensees in the FCC system.  I guess the market segment for this service is dominated by bubble pack radios for the most part, not equipment that is halfway between bubblepacks and actual full-bore amateur radio gear... I suppose that's where the Chinese manufacturers fill in for the time being.

I have had 3 of the 6bd gain Midland antenna's melt the load coil. I am not buying any more of these.
MARCSPAZ please send me information on buying the Motorola 6db antenna's.
Thanks
WRCW870

Even if they do read the directions, that doesn't change the fact that FRS/GMRS radios do not come out of the box with basic cross brand and model interoperability for the most part due to the pre-programming.  To me, they are set up to make coordinated use difficult (sharing channels) and emergency/outside contact unlikely.  
 
Given the transmit range, outside of urban areas the likelihood of needing the tones so that you don't hear other traffic seems very small - especially with the fairly low number of users (on top of the aforementioned TX distance limits).
 
Even someone with a large amount of knowledge would have the same issues with bubble pack radios.
 
When I am walking down a hallway and meet someone, I go right and he goes to his right.  This coordination wouldn't be possible if we both had our eyes closed, and had only opened them once for a few seconds before we started walking.  This is what using tones seems like to me.  You check the channel by using CSQ for a few seconds, hear nothing, and start using the channel oblivious to the (radio) world around you.
 
It seems odd to me that the default mode in this radio service is to block outsiders rather than enabling it if necessary.

Hand helds for now... but want to put a mobile in my trailer.  I use a Baofeng in my side x side   when in the desert

FRS is licensed by rule, they also have authority to operate. See 95.359, it's up to both parties to resolve interference issues. This also means that GMRS users cannot jam FRS users in an effort to clear the channel. There's no ownership of channels and they are shared between the services. If the other party is operating outside their authorizations, they lose these protections.

It may well be that a previous owner (or a radio shop) has turned down the PA's output to put less strain on the PA, thus extending the service life of the radio without compromising the power too much.
 
Eight fewer watts of output power to the antenna system isn't going to make much difference in the performance anyway.
 
As for measurements, if it ain't a Bird wattmeter, I don't trust it!

I miss being out west. Almost unlimited wheeling. And generally people took care of what we had. OHV parks arent my cup of tea but thats all we have in Texas. Public land is a rarity here. I spend a lot of time in Arkansas around the Ouachita Ntl Forrest.  

 
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I miss being out west. Almost unlimited wheeling. And generally people took care of what we had. OHV parks arent my cup of tea but thats all we have in Texas. Public land is a rarity here. I spend a lot of time in Arkansas around the Ouachita Ntl Forrest.  

 
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