WSEZ864

Can also be due to light/intermittent contact if the plug/adapter are not securely connected.

Agreed. The proper way to use the repeater (ham and GMRS) is to let the repeater carrier drop between transmissions, both to keep the duty cycle lower and to allow time for someone to break in.

This doesn't sound like the best use of GMRS and based on what I'm reading here, it really seems that the OP's area is ripe for a decent 2 meter repeater setup. The amateur radio Technician's License (to start with) isn't terribly hard to get and with that, one can use those 2 meter frequencies and legally maintain the gear. I would think that the local emergency infrastructure would welcome additional communications and it would likely be easy to get tall tower space somewhere. Our club has a repeater antenna up on top of a local water tower. The initial setup is relatively expensive, but donations can often defray the costs.

Marc, Thank you for your work in putting together this excellent video! Ed

Thank you sir!

Hi All, I'm a new GMRS user and recently got my license, mainly to allow my family to participate without the licensing exams (my wife would never take the amateur exams) and also to broaden my own communication capabilities. I've been into electronics since the 70s, when I worked on radars for the Army and enjoy learning about radio. I had a CB license back in the day and still have a CB radio, albeit disused. I'm a licensed ham, an Amateur Extra for about 11 years and a volunteer examiner for administering the ham exams with my local amateur radio club. I also hold a GROL+Radar and a GMDSS license, which I decided to go ahead and test for since one of the very few east coast NMEA test facilities is only about 10 miles from my home. I've joined the forum to learn more about GMRS operations and better understand the equipment and operation. Thank you for having me!