OffRoaderX

One great way to learn is by being a pillar of the community and putting up a repeater for everyone to use.

I too, am awaiting that.

The GMRS antenna on both my Jeeps is at the rear-passenger corner. Its not the most optimal location, but it works just fine. SWR on the LJ is 2.1:1, and on the JKU is 1.6:1 .. Range is great and I regularly get simplex fars of 20+Miles and can hit one of my repeaters from 98 miles.. So dont let any of the "experts" tell you that this mounting location "wont work"... Both Jeeps have Motorola XTL5000 radios. CB (when I used it) was same location, but dont use CB anymore.

Oh, trust me, I get it.

But it sure was impressive! Weren't you impressed by how smart he thinks he made himself look? I know I sure am! Too bad we can't "pin" replies like this to the top of the list for everyone to enjoy. ...Weird that he has a ham-radio callsign for his user-name... Just sayin...

In my last job cell phones were prohibited because virtually all cellphones were also cameras and audio recorders.. There was no prohibition on radios.

and, dont forget, if you want privacy as you've mentioned, using codes will not give you any.

Yes, just put the same codes on all the radios - very simple. But, just be aware, using codes will give you zero privacy.

I have a Tram 1486 and i tuned mine because the instructions said I had to - following the instructions to cut both the top and bottom sections, I tuned it to 467.700 because it is for a repeater... But when I checked the tune on 462.700, the SWR was still a very low - dont remember exactly what it was, but under 3:1.

Using the cable that came with the RT97? Just for fun, try UNinstalling, then installing the software again, but run the installer "As Administrator", then after installing when you run the programming software, run it also "As Administrator" and see if that makes any difference. and.. See if you can see the cable in Device Manager - should show up under USB/Serial Devices (IIRC).. make sure its not showing any errors.. .... or... you might need to try a newer OR older driver for the cable depending on what version of Windows you are using.

If a factory reset doesnt clear it up and assuming the antenna is connected and there are no antenna cable issues then my guess is that it is borked.. Still less than one year old? If so, contact BuyTwoWayRadios and they'll fix you up.

The repeater owners check for requests for access when they feel like it.. Some do it quickly & often, some never do it.. It is also possible that the repeater is no longer online. If the repeater has the tones listed publicly its usually ok to start using the repeater and/or ask for permission over the air unless/until the repeater owners asks you to stop.

Forgot to mention..Thanks for reminding me... Always beware of the "some people" that try their best overcomplicate everything.

I agree.. I have put one up, and am [partially] responsible for getting a 2nd one up, covering most of Southern California.

If you look close, 99% of them are actually sad-hams, disguised as GMRS operators.

It doesnt matter, and only the hall-monitors care - as you can see very clearly in this and other online forums..

"some people" have nothing else to do in their life, so they make their hobby extra-serious. All that talk of fines and federal agents coming to your house is (99.99% of the time) BS, usually spread by sad, little people.. The normal people here just want to talk to their friends.. and have better things to do with their time than spreading fairy-tales..

They didnt have the 2-radio deal when I got mine, but at the time the price for the repeaters was the same on Amazon as on their website, just without the crazy shipping.

I bought mine on Amazon and got free shipping.

According to the FCC, if you are using a GMRS radio, thou must use your callsign on all channels, regardless of the power-output you have set. The question is, will they care if you dont.. and according to the FCC's enforcement database, they don't.

2nd the RT-97.. Its portable, light, small, rugged, and it works great

When shopping for an HT radio, what feature is most important to you?

I was hoping it was one of the models that I have.. It's not.. Other than the LED lights, does the radio operate as expected?

Leixen makes dozens of radios Which one do you have?

Welcome to the exciting and dynamic world of GMRS! Short answer to your question: No/Probably not Longer answer: You can use repeaters on GMRS but their range is usually limited to around 100 miles or so and any mountains between the repeater and either of the two people talking would block the signal completely.. So IF there is a repeater between you that you can both "see" and connect to with your radios, then, maybe.