OffRoaderX

On a low battery the HT power-output may be low (depending on the battery and the radio) but because SWR is a ratio of reflected power, it should not change significantly (if at all) based on power - especially when you are talking differences of only 1 or 2 watts.

Remove the tones and see if it works.

The UV9G was my "go to" HT that I used when off-roading for a long time. It's cheap, waterproof, fairly tough, and did the job (talking to other Jeeps nearby) just fine.

I'm curious how far the charger is from your radio/antenna, what kind of radio & antenna you are using, and how much interference you're getting?

So instead of giving us links to all of the "likely $10,000" fines for someone simply using a non-type accepted radio that you've been asked for now 3 times, you give us a link to ONE enforcement from 11 years ago for a BUSINESS that was using GMRS to run their business without a license. Not even close being the same thing, and it's 11 years old. THEN, to top it off, you tell us MORE Kaiser Soze stores?! Dude.. You are an endless fountain of sadhammage and self-important, ignorant entertainment.. I am bookmarking your responses because they are LITERALLY what I talk/complain about all the time and people say "c'mon, nobody is that bad - you must be exaggerating".. I'm going to stop now because you're making this too easy - its like beating up the kid in the wheelchair at school - and I'm starting to feel sorry for you.

"some people"...

As predicted ... We dont need a letter from them because their previous & public record says it for them. Stop telling boogy-man stories - people are laughing at you.

I have checked the last ~9 years of the FCC enforcement database, and the FCC has issued 0 fines or enforcements of any kind against anyone for simply using a non part-certified radio. So thank you for yet another example of "some people" that keep spreading lies/misinformation in some lame/sad/pitiful attempt to make the use of radios more special than it actually is. But it is always fun to have examples of these fairy-tales for people to laugh at/make fun of, so I thank you for that. Of course, you can easily prove me wrong by simply leaving a link to the FCC enforcement entry for any one of these multiple enforcement fairy-tales you keep spinning.. But you already avoided that once when @MichaelLAXchallenged you, and again when@WRPZ296 challenged you, so I predict you will come up with some other way to deflect the actual truth yet again.

I approve this message.

There are too many unknown variables for anyone to accurately answer your question - but it is safe to say that that using a 20-30W mobile radio you can hit a repeater anywhere from 1 to 90 miles away.. Maybe more.. maybe less. I can hit a repeater 70 miles away from me with my 5W handheld and I have hit a repeater from 85 miles away on my 50W mobile.. But it really depends on the mobile radio, the repeater, and what is between the two.

If you are hearing that on GMRS channels it is 99.998% likely to be a repeater identifying itself.

How dare you sir! You think that making fun of the internet "experts" is funny??! Good.. Because it is! Just beware the butthurt.

IMO, the best, easiest thing to do is to remove any codes/sub-channels/tones/"security" settings from the GTX1030 and put it on good, old-fashioned, regular channel 15. Both radios, and any other radio with GMRS Ch 15 will all then be able to talk, confusion-free.

Yes - It is entirely possible that you will be able to hear the repeater, but you wont be able to hit it/transmit to it from an HT.

Have you tested the power output of the radio while on battery to see if you're getting the full radio power output? I'm wondering if on 12V instead of 13.8V it will make much of a difference (it did on my MXT500) - although when the power is out we can't be picky, but I'm curious.

"some people" will argue about it forever, and accomplish... Well.. You know... Nothing..

You are not correct. GMRS callsigns are assigned sequentially. He is in WI according to the FCC database.

This is almost certainly a "Windows Driver issue". You might try deleting the cable driver and letting Windows install its own.. If that doesnt work you're in for a bag of hurt - some people end up buying different cables just so they can get it to work.. Some people never get Windows to work with their cable.

Watch this video to see how much damage will occur when transmitting at high-power with a high SWR:

Recently promoted from Youtube hobo to Youtube vagabond.

Your u tube must be broken... But basically, find the "repeater channel" for the repeater, tune to that channel on the radio, hit the menu button, go to the CTCS or DCS setting to add whatever the TX/Transmit code is for the repeater (dont worry about the RX/receive code for now), save it, and you're done. I highly recommend investing a few minutes in the manual that came with the radio (and is available online if you already put the manual in the trash) and get familiar with how to use the radio and menu options.

You're missing the offset - there has to be an offset.. On a "real" GMRS radio, the offset is automatic when you select the correct "Repeater Channel".. if you're using a UHF/ham radio, then you will have to put in a +5Mhz offset for the TX frequency. What kind of radio are you using?

Assuming that is actual outside radio-interference, its likely that any SOC radio would get that same interference.. This is where a superheterodyne radio starts to be worth the extra money.

This guy should make YouTube videos - he'd be a hit!

^ THIS... I picked up a used Vertex 7000 for around $500 - it came with a duplexer that I had to pay to have tuned, but you can find them (or something similar) cheaper without a duplexer (then you'll need to buy a duplexer).. It works great and is designed to operate 24/7, in a wide variety of conditions/temperatures.. The thing is a workhorse.