OffRoaderX

I just got an idea for a new video.

I havnt used the newer Talkabouts, but I have used companding on several Motorola and non-motorola radios, and I have tested and used the noise-cancellation on the GM-N1 radios. Companding is nowhere near the "noise cancellation" that is in the GM-N1 - not even close. The GM-N1 does a surprisingly good job and actually cancelling/removing LOUD extraneous noise, while companding just removes a little hiss in the signal. I would recommend turning off companding altogether because (in my experience and testing) it's not worth the hassle - however I dont know what a QSO is.

I would like to do something similar so following to see what is recommended.

Ohh, I did not know that the Retevis RT97S is Part 95 Certified! I have the (older) RT97 (non-S version) and have had great results with just a mag-mount antenna on the top of my car. You can see how that went in this video: and you can see how well it works in hilly areas in this video: I agree with @WROZ250's warning about the Bridgecom - I have not used one, but have read many bad/negative reviews on them (although did not know they had a Part 95 repeater). I have also built a repeater from two KG-1000Gs - and although it was a great learning experience, its very expensive and not a practical solution for a 'real' repeater.

I am not aware of anyone that makes a Part 95 certified Repeater.

make sure your GMRS callsign is listed in your profile along with your name and leave your device signed in to the channel.

This is ideology is a result of the constant barrage of ham radio operators acting like snobs, idiots, and whatever (take your pick) in online forums every day seemingly doing their best to chase away newcomers to the hobby. And yes, GMRS users also do this, but strangely, many of them also have ham callsigns listed on their forum signatures.

You bought a ham radio, you got a ham radio - no way that I am aware of to change that - Check your Google machine for "Unlock KT8900D" to see if it's possible to unlock it to allow transmitting on other bands.

The KT8900D is a ham radio so by definition (and per the user-manual) it cannot transmit on GMRS (462/467Mhz)

This Zello channel is linked to two Southern California repeaters : https://zello.com/NAR700 Be sure your GMRS callsign is listed in your Zello profile to be 'trusted' more quickly.

"Some people" will answer with calculations and laws of physics and big words in an attempt impress us - ignore them. Any cookie sheet big enough to have at least a few inches all around the base is fine.

I use one at my house with my KG-935G and various other HTs. Its a fine little antenna and it has many farz.. Just remember that it needs a ground-plane so slap it on a cookie-pan or something. Whatever antenna you use, if you're using more than just a couple of feet of antenna-cable, be sure to get GOOD quality/LOW loss cable..

....

GMRS is 462Mhz/467Mhz - so unless that antenna is 430Mhz and UP TO 467Mhz, then its not ideal for GMRS..

That 42.5 inch Abbree is not a GMRS antenna and would likely perform worse than your stock antenna. If you really need more farz, and assuming you are in/have a vehicle, look at a mobile 20 or 50W unit and put an external mobile antenna on it..

IIRC - and I could be wrong because I donated mine a while back and I'm going by memory.. The noise cancelling is very similar to (if not the exact same) as the "compander" function on other radios. In order for it to do any good, it has to be enabled on both radios - and then it reduces a little background static.. BUT, if you have it enabled, you may sound 'weird' to people that dont have that feature on their radio, and they will all sound weird to you. Of course the user-manual is completely useless..

I highly doubt the code (which is NOT private, BTW) has anything to do with it.. My first guess is that something in the Jeep is causing the noise - the only way to know for sure is to take the radio out of the jeep and try it in another vehicle or in the house (if you have a power supply) - if the same thing happens, then send it back. When you have your handheld radios in the jeep, do they get any of the static bursts?

Does this happen when the engine is running and when it's not running? and does it happen across ALL channels?

Yah, move one down the street and try it and make sure you have NO codes set on either radio (to remove complexity).

How close are the radios to each other when you're transmitting?

That depends on how you define "better".. The 905G is a superheterodyne radio and the UV-9G is an SOC, so the 905G is better. The UV-9G costs around $45 and the 905G is over $100, so the UV-9G is better The 905G has a larger battery that will last longer than the UV-9G, so the 905G is better. The UV-9G has a smaller battery and is lighter than the 905G so the UV-9G is better. The UV-9G is waterproof, the 905G isnt, so the UV-9G is better.

That BF-F8HP is a ham radio and as you mentioned using it on GMRS would make the FCC very sad. A 'real' GMRS radio is not only FCC "approved" but is also MUCH more simple/easy to use. Which GMRS radio is best for you depends on your specific wants, needs, and desires. But a few to consider would be a Wouxun KG-805G (very simple/easy to use), or something like a KG-935G, or KG-S88G which is also waterproof. If you want something less expensive, I like the Baofeng UV-9G which is not very expensive and is also waterproof.. If you search the Youtubes you will find many reviews and much infos for all of those radios, and many others. And oh, that Nagoya NA-771 is not made for GMRS and will not perform very well.. If you get a GMRS radio, the stock antennas work great and putting the NA-771 would likely reduce your range. You want the NA-771G which is made for/tuned for GMRS.

You wont find a "GMRS" radio that outputs more than 5.5 watts, and you will never see any difference between 5W and 5.5W as far as range. Instead of power you should focus on a better antenna, perhaps an external antenna.. Of course if you i want REAL power, look at the KG-1000G which is 50Watts..

Welcome to the exciting world of GMRS! and yes, ham and GMRS Repeaters are different and require the different licenses. A GMRS repeater will ALWAYS have a TX/Input frequency in the 467Mhz range and a RX in the 462Mhz range, and a ham repeater will NEVER have those ranges.

I also have a Jeep (two, actually) and own/have used the Wouxun KG-1000G, the MXT500 and the MXT575 (each a 50W GMRS mobile radio) The KG-1000G has no water resistance rating but it does have that awesome remote-mount faceplate.. The MXT500 has no remote-mount faceplate but it has an IP66 rating, which makes it very water resistant.. The MXT575 has all the controls located in the handset (almost like a remote-mount faceplate) AND also as an IP66 rating making it very very water resistant.. Both of the Midlands are VERY simple and limited - great for basic Jeep/Trail comms, not great if you're a radio dork looking to use dozens of repeaters - but I would look into the MXT575 - Both the 575 and 500 are expensive but I heard a rumor that a certain big GMRS YouTube Hobo will be giving ANOTHER MXT575 away for free very soon...so.. are you feeling lucky? I agree with what the Spaz says about power.. you will likely see little/no difference in 15/20W vs 50W ... BUT... 50 is better than 15/20 because.. power...