OffRoaderX

Just remember, smoke signals are line-of sight!

Just remember, smoke signals are line-of sight!

Minor correction: There is still much in California that is not trunked and not encrypted.  Non believers can watch this video to see what I get on my UV-5R (and other analog radios):   -->  https://youtu.be/z9FM0nQW4lw
 

Just remember, smoke signals are line-of sight!

I'm using the Midland MXTA26 on my JKU and a Tram UHF (dont remember the model) trimmed/tuned for GMRS on the wife's LJ...  My 20+ and 98 miles is in good conditions with good/decent line-of-site, which we have in many areas in southern california.. Put a forest, hills, or houses full of fat-people between me and the other radio, and the fars will drop significantly.
Many/most radios are designed to operate at full power at 13.8V because thats what your car should be pumping out with the engine running - the MXT575 is one of those radios that craves 13.8V.  Also bear in mind that some radios will just transmit on the low side (luck of the draw) and it is also possible that your (inexpensive?) meter is not 100% accurate.

I'm using the Midland MXTA26 on my JKU and a Tram UHF (dont remember the model) trimmed/tuned for GMRS on the wife's LJ...  My 20+ and 98 miles is in good conditions with good/decent line-of-site, which we have in many areas in southern california.. Put a forest, hills, or houses full of fat-people between me and the other radio, and the fars will drop significantly.
Many/most radios are designed to operate at full power at 13.8V because thats what your car should be pumping out with the engine running - the MXT575 is one of those radios that craves 13.8V.  Also bear in mind that some radios will just transmit on the low side (luck of the draw) and it is also possible that your (inexpensive?) meter is not 100% accurate.

I didnt bother reading this whole thread, but allow me to share my (very recent) experience..
I recently built a repeater using two KG1000G's, a cheap mobile duplexer, a Tram 1486 on the roof and LMR400 coax - all the experts assured that my 'toy' would not work at all. Despite what all the experts predicted, not only did it work, it worked better than I expected, with a range of about 40 miles in each direction.
I have now got my hands on a (very) used Vertex VXR-7000 repeater - after paying for programming and re-tuning the internal duplexer, cost was about $650 - it DOES work better - less de-sense so it is noticeably more sensitive/able to receive signals that the KG1000g setup could not, and i'm getting a bit better range.. But the other big difference is that it is 'full duty cycle' so it can be used 24/7 - Wouxun says that the KG-1000Gs can also be used 24/7, but i'm not sure I believe that claim..
Was I happy with the KG1000G setup? YES!  Am I more happy with the "real" repeater?  Yes.
Do the math and do what works for you..Ignore the 'experts' as many dont seem to understand the difference between the term "will not work at all" and 'will not work perfectly/be the best" ...

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.

Minor correction: There is still much in California that is not trunked and not encrypted.  Non believers can watch this video to see what I get on my UV-5R (and other analog radios):   -->  https://youtu.be/z9FM0nQW4lw
 

I often wonder if individuals such as you are being misled about GMRS. You are not the first person to post on this forum about buying GMRS radios and being disappointed in not hearing local activity. I always wonder what people expect to hear on GMRS? What made you want to spend $300 on those two KG935g radios ? Did someone tell you there is a party going on the GMRS band, and everyone is invited…all for the cover fee of $35 ?
If you could hear the activity on my low profile GMRS repeater between me and my wife, you would hear such exciting and interesting comments like “do you need anything from the liquor store while I am out?” or “I’m stopping for gas on the way home”. Not really worth dropping big bucks on radios to listen to that. 
If you were near an active, high profile GMRS repeater, you might hear people talking about their day, or some issue they are having with a bunion. Maybe they will talk about going fishing, and if they caught anything when they went fishing. These conversations might make you think that GMRS is short for “glamorous”, because the conversations are so interesting and compelling ?
You mentioned you don’t participate in social media and don’t have television. Congratulations on that. I don’t have those things either, and honestly, no one needs them…they just haven’t realized it yet. But if you want to have a form of communications that might provide some timely information regarding events that may impact you, I would suggest you look at ham radio for that purpose. And if you want to sit around and talk about your bunions or your latest fishing expedition, you can do that on ham radio too.
I hope you find a use for your radios. I also hope others who are thinking about getting GMRS radios take a moment to figure out if they want GMRS, or maybe they are really looking for the activity and experience ham radio offers.
 
 
 

Turn off the VPN and give it a try.

Another "Expert"....and you guys think I make this stuff up.. I didnt even mention that he only has a ham callsign..

Just remember, that as predicted in the proclamation video, "some people" will always and forever spew reasons why Ch19 (any channel, actually) is not "the right choice", and will argue about it as they have for years, accomplishing nothing.. Those people are not invited to join with the rest of us normal people on Ch19..  They can go talk to themselves on some other channel..
 
My name is Queen Randy and I approve this message.

You (and everyone) is welcome to join our National Net via Zello, every Thursday night at 7PM (Pacific).. No Facebook, no dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings.  See how here:  https://www.notarubicon.com/zello-gmrs-repeater/

That cant work, for the reasons you stated, and to back that up, I tried it.
You either need two antennas or the amp has to be before the duplexer, which in this particular case would kill the duplexer.

That cant work, for the reasons you stated, and to back that up, I tried it.
You either need two antennas or the amp has to be before the duplexer, which in this particular case would kill the duplexer.

The answer to your question is "NO" ..
Weird that after so many words, the question still had not been answered. 
 

I had a KG-1000G in my Jeep and in my wife's jeep pretty much since the KG-1000G was released, until just recently.  We go off-roading every weekend, often/usually in the southern california desert where 103°F was normal.  
I made sure that both were mounted with good airflow on all sides, and where they would never be in direct sunlight - never once did we have any heating/over heating issues.. I was actually more worried about dust getting into the innards, but that was never an issue either.
Worry less and enjoy the radio!

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

You (and everyone) is welcome to join our National Net via Zello, every Thursday night at 7PM (Pacific).. No Facebook, no dues, no fees, no mandatory meetings.  See how here:  https://www.notarubicon.com/zello-gmrs-repeater/

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

The answer to your question is "NO" ..
Weird that after so many words, the question still had not been answered. 
 

The answer to your question is "NO" ..
Weird that after so many words, the question still had not been answered. 
 

The answer to your question is "NO" ..
Weird that after so many words, the question still had not been answered. 
 

In a sense it happened when you had to provide your call sign to join this site and it was verified against the FCC database before you were given full access. That’s one reason why the database exists and it’s also why we don’t need to carry our licenses with us.