DeoVindice

A couple weeks ago, but yes. I purchased it from Cahaba Valley FD.

I recently picked up an NX-200K for 2m. It's a nice radio; I prefer police/military radios like the EFJ5100 and Motorola's XTS series but am happy with that little Kenwood. Being limited to a 16-channel scan list (the NX-200/300 can scan the whole radio if you'd like...) isn't the end of the world. Around me I have two (soon to be three) GMRS repeaters, two 70cm repeaters, and a couple simplex frequencies that I scan. On VHF, there's three 2m repeaters, 146.52, the county's common LE dispatch, fire dispatch, and ambulance dispatch. 16 is more than enough.

Thanks, 960!

No, I just use the OEM whip antenna. I might swap it out for a stubby to keep it from getting snagged as much, this is a short-range Capacity Plus system and squeezing out every last drop of portable performance just isn't necessary.

I'll vouch for the durability of the XPR7550e. I carry one as my work radio and it's gone through some pretty awful abuse with nary an issue. I really couldn't ask for better durability, the thing has been doused with abrasive slurry, blasted with high-pressure hoses, banged around on vehicles and equipment, and subjected to high in-vehicle temperatures for days on end. As much as I criticize MSI, they still have engineers who can design a great hardware package (other than overly-sensitive PTTs and channel knobs). Audio quality is another matter entirely. It completely falls apart to the point of unintelligibility in high-noise environments even with noise suppression enabled. Generally, P25 radios are built with fire service in mind and have better noise cancellation than other offerings, which is a point in favor of P25 in my opinion. A 5100ES blows a 7550e away when used next to a filter press or non-muffled air-cooled diesel engine at full throttle.

Mixed-mode operation is a neat feature. I'm going to be pitching replacing an analog Part 90 repeater near me with a Quantar programmed for mixed-mode. Should improve its usefulness.

Welcome to the forum! I think you'll find GMRS to be both useful and enjoyable.

Oh, I've got some interesting ones here: - Arizona DPS TK-390s - TK-190s found while salvaging a sand mine and given to me - EFJ 5300ESs from an Army TRS with intact trunking programming (somebody messed up...) - EFJ 5100ESs also from an Army TRS, acquired third-hand from a guy who bought them as surplus - UHF HT600 discarded by a contractor - Low band MT500s from Big Stone NWR in Minnesota (given to me by a friend in Arizona - no clue how they found their way down here...) Plus a variety of other radios retired from EMS, fire, business, and local LE service.

Not entirely accurate, a radio can listen to repeater outputs (usually in conventional scan) without affiliating to the system assuming the traffic is in the clear. I do that to listen to a 700 MHz high site near me. To answer the original question, P25 for me for the same reason as KB2ZTX. The other and primary reason is that I hold a Part 90 license for my side business and P25 is the most cost-effective route to AES encryption in a non-Chinese radio. MSI's refusal to sell AES TRBO equipment in NA cost them a customer.

The repeater is not your property, therefore you do not have the right to utilize it without permission from its owner. Simple as that.

The 5 MHz spacing is an offset for duplex repeaters.

My first is a Kenwood TK-390. My current primary portable is an EF Johnson 5100ES.

They're not common, but you can find them. EF Johnson and Harris are the main ones. My 5300ES mobiles have "Made in Texas, USA" printed on the bottom.

If I remember correctly, there was a shakeup with the exact section of Part 95 with the rules change in 2017.

You can define a list of up to 16 PL tones when programming the radio, which can then be selected from the front panel.

Hard to go wrong with a Kenwood TK-390, TK-380, or TK-3180. All are 4W and Part 95 type-accepted.

They're far, far better radios than anything Midland or BTECH sell, sold, or will sell for the foreseeable future. WRAK968 is about right as far as pricing...880s are a commodity, nothing more.

You know what they say about opinions... ...we all know that Kenwood is the only way (unless you've mastered /\/\ software)

I've reflashed V2.0 firmware on Windows without an issue. KPG-49D may still work on that radio.

The TK-880 makes a great mobile rig as well. I run TK-390s and TK-380s for handhelds, and a TK-880 each for mobile and base. I also have a few TK-360Gs that will be for non-radio-savvy family members - just a channel dial and volume switch to understand.

I don't think you offended anyone. Welcome to the forum! Are you planning to start with a handheld, mobile, or base station radio?

WREM441, if you open Device Manager on your PC, the USB cable will show up, and indicate what COM port it is using. You can switch the cable's COM port in the cable's settings quite easily. You may need to manually install the cable's drivers if it's not showing up properly in Device Manager.

The Kenwood multipin connector might be a bit weird, but it's extraordinarily secure with external mics. I far prefer it to the two-point connector. I like the TK-380 as well, it can do a bit more than the TK-390 but I anecdotally don't think it is as durable. I have no experience with the TK-3170.

Okay, no worries. I know that store-and-forward is prohibited on MURS, but haven't found anything for GMRS.

Based on what, exactly?