gman1971

It seems this question pops up on other websites about ever 6-10 weeks or so. This is what I have found, but have not tried it at all:
EDIT: I'll pm you the instructions I found
Historically, if you can find the files referenced above, you still have issues with current operating systems. Everyone who has tired it on their own lately has ended up utilizing option 4 and calling it a learning experience. I recommend you Give a few radio shops a call.

To be honest a XTS3K is not worth the effort. In the past there was a tool for the XTS1500 and above but never worked on the 3K. Send them back to the seller or toss in box for parts.

Fair points.
There are several people I know around here (where I live) that work in construction related jobs, some are crane operators, some do siding work, glass, etc, but they all use inexpensive Midland FRS/GMRS bubblepack radios from Walmart. We usually get together on a weekly basis, and they've shown unusual interest in the Motorola stuff I carry, but then I am the first person to tell them its just not worth the hassle, nor the cost. I keep telling them that if the Midland gives up the "smokey ghost", just go get another one, and there will be a lot of "giving up the ghost" before you can break even with one XPR7550e (especially now given the pricing of things) 
But then again, these guys don't need 50+ miles range, they aren't building digital interconnect systems, have no interest in a GMRS license, nor a HAM, and let alone acquire a membership in this forum, nor any of the other radio sites either; which clearly shows that they are not interested in the radio hobby at all, not even a hint. They use cellphones and don't think for a moment about using a radio to communicate with their family, friends, or their cat.
Now, it is probably safe to assume that the people who come to this forum, and become members after getting the GMRS license, are present or future/potential radioaficionados (people who like radios and/or have shown interest in them), well, provided they can endure the rigors of figuring things out in the beginning, and dealing with not so great ranges like the "movies" promise you'll have, etc... and for that I feel its just best to not sugarcoat the reality of things: If you want performance, you'll have to pay to play at some point: be it with higher grade equipment, or paying up for a rental space on a tower, a better antenna,  filters, etc.
Sometimes it just feels (to me) that the more experienced members only push for the cheap stuff, all the time, (which might be okay for some, fair point) but perhaps should also convey the other points you've mentioned as well: the points about the higher tier brand radios; maybe even hinting the new GMRS operators that if they really want to go all in, they'll probably have to go the extra mile, or invest in higher tier equipment, learn a few things, etc. That is all.
G.

As for emergency use: any band/frequency of choice is good so long you know what you are doing. You don't use 900Mhz to talk across the globe, and you don't use 20 meters to talk to a portable 1 1/2 miles down the road.
A radio is only as capable/useful as the person who is listening on the other side. If there is nobody listening, then a radio its as useless as bringing an "accordion to war"...
G.

I'll chime in and say I agree with Spaz, I truly believe amateur radio is better overall in an emergency. That being said, it does completely depend on what level of emergency you are talking about. There are a few notes that are pretty darn important:
1) Create a plan, or multiple plans for different scenarios. On-the-fly planning well not be sufficient when something goes sideways.
2) Vet your equipment. Just like any other equipment, you have to know how to use it, and use it effectively. Practice makes perfect.
3) Be active in your choice of communications. That could mean the neighborhood watch on FRS/GMRS, ARES, or just even the local ham group. You can bet that there is a 3000% better chance of your distress call being answered if they recognize your name/call than some random person coming out of the woodwork. You will also then know what is monitored by others frequently and where the activity is.
4) It is ok to separate your family communications plan from your external aid communications plan. 
5) Your equipment does you no good sitting on a shelf at home. You will likely be at work, or out somewhere away from home when it all falls apart. Then you will have to make due with what you have on you, in your car, or in a pack. Are you prepared for that?
6) Redundancy isn't necessary, but isn't a bad idea.

You can't really get any more simple than a 4 or 16 channel part 90 radio. Something like a Motorola CP200 or Vertex VX-231/261.

"Mom, turn the radio on, select channel X, press PTT, Talk, Release"

Yup. Talking face to face you get to read the other person's body language and not form your opinion on what just come out of the mouth or the fingers on the keyboard. Some people say things in jest, but you can't tell unless you read their body language. There is a lot of nonverbal communications that's lost when using messaging apps etc. Maybe that's why this county is going to crap. People don't talk to each other in person so much any more.

I agree with nearly all of this and I especially appreciate the tone much more than the one you typically take against CCRs and “shitty Wouxuns”, which comes across as more of a condemnation of the people who buy them.  We should be able to discuss the things that make radios great without needing to constantly denigrate less expensive radios and all who own them.
I’d like try a high end Motorola someday to see what it’s like.  Instead I have a really nice Garmin that works best for my purposes with it’s built in mapping of other Garmin users and I have Yaesu and Alinco analog/digital handhelds for 2m/70cm.  
I did buy a couple Baofengs to see what all the hoopla was about and learn Chirp, and they work, but I rely more on the other radios.  The Baofengs are good to give the grandkids.  I also have some older Midland GMRS/FRS handhelds and a pair of Motorola Talkabouts that were their highest power bubble pack radios at the time.  But I don’t have a Wouxun, yet.
Thanks for the pleasant post. 

Yep, UV5R is just the bottom of the barrel, I think the BF-888s is a better radio b/c its cheaper. Those UV5R radios drop a whopping -27 dBm in RX desense when exposed to strong RF interference... 
I owned a Wouxun KG-UV6D back in the day, which also was one of my first radios, BTW, along with a bunch of GT-3, a Puxing with crossband, an UV-82. Around the same time I also purchased my first Kenwood TM-V71a as base. Range wasn't that great from base to portables, well, until I got my first TH-F6a, and somehow range improved quite a bit, I was able to reach a lot further in congested Detroit outer suburbs vs. any of the other radios I had at the time (10 miles, although spotty coverage, vs less than 2), that was including the Wouxun, and the Puxing, which both were some of the better CCRs at the time, in fact, I think the Wouxun still is but anyhow, the GT-3 (an UV5R clone) range was literally measured in tenths of a mile.
At the time I had no idea about what dynamic sensitivity was, nor what receiver desense meant, selectivity, etc, all I remember reading in the forums was a call for more sensitivity, buy the latest and greatest CCRs, I remember the disparage and hatred towards Motorola, to avoid them b/c they'll send black SUVs to my door if I tried to use their equipment without license, and to top it off was that I'll get a mega fine if the FCC found out I didn't have a license.... and so I did: I followed the "experts" advice to the letter: Radios had to have the highest sensitivity in the brochure, I avoided Motorola like the plague, got my GMRS license to avoid those hefty fines and doubled down in CCRs... 
Unfortunately following the "experts" advice didn't get me very far. B/c most "experts" weren't concerned about explaining what a radio system required to have long reach, or to be reliable, nobody ever explained to me you how you can compare receiver performance, taking opinions out of the equation... As a noob I kept hearing the same talking points: the feedline is very important, antenna is the most important component on the system... but nobody gives you a clue as to how the heck do you evaluate antennas, how you measure the quality of a feedline?... or what the heck is desense, or this or that? So you are left with trusting the most vocal and the best bro-science members in the forum. 
Anyhow... need to work on my existence outside of this forum now...
G.

Fair points.
There are several people I know around here (where I live) that work in construction related jobs, some are crane operators, some do siding work, glass, etc, but they all use inexpensive Midland FRS/GMRS bubblepack radios from Walmart. We usually get together on a weekly basis, and they've shown unusual interest in the Motorola stuff I carry, but then I am the first person to tell them its just not worth the hassle, nor the cost. I keep telling them that if the Midland gives up the "smokey ghost", just go get another one, and there will be a lot of "giving up the ghost" before you can break even with one XPR7550e (especially now given the pricing of things) 
But then again, these guys don't need 50+ miles range, they aren't building digital interconnect systems, have no interest in a GMRS license, nor a HAM, and let alone acquire a membership in this forum, nor any of the other radio sites either; which clearly shows that they are not interested in the radio hobby at all, not even a hint. They use cellphones and don't think for a moment about using a radio to communicate with their family, friends, or their cat.
Now, it is probably safe to assume that the people who come to this forum, and become members after getting the GMRS license, are present or future/potential radioaficionados (people who like radios and/or have shown interest in them), well, provided they can endure the rigors of figuring things out in the beginning, and dealing with not so great ranges like the "movies" promise you'll have, etc... and for that I feel its just best to not sugarcoat the reality of things: If you want performance, you'll have to pay to play at some point: be it with higher grade equipment, or paying up for a rental space on a tower, a better antenna,  filters, etc.
Sometimes it just feels (to me) that the more experienced members only push for the cheap stuff, all the time, (which might be okay for some, fair point) but perhaps should also convey the other points you've mentioned as well: the points about the higher tier brand radios; maybe even hinting the new GMRS operators that if they really want to go all in, they'll probably have to go the extra mile, or invest in higher tier equipment, learn a few things, etc. That is all.
G.

I agree they may be a bit more, but $150+/-  for a 15 watt mobile in either HHCH or not is expensive when folks are looking. Its simple. I had bought a DB-20 for my father and he hated it. He came from CB and just wanted a channel number and easy to change PL. The 115 was the perfect fit for him, then when my mother grabbed a new Jeep she wanted something with just the head. The 275 fit that bill. I run the 115 on all my tractors and utility vehicles. Its simple rugged to some extent and cheap. And anyone can pick up the mic and talk. That's the benefit Midland has. I agree features are lacking but as said a real radio person will grab another devise. Myself its an APX. But as far as simple the Midland is what works. This weekend my Brother in law was here with his side by side. I grabebd a couple midlands from my box of junk and handed him one to use while we rode around. Simple and effective. When we got back he got on Midlands site and ordered the 115 bundle with mount and antenna for his sxs.
I guess I am a bit biased to Midland for GMRS being my first GMRS rig was a midland (xstal radio I may add) that I had to wait 3 months for from the radio shop after giving a copy of our license to the vendor before he would order it..... Times have changed....but Midland is still the leader in the market and will continue to be for the simple folks who just want to order a radio and use it. 
 
Anyway we are way off the XTS5000 topic so I'll stop here. The XTS is a rock solid performer for UHF. If you can find a Vehicle Adapter and use the antenna, speaker and mic you will have a slick little setup. Ran one like that for years on public safety, ham and GMRS. Never installed an amp on mine because I would swap out handhelds depending on the days function but know many that run VHF or UHF amps with the VA that love them. 
The little brother per say is the XTS2500 and that is also a great little UHF radio. Bit smaller form factor and no XTVA for it but solid and in use for PS all over the country. 
 

Fair points.
There are several people I know around here (where I live) that work in construction related jobs, some are crane operators, some do siding work, glass, etc, but they all use inexpensive Midland FRS/GMRS bubblepack radios from Walmart. We usually get together on a weekly basis, and they've shown unusual interest in the Motorola stuff I carry, but then I am the first person to tell them its just not worth the hassle, nor the cost. I keep telling them that if the Midland gives up the "smokey ghost", just go get another one, and there will be a lot of "giving up the ghost" before you can break even with one XPR7550e (especially now given the pricing of things) 
But then again, these guys don't need 50+ miles range, they aren't building digital interconnect systems, have no interest in a GMRS license, nor a HAM, and let alone acquire a membership in this forum, nor any of the other radio sites either; which clearly shows that they are not interested in the radio hobby at all, not even a hint. They use cellphones and don't think for a moment about using a radio to communicate with their family, friends, or their cat.
Now, it is probably safe to assume that the people who come to this forum, and become members after getting the GMRS license, are present or future/potential radioaficionados (people who like radios and/or have shown interest in them), well, provided they can endure the rigors of figuring things out in the beginning, and dealing with not so great ranges like the "movies" promise you'll have, etc... and for that I feel its just best to not sugarcoat the reality of things: If you want performance, you'll have to pay to play at some point: be it with higher grade equipment, or paying up for a rental space on a tower, a better antenna,  filters, etc.
Sometimes it just feels (to me) that the more experienced members only push for the cheap stuff, all the time, (which might be okay for some, fair point) but perhaps should also convey the other points you've mentioned as well: the points about the higher tier brand radios; maybe even hinting the new GMRS operators that if they really want to go all in, they'll probably have to go the extra mile, or invest in higher tier equipment, learn a few things, etc. That is all.
G.

Holy cow, "some people" are now here, the perfect thread.
-If you buy a CCR, Santa will leave you some coal for X-mas... 

@marcspaz100% agree with your statement... once you leave the internet and talk to people, directly, most people are actually real nice... I know, shocker...
G.

I run the 272 in both my JK and JT. I like the size and simplicity. Just pick a channel and go. Great for wife also. 
 
If I need other than GMRS I can use my APX.
 

ALLTHIS HAS BEENVERIFIED BY THE MENISTRY OF TRUTH!

but... but... but... it's the internet.  I'm pretty sure its mandatory.  LOL

Contrary to common beliefs, once you step away from the keyboard and ignore the internet, you will find a vast number of Hams are GMRS operators and vice versa. In the hobby portions and in the community service areas, GMRS and Ham not only coexist, but work together with great success. At least when I have been for the last 20+ years.
 
Now, there may be some individuals who don't play nice and use GMRS v Ham as an excuse to show their behinds... but that is a "them problem".

Yeah, DMR does sounds good, but a bit funky. My issue is with those who know better but run digital voice anyway simply because they can and screw the rules. They set a bad example for everyone. Most people honestly want to follow the rules. The few who have the “don’t give a sh*t” mindset, believing the FCC will never enforce the rules, harbor a very narcissistic view where their wants are more important and don’t care who else has to put up with the mess their actions cause. That’s what ruined 11M through the 70’s and 80’s, linear amplifiers, free-banding etc. as an example. Now some of those idiots have discovered GMRS.

Yes, just bought a lot of these for some sites in Middle America, great radios and also use the chargers/accessories for the XPR6550 UHF radios they already had. They were going to spend about $1000-1200 for XPR7580e handhelds, new, and waiting at least six months to receive due to the current supply chain issues. The XPR6580's were ready to ship as refurbished units (re-cased with 80% or more on the batteries guaranteed). 

The biggest issue with your plan (as I see it) would be actually acquiring the equipment in today's supply shortage world. DLR (and DTR) 900 MHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum radios are great for indoor coverage. If you're looking for some Rental Agreement boilerplate, dial up one of the major players and tell them you're interested in renting 10 or 20 radios. See what they send you (nobody says you've got to sign it & agree to the rental!)
As someone who has a fleet of UHF and VHF rentals, I can tell you that the biggest issues are #1 - dealing with someone who has actual spending authority. #2 - getting ALL the radios back after completion of the rentals. #3 - Defining the cost of replacement up front, so that there's a responsible User in charge who will represent your interests in having the radios returned in good shape.
You should also consider Gang Chargers as a necessary part of the equipment list. You'll  never untangle all the charger cords on single unit desktop chargers if you include them with a stack of rentals.

Proves your point? Sorry, but I disagree; range problems are NOT solved with "more power", which is what marc tried to explain.
Why not? well, b/c 1 W @ VHF will already reach like 3000 miles in free space, given a -124 dBm receiver sensitivity... but most obstructions will dampen the signal well beyond what you can achieve with a troglodyte approach of "more power". You need height and radiation pattern to reduce that attenuation factor, along with a Fresnel zone initial clearing so the signal behaves closer to free-space... etc... all that well before you even consider adding a single watt of power.  (well, unless you need more than 3000 miles range and you are only using 1W) Otherwise, there is no amount of power that will allow a radio signal go through a mountain (or the curvature of the Earth)... but instead, if you place a small 1W repeater atop that mountain, boom, your range is now 100+ miles... on just 1W. Also, there are times where a radio will just not work, no matter what, and just because you have a hammer, not all problems are a nail.
I've learned this the hard and very expensive way: managing to extract 20+ miles out of a site that originally was lucky to reach <1 mile... with power output kept constant at 50W. So, how did I do it? Elementary, by increasing the antenna elevation from 30 feet to 45 feet, then ditched all the hammy grade garbage, including but not limited to garbage CCR radios, garbage cables, garbage connectors, and garbage antennas, and installed a 2-bay dipole, heliax, trimetal/silver/gold/ N/TNC connectors with double shielded coax patches, plus added a crap-ton of filtering, plus isolator and a preamp. None of those things even remotely resemble adding more power to the system, yet range improved by 20-fold.
If you think you need more power then chances are you are doing something wrong, and that is not the advice I want to spread around, misleading others.
Also, you still haven't defined "fringe"... is a "fringe" because you use piece of garbage bag radios? or because the signal is truly under the site noise floor threshold? Do you know? Because this is kinda important to know. Have you done a site noise evaluation? have you iso-teed the receiver? Have you measured the RSSI at the different places where there is a so-called "fringe"? 
I solved all my "fringe" problems by fixing the real underlying problems, none required adding "muh powah"...
G.

Most of those Smart radios are pieces of crap, buggy as heck and with piss poor receivers. That is without even mention what kind of backdoors those "smart" radios have... so... thanks, but no thanks.
G.

MotoTRBO fw 2.10+ definitively has the option to lock the channel knob from the CPS. CPS 2.0, however.
If you don't have/want 2.10 and the CPS 2 abomination, then there is a knob guard that you can 3d print, or buy from eBay... well, if it bothers you that much, that is. Accidental channel changing hasn't been a problem for me after I got a good belt holster.
CPS16 has a way to set the min volume on the volume knob, and a way to disable the On/Off switch as well... but I've been EDC my XPR7550e for ~2 years on my tactical belt, every day, and never had my radio shutdown on me. Ever.
If I was to pick an issue with the XPR7550e ergonomics it would be the large PTT button, which sometimes I tend to accidentally press when picking the radio up, especially if its dark.
G.

Understood, but those issues could happen in any radio as well, inadvertently change the volume/channels that is... (2.10 and newer firmware has channel knob lock BTW) as for the shutdowns, I've never had any radio in my entire fleet shutdown on its own unless it was due to running out of battery. Also, there is an option to disable power-off, so the only way to shutdown the radio is by removing the battery. 
Again, I think both radios are good choices, but for me the weight/size was a deal breaker.
G.

If you must have P25 then the XTS5000 is probably the best price/performance radio you can get, but be are aware that they are EOL as stated by others, and they are heavy and really BIG. I am sure being EOL the CPS might be possible to get for super cheap.
However, if you don't really need to have P25, and DMR would suffice, I would've recommend the XPR7550e over the XTS5000 if prices weren't so outrageously inflated... but given how things are, I think the XTS5000 is probably gonna be fine.
G.