Extreme

I'm incorporating your comments here into my spreadsheet for channel and radio programming an 880-1 from used-radios.com. I'm assuming they'll know what I'm talking about. I plan to get cable and software but if I can have all this done off the shelf, that's just fewer 'details' I'll need to worry about - much appreciated. So thanks!

Keith, ..and the GMRS works well with this setup? Thank you.

Oh sure, now you'll get me going looking at antennas. Let me know how that goes. I don't know how far away the guy was I was talking with on simplex.

Yeah, had it on non-repeater channels. Guy I talked with from the store parking lot told me I was hitting him on simplex, not repeaters. Nothing I saw in the book to clarify 23 - 30. Once I moved over to there, after finding the +- on the screen for those channels it was rock 'n roll. Hit both local repeaters from about 6 miles and talked with the owner of one. As usual, something simple..d'oh.

I'm in...

And that tone should answer when I key up the repeater? I hear Morse code on both local repeaters every hour or so. Asked the owner but all the told me is standard offset and TX tone settings on the HT. Add: Owner tells me he has not CW on his equipment yet but I might here squelch tail (I did but only once). Just dead air out here I guess.

I might have it.. Ch. 15 - 22 are repeater channels so find those, display the frequency (462.xxx) then program the CTTSS frequency for each repeater freq. I want to use (TX or RX or both?). If I use 141.3 for both TX/RX and the repeater only asks for Tone In is it incorrect to have both inserted? Any affect? The radio already has the correct +5Mhz built in? I thought I had my local repeater programmed in but nothing happened to tell me it was active or hearing me. I might have heard a delayed 'kerchunk'. Is the CW an audible tone to signal contact? Maybe the admins will run us off to PM. Or, maybe this will help the next noobie. But yes, I've gone through the manual again and will start fresh tomorrow. Thanks a bunch!

Even when running 462.xxx TX and 467.xxx receive for repeaters? I'll have to play but the instructions seem lacking.. or I need to read more thoroughly.

Really no idea yet. Too busy on the laptop. Wanted to get the local repeater setup to try. I would say the buttons will be cumbersome with gloves (NOT) But I have nothing to compare to either.

Windows 7. 64 bit.

Aaarrghh! LOL! I just ordered from Ebay and will return the Wouxun unit with software, CD and all - AFTER I receive the new one and it works, of course. Have to wait 'til Tuesday now..

This cable from BTWR: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-pco-001.html And this case: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/xlt-cs200g.html Didn't see the leather one until I'd ordered this one. And just to be sure, that linked ebay cable was for your 805, right? You're kidding? No software to install, no disc, no driver install.. just plug 'n play. Ah, man! Thanks.

Yup, the radio fits the case with big battery. Also fit the charger.. wahoo! Both batteries had full charge on arrival. Bad new is (yes, I searched before making this post ): I've been unable to get a good Connection from laptop - transceiver. Have installed/uninstalled Drivers and Programming software a couple times.. always same result. And first thing I did is print the instructions from the CD, followed to the letter. Windows 7 - 64 bit. Yup installing the correct Driver and SW. Com Port changes with every install. Started showing COM4 and COM6 available and in the Devices it shows as on COM6 so that's what I select in the Program. Last attempt was COM7. When I select Read Radio it only moves the progress bar a couple lines, although a couple times it made it 1/4 of the way across the screen, I was all excited, (so it is trying and is seeing the driver in Devices) but always comes up with Failed Connection. Guess I'll be on the phone with the vendor in the morning and hope they can point out something simple/stupid I'm doing or not. Ah, like, there are 3 USB ports on my laptop, same result from all. Could it be as simple as the wrong USB? Black on black print, can't read the dang thing. Maybe one of you brainiacs can point to something obvious to all except me. Definitely don't spend any time on me; like I said, I'll call BTWR in the morning.. nice that they're EST and I'm PST - I can get after it early. From what I can see there is not a way to input Duplex frequencies from the display. Written instructions could be better, not much detail.. But that's a secondary issue; if I get the software working I'll do that all from there. The 805 did talk to my old Midland X-511 in the house so there's hope. Thanks for listening to the rant.

Actually, it's "Key Top" for the buttons. And you're correct 880 is Black w/white letters. 863 is white buttons w/black letters. I would never have noticed. Good price IMO as well. Ordered key top and extra mounting bracket (2-vehicle install). https://www.pacparts.com/part.cfm?sku=881N96%2D6817%2D79 Don't find TK-863 in Search but 880 shows up and lists all models the parts fit. There is a lot of overlap, a good thing.

Thanks for going the extra mile! I like the faceplate replacement option (pet peeve: black on black for electronics). Looks like "Control Panel" in service manual but not finding replacement p/n there or online. No biggie.

Ah yes. Should have read closer. And I was thinking the snip might be the deal as well. PL change is all I should need once it's programmed. Thinking of changing PL codes to match non 141.3 repeaters when travelling (I'm finding several). Or, I suppose I could just add channels with corresponding PL codes when I program via software and name them for the repeater. I'd actually already found the position of the resistor in the Service Manual. I'll pop the top and find it then. Also, just found this thread on the topic https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1369-programming-your-own-radios-and-front-panel-programming/ Regular brew-ha-ha. Just kidding. Thanks all!

Just a matter of de-solder and remove R614? used-radios won't do it in-house. Is access easy enuf? ..and is FPP a lot simpler than software programming? Thanks.

Link brings me to the top of this thread. I did however go out and Google for more information. I'll learn a lot by the time I get to the answer. https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/antennas-propagation/grounding-earthing/antenna-ground-plane-theory-design.php

delete

A total of 14,203 airwave and other types of licenses have been granted in Nevada by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Point taken but after many keystrokes I found nothing like that. Thanks.

Guess I'll find out about the fit. Might should have gotten the AA Battery case instead. Either way, minor details.

Going to install a Kenwood mobile GMRS in my '18 F350 (aluminum) and 1/4 wave antenna. I have a back-rack/headache rack on the truck that has a slot for accessories and I have a mounting plate to go with it (also aluminum). The mounting plate is 8" square. I would drill the plate for an NMO mount. It would make a clean installation but I'm wondering if that's a good enough ground plane or will performance be a lot better if I mount the antenna directly to the roof? Obviously, a magnetic mount won't work on an aluminum roof so would have to drill into the roof, which is not a big deal, but prefer not. Is the ground plane only the surface the antenna is grounded to and not surfaces around it (like the roof)? Would the width of the backrack (same as truck bed width) contribute to the ground plane?

"Now for the scan issue. I've never used the 863, but doing a little research, the only scan mode that doesn't "Autoscan" is "List type system scan" It would seem the other mode/s will force the radio into scan. Kenwood redesigned the scan feature on this particular radio and it seems like a lot of people didn't really like it. (Also someone says the 863 is purely a trunking radio and stuck like that, which is why conventional users have such a hard time with it)" Weeks of deciding whether to go 880 or 863 (recommended by used-radios). Reading the above quote sends me right to the 880 as my choice. I'm a "conventional" user, not interested in snags in programming, etc. Thanks for posting this information. Amazing how much I overlook on first read of threads.

Elementary question: Other than announcing my License # when I go on-air, is there a code or comment I throw out looking for ANY response from anyone (ala: "Radio Check")? Still need the FAQ list on acronyms..lol. Did I read something about "CQ". Found what might be helpful: https://forums.mygmrs.com/topic/1081-etiquette-for-communication-using-gmrs/