Extreme

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

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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/

From BTWR description of the 805: "Some features can be customized using the optional programming software (free download) such as adding or removing channels or customizing the channel name, bandwidth, transmit power, or CTCSS/DCS codes. Support for up to 128 channels is provided, and receive-only channels can be added for any frequency in the 400-470 MHz range." The 16 Channel thing I keep going back to is the "free" programming that used-radios.com offers on their stuff. They'll do 16 Ch. included. I have to remind myself that there are more available that I should be able to program in myself. So, could I program channels for repeaters with tones and other channels for simplex, no repeater tones, with same TX/RX frequencies?

Yup, case from buytwoway. You can be sure I'll be posting how it works for me. I have 2 repeaters line-of-sight from my house (5 miles or so) so should be able to hit them. There are 2 more some 40 miles away and the owner says he can hit my local repeater from his house at that distance, and I think he meant without using his repeater.. interesting. So I'll have lots to play with.. once past programming and the learning curve. 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". Did I screw up ordering from buytwoway? Meant to order from myGMRS but thought it linked me to BTWR??

Just read the Owner's Manual .pdf for the Wouxun KG-805G Series. Looking for a TA option. Found nothing. Maybe when I get the actual radio and software it will show up in there.

Thank you sir. Good stuff and good to know all those channels are still usable. I've been thinking since I got on myGMRS forum that there should be a sticky or FAQ list of acronyms pertaining to radio in general and GMRS in particular. Appreciate you explaining TA, I'd have been searching..lol. Took me weeks to find out what CCR is, for crying out loud!

Ya, I can go low and narrow 1 - 7 and still play with the grandkids in camp. It's not like all channels are congested out here so will rely on the 15 - 22 High/Wide that are not repeater designated in my system when with a group or family on the trails or fishing. Looks like I'll have 3 vacant after adding all the repeaters I might potentially use. And even the repeater channels should work HT-HT or HT-Mobile if not in repeater range, correct? Good idea on Ch.16 for that off the travel tone repeater. Coincidentally, the closest repeater to me locally is the same setup as one in Montana I plan to try when there. Looking forward to playing with programming and keying up.

Ok, so regarding Ch. 8 - 14. The Wouxun 805G is pre-programmed at low power for these channels. So all I need to do is put in repeater data and roll. I can still talk to the grandkids in camp on FRS without getting arrested.

This is ALL you guys need, me asking HAM programming questions.

Ok, I just ordered the 805G, high cap battery, programming cable w/free software, a HT belt case. Got frequencies sorted out so I can program this thing right away and cleared the way for repeater use. My new obsession.. hope it's fun. Good news is, I've never owned anything but the blister pack radios so I have nothing of comparable quality to compare it to (other than the Motorola HT we used at work) so it should be just fine. Thanks for all the help.

Here we go, looks like I'm stirring it up and I don't want to pit one against another, especially as the NOOB: I ran my proposed frequency setup by a local repeater operator. Told him it was recommended here that I program 1 - 7 GMRS Low Power, Narrow Band, simplex. His comment: "I’ve never used GMRS Freq’s in narrow band. you’d limit your quality and ability to talk at distance with handhelds long range. GMRS is wide band, FRS is Narrow banded. I'd leave all GMRS in wide band". I replied with the rationale quoted from this thread: "I would recommend getting 1-7 and 15-22 programmed. I would ask for 1-7 as low power, narrow bandwidth, simplex. I use 67 Hz PL TX and RX. This is to make it compatible with the widest range of handheld radios, including cheap, old FRS-only radios." ..and the reply: "Okay so yes he’s saying narrow band for the FRS freqs, but keep in mind that if someone wants to pitch a bitch about you using a GMRS rig on FRS Freq’s they can now after the new FCC rulings. I personally don’t care either way and unless you’re blasting power on an FRS freq on a GMRS rig talking 50 miles away lol no ones going to know. But you can do that for sure, it’s a non issue in reality if you are using the freq’s of 1-7 and they’re already the FRS freq’s. then yes they’d normally be narrow band anyway." I get the feeling we might be talking apples/oranges? My take on the 2017 chart is that with a 4 - 5w HT I can use 1 - 7 and 15 - 22. With a 25/40w mobile I'm legally limited to only Ch. 15 - 22 (50W). https://wiki.radioreference.com/index.php/FRS/GMRS_combined_channel_chart#2017_FRS.2FGMRS_Channels I will not have 8 - 14 @ 0.5w, Narrow (12.5k FRS & GMRS) programmed into the radio(s). Looking for compliance first and foremost. Max performance out of my equipment second. Am I the only one who makes it this complicated: am I conflating data? Waiting for the bulb to come on..

Just learned about the 5Mhz offset for repeater use from a local owner. Aha moment. The radio vendor will pre-program 16 channels free. GMRS 1 - 7 and GMRS 15 - 22 is what I'm asking for. That's 15. Any suggestions for the 16th? I can mod this stuff once received but if they'll do it before it goes out the door, what the heck. .. and on the Kenwood, any capability to add weather?

Perfect. I'll mount the radio overhead on a rollbar and it will be under the roof so water tight is probably not critical. What gauge wire is usual for mobile? I'm guessing 12ga? Of course I can look at it when the radio arrives or ask the seller. Might just have them toss in a 2nd power pigtail and modify it with the Anderson connectors.

Hmmm.. I found the FCC ID from the 805G Operators Manual, copy/pasted into FCC ID Search and came up with this: https://fccid.io/WVTWOUXUN08 The Grant was approved 7/20/2012 which leads me to believe the new 805 is piggybacked on a previous radio (as stated in the quote), just a 'confirmation'. Whether completely above board, who knows? I hear the FCC isn't ultra-strict on GMRS and out here in the wild West (low density population) I don't know that it would ever come up. It might be scare to find someone to talk with let alone cause interference enough to get reported, admonished, or hunted down and fined. The optimist in me says the above document is cover for the consumer and it should be the responsibility of the manufacturer and the FCC to ensure things are compliant, not the end-user. Or.. am I just over-thinking all this.

RCM is seeing my posts all over the place.. trying to keep topics separate if only for future 'searchers'. Please advise on DC power quick connect for a Kenwood TK-880 or 863G mobile so I can move it from my pickup to my UTV easily. I'd just leave power and antenna cables in place on both rigs. I can leave the mounting bracket in the pickup and already have another method to mount the mobile on my rollbar figured out. I'm thinking something similar to the 2-pin connector used on Battery Minder/Tender, etc. but guessing there might be a more weatherproof solution for the UTV. Yeah, I can do an online search but thought someone here might have already implemented something slick. Thanks!

Wondering also about the weight difference from Kenwood and Wouxun? I'm sure the Kenwood is heavy. Would it be practical to have an antenna adapter for the Wouxun and plug it into a rooftop (kayak rack) 1/4 wave antenna for mobile use? Or would I gain nothing over hand-held? ..now I'll wander off to the Kenwood mobile thread I started and ask about getting quick connect power for a TK880 or 863G so I can move it from my pickup to my UTV easily. I'd just leave power and antenna cables in place on both rigs. I can leave the mounting bracket in the pickup and have another method to mount the mobile on my rollbar. Reaching out to repeater owners via email in the areas I'll travel (and locally) for permission, even tho' all but 1 repeater is 'open'. One guy requests a copy of FCC License - can't criticize for that. I guess he'll send me the Freq for access.

141.3 Hz PL for repeater. Is this PL synonymous with CTCSS for repeater access? If a local area repeater on the map shows "Tone In 141.3, Tone Out 141.3. (PL/DPL/CSQ) that 141.3 programmed into my radio will get me onto the repeater by simply transmitting a signal on the repeater channel posted? Another repeater says Tone Out No CSQ/No tone and Tone In 141.3. Just wondering the simplest, elementary method to get onto and use a repeater (after permission). Also, I found both repeaters on the myGMRS app. Neither show up on the Map until I select "Show Outdated" at the top. Is that meaningful?

"..the performance of this unit makes you deal with the shortcomings of the radios form." First time GMRS user and waffling between the 805-G at $80 and a used Kenwood TK380 for $95.. my brain's becoming a rattle-trap..lol. Is the 805 an EZ program via cable?