Extreme

I don't understand what all the commotion is about.  Talking to people is way overrated.  Most of the time I can't stand talking to people I love.  Never mind strangers on the radio.
 
You guys are weird. 

If the auto carwash is a concern they make a cap to install after unscrewing antenna base.

Now I like that idea!

Seems like regularly somebody wants to advocate for their favorite channel to use as a travel channel. Just program all 22 in, scan them all and be done with it. Then it won't matter.  

For ease of use, mounting options and power/capabilities, you can't beat the KG-1000G which is a 50W SuperHet radio.. If you want something less expensive, the KG-XS20G is a good, small, very capable SOC radio.
For simplicity the Midlands are great - but they're not cheap, they have limited abilities and many/most of the pre 2022 models are narrowband only, which is an issue if you want anyone using a "real" GMRS (wideband) radio to actually be able to hear anything you're saying.

My opinion is based on having/testing/using virtually every mobile GMRS Radio on the market.

Most 1/4 wave for gmrs are about 6". Most 5/8ths are 16".

I would advise against fender mounts etc. Unless, clearance makes it really a "I have to".

The increase in gain won't make up for the fact you will have biased radiation patterns and shielding from the cab. You might find you lose quite a bit reception and what you get has more picket fencing. In honesty all installation mileage varies.

So any 1/4 antenna might fit your needs and wants, especially if you magnet mount is nmo style and not funky like Nagoya magnet mount was

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Thank you!  Apologies for barking.☺️

It's still there....you'll have to hit the "gear" button at the top left of the map, and toggle the option for "show stale repeaters" or "show offline".

Hey folks.
Brand spanking new to radio. Have not even made my first transmission. (Reason below)
This adventure started out with us trying to back to the rig into a campsite without cell service (again!). I was then determined to get a set of “walkie talkies”.
After a bit of research, abandoned the idea of getting FRS and now on to GMRS!
I have my NIB Wouxun kg905g.
I have a 9g pro on back order, which explains the lack of transmission.
Looking forward to learning here. Most forums I’m on, I’m the self appointed person in charge of asking dumb questions, I expect that role to continue here. Be patient with me, please.

If I'm correct, 7 x 7" is minimum for 1/4 wave ground plane.  I had the 8 x 8 x 1/4" aluminum plate laying around from another project so just primer/painted it.  Also, the fiberglass top will not deter RF propagation and unless I run a branch along the top nothing should hit the antenna.

More

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FWIW

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Ran the coax down the vertical tower that holds the 3rd brake light, across the bottom of the swing out tire carrier to the passenger side corner, then above the bumper to the vacant area under the tub, above the rubber flap that's behind the rear wheel, then a small hole in the inner fender/tub next to the rear most rollbar mount, along the top of the tub lip and along the rollbar (under the wrap) up to radio mount.  I did make my own 239 connection on the radio side so I could thread bare coax through the body while minimizing the hole diameter.  Wrapped everything outside the tub in split or flex tubing and it's all secured with either stick on zip tie mounts or aluminum rubber insulated hold downs.
With a small bit of slack at the swing out tire carrier hinge it flexes enough to not bind.  It limits my carrier to only open 90* but I have no need to open it further.  It clear the raised window.
IMO a 1/4 wave antenna with a decent ground plane is superior to nearly any mag mount or lip mount.  Someone questioned whether the brake light tower would flex.. emphatic 'No'.  Also, the 8 x 8" x 1/4" thick plate clears the wiper by 1/2" or more when operated.
Ran my aux reverse light wiring along the same route and mounted them on the bottom of the tire carrier.
Pictures to follow.

Antenna mount is done. Thank you rivnuts. Will terminate with PL259 and mount Kenwood TK8180 tomorrow.

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@bobthetj03I cruised through the TJ forum to find a picture of your TJ to see if you have a 3rd brake light.  Check out my antenna mount on my LJ earlier in this thread, maybe it will interest you.  Works very well.

Daystar sells this little console. 
Also sell a TYT TH-8600 as a GMRS, not sure its a legal conversion, mine is Ham, dual band.  I didn't wire anything to the switches, as I don't have any extra anything to wire up.  Don't even have fog lights.  The TH-8600 was my choice because its advertised at IP68 waterproof, and I spend all summer in Bikini top so I do get wet on our random thunderstorms.  Antenna sits on a bracket I made attached to the third brake light, Tram dual band. It has a flat SWR on 2m, Murs, 70cm and GMRS. 
 

In the GMRS service, when in use, repeaters are required to ID every 15 minutes when used by any party(s) other than the license holder. If they are sitting idle, they are not required to ID, but many do so every 15 minutes 24 hours a day.

It is not at all uncommon for repeaters to ID without sending a CTCSS or DCS code. One benefit of this is that persons who choose to use a a CTCSS or DCS Rx code on their radios is that they do not have to listen to the ID every 15 minutes.

Callsigns do get recycled. The pattern for callsigns has evolved over the years for various radio services. If a old callsign does not fit the current pattern for a service, it is my understanding it would be recycled only within the service for it follows the current pattern.

I cannot answer the question on whether GMRS every had 6 characters only. I do believe you have identified that the service for which it was previously assigned was “AS”. This is a service I am not presently familiar with.

Also, the rules for repeater identification do vary with service. For example, the amateur radio service requires a 10 minute interval when the repeater is in use.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Yup, had the "searching" on an 8180.  Friendly member here did his best to help me out but I never could get positive results.  Although this particular 8180 was an ebay purchase, I simply contacted www.used-radiios.com and they kindly took the radio and made the necessary changes for a small charge + shipping, and got it back to me within a week or so.  Awesome service, but I knew that, having purchased multiple used units from them in the past.  I've yet to power it up but I'm sure it will be fine when I get around to programming.

Because generally speaking they work quite well.  I have 4 or 5 between the 880 and 8180 and have had an issue with only one.   Well, not counting the one I fried after tearing the antenna off my SxS. ?

I settled on a mounting configuration for the Wouxun KG-1000G.  I bought a tiny stainless steel cooling rack off Amazon and zip tied the head unit to it, then mounted it on top of the seat latch handle under the driver seat.  The rack was orignially intended to keep it up off the carpet to let air get to the underside to aid in cooling, but it made it easy to secure the radio to the handle.  I then wired it up and tucked the wires away and installed the faceplate on the center RAM ball on the dash tray.  It works great!  I like having the face plate be somewhat a part of the center stack in the dash.  It makes it easy to manipulate the radio controls without looking too far down into the cockpit.  I think I'm going to add an external speaker and put it somehwere close to my ear. The mic and head unit speakers are ok, but I'd like them to be a little louder, especiall in the summer when the doors are off.
When not in use, the mic goes where the cb mic is and the cb mic moves over.  I haven't driven around using it much yet, but with what little I've done, I really like it, so far.

One of my TK-880 had a different (non-Kenwood) firmware, and required software called WinSJI to communicate with radio. I also used this software to flash the Kenwood firmware back. Maybe worth investigating. I think you confirmed that your cable is good and your PC is good, by communicating with other 2 radios.
Edit:
This what I've found: http://www.repeater-builder.com/kenwood/passport2conv.html

Oh yeah.  The bumper/taillight tower is pretty stout steel and the distance from the window is a few inches.  I can shake the jeep with the tower.  3/16" thick x 8 x 8" aluminum plate for the ground plane base.  I dunno what the 'modern' 3rd light towers are made of.  This bumper is Currie, which isn't even made anymore so probably '08 vintage or so. Tested for the rear wiper and it clears by 1/2" or more.  And the antenna is low enough it won't catch branches unless I hit the roll cage, or very close and 8"sq. is plenty of ground plane for 1/4 wave antenna, which allows me to keep it short instead of the 1/2 or 5/8 wave 'no ground plane' whips.  Been there done that with the same setup on my SxS kayak rack; cost me a radio keying the mic with no antenna.
FWIW fiberglass has no affect on RF.  I'll check reception with a pal in front and again behind.  Some nay-sayers out there in 4x4 land about GMRS (ham fans - and yes, ham is better at a lot of things) but for our trail usage they're great.  And we have access to 2 repeaters nearby, one of which I hit from 50 miles with a 30w 8180.  Considering putting one up on an existing tower on the edge of a nearby wilderness area we frequent off-road.
See my post about recovering a stranded hunter, only because he had his HT GMRS on scan and heard us going by.
 
 

Looking at similar equipment on eBay, I noticed one seller noting that some of his resale items may be password protected that might take extra work to brick and reset.   Buying from a seller like Used-Radios.com is going to get you a guaranteed ready to use machine; worth an extra few bucks in my book.

Oh yeah.  The bumper/taillight tower is pretty stout steel and the distance from the window is a few inches.  I can shake the jeep with the tower.  3/16" thick x 8 x 8" aluminum plate for the ground plane base.  I dunno what the 'modern' 3rd light towers are made of.  This bumper is Currie, which isn't even made anymore so probably '08 vintage or so. Tested for the rear wiper and it clears by 1/2" or more.  And the antenna is low enough it won't catch branches unless I hit the roll cage, or very close and 8"sq. is plenty of ground plane for 1/4 wave antenna, which allows me to keep it short instead of the 1/2 or 5/8 wave 'no ground plane' whips.  Been there done that with the same setup on my SxS kayak rack; cost me a radio keying the mic with no antenna.
FWIW fiberglass has no affect on RF.  I'll check reception with a pal in front and again behind.  Some nay-sayers out there in 4x4 land about GMRS (ham fans - and yes, ham is better at a lot of things) but for our trail usage they're great.  And we have access to 2 repeaters nearby, one of which I hit from 50 miles with a 30w 8180.  Considering putting one up on an existing tower on the edge of a nearby wilderness area we frequent off-road.
See my post about recovering a stranded hunter, only because he had his HT GMRS on scan and heard us going by.
 
 

Antenna mount is done. Thank you rivnuts. Will terminate with PL259 and mount Kenwood TK8180 tomorrow.

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