wayoverthere

I would agree with this take, honestly. Midland is solid for being about as plug and play as it gets; they're sometimes feature limited, but they're making progress there. Wouxun is the killer for features. "Best" is really subjective, a lot is what's best for your use and expectations. In both the kg1000g (and plus variant) and the mxt575, the remote heads are killer for squeezing a radio (or another radio) into limited space. I'd be hesitant toward the btech gmrs50x1 and 50v2. My 50x1 didn't hold up well, another member went through a few of the 50x1 and the ham version with poor results. They say the 50v2 has been redesigned. The 50x1 was no additional tx channels, though it appears they've opened that up some for the 50v2. For small size, mid power, and 12v plug compatibility, the anytone at779uv/radioddity db20g/retevis ra25 triplets are a solid value. Sensitive receiver, 20 watts, and small size (similar to the mxt115/mxt275 body). Often available not much over $100, with programming cable, perfect for the price conscious. (I have 2; 1 in my truck for gmrs, and a 2nd opened up for ham in the beater car). With some radio background, some of the dual certified commercial gear is hard to beat, very flexible in programming, but more limited in others (not much for front panel programmability, if any, like changing tones on the fly). Programming can be kind of a steep learning curve if you're new to radio. On the other hand, they can shine on durability and dependability.

The network hubs definitely are. Hit the main page for the network, and hit the 3 lines near the top left to open up the sidebar. Toward the bottom of that is a drop down list box for the different hubs that will allow listening. https://mygmrs.network/

Agreed. I wouldn't be opposed to having something that gave users an opt-in basis though.

Repeaterbook shows one IN Hopkinsville, and a couple others in the vicinity, if that helps.

If it's the metal box that's the decider, the mygmrs shop has the rt97s in the metal case, rather than the 97 in plastic. https://shop.mygmrs.com/collections/repeaters-and-accessories/products/retevis-rt97s-portable-gmrs-repeater

The CARLA system has had to make changes in some locations as well, including reducing power and switching some repeaters to directional antennas. (I want to say I saw one location only running 1 or 2 watts)

I haven't specifically tried, but I don't believe my 805g is so locked down (bought in early 2020). From what I remember, you can program ALL the channels, as long as the tx is in band for gmrs. Without going into TOO much detail, the limitations are largely software based, at least on mine. A firmware change isn't outside the realm of possibility though. I did not find a way/ability to save channels.from the face/keypad. It will let you chance tones to your hearts content from the front panel, but not add new channels. I would test modifying the base channels, except it's in my desk at the office where I won't be till next week.

The interesting part is, in theory, it'd seem it's still possible to get 90 and 95e certification in one radio. In reality, it's probably not worth spending on 95e certification because they're good with covering the LMR markets, and how many gmrs users are going to buy a new radio at the prices the LMR sector pays for radios?

MDARC has a good explanation/drawing/info. https://www.mdarc.org/regulations/line-a-line-c

I wonder if it was a "not approved" or if Kenwood just didn't submit the 400-470 models for dual certification? Was that rule in what they'd certify earlier than I realized, before the record? I checked the grant on my vx4207, and it shows 2004, with 22, 74, 90, and 95a approvals

If you're meaning the Kenwood's and Motorola's with dual 90/95 certification, that became verboten in the 2017 rules rewrite that also moved gmrs from 95a to 95e, iirc. Prior to that, when it was in 95a, the overlap was allowed (I have a 90/95a vertex mobile that covers 400-470mhz, for example)

If you're okay with part 90 gear, there's a vx354 on ebay, at $50, battery and charger included (I did verify the part 90 grant for the FCC id shown in the photo), and even includes a speaker mic. https://www.ebay.com/itm/364020897719 The antenna farm has the cable and software for another $49 https://www.ebay.com/itm/371254796103 Cut rate batteries has been solid on replacement batteries for the vertex stuff I have...for the vx354, $39 for made in China cells,nor $42.50 for made in Japan. https://www.cutratebatteries.com/products/vertex-standard-vx-354-battery

As @Sshannonsaid, i think the map data gets cached locally, and it's something glitching there, perhaps due to age of the cached data. Mine was initially not displaying on mobile, even after loading for a minute or more. I went in and cleared the cache and reloaded the page, and it loaded within a couple seconds with the repeater dots loading as they should.

1. Yes, the sidebar on the main page allows listening on the regional hubs. If you have zello access to one of the linked repeaters, you can listen (and participate) that way as well. https://mygmrs.com/nets 2. I wouldn't say the local one (set up by the ham club) is "frequent", but most of what I hear is quick coordinating between family members, or people testing their gear and range.

I will second this..there is one that showed coverage, but I seriously doubt the circle it shows, and both of the users associated with it show their licenses to be expired (unless they renewed with a new callsign). The topography just doesn't lend itself to getting signal into the valley from many places outside the park, mostly the high Sierra peaks, and getting one set up IN the valley, or anywhere in the park seems...unlikely. Imagine if you could get one up near Glacier Point with some downtilt to cover the valley.. ?

From what I'm finding, all things equal, an antenna with a ground plane will have some advantage over one without. You can realize some of that advantage by providing it a ground plane, but some installations it just isn't feasible. I will say on the ham side, I've noticed no difference moving from a comet 2x4sr mag mounted on the roof to a sbb5 on the fender, other than the rfi the sbb5 picks up being so close the led headlight bulbs.

While the owners can talk in more detail, my first thought with all of the ground plane locations being compromised/shaded by the body, my thoughts always go to no-ground-plane required stuff. https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/shop-all/mobile-antennas/300-512-mhz-uhf/no-ground-plane-antennas I'm a fan of laird, too... https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/shop-all/mobile-antennas/300-512-mhz-uhf/no-ground-plane-antennas/6536-laird-connectivity-bb4502nr-detail

Google found me a couple other options that aren't directly using the bulletpoint mount... Panavise appears to have a few options depending on the details of the truck (and dash screen) https://www.panavise.com/index.html Proclips also has a couple for left or right side of the dash near the HVAC vents. https://www.proclipusa.com/products/855441-proclip-angle-mount-dodge-ram-2019-20xx I added a couple shots from my truck (ham setup); this is the icom mounting plate on a panavise bracket that tucks in between the HVAC controls and the trim.

Submitting requests through the site does require membership on the site, which requires an active license. It's a little finicky and sometimes requires logging into the main page separately from the forum (the login should be the same). When logged in, if they allow requests there will be a button the repeater's page in the listing. Some repeaters handle their membership requests through outside means, web forms or email. Most, if not all, will want some info to verify that you have an active license before granting permission.

What kind of mounting plate does the kg1000g use? Off the top of my head, I'm thinking either using one of the dual socket arms and screwing the camera post ball into the faceplate's mounting plate. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=20mm+ball+mount Other than that, will the phone mount go small enough to work?

Ahh...yeah, I think I missed you were trying to have 2m on the same antenna. The signal stalk is great on flexibility and durability, and does great signal wise on 2m and 70cm... haven't tried it for gmrs. The tram 1181 is a hair shorter, and on my truck was the difference between hitting all the beams in the parking garage at work, and just hitting an occasional one...it isn't as flexible as the signal stalk though. I think your truck is taller, too.

I think @marcspazhas used a tram 1/4 wave that had a nice wide bandwidth in UHF...I don't remember the model number,.or how is measured out across the range though. On the larger side, I know the Browning br1713bs has a nice wide bandwidth (410-490 rated) and showed low swr everywhere I tested in 70cm and gmrs (1.2 or less)

Wideband vs narrowband refers to how much spectrum the transmitted signal uses; 20 or 25kHz for wideband, vs 12.5kHz for narrowband. narrowband signals is how the handhelds only FRS channels can squeeze in between the repeater inputs in the 467.xxx range (467.550 and 467.575, with a FRS channel wedged in at 467.5675, etc). As @KAF6045mentions, the big issue is when the settings don't match between stations (one set wideband, the other narrow). When both match, the difference between wide and narrowband in practical use isn't huge.

It may be that the network operators have assigned them a user id of sorts on the network, based, as @Sshannonmentions, on which node on the network they connect through

I found the Broadnet channel to be pretty active, since it was tied in with their linked repeaters. I haven't used zello much in awhile though.