wayoverthere

Gotcha. Settings are a definite possibility, but any chance of swapping mics with another working unit to test and rule out a fault there? That was what clued me in on the broken wire in mine...swapping between one working and one not, and which part (cord vs mic) the problem followed.

Not sure what Kenwood would call the feature (others more familiar with kenwood likely will), but some/many LMR radios have a feature that may be referred to as "on hook scanning". I ran into this with my vertex stuff, and the fix was to ground the mic holder button to the radio. I also had one mic where the ground wire to the button was broken, but a quick solder and it was back to normal.

I don't see any reason, with the right hardware, that a dual pl setup couldnt be implemented similar to what CARLA has on the ham side. One pl, your audio goes to the whole system, while another pl repeats on that machine only. If you key up the local pl, linked audio is muted until a set period after local activity ends, and the link resumes. http://carlaradio.net/thesystem/pl_ct.php

It's in the product description (first paragraph) for the UV980P now, though I don't remember seeing that part in the past. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-uv980p.html Yeah, it's been a couple of few months since I looked, the 1.25m version was listed last time, but I put off grabbing one...not there when I checked today.

I may have missed something, but I thought the version of the uv920p with 2m/1.25m was full power for both, but I can't seem to find anything solid now, and the 1.25m versions is no longer listed when I look today. I know a lot of the other tribands are low on 1.25, which was what had me eyeing the wouxun. I don't remember seeing the 10w on 6/10m wording in the listing for the uv980p though, so entirely possible I missed it previously too.

To be fair, there were legislative reasons the fee for ham licenses stayed zero as long as it did, along with some administrative hoops to get their <stuff> together to justify the fees and get the payment processes in place. It'd probably get more traction to argue the cost of administering gmrs licensing should be adjusted to reflect actual costs than trying to get a structure where the license costs nothing.

Well put, and putting it nicely. It sounds like making more of a mess to me, and there's definitely an overtone of "hams are superior" in that document While I wouldn't mind seeing digital voice come to gmrs, it'd probably be best relegated to a new channel or two (maybe require narrowband there), and for simplicity go with one set standard...there's already a good variety of radios out there with DMR, from cheap to LMR. Along that line, how about explicitly making part 90 gear a-ok too? The one thing I wouldn't mind seeing that's definitely a concession to hams (and I'm not seeing any corresponding downside to gmrs, but let me know if I'm missing something) would be a pass on the 95e certification requirement IF the user holds both a gmrs license and a ham license, i.e. the ability to also use your ham gear for gmrs, subject to the usual power, mode and bandwidth requirements for gmrs. Hey, a guy can dream.

I've said the same in the past as well...not to discourage, but to moderate expectations. Some areas are a lot more social, especially where there are linked systems. Mine is a bit lower activity, a little repeater chatter but other than the machine run by the ham club, not much "outside the group" traffic.

For the main page, either the "Repeaters" or the "Map" links (near the top of the page on desktop, or under the right sidebar, accessed by the 3 lines in the top right, on mobile) lead back to the main site. On that repeater icon, is there one specific you can point to that shows it?

Yes, some companies make antennas that don't require a ground plane; i'm partial to Laird. The main thing is that it covers the 462-467 range with sufficient bandwidth (the one linked covers 450-470mhz) https://theantennafarm.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&view=productdetails&virtuemart_product_id=3236

It's the OP, Kdcstks. May have been typing in the wrong field when posting the question

This. I'll note that somewhere around the time of the original post (I forget if it was before or after) the logins between the two parts of the site were unified. One may still need to login to the main page again, as it doesn't carry between the two (afaik), but the login should be the same for main site or forum.

First, I've had nothing good experiences with The Antenna Farm as well, and hope to see them get back on track in the new year. Second, most of the mag mounts I've used have been the mxta12's, and they've worked well for me, both on that 32" 2x5/8 wave Browning, and the 36" long comet 2x4sr. They've hung on fine on the roof of my little truck even close to 90mph, along with dragging a signal stalk across all the ceiling beams in the 7' clearance parking structure at work (5 or 6 floors worth, depending where I found a spot). The only time it actually came off in the year I had it up was once, with a direct hit on the comet on a solid (2"+ diameter) tree branch

The one antenna I've found that actually did well on both was a Browning (br1713bs, 2x5/8 wave), rated for 410-490mhz, iirc. When testing, both on 70cm and gmrs, I never saw higher than 1.2:1. I never tested it without SOME ground plane, but to be fair, my little truck isn't a ton of space either (center roof, single cab compact truck). Unfortunately, some poking around looks like it may be limited availability or discontinued. Tram does also have a 1/4 wave they rate for a similar frequency range, though I haven't used it, so I don't know the model number offhand.

So...I haven't worked with the newer mxt115, but i don't believe they're computer programmable, at least at the consumer level. The key points with the older 115 I had were enabling the repeater channels via the menu, tuning to the right "XXRP" channel for the frequency desired (which is programmed with the offset needed for repeater use) and then setting the code that corresponds to the tone needed for that repeater. I understand the new 115's have TX and rx tones separate now, and TX tone is what you need for the repeater...Rx is optional. https://cdn.accentuate.io/81031332017/1623709961570/MXT115-Owners-Manual-11-16-2020.pdf Page 23 has the instructions to enable repeater channels, 18 and 19 have the past about setting tones, and 27 has the table of what code corresponds to what tone.

Yeah, I have a little stubby flexible rubber comet antenna and a signal stick for mine too. The comet is great for around the house (or vehicle) hotspot use.

To add to this...in a very general sense, it can be easier to make a good performing superhet than SOC, and there's some cheap bad SOC radios out there. There's also some really awesome (and priced accordingly) SOC radios, and some meh superhet ones. That aside, I have the little brother to the ft65 (the ft4x), and it's been solid, and is the one I grab most often for handheld use. Holds a charge well, little to no drain when off, and decent filtering. Even took it up on the hill by the repeater and commercial fm sites, and was listening to myself and the convo on the repeater there, while talking into another repeater across the valley on the mobile. Meanwhile, the baofeng uv5r I also had along was stone deaf, acting like there were no signals present

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2023/11/2023-cyber-holiday-sale.html#GR Discounts on the kg1000g plus, kg935g plus, and kg805.

Was trying to remember which one I had, as I have the 2m/1.25m flavor. Both that and my kg805g do the same battery drain as well. I just store them in a shelf with the batteries removed

What was in the old truck was an Icom 2730a/Comet SBB-5 on a fender mount and Anytone AT779UV/MXTA10 on a mag mount, centered on the roof for GMRS. I've changed antennas a few times; used a mag mount prior to the fender mount (centered), which at various times ran the 2x4sr, 1/4 wave signal stalk, Comet SBB-1, and a Laird BB4303 (a small 5/8 wave for 430-450mhz, with the 2nd for GMRS offset to the passenger side for GMRS (which has also carried a Browning BR-1713-BS (double 5/8 wave with a 410-490mhz bandwidth). I also occasionally ran an old radio shack CB and mag mount antenna, offset to the driver's side. (note: when i first got my tech, i was running a dual certified Vertex VX4207 for ham & GMRS, hence some of the single band antennas) Current plan: incoming FTM-500 + SBB-5 on the a fender mount; haven't figured out mounting for a second antenna yet, so GMRS is on hold, but it'll likely be the Anytone/MXTA10 combo again there unless i can find space for the vertex. GMRS is fairly quiet in my area, unfortunately, much more of the "bring your own contacts" situation. Icom is currently in my shack, but will go to better half's car (with a mag mount and the signal stalk), and the FTM400 that WAS headed for the truck will stay on shack duty. I've been eyeing UV920P too (mainly for 220 capability), but at least at current discounts, it's not a big jump to yaesu (FTM-6000R is currently $259, vs $239 for the 920p). There doesn't seem to be a TON of options for DMR mobiles; the Anytone 578 is a common choice, and the bluetooth display/mic simplifies the mounting/mic situation some. If you're okay diving into commercial software, maybe consider a Vertex VXD-7200; this one is a 403-470mhz, so good for ham bands, and it'll be part 90 approved (though i don't think this one 95a certified). if you've looked at motorola's XPR line, it should look pretty familiar, especially the power and antenna connectors. I have no experience with TYT, so I can't say what their reliability is like. If you aren't using it to transmit, having it tuned close should be more than good enough. Terrain between you and the repeater, and where the repeater is sited will play a big part in getting through. I've managed 60+ mile shots on that "3db" MXTA10, that or longer on 5 watt handhelds (both GMRS and 70cm), and 120ish over the valley on the Comet 2x4SR (on 70cm with 15 watts). have also responded to a couple SOTA (summits on the air) calls with the comet on 146.520, providing contacts for people 70-80 miles away near the national parks. IMO, the KG1000G is the radio to get if you want a full power GMRS mobile. Midland used to be solid, though seem to be having a few issues with some newer batches, my biggest issue is (lack of) flexibility/features. I and a couple others haven't had good luck with the Btech mobiles. Remote heads are awesome for flexibility in mobile installs,too, which leads back to running GMRS separate, do a single band antenna appropriate for that (which will still receive NOAA alright) and set up 2m/70cm separately when you're go for that.

Honestly, the only ones covering gmrs that I've seen with a gain over 5db (even measuring in dBi, which will post a higher number than dBd) is midland's mxta26 at 6db and being a 5/8 over 5/8 wave, and the previously mentioned comet 2x4sr. The key with the Midland is getting it direct from Midland, not via amazon. The only complaints I've seen with that antenna were people that got it via amazon, and got used/damaged/modified returns. I found a couple 2m/70cm mobile antennas on dx engineering with gains over 7dbi on 70cm (comet sbb-7 is one), but I'd be afraid of the swr jumping pretty fast once you passed 450mhz. I know that Laird I have rated for 430-450 climbs fast. In the end, I mostly ran 2 antennas and 2 radios; one for 2m & 70cm, and 1 for gmrs. I currently have almost all of it down, though, as I'm transitioning between vehicles....cleared out the old and still getting things set up on the new (and waiting on a recent radio purchase, too).

Comet has been solid for me so far. The 2x4sr isn't super on swr at the high end, tradeoff for the wide bandwidth. Laird have been good as well, and would be my go-to for single band stuff. Diamond..the HT antenna has been good. The mobile (nr72b, iirc), I can't get a decent number on 2m for anything, mag mount, hard mount, bracket, whatever. It's currently on the shelf...good for 70cm limited clearance I guess. I suspect the older Midland 3db whip (5/8 wave mxta10) was a contracted manufacture by someone commercial, it looks very similar to the lairds in build. I also have one Browning (possibly before they were merged with Tram? Not sure) seems to be good quality and holding up well; 2x5/8 wave, with 410-490 bandwidth.

Since most gmrs gear is really just repurposed from another service with some tweaks for certification, it's going to depend on the limitations of the base hardware. Look at wouxun...kg805g being based on a single band radio, while the kg1000g receives 10., 6m, 2m, and 70cm in addition to gmrs (being based on the quad band uv980p)

I want to say I have the same one for my 2m/1.25m wouxun...have to double check in a few.

https://www.manualslib.com/manual/3158987/Retevis-Ra87.html#menu_function_list The "programmable vfo" line info seems to agree with this answer...400-480mhz (uhf) only.