wayoverthere

it was no go for the earlier versions with the usb-a. If I remember right, they replaced some of the early updated (usb-c) versions that shipped set up for all narrowband (for people that complained), and going forward were narrow on the simplex channels and wide on the repeater channels.

My base setup has been down for a bit due to rearranging rooms....prior to that I had a Midland mxta03 (the discontinued 3db whip) mag mounted to an 8"X12" piece of sheet metal on the top shelf of a closet. Little to no simplex here, but it was sufficient to use the repeater 60ish miles out across the valley

If you're looking at eBay, user erac1 is the account for used-radios.com, aka Sunny communications. I've bought from them before, with no issues, as have others, either via eBay or their site. On the radio itself, if the ranges matter, the model suffixes will tell the ranges they cover ...vx-4201-g6 are 400-470 MHz (good for gmrs and covers 70cm if you go the ham route too), while -g7 are 450-512mhz (good for gmrs). There was also a vx-4204 that covers VHF (136-174mhz).

I can speak to the Vertex software, at least, which as far as I've seen, runs fine in Windows 10 (I have a few different versions). Windows 11 and its driver issues are a bit more difficult, afaik. I've been sticking with win10 on my machines. I'm trying to think offhand who the Kenwood gurus are that can talk more on that part... One downside to both the dual certified and part 90 only gear is programmability on the fly; it's somewhere between more difficult and impossible to change tones on the fly on the part 90 gear, compared to part 95e (current GMRS) which are nearly all front panel programmable. In terms of cables, bluemax49ers (both .com and that username on eBay) has covered most of my cable needs, though for the vx4207 I went through quality2wayradios dot com for the cable and software. I'm in the same camp on certification...95e or dual certified primarily, but no qualms about commercial part 90 stuff, with 97/amateur gear in emergency only.

Just to add a few options... If you end up going commercial, Kenwood has some options in dual certified gear (tk880, maybe? Someone better versed on Kenwood feel free to correct me). Vertex Standard also had the vx4207 that's dual certified. (Yes, I'm a little partial to my vertex stuff).

Both good advice....headroom is never a bad thing (and nice if you want to run more than one radio). The 2 extra bits I'll add is that an Alinco has been doing well for me (dm-30tr) since early 2020, and to watch the ratings on power supplies....some only list a peak, and some supplies vary how much the gap is between continuous output and peak output. My Alinco is rated for 20a continuous, 30a peak, and most specs focus on the peak, while Samlex tend to be listed by their continuous rating. Side note: DXE has this nice 23a samlex psu+mount, says for Kenwood radios (tm-281 is listed as one of them, too).

They were going to be my suggestion as well. A little pricier than the general ebay seller, but tested good gear. They ARE on ebay with the username erac1 last I saw. Have bought a couple things from them in the past, and they've been easy to deal with and helpful, zero issues

That looks like the one on ARRL's site, though I don't see an option to download it. https://www.arrl.org/rf-exposure-calculator

Fair point. They've been pretty in-line (or even a little less) on prices of of other things I've picked up, so I didn't look into what the going price is on the 712efc, just looked for in stock.

That's who I thought of too...looks in stock there. https://theantennafarm.com/shop-by-categories/antennas-mounts/base-antennas/gmrs-base-antennas/gmrs-omni-directional-base-antennas/1085-comet-ca-712efc-detail

So...based on what I'm finding on the websites...it looks like the "laird connectivity" division that became ezurio is primarily manufacturing and industrial stuff, and the internal antennas to support those. The exteral antnna portion of things already went to TE Connectivity in 2021, apparently. https://www.te.com/en/products/brands/laird-external-antennas.html Haven't looked at it on the computer yet, but their product listing is hard to use on a mobile browser.

not sure what you're referring to with the "FM" part, but RT Systems is a company that makes programming software (and sells matching cables) for a wide variety of radios. Some find their software easier to use than free options or manufacturer software, or appreciate convenience features to import data or configurations from other sources to save time on programming.

think of it like a lock on the squelch opening, rather than just opening for any signal above a certain strength. with tone squelch it only opens when the received signal also carries a matching tone, be it CTCSS (also called a PL tone) or DCS (aka DPL). (side note: this is also why the correct tone is needed to access many repeaters)

That's much more reasonable, I'd have minded less without the '5-7 day shipping part (ordered the g106 package with the de17 interface). It was similarly long for my other order as well (gd73 dmr handheld).

At least for some of the radioddity stuff on amazon, radioddity appears to be the seller as well, even if it may be shipped from Amazon. If you want your radio quicker, Amazon will be hands down faster than ordering from radioddity. That's my one gripe, actually...last order said "us stock, free 5-7 day shipping", in reality, it shipped from China, and didn't even leave their facility for 5 days. Total time to receive was 18 days.

Good times. I have an old 40ch radio shack set up on my workbench in the garage, and continually debate picking up a better one for the truck.

Is this legitimately "many" people complaining? Or is it more akin to the Reagan Airport noise complaints, where 78% of the 8700 complaints one year came from just 2 people in a single household?

All the ports greyed out would seem more like a not detecting the cable/chip correctly, rather than a radio-end issue. Do you know what chip the cable is using, by chance? There's been issues with prolific chip drivers, that using an old version of the driver (miklor.com has one for the baofengs) often fixes it.

Guess I better hurry up and order that 6btv....the buddistick is only rated up to 40m, and I have some complaining to do

I thought to be a real ham, you had to be on 80m complaining about medical ailments, and the invasive procedure of the week.... Guess I'm not quite there yet

I found it a great source as well, for both Tech and General.

Marc, Thank you for the well written template, and your outside efforts. I used yours as a starting point, and added some additional input as well.

RIch posted something to the MyGMRS page on Facebook on the topic, to the effect of the registration server on the site being disabled at the end of the week, but since any connections are not through the site, it'll be at the repeater owners' own risk going forward. As others have mentioned, all the considerations of GMRS use, both simplex and repeater, will still be in play, so no reason for the site to shut down. Just losing one tiny piece (unless things change or a workaround is devised. Here is that link, for those that don't have/want Facebook: https://www.change.org/p/demand-fcc-to-allow-all-network-connections-to-gmrs-repeaters-and-radios 2nd edit: After posting, I see RIch posted this in the MyGMRS.com forum as well.

only diurnal, but with more splatter than the channel 6 'Super Bowl'

you mean i shouldn't key up that 110 watt kenwood into a gain antenna sitting next to the server?