wayoverthere

Did some digging on the situation in CA. Vehicle Code wise, it's not good news, with the kicker in bold: 23123.5 basically left wide open to apply to almost anything. However, i did find some stuff about a memo issued to CHP clarifying the issue here:

I have the mxta9 mag mounted on the truck currently (living outside) paired with a mxt115 radio. Short answer is...it's alright. Won't hit the 60 mile repeater (haven't tried a couple closer...the code to ctcss is a pain...) and I don't have high expectations of itholding up particularly well living outside. The antenna, sans mount, was on clearance for $7...it will be replaced at some point, probably when I change out the radio. Also have the mxta10 3db whip in the attic, paired with a gmrs50x1 as "base"...it does a bit better. Hits repeaters at 30 and 60 miles with decent to good clarity. Also not a permanent solution, but I got it in the bundle with the mxt115. Planning on something better at some point.

the short explanation is midland does everything in code, probably to fit on the small screens. they don't display frequencies, just channel numbers. all the CTCSS (pl) and DCS (dpl) tones are code numbers as well. the linked image below is a screenshot from the manual for the MXT115 (which will illustrate what midland users get to deal with) , but the tone codes match up with the gxt handhelds as well https://imgur.com/a/o8tu0li

Is this it? https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us/requests/new?ticket_form_id=38844

The wouxun can be set for narrowband as well. On the wattage, I haven't dug into it, so take it with a grain of salt, but I remember seeing something to the effect of someone catching that the newer gxt1000 were approved at lower wattage (as dual gmrs)frs/gmrs devices vs the previous claimed 5. I will note that I can't seem to find a solid number for wattage on Midland's product pages for the gxt's Edit...found this with a little googling, which seems to indicate ~3 watts on high power: https://www.twowayradioforum.com/t/new-gmrsfrs-rules-and-a-question-about-power/6997

The simplex thing was one that stood out to me as well. I think something in the "duplex" column, but I'd need to have it in front of me to have a better idea. On the no sound, going simplex, and programmed alike, they should talk, but if they're right together, there's the possibility that the receiving radio is just overpowered by such a close signal and desensing. You may try sending someone outside and up the block a little with one of the radios and try the transmit test again first, no other changes. If it then works, it was desensing....too much signal too close.

Flathead valley has a ham club, but the only gmrs repeaters I see (on another club site) are south a bit near the one you see.

Ive been happy with the 50x1. I'm also impressed (at the moment) with the 3db gain whip I ordered at the same time as the mxt115. Some haven't had the greatest experiences with them, but on a mag mount/pizza pan in the attic I was able to reach a repeater a little over 60 miles away. Also have a tram browning double 5/8 wave that I haven't tested yet...need to get some longer coax to move the antenna to somewhere with more headroom, or go test it from the truck.

2 so far. finally quit lagging on email someone about access to a 3rd "permission required" one closer to home, and already received approval.

I know the first time I keyed up the 50x1 with the mag mount antenna on top of the mini fridge by my desk, my printer (on the desk next to the fridge) woke up and printed a couple pages of gibberish

glad to help! and interesting difference between the two. i was very torn between the 115 and the 275, the tiebreaker ended up coming down to i could get the 115 in the bundle (with a better antenna and mount) and use one of their running discount codes.

Using Repeater 17, the handles the offset automatically, transmitting on 467.xxx when you key up, and receiving on 462.xxx, no channel changes, scanning or monitor mode required. My mxt115 skips the repeater channels in scan mode, by the way.

i have one of those as well, Miklor has a good manual for the BF-F8HP (here) The two frequencies are definitely a&b, and can be dual watch if you want it to; it's only displaying the receive frequency for both, and the up/down arrow will indicate which of the two is active (page 25 in the link). Chapter 6 (page 44) talks more about the dual watch. If you have memory channels saved, it defaults to transmitting on the same frequency (simplex), though you can program a different transmit frequency for repeater usage (page 58). Finally, i'll be the one to say it (if i don't, someone else will)...As the manual mentions (page 68), the BF-F8HP is neither part 95 or part 90 certified (UV82C is the only one i've seen with part 90 certification), so it's not technically legal for GMRS use. Besides the UV82C, there's the GMRS V1 that is part 95 certified, and some options from other manufacturers, though i think the uv82C/gmrs v1 is the least expensive option with a display...the mygmrs shop has a repeater capable 5 watt retevis for $38.99, but no lcd display on that one.

As wrak mentioned, it sounds like a dual watch feature, though it might help to know what model of radio you're using. Most baofeng handhelds will do two frequencies, with an ab button that switches between the two;Dual watch lets it switch automatically, or you can change manually. The gmrs 50x1 lets me watch up to 4 (I generally have a and b sync'd, showing name and freq, with c and d as the vhf calling and the local public safety) Not sure what distance you are from the repeater, between what's on the map for that repeater and the location you gave looks like a bit of a reach, but I don't know how accurate the location is or what range is like on the plains, I'm mostly between valley and foothills over here. I do see a couple in Rockford and Aledo that seem like they'd be closer in

You're at least the second. I just don't have a lot of usage on mine so far to report on, as the only time I needed it, I didn't have the wouxun yet, and my area doesn't have the "ham lite" type of community some areas have. Here it's more seen as "frs plus", and people stick to their group. The other uses I had in mind have kind of been on hold with all the covid shutdowns.

I agree that the family aspect is a good one to showmaybe the family camping, talking back to dad Manning the BBQ at camp, or kids with a flat tired calling back to dad.

To be honest, I just ordered the harnesses pre-made from DXengineering at the same time I ordered the power supply. Only thing I needed to crimp was the male spades on the 12v socket to mate to the female spades on the other end of the power pole harness.

Here's one of the back side and one of the banana plugs. Kind of a pain getting it down to something the forum will accept without a computer. Same one, plus one more in bigger views are here: https://imgur.com/a/pJgBnVO

The Alinco power supply I have had screw on terminals on the back, with 2x powerpole connectors on the front. Since the 50x1 is primarily a base, it got banana plugs (4mm, apparently) to plug inside the screw ons, which keeps the front clutter free. I also got a couple of powerpole harnesses, and spliced one together with a 12v receptacle, which covers the mxt115 (which has a 12v plug already) if I decide to b5eing it in. Also covers a myriad of other uses.

You'd be transmitting on the 467.

The powerpole interchangeability is a good point, especially since it isn't uncommon to find them on base power supplies anyway; my alinco definitely has a couple, and I made one harness for powerpole to 12v socket. The 50x1 got banana plugs and is using the sockets on the back. I've been looking at the idea not so much to interchange radios but more to be able to Move them between base and car. Was pondering slotting the mounting bracket so instead of 4 screws radio to bracket, it'd be 2 wing nuts to loosen and remove the radio and bracket together. I also have a second wiring harness on the way to go into the car.

That and wiring are the biggest rub. It would come down to finding radios that share hardware, so would use the same wiring and mounting bracket. The main possibility that comes to mind is the btech 50x1 / 50x2, which look to be only a firmware change apart. other l possibilities I'm less sure of are whatever the Midland mxt400 shares hardware with, or if the radio sold as the anytone 578 (among other things) has an equivalent on the gmrs side.

Revisiting this, though it's been longer than I meant it to be. First step was where to set up my "shack", initially though garage but ended up in the spare bedroom instead, next to my work-from-home setup. The computer I had chirp on wouldn't update, ended up having to basically reinstall the os twice, as it was a few versions out of date, and no longer supported. That said...chirp set up, and I programmed a few extra channels beyond games...a few public safety, and the vhf and UHF calling frequencies. Antenna wise, it's currently booked up to a midland mxta-10 5/8 wave, on a mag mount stuck up in the top of the closet..it juuust fits with the tip against the ceiling. (Room for improvement, I know). Generally I'll leave it scanning gmrs, or dual watch with the local public safety channels while I work, and poke here and there, as the vast majority of the traffic in my area is bubble pack chatter and the kiddos playing with the "call" button incessantly. A couple private repeater in range, and one open, a hair over 60 miles away. Haven't reached out to the closer one (private, ~40 miles out at 5k ft), so I tried for the open one...was able to get a squelch tail but no responses till today..contact confirmed! Also found a setup menu pin prompt on boot up, but zero luck finding the 6 digit PIN anywhere on the net, and bTech shot my inquiry about what that is down with zero pleasantries. Chirp makes the programming pretty cake if you're okay with chirp, but it's possible through the menu as well. The settings cheat sheet that was provided (posting from mobile, and can't look back at who posted it, sorry...) Was a big help as to what each of the settings was. (Hope this isn't too long winded, and helps provide some useful perspective)

Yep, gmrs is in the 462.xxx, with the FRS low power channels and repeater Inputs in 467. I worded my previous post poorly (and have edited for more clarity, hopefully). I was referring to the the majority of the Nagoya mobiles I've seen being centered for ham frequencies, not gmrs.

What kind of terrain are you working with? The tradeoff for gain is less vertical width to the signal. that said, the Nagoya have mixed reviews, and i don't remember a Nagoya mobile one that's really centered where we need it for gmrs (they tend to be centered closer to 440-450, if i remember right, most gmrs is around 462, with repeater inputs in the 467 range).