WRZK526

I always say get the best you can afford because you may want to use it in a different place some day. As for watts I agree with what most people say that it is a small factor compared to location. I have a handheld repeater capable that I can hit a repeater 50 miles away with. That is when I stand in certain places but if I move just a couple of feet I lose it. This is handheld dedicated GMRS that probably puts out less than 5 watts.

462.550 (channel 15RP) is the frequency of the Flagstaff 550 repeater I get on but there is no way I can hit that White Tanks repeater from where I am at in Paulden. I rarely get to the Phoenix area.

My mistake they do not come with extra batteries. But they have lithium Ion and last a long time. You can also use alkaline batteries in them.

Midland GXT3000 $160 for two so $80 each. Repeater capable easy to program durable and they come with extra batteries. One for use, one for back up or to loan or sell to someone if they buy a new charger about $25.

I hope you get some help from people that understand that there are costs to operate a repeater. And as it is your property you have every right to ask for some help running it, otherwise the people just don't have to use it.

I am hitting a repeater 50+ miles away with my Midland GXT 3000 and they say I sound great but I am using the high setting. Haven't tried medium or low. That repeater is at 9000' and I am at 4800' with straight line of sight.

FRS radio's are short range and low power using simplex only. Most of the time I just ignore them. If they become a problem, I just put a privacy code on the channel's they use so I don't have to hear them. And of course there is the "little girl" transmission ploy. I never respond to anyone without a call sign unless it is an emergency request. I then call 911 and tell them what I heard. That has happened twice and once it was a true emergency. I am glad we share FRS with GMRS and am willing to put up with some minor inconvenience.

I would join but I am in Northern Arizona and don't think I can hit their repeater from up here so probably will not benefit much.

Try seeing if they can just get some handhelds of decent quality and see if they can all talk to each other. As for wattage in this case or most cases doesn't matter as much as line of sight. If they are all that close probably not going to be a problem. I would suggest all getting the same brand and the same model. Most come in packs of two so they could just order a two or three pack and share but would have to buy extra charging stations. I have had Midland GXT 1000 for a few years and have gotten 3 miles easy. Recently bought the GXT 3000 and today talked to a repeater 50 miles away. Depends on how much money they want or can spend. As for simplicity anyone can turn on, set the channel lock it and leave it if they are talking just to each other. If they want to possibly use a repeater in the future they will have to get a license. If they just use channels 1-7 probably no one will care.

I remember doing that with my kids before I ever got involved with GMRS. Totally different thing. I found a couple of them in a drawer a while back, one of them still works and I can connect with it from my GMRS radio's after I put batteries in it. I am sure current and future radio users got and will get their start using these cheap ones.

I know there is a cost to owning and operating a repeater and have been enjoying the use of a couple of them. They are open with no fees but I would be more than happy to help out a bit. I like to think I am the kind of guy that pays his own way especially when I am not asked. Might try and think this through.

If I knew of a repeater that would be of use to me I would pay the fee to keep it up and running. Fortunately there are several around me that are open to everyone.

I think most people that buy those "blister pack radios" have no intention of using them for emergencies. And you know a lot of ham snobs consider all GMRS radio's to be "blister pack radios" even the ones that can connect to repeaters. But then they program their Chinese radio's so they can access the GMRS repeaters. Given the very short range of the "blister pack radios" if I got a emergency request from anyone I would assume it is a close neighbor I would render assistance if possible. I also rarely respond to anyone who doesn't have a valid GMRS call sign.

I found that most repeaters are not used all that much even if they are open without fees. I assume the ones with fees want to limit users to select people.

I put my MXT 275 in my house attached to an antenna using PL259 male to male coaxial and it went together no problem. If they don't go together you may have a bad connector.