Mikeam

Dang it Randy, now I need your Jeep to get back to my super remote repeater site. 

RFI better know as Radio Frequency Interference can do weird and funny things to near by equipment. It overloads the equipment's  frontend and electronics and causes all kinds of fun things.. Just like you experienced with the alarms that was on the tractor around the construction site. I bet if you move further away than 20 feet from it it might not have happened. I have been behind many of my buddies knowing they are speeding and have set off there radar detectors with my gmrs radio and other radios because i was close to them and overloaded the frontend of the radar detector. Funny as crap to watch them hit the brakes cause they thought a cop was around radaring.. RF can and will do very weird things.. That's why the FCC has RF Exposure limits on certain frequencies. 
 
https://www.fcc.gov/general/radio-frequency-safety-0#:~:text=The SAR is a value,(1.6 W%2Fkg).

Which Baofeng? Also you must put your radio in Frequency Mode. Turn the volume (after cable is connected) too full and back off a little. Then upload your file to the radio.

You may have to save the downloaded from the radio to update your file then it should be what you changed!

Actually, this happens in my area all the time on the repeaters.  Not so much on simplex, though.
 
There is a 650 repeater I use all the time on Bull Run Mountain and another 650 repeater in Ellicott City (52 miles away).  On the near daily basis, even with different tones, we end up having massive issues.  My buddy may bring up the BRM repeater with the proper tone, but even though he is closer to the repeater than the other station, the other station using the Ellicott City repeater will either come over the top of him of they both end up wiping each other out.  Not a good time.

I am a Ham, but had my GMRS license long before my amateur radio license, going back to 1988.  It was an individual license back then and gear was primitive at best, but that is part of what made it easy.
Me and my Ham friends (whom actually do appreciate GMRS) very rarely use VHF/UHF ham frequencies anymore and are almost completely GMRS.  Many of us got sick of the club politics.  We just use GMRS to chat while we are heading to meet up, stay in touch on the road, and in touch while offroad.  Be it in 4X4's, on foot, small boats, etc.
Anyway, I wouldn't let it discourage you.  While some clubs have linked GMRS repeaters and have Nets, there are way more causal users and families with handhelds, mobiles, as well as base stations or repeaters in their garage so they can talk to family and friends.

He already solved the problem by switching to better power connections. 

Hello   OK problem solved and should have thought of this after years of " playing with radios" but as we get older sometimes the obvious doesn't hit us in the face !!!  Changed the cigarette lighter plug to a more heavy duty type and transmits like a charm ! Thank you to Sshannon for the posting about power requirements which lead me on the right track   73's to all and thank you !   

Exactly I like the fact just plainly speak and not sound like on Adam 12. So far everything gmrs is thumbs up like see more repeaters in Orange County or open respecters in general. But I can see the problem just opening them up too for free use. A pretty pickle. 

I don't use my radio all that much, but for my needs the MXT115 works well enough.  Is it perfect?  Yeah right, far from it.  I picked up a brand new one, unopened for $40.  Can't beat that w/ a stick (well, I guess you could if you had a stick...).  I really only use it to keep in touch w/ my buddies and family when we're wheeling together.  It works great for that.  And I do like the size and mounting bracket.  Wish others would make a similar bracket.

Thought I'd share my opinion on the MXT115 for various uses. 
I started with the MXT115 for my parents. Simple and cheap. Since then I installed one in our Kubota RTV for around the property as well as on my Kubota BX. I have 10+ acres as well as neighbors etc. I run a GR300 with 25 watts out of the duplexer into a DB404 at 30' at home. It works great for a 5 miles area (way more than needed). 
We are planning a trip to the GC this summer and plan to take the jeep and our new CTC. While setting the trailer up I decided to have GMRS, and WX. Ended up just sticking another MXT115 in the CTC. Small yet perfect for our use. Our CTC runs off a Jackery 300 that gets charged during the day while we drive. Again simple and effective. As with all Midland stuff I threw the supplied antenna in the dumpster and installed a Larsen HF NMO mount in the roof with a 1/4 wave antenna. I can pick up 3 WX channels at home in my driveway on the 1/4 wave so most likely stick with it. I do have a Larsen Triband I plan to bring in case I need better. I run the Tri-Band on the JT for my 8500 anyway.
Our main use for the trip will be to talk to wife or myself when using the MSI talk about we carry also. Mostly campground communications when at bath house or shower. 
Anyway wanted to share. I plan to get a few more when i come home from my trip for our other utility vehicles around the property. Love midland or hate them these are all over in use for stuff like I am using them for. 

That's not for a KT8900D.  The KT8900D is an amateur radio.  Not a GMRS radio. 
 
From the manufacturer.... 
Dual Band: VHF and UHF / 144 / 430Mhz
TX amateur band version: 144-146 MHz et 430-440 MHz
RX: 87.5-108MHz, 136-174MHz, 400-480MHz, 220-260MHz and 350-390MHz
 
The QYT KT-8900D covers RX and TX 144-146MHz and 430-440Mhz in analog FM mode with 25 watts (VHF) and 20 watts (UHF) and VFO button for channel or frequency change.

That radio isn't compatible with GMRS. As pointed out above, its a Ham radio, not a GMRS radio. 
 
It can be modified to work on GMRS, but there is no soft-mod.  It requires a technician or someone technically skilled with the proper tools to both add and remove some components from the main board.  Once that is done, it needs to be reprogrammed. 
 
Given it costs about $45-$50 to do the mod (assuming you already have all the tools) and its only an $80 radio... almost no one does it.  I would recommend you just buy a GMRS radio.

Your reply was very pleasant and I appreciate that.  I try not to think of it as "correcting" someone... because occasionally there is a negative connotation with the expression.  I hope my reply didn't come across coarsely. 
 
I prefer to think of it more as... we have different experiences and we are just sharing our experiences to help each other.

I'm glad you have a good sense of humor..
 
I actually do just that on our trips. If there is someone who didn't bring a radio or doesn't have FRS/GMRS when everyone else does, I just hand out a cheap loaner while we're out on the trails. 
 
If you let someone use the GMRS radio,, unless the person using your handheld radio is an immediate family member, they can't use your license to go on the repeater.  Also,, FRS radios are not repeater capable, so that prevents someone with an FRS radio from getting on a repeater as well.

Sorry... I have to.
 
 

This is unfortunate, I ordered a radio and a cable in two separate transactions, and they both arrived relatively quickly.  Is this site showing the item as sold out now?

@kidphc that's good to know that you had luck with moving your mount. I haven't moved mine yet, but when I get back to Virginia, if the dealer is done with some unrelated work, I'll pick it up and try sliding it forward. Worse case, I can swap the front and rear functions, using the back for UHF and the front antenna for VHF.
 
And yes, both Jeep and Dodger/Ram vehicles cause a massive amount of RFI with most of the computers and controllers being in plastic cases instead of metal. I also can't run an HF Amp in my Jeep because anything over 100w below 50 MHz causes absolute chaos.  LoL 

Not only is the license easier to get, but that one license covers your entire extended family. No other licensed service has such licensing. 

No.. 
Although many hams do slum on GMRS in many areas, the main use for GMRS is utilitarian communication - ie; when off-roading and in a group, hiking, traveling with multiple vehicles, etc.
Sadly, it sounds like in your area many of the rag-chewers have taken over.. But once you get out of reach of their basements, like out adventuring in the desert or mountains, all their noise goes away.
I run a repeater, partially run another repeater which is one of the largest/most used in Southern California, and run a group - not only am i not a ham, most in the group are not hams either.

Its been a while since I've had either of my 50X1s,  but IIRC t's pretty simple..
First - read the manual and familiarize yourself with how the menu system works - failure to do this part will result in much confuckulation and rage. Optionally you could watch some youtube videos about how to use the menu system for the 50X1 or a UV-5R, since the menus are virtually the same.
Then, select the channel that you want to put the PL code on, go to the menu option for CTCSS tones, select the code from the list, save it, and enjoy.
Another option would be use use your computer and the CHIRP software which in many ways is easier since it's almost self-explanatory on the screen after learning how to use CHIRP.
 

Welcome to this site, there is a lot of good information here and people willing to help. I am a novice my self and many have given me solid advice (not my preferred brand is better than the other brands) that has made the GMRS useful to me as a hobby. Enjoy!

Welcome to this site, there is a lot of good information here and people willing to help. I am a novice my self and many have given me solid advice (not my preferred brand is better than the other brands) that has made the GMRS useful to me as a hobby. Enjoy!

Welcome to this site, there is a lot of good information here and people willing to help. I am a novice my self and many have given me solid advice (not my preferred brand is better than the other brands) that has made the GMRS useful to me as a hobby. Enjoy!

Welcome to this site, there is a lot of good information here and people willing to help. I am a novice my self and many have given me solid advice (not my preferred brand is better than the other brands) that has made the GMRS useful to me as a hobby. Enjoy!