tweiss3

Yep, brand new antennas on my Vertex HTs from MOL for about $1 cheaper than the ebay special, and got to my door much quicker.

https://www.fcc.gov/reports-research/maps/frequency-coordination-canada/ Channels 19 & 21 cannot be used above line A or east of line C.

19 is a terrible idea, as 462/7.65 is strictly prohibited above line A.

That is probably in the help file, which seems to be impossible to open in Windows 10.

I had to use the wideband recovery tool once on VX-427 radios. Worked just fine with the standard programming cable. All the other vertex radios didn't require the recovery tool when programming (yet).

I don't, but if it was something I was look to use, I would get Icom V10 or a Moto. Both make current models for MURS.

This is hilarious. The show bandwidth on the chart, then recommend Midland radios.

From the FCC: "RR holders are authorized to operate most aircraft and aeronautical ground stations. They can also operate marine radiotelephone stations aboard pleasure craft (other than those carrying more than six passengers for hire on the Great Lakes or bays or tidewaters or in the open sea) when operator licensing is required." https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/commercial-radio-operator-license-program/commercial-0 I would take that to mean that you may be authorized for any band, but only for Marie or Aeronautical uses. Similar to one using marine radios/frequencies inland for hunting, its outside the authorization and highly frowned upon. If you have your RR license, you have some knowledge. Getting your General is not much more information to review than Tech, and you get 99% of the Amateur spectrum.

It has a few uses, not necessarily related to GMRS. I have used it for packet stations, that way I dont have to use an expensive sound card to key the radio. It is also used at times with headsets where your hands won't be free for use, like climbing, skiing, etc...

That's where you need to think about the above questions. Where do you intend to listen? Where do are you located? Public Safety radio has made some significant changes the past 10 years, and most (not all) have gone to large digital trunked systems which cannot be listened to with basic scanners. This is really beyond the scope of this GMRS forum. I suggest you go to RadioReference and take some time reading through the database for your area and the scanning forums. You might be able to listen to all you want with your computer, then again, maybe not.

I can't find the documentation for bandwidth at tuned frequency; however, you should have tuned for 465Mhz, which would cover 462 simplex and 467 repeater inputs. I know it sounds different, but when you tune for 462 to be the lowest SWR, 467 ends up out of the curve with rising SWR.

This is going to depend on many things, including your area, and where you intend to listen (car, home, etc.). It could be as simple as a small antenna on the window and an RTL-SDR usb dongle and some free software or as expensive as a Uniden SDS100/200 scanner.

And there are many people that do this. In fact, there was a thread on here not long ago about a 10W repeater on a mountain in Alaska that has incredible range.

Are you using the repeater channels for 15-22 (467MHz), or the simplex (talkaround)?

GMRS is largely a "line of site" service. In other words, hills, buildings, and even the curvature of the earth are what cause the real limitations for a radio. Keep in mind, in the amateur radio service, many people can communicate with satellites at only 1-5Watts. What a repeater does is create a vantage point way above normal ground level, which lets you overcome the hills and curve of the earth. This article very briefly explain how the "line of site" concept works relative to height: https://www.hamuniverse.com/lineofsightcalculator.html

I don't think that radio has an SWR meter. It appears the "meter" on the right side of the screen is received signal strength, and power out on transmit. A 4 would probably indicate you have it set on medium power?

The other problem you will find is getting an amplifier that will match your low power output to 50W. Most have a drive input of 5-10w, outputting 80-150W, over the power limit allowed for GMRS.

I believe you can direct kill/stun commands based on serial number, and provide a second layer of security with OTAP keys. This can all be managed via the RM software, and sent over wifi or pushed out over your backbone (repeater).

Digital is not permitted on GMRS, so you won't find a digital radio with Part 95 certification. You will find plenty of older commercial radios that have Part 95 and Part 90, like Kenwood, Vertex and Motorola. Read some of the review and technical discussion on this forum. There are plenty of recommendations there.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/radio Yes, you can carry it on your carry-on bag. Make sure you carry a copy of your FCC License (GMRS/HA). Also know the restrictions on batteries you can take, and the maximum amp-hours you are permitted to carry (including the total in your phone, power bank, radio batteries, etc.).

I ended up picking up one of these XPR7550e Enabled radios for a pretty decent price. Other than the difficulty of Motorola, I actually really like the radio. The wideband entitlement allows you to program the proper 20k bandwidth for GMRS, and full 25k for ham. It also got me looking back into DMR. Actually, I was looking at picking up an inexpensive DMR radio, then came across this for the same price. As for daily use, I've been carrying this for a week now. When in the car, I still use my Yaesu mobile since I use APRS/vhf a lot while out and about. But for the county "emergency" ARES is on UHF, and the Skywarn stuff is linked VHF/UHF, so this will do it all. I also noticed the selectivity is really good, and didn't break squelch from RFI when next to a Vertex VX800. I'm not going to replace the Vertex fleet for GMRS, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy more if the price is right. I am looking for a VHF version just to have and play around with, but the price must be right.

In a crazy turn of events, I tried CPS16 and was able to read the radio over wifi. I then started a codeplug again, and was able to write in CPS16. I'm going to sick with it.

That's good to know. Atleast I can maintain existing radio codeplugs. Yea, I knew that when I pulled the trigger. Then again, I got all in for what a new crummy Anytone costs now.

From what I understand you cannot make any changes after the 3 years, and need to renew the license. I figure I'll either have more than 1 moto radio then, or have none. The price per year to maintain 2-4 radios isn't bad, and maybe by then I will have the family running around with radios as well.

I'll send you a PM, I don't want MOL mad at me for posting it.