[Setting up repeater for GMRS radios compared to base station]

I'm a newbie also and playing around with elevations I ran across

https://www.scadacore.com/

 

A line of sight that works where we have only rolling hills. BUT it is a very quick reference I find.

Also quite accurate for the price (free). LOL

[How popular is GMRS (in subjective terms)?]

 Back in the late 90's - Kenwood offered ( I never actually sold one, but saw a few units being demo'd) a radio that transmitted pictures via UHF frequencies.

 

I believe it was one like this: http://www.acicommpact.com/kenwood/kvt10.html

 

I remember that it was fairly slow data speeds for transferring a low resolution picture - but I can't remember exactly how slow it was. I do remember making a comment during the presentation that I could probably snap a Polaroid & walk it over to the intended recipient before the Kenwood camera would have made half it's transfer - and not tie up the channel during the whole picture transmission.

 

But yeah, in today's world, it seems every phone has a camera, and plenty of the lower end CCR's have options like a flashlight and an FM radio receiver built into them. If you had the ability to transfer picture/video over WiFi it might serve some purpose.

 

I was implying that the camera crowd would buy them even without  being able to transmit.

[Midland Warranty Service - MXT400]

I also had good results with a blister pack of

GXT 1000. They tried to fix on line but after only 10 minutes told me new ones were on the way.

 

[How popular is GMRS (in subjective terms)?]

IF the GMRS Radios had a camera on them they'd be more popular.

 

[Video on GMRS communication for California citizens in rural areas affected by fires]

ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING!