H8SPVMT

Seems to pretty much spell it out.

I have had the Midland MXT400 in my Jeep Wrangler for about three years now. I usually get the most use out of it on trail rides. As I understand it, the MXT500 is pretty much the same but with more output power. Also you can select the wideband feature that will assist in getting better reception of other brand systems. Midland is usually a narrow band and it makes you turn un the volume to hear wideband radios better. My daily driving usage has been very limited and involves GMRS repeaters when/where available. Overall, there are few people using this system of communication except to speak with fellow travelers or local neighbor chats. Businesses around town use it often. For me I set the channel selector on SCAN and that is what I hear the most of.

Same here in Summerville, SC. I listen mostly as there id no one around here either so, I just the scan feature. BUT HEY, GMRS isn't like CB's. Although I get to use mine when we're off roading in the Jeeps...

Maybe the bad rap is due to a poorly written operations manual that does not spell out all the functions of the unit. I too had to experiment for the code scanning function among others. One dislike I do have (due to my own ignorance at purchase time) was the radio was narrow band and not wide band. It works well with others like units but it was never told to the masses that were required to switch to GMRS for coms on the trails (JEEPJAMUSA). Sure just a simple tweak of the volume control takes care of that until a narrow-band makes a reply! So far, I have had plenty of time to adjust and learn so it isn't a huge problem overall but there could be other corners that were cut and I'd never know....

There is no TONE SCAN button on the Midland MXT400 so...... I found thru experimentation that I can SCAN CTCSS/DCS tones on the MXT400. The procedure is easy to do actually: 1. Select the frequency of the repeater then: 2. Push the TS/DCS button once and then: 3. Hold down the TS/DCS button until a scan starts I believe it will scan until the MXT 400 determines the proper code. While in the SCAN Mode, I turned the frequency selection knob and see that it changes/reversed the order of the actual scan too, cool!

I just set my unit to SCAN all the channels....

Thinking I'll stick with my 6 dB gain for off roading and around town. It works and is flexible enough for what I need on & off road.

I do request use if it is an open repeater and I maintain a list of codes for the approved ones. And the other open ones. I know when I drivee thru the area I can use them and have the necessary information at hand. Am a wandering Jeeper and do have my radio on, most all the time scanning.

Oh but they can with prior agreement. As "Home" can mean a predetermined meeting place or another location.

"WE" use coded signals all the time, examples: Home: I'm going home. No one else listening knows that location of what the actual location refers to. Location: The key is in it's usual location Ass whooping: Tell John he is getting an Ass whooping when I get home! Who is John and just what does "Ass Whopping" refer too? Number three lug-nut: The number three lug nut is loose and needs to be tighten. etc:..........

Absolutely and I do for for most all channels. When traveling across country through sometimes I hear repeaters not listed on MyGMRS.com and think it would be nice to know the information, just in-case I get in a jam. I remember to clear the channels I use after leaving the areas most times.

C/P to add in my notes for times that I am near other GMRS activities. I'm trying to keep a list of Frequencies/Channels and tones for my travels. Seems some frequencies are more desired by repeater operators than others, so I have to keep swapping CTCSS/DCS tones as we travel. Having that information about scanning will likely assist me too, THANKS!

I have had this radio now several years and live in an area where there isn't much GMRS traffic but I do use the scan feature often picking up FRS conversations mostly. I have noticed that I also have a feature that appears to scan thru all the CTCSS/DCS codes I believe. Nothing in the operators manual explains this operation or, why it functions (runs thru all the codes very quickly) like this or how it is used. What feature is this and how does it operate?

Should do well there. A good repeater located in the area that I have used from time to time when wheeling thru the mountains just southwest from there. Welcome!

CSRAGMRS has this statement pertaining to the use of their equipment: *We do not allow the use of any DTMF or end of transmission tones otherwise known as a Roger Beep(RB). Seems redundant to use a, "Roger Beep" on a repeater in my opinion if you get used to listening to the repeater operation. I forgot to say too, that you might search the Repeater Map here and open the information box to see if the owner states a restriction on actually using the repeater with a RB. Just a suggestion as it seems to me that stipulation would have come with your approval to use the equipment. Just a newbie trying to help....

"Fonarow pointed out that cryptocurrency is just one idea the city has heard. Trail officials may learn more once the locked boxes are opened." If they moved them, I bet some have already been opened... Odd that they allowed a story to be published without investigating the components (which I think they have) before attempting removal in todays climate. If that is the case I would think they know if it is HAM or GMRS or other related transmitters. Using serial numbers and photographs to be presented to folks in the know would be to easy to ID this stuff. I think the story is to flush out the owners, and/or locate all the units that they might not have found.

CH.1 FRS Child Care center is on it all day with a bad mic wire I think as it cuts on /off without mercy. Hear the children screaming and talking to one another but never an adult. Ruins the scan feather...

And the bottom line is: It IS up to the individual using the equipment to get the license. And many just either don't know or care not to know. The same was the issue with the CB radios... The best option we have is to not converse with them on the air. It's your choice.

I'm guilty too. specially when in a group and no one uses their call sign (CS). We usually have an intro going to trails early in the morn. Names are mentioned etc. Would actually be a wonderful time to start the effort and use their CS just to stay in practice (and legal). Kinda like running through intersections in the woods and not looking both ways for cross-traffic. It becomes a relaxed atmosphere and no one pays it any mine... Yes there are those that do not have a license too. A cool shoulder might be enough to push them in the right direction. And why can't JJAMUSA require it as a part of their entry requirements? I'll ask. I think I know what the answer is all ready.

Common problem really. While "you can hear the repeater" it may not hear your signal. This is most likely due to distance and obstructions occurring to your signal. Simply put, your signal isn't reaching the repeater you hear.

But not as cool as my Jeep License Plate "H8SPVMT"

I think with todays technology most anyone with the desire could get a label printed up (or sticker) with a callsign and attach it inside the back window.

Couldn't you put the radio behind the glovebox and route the plug between the box and the console (down low)?

How was the Ozarks (assume) this year? Been doing the KY Cumberland's for years now. Comms have been much clearer for us too since using the GMRS. JJAM doesn't follow the rules either and focus on better comms for the the overall event. I get along well with the MXT-400. I do have some Uniden HH I purchased too many years ago don't even remember buying them. I'll take these too with me as well this year. IIRC we all used FRS channels anyway for the trail comms and don't know what the guides were using overall.

Honestly, I believe you're correct 99.9% of the time. Most may never use the repeaters anyway and answer permission only out of ignorance or in hopes of maybe using it when you pass thru an area once a year. Unless there is an issue brought to the owners attention, they may not even know who is using it. I have asked to use private repeaters near me and actually talked to the operators. Seldom on a trip do I raise the owner for a chat for a chat (once but an exception).