garbon2535

I purchased one for a friend.  I am disappointed that I cant change DCS codes and CTCSS codes from the radios menu.  I have the same issue with sections "canceling".    I purchased the programing cable and after a lot of trail-and-error was able to program the radio the way I wanted.
 
I have a Wouxun KG-805G that I use daily.  The menus area a lot more simple and straight forward.  Everything in the menus actually functions.  After the price of the Retevis, shipping, and the programing cable, I'd suggest the Wouxun.  It's more but not much more.

I use an MXT-400 and the radio does use wideband on the repeater frequencies, out of the box. I have no problem using it on local repeaters.
 
I do use narrow band handheld units in simplex with the MXT-400. The only thing you need to do is turn up the volume to hear the handhelds. If a wideband radio keys up the volume will be loud. To reduce the number of times that this happens I usually use a PL tone on simplex.
 
Midland does sell a programming cable that allows you to set up split tones or change the bandwidth. I don't have the cable and have never had a need to change the stock configuration of the radio. There are several good YouTube videos if you want to learn more.

I use an MXT-400 and the radio does use wideband on the repeater frequencies, out of the box. I have no problem using it on local repeaters.
 
I do use narrow band handheld units in simplex with the MXT-400. The only thing you need to do is turn up the volume to hear the handhelds. If a wideband radio keys up the volume will be loud. To reduce the number of times that this happens I usually use a PL tone on simplex.
 
Midland does sell a programming cable that allows you to set up split tones or change the bandwidth. I don't have the cable and have never had a need to change the stock configuration of the radio. There are several good YouTube videos if you want to learn more.

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Gman1971, just give it up already.
 
Moderator's edit: "...I disagree"
 
Sorry moderators, ...but someone had to say it.

The Retevis RT76P is on Black Friday discount @ $26.99. These are legal part 95 GMRS radios and they put out the full 5 watts. Can't go wrong with these.
 
https://www.retevis.com/GMRS-Radios/

I just realized I never posted the final configuration of my base station antenna.
 
I ended up building a tilt-over mast with a simple 1/4-wave ground plain up at 27ft AGL fed with about 55ft of DRF-400 coax running to the radio. I have tested the base to HT range with my Midland GXT 1050's and can get at least 5 miles to the HT if I am not in a low spot. I have also been able to hit a repeater over 50 miles away that was LOS. I also am able to hit my local repeaters in my local Front Range GMRS group.
 
So basically I did my research online, took excellent advice from this group, did my calculations and that, with a little bit of luck, managed to exceeded my original requirements.
 
EDIT: Added a photo I neglected to the other day.
 
John
];')

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I can vouch for the Ebay Cable guy it's BlueMax49ers I bough all my programming cables (iCOM, Kenwood, Motorola) from him (Mark KJ6ZWL)  all his cable are FTDi Chip fast shipping too. My latest purchased from him was the programming cable for XPR8300 and as what gman1971 say all cable works just fine.

Found a function on the MXT400 the other day that I didn't see in the manual. You can scan for CTCSS or DCS on a channel if you long hold the CTCSS/DCS button. The codes will start scrolling. If there are active communications on that channel, it will eventually pause on the code. I've use it on the repeater channels to help figure out repeater tones if there's chatter.