Shadow471

My IC-F43GT radios are working fine.
But I've really moved to Moto XPRs. As I'm working on my General HAM. and can do DMR HAM on the proper UHF1 XPRs.
 

I started out with the surecom SW-33, really focused for HTs.
But now use the surecom SW-102.
Its a great meter. Well worth the cost, really the only meter you'll ever need.

I recently installed an AT-778 in my FJ Cruiser, as you can see, it has all of the controls on the mic.

Been awesome, the UHF2 seems to have better reception for GMRS. but everyone says both radios TX great.
I did get the wide-band UHF1/UHF2 antenna for each radio.
Picked up some hand Mics.
 
Thanks again.
 

Been awesome, the UHF2 seems to have better reception for GMRS. but everyone says both radios TX great.
I did get the wide-band UHF1/UHF2 antenna for each radio.
Picked up some hand Mics.
 
Thanks again.
 

Both XPRs are SOLD.
8-)

The entry level Technicians exam is fairly easy, but I personally took (and still take) the examination process quite seriously. I wanted to get my ham ticket 40 years ago, but was put off by the CW portion of the exam. Only this past year did I learn it was no longer a subject that was tested on, so with this knowledge I finally decided to study for my license. I obtained both my Technician and the General Class upgrade. I now am actively working towards the Extra Class.
 
For me, amateur radio is all about gaining knowledge, experimentation and then working and collaborating with others that share that passion. Some get into it just because they want to use the cool cheap walkie-talkies that are available now.
 
Many folks I have heard say ‘just memorize the answers’. For me, that was the last thing I wanted to do. Yes, I wanted to pass, and I new I would given my nearly 40 years working in a branch of the communications field. However, I have always admired the hams and looked up to those that were took it seriously. I knew many that had some good solid technical chops. I was not going to sell myself short if I entered. I studied the books, went on lots of learning trails to fill in knowledge gaps, then took many practice tests and researched each topic when I got something wrong until finally I knew I could get every possible question right. You can feel pretty good about yourself and your accomplishments when you study, I know I did on test day.
 
As I reflected on passing each exam, I realized that passing was truly nothing more than just earning my ticket, my permission to enter. I learned that the knowledge gained in the testing process was just a drop in the bucket compared to what there is know. There is still so much more to learn and so little time to learn it. I wish I had not waited.
 
Don’t sell yourself short. Take it seriously, then get your ticket and enjoy the learning process which is the amateur radio hobby.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

I owner two mixed code repeaters. There were two reasons for doing this. A ) Security. For a bit I had an unknown user keying the repeater for minutes at a time. After asking the user not to do this they chose to key the repeater for nearly 30 minutes. Of course the repeaters TOT tripped after 2 minutes, however the user continued to key either until they were bored, or until their radio finally killed itself, nearly 30 minutes and long enough for me to figure out where they were. So I changed only the input tone so the user couldn't trip the repeater (or its twin) again. B ) We kept the original output tone to make it seem like we never changed tones at all. Trying to "scan" the repeaters output would only give the 223 code for output. I figured this would frustrate anyone who is trying to get access without checking with me first.

Being a ham, I had limited experience with fox hunting. Fox hunting is the hobby's name of locating a transmitter. I took the information I had and moved forward. I could hear the signal in my house with an antenna on a portable in one direction so that burned off about 85% of the area needing checking. I removed the antenna and began driving around until a signal returned on the radio. This further reduces the area as a portable without an antenna will only pick up stronger signals. Holding the radio to my body blocks signals from one direction, and I turn until the signal sounds strongest. Doing that a few times and I ended up driving past the guys house while he was outside. Seeing a vehicle with warning lights and 3 antennas freaked him out cause he and his buddys ran inside and the transmission stopped soon after. I also noticed a few minutes later when I drove past again that the antenna on his car was gone.
 
I did not confront the person, that is not what self policing (which is what HAM and GMRS is) is about. You do the leg work, gather enough evidence, and forward it to the FCC who may do something if the interference can/has caused property damage, or if the incident presents a public safety hazard. Confronting someone this day in age is a good way to get your head blown off, or be posted on the news as racist, or some other crazy negative like that.

https://www.fccbulletin.com/

I found this new gmrs radio the other day and i think the retivis ra-25 might be a clone of this radio. I looked at both of the fcc id's and i couldn't find retivis but i did find the anytone fcc id. It's part 15B and part 95E. looks like a pretty good radio. At least its a lot cheaper than midlands. what do you think?
 
https://www.amazon.com/Transceiver-AT-779UV-Cigarette-Connector-Programming/dp/B08PF9QTLH/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=anytone+gmrs&qid=1608113683&sr=8-5
 
 
https://fccid.io/T4K-779UV

Since I don't use Zello, I was not aware that after the first 30 days one has to pay for the use of Zello. Fortunately I have no need for Zello being blessed with two wide-area repeaters in NW Indiana.

The problem I see with some of the Zello channels, be it "radio" related or not is owner/admins that spend way more time on air barking at people, asking who is xxx and who "trusted" them in. I can't even log in to Zello on my PC without 3 seconds later some admin yelling my handle wanting to know what I am doing on the channel. 
 
Well...you "trusted" me in....that's why I'm here.
 
I really laugh at the ones that are setup as "anyone can listen" but they still get all bent when you appear online. I don't spend 10 hours a day on Zello, so no, you probably haven't talked to me. When I log on to see what's being discussed, stop acting like I'm an intruder. You let me in. In one case you emailed me a password. 
 
Today some dude went in a level 13 panic calling people trying to find out who I was and who let me on....I never had a chance to answer, so I just let him go on sounding like he thinks he is so important, if he wants to play radio cop...have fun spazing out! 
 
There is nothing that ruins human interaction, like.....human interaction! 

If your following the FCC rules by the letter!
If you using any Channel/Freq at the higher power levels, your using GMRS.
This does REQUIRE your callsigns, not just repeater use. at the start, after 15 minutes and at the end of your communications.
 
That's the difference between FRS and GMRS, the higher power levels on the shared Channel/Freqs.
Unit number are to be used after your Call Sign, if calling / talking to someone in your family, using your GMRS license.
 
 
Now if it’s for an official emergency use, usually the main coordinator, will assign you a unit number and record document your name and call sign.In my case, working with the state, county and regional. We then switch to unit ID and Last name.Some on GMRS and some on their digital band.

There is a place called aquapac.net that sells special radio bags to make them waterproof.
Or just use a ziploc bag and poke the antenna through.  Make a small starter hole first.
Not waterproof but pretty good.
 
The DeWalt FRS radio is listed as IP67 if you really need waterproof.
(Going from 2W to 5W is just a little more than 3dB.)
I think somebody mentioned that the KG 905 is more water resistant than the 805.
 
BTW, there are several different batteries available for the 805.
It's very practical to have a set of spares.
 
So, in my book the 805 has a lot going for it.
Of course the 905 sounds nice too.
I like the transmit power level switch for one thing.
But I'm happy with the 805's.
 
Vince

drabina, let me weight in... I'm a newbie and my first two HT was the 805G with reviews I read from mbrun and others, it is the great radio... BUT then I got a data cable and use CHIRP on my Mac and the world of making life easier to setup radio was so helpful.  I added several personal channels on the end of the radio channel list as well as for several repeaters and channel our family uses to most to be able to use with older FRS Cobras etc around the house or campground with the kids and G kids.  
 
So that was back in Nov/Dec and reading this forum, asking questions in post as well as PM to my mentors and coaches.  Well I got a KG-905G from BTWR https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-905g.html with a 15.5 antenna and it great distance... I'm still formulating and writing a reviews.  So far the feature I like the most is it is more beefer, great battery life, more water resistant as I have a Jeep top off from Spring-Summer-Fall.  But the best feature is channel scanning by groups... I have made up so many groups like my repeater group with favorite channels, FRS channels, Just GMRS repeater channels to hear or monitor the repeaters that I do not have the PL code.  
 
So what I'm saying is I was like you, KISS at first but after getting involved in GMRS and where I'm at now, I would purchased a KG-905G over the 805G... no regrets as the 805G works for the family, light weight and easy to use but for me where I'm at the 905G is the answers.  My cost justification is I can still use my 6 FRS with the G Kids without a license and teaching them to do radio correctly.
 
Have fun, you will get what is best for you and family, so let us know what you pick and why.  O I should say since I'm a fellow newbie I offer help to you, just PM me and will help if you pick and get the data cable with software or other accessories...  (This offer goes out to all newbie with a 805G or 905G as well.)  I found the secret sauce which will make sense and you will be up and running quickly.
 
Jack

Well, the GMRS group (NSEA) I belong to has no "dues" at all, but does assign unit numbers. They are not referred to as "Tactical..." however! Nothing so pretentious as that...

I use it per the rules, even for test transmissions to a new repeater, etc.

That may be a very good thing.
 
Let’s us all be good stewards of the GMRS service by our example so it does not run away from us and turn into trash like CB did in so many places.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

As a GMRS licensee they (and you) are required to use them. I live near Cincinnati. Around me, both repeater and simplex users alike seem to use them pretty religiously. There is even a local GMRS father that is teaching his 7 year old son to use GRMRs per the rules. Pretty cool seeing a father take his role seriously.
 
Remember that GMRS shares 22 of 30 frequencies with FRS, and FRS users do not need to have a license and callsign, so one cannot always assume that those not giving there callsign are actual GMRS licensees. They could be simplex FRS users. Now, if you are hearing them truly from the repeater (not just simplex users using the main GMRS frequencies and code that you are), then yes they must have a license and must be using there callsign.
 
Best way to get people to use their callsign is to lead by example.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

After spending $70 on it, I use it every chance I get. 

So 99% of your public safety vehicles on the road use RG58 on an NMO mount Under 16' of cable I wouldn't worry about RG58 on UHF. If your running 50' then you should have concern. Being your using a mag mount it really doesn't matter. You will not notice a difference in RG58 vs LMR240 or RG8X. 

Thanks.  It occurred to me this may be much ado about nothing.  Given that RG58 loses about 11db at 100', I realize I'd only 1 at 10', but most mag mounts have 17'-18' of cable so I'd figure two.  Planning to couple with an antenna that has either 2.5 or 3db of gain as well.  
 
Thanks!

That is the result of a phenomenon called "knife-edge diffraction," where a signal is diffracted from a sharp edge (such as a tall building or mountain.
 
I take advantage of this with a yagi antenna I use to reach a repeater in the far north of Chicago. The NSEA repeater is located in Parkridge, Illinois and is 47 line of sight miles from my house. By careful aim of the yagi, I'm refracting signals off the 'sharp edge' of the Willis Tower (formerly known as the Sears Tower).
 

I just took the plunge and ordered a new MXT275.  Debated a 50W Wouxun and the 40W Midland options.  Price wasn't a factor; it was having all functions and the display on the mic of the MXT275 that did it for me.  Absolutely hooked on that feature of this model.  I really don't wanna run wiring for a removable head-unit and hate when radios (and, naturally, their displays) are mounted down by the center console which takes ones eyes so far off the road.  Plus, since this is going in the bride's car where I'm often a passenger, the display would be upside down to me unless it has the option of reversing the display.  Having everything displayed on the mic, I can surely find room somewhere on the dash where it can be viewed easily.
 
If a 40W version of this radio were available AND it had the display mic, it'd be a no-brainer.  None the less, from all I've read, I don't think I'm gonna be disappointed and, paired with a good gain antenna, I think it's gonna work well.  I was wondering whether display mics could be bought separately and paired with other rigs but didn't wanna do that much research.