MacJack

WRKS279, Your post is an encouragement... you see I was happy just in GMRS, but good meaning Hams asked me if I would go for it... I took the practice Technical test and fell short of one questions with just my years of knowledge and a few guess answers. So Grand Daughter has been walking with me in GMRS, did the Space Museum in Huntsville, AL and we planted the see of joining Space Force... So we made a pack as she is 12 yo and it would be good to be a Ham and we will do it together this summers as she does homeschool all year around. So G Mom said ok for this summer learning... Again your witness of what it was like for you and what tools you used is an inspiration to us. So let us also congratulate you on passing and telling us about what was going on. FYI, I reached out the the local Ham Club asking for a mentor/coach and got two, the private owner of local repeater who allow us on and been very supported to GD and family, and new guy who has a heart for Ham. So my first question is what should I use to start studying.... We are happy for you and look forward to seeing your Ham call sign on your profile. Jack

I have not tried the https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-na-701g.html which is a 6.1 inch antenna... I have been using the Authentic Nagoya NA-771G Handheld GMRS Antenna (15.3 Inch) https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-na-771g.html on 3 of my GMRS radios and it like having a 20-30 watt radio in my Jeep with a KG-805G HT radio.. I get 30 miles to the repeater... Try it and test it and if you do not like it return it... Jack

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

Just remember that GMRS license are based on family not government... Currently $70 for one license for family/farmer not for others. Jack

I know we have talked about this before... but I have evolved in my understanding of the rules... So I have a private family repeater, have my VRX-7000 send out my call sign in morse code as first time key up the repeater. I understand it is an approved form of sending out the first time key the mic. At the end of conversation or every 10 minutes close with verbal call sign. Is that ok or am I missing an issue with the way you read the rules. I accept your answers with any or all your declaimers and will not call you as a witness at my FCC hearing. Jack

I could not get it to work on the jlwanglerforum site... is that the one it worked for you? Jack

Thanks for the endorsement for TapaTalk... I wish I had enough to contribute that requires uploading photos... You do as you are our "go to guys" as you supply photos were called for... e.g. your antenna test. Keep it up and will paypal you a few dollars for TapaTalk.. joking. Jack

That is a nice looking radio... I'm looking forward to your review... My new main issue in a radio is group scanning of my select channels... and want to go deeper so look forward to what you find. Jack

I have better luck in posting photos in jlwranglerforum then in myGMRS. I have not installed theTapatalk.

Photos please on completed installation by putting link to your post in jlwranglerforum, thanks. Jack

Sound like you want a radio that has group scan where you put the channels into a group you want to scan or scan some other group even all... The two radios I know who can do group scan is KG-1000g mobile or base config or HT KG-905G which I have and works so well. If anyone knows of other radios that allows you to do grouping to add channels into a group to scan, I would like to know for knowledge. Jack

I'm in the same boat and have not installed my Midland as did not know what to do with the extra cable... One person said do not coil it up... We are standing by for a good and correct answer... Jack and for Kevin as well.

Thanks n4gix, I did forget about that... it has been over 10 years since I left PC products. What I found was after installing the software, I needed to launch software and go to setting and select any number of USB comm ports one at time to see if it worked. It was so simple... I suggested to BTWR to add some simple instructions so as not to frustrate users... I will keep your answer as I will need it in the future. Jack

I got it... the key is in the 905G software you have to pick one by one any of the USB comm ports in setup of the software NOT in Windows... in my case it was the last USB comm port on the list... working well. Jack

I have been using CHIRP on my Mac and loving it... But I want to use the Wouxun USB Programming Cable (PCO-001) with software for the 905G but can not load all the drivers in my WinXP as I get a Error Opening Serial Port. So anyone can walk me through how to fix this on a WinXP and this driver issue? Thanks in advance. Jack P.S. If you PM me with your email address will send screen shots of all that I did and info.

OK Hudson1 did you get your radio? What did you get? I have not heard back from you sine your Jan 28 contact with me.... I'm following up to make sure you are doing well. The best way is to ask questions on forum and if you want a private conversation do Personal Message between two parties. Keep in touch. Jack P.S. I will be installing my family repeater thiis weekend...

Would a DB-404 be an antenna for a repeater? Jack

OK that is a port issue for your USB... I'm not a current MS Windows guy, but in the pass you have to see if your USB port is active... I also notice that my new download of CHIRP has to be where near or in same directory as app and config files where the USB port setting files are. Jack Edit... I notice my updated CHIRPS goes to download and not in the directory I use for the app.

My CHIRP new release on a Mac working... It is empty screen on first startup. You have you go to FILE open a config or go to Radio and download from radio after connecting radio to computer. You will see it is working. The screen only shows what you are asking the software to do. So empty screen waiting for your request. Jack

Welcome DRoberts, I live in Fort Myers on the 17th floor but no repeater. I'm currently in Western NC with a repeater access and it great as we have mountains. I'm sure you looked at this... https://mygmrs.com/browse?name=&location=&state=FL&frequency=&output_tone=&input_tone=&type=&ori=&travel=&sort=Location&start=0&step=50 But not all repeaters are listed. If I was a guessing man, half are not listed as they are family and or friends privately owned. I suggest you monitor the repeater channels RPT 15-22 to see if you hear traffic. Did you sign up as a member since you have your call sign... Welcome to the forum. Jack

Good answer Michael, I had to ask... BUT did you restore back to factory settings then change your PL codes on the radio only. That my point which I may not been that clear in my post...

Michael aka "mbrun", I know you have heard me say this before.... put the KG-1000 back to factory settings and then make changes again, not by importing config file. You see that what happen to me... I got a RMA number to send my KG-805G back and then my second 805G came in and I copied the new untouched factory config file and sent to my bad radio and it fixed it. A second thing I learned from MozartMan that we deleted a channel spot that said error, which was our down fall. Give it a try and let me know. Jack EDIT: I should say check your PL code on R-tx or or do not put a PL code on you R-tx side.

Welcome to common sense... I'm in the software world and have to ask myself and customers what is the common sense as to what you really want. I will confess I have asked the programers for this or that and they come down to common sense. Jack

Well MozartMan that answered my question, thanks. So it looks like it is not the same program with different relational database/tables on your screen.. So what Windows does the 905G software say it needs. I may have to go to the flea market for a PC. Jack

Yes that sounds like a nice setup... the only other thing I did not say was purchased a Mic/Speaker that I lay over the back of the mirror. Jack