gortex2

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0531/2856/0817/files/MXT500_Setup_1.04.exe?v=1640104635 Or just got to Midlands page and click setup = https://midlandusa.com/collections/micromobile/products/mxt500-micromobile®two-way-radio

There is alot of P25 stuff out there, just depends on the band. Alot is in the 800mhz range as many agencies are upgrading. UHF and VHF is not as common as 800. I tossed hundreds of XTL5000's and XTS2500/XTS5000 in the dumpster last year on a project as no one wanted them. The 8000/8500 are very good products. I use mine for both work, public safety and ham and love them. P25 in ham is simple and for the most part clean because the guys using it are using quality LMR gear and not some CCR. I think that's an advantage of P25 over DMR in ham for me. The audio is so much nicer. See what the future of the 8000/8500 is with the new NEXT on the horrizons...

My point was it never happens. People dont just drive by and go "oh hey I can talk to this guy/gal". I followed a van for hours yesterday with that sticker. Not once did I hear anyone pop up on 520 and call for anyone. Maybe its a west coast thing that happens but on the east coast all of the calling channels or travel channels are always like crickets. I hear more hunters on 2 meter that I hear actual hams. And none of them have licenses. But at least they aren't on GMRS.

Yup. I noticed all the Corporate JJUSA guys were using Midlands now and they sell them at the events. The issue is many of the guides are volunteers and they carry baofengs and some other little mobiles. On the last event each ride had a different channel assigned from 1-22 with all as CSQ. During one section of the ride we were pretty high up and one of the guides even commented on how much interference they now get on GMRS that they didn't get on CB. I think it all depends on location but our trail was on channel 20 and were hearing a repeater come in loud and clear at times. Not sure how they "pick" the channels to use but I would think they would have to talk to local guides to see what's in use ahead of time.

a 1/4 wave on the roof would be fine. I had 4" in my old garage. got the stico flex whip and never had an issue. Center of roof on an NMO will be good.

We as licensed users should not be promoting using amateur radios for GMRS.

Love my old Motorola 2670 for hobby stuff at home but my Anritzu LMRMaster is a sweet box to carry to tower sites. I can almost throw it in my backpack. Can't do that with the 3920

If he just got his technician, I'd get him a reasonable priced dual band HT and start there. 440 is about the same as GMRS so he can still use that. Alot more repeaters for amateur radio in the world than GMRS.

As reference this does come up on other forums also. https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/calling-channel.429825/#post-3547729 https://forums.radioreference.com/threads/the-history-behind-462-675-mhz-and-the-travel-tone.374402/#post-2973504 An interesting read here that I think was linked in the past... http://www.nsea.com//index_files/nseainfo.htm In the end it really doesn't matter what anyone uses. Unless the FCC mandates or defines something folks don't need to follow along. I still do a lot in the NE and 19 is off limits. There is more chatter up there on simplex channels as cell is spotty. In the end you will still head more on CB than on GMRS as you travel as so many people still have CB. Its not like it was in the 70's but if you travel the interstates like I do you see alot of antenna's on more that just trucks. Especially in the south. (then again I think to register a pickup in SW VA you need a CB and a Dog box ).... Many GMRS users use the service for a specific task, like talking to friends or family, 4x4 trail riding, traffic control or farm use. I don't come across many folks calling on the radio wanting to just talk to someone. To some extent Ham radio is not much different. I have traveled down the highway and seen HAMs with huge stickers "monitoring 520" or similar. I'll switch over and never hear a peep. When I travel my HAM rig is on APRS and normally turned down. If I'm traveling I'm normally talking to the wife or navigating. If I'm in the motor home the CB is on 19 and my GMRs is on 20/20 as that's what my dad would be on. My on board repeater is on on 21 so its just channel up when I get where I'm setting up for the weekend/week. Around home I sit on my repeater channel and that's it. Even at home I don't scan other GMS channels other than my repeaters and PL. Good thing someone put a pole up but as said in an earlier post we are about 1% of the GMRS users. Many come and go from the forums as they either get GMRS and find out it doesn't do what they want or just loose interest in it. That could be a huge topic on another thread....

Correct. Guess I meant in the 4WD world. I continue to argue with folks on jeep forums over licenses. Even Jeep Jamboree doesn't seem to understand the rules which is sad. On my JJ event last year I asked everyone with a mobile radio I found including my guide. Majority had no license and bought the radio on amazon.

No.

And remember just because a repeater is listed here does not mean its actually there. I really wish the DB would auto delete al after a year if no one did updates.

All your opinion.

I guess I agree on the repeater stuff but as said most of the folks that buy the radio use it simplex. For me and my family all repeaters use same PL. None of us use other repeaters as there are none around. A lot of folks that use it for family communications will be fine with the Midland. And you can still add channels if there is a repeater with a different PL. Again its also pretty quick to change. I would much rather use my APX, but in the KISS method the Midland is great for GMRS only communications. Remember many folks dont know anything other than turn the radio on and talk. Most dont get a license and never talk on a repeater.

I love that meter. That what I use in the garage when it was retired from work gadget !

Well if you have a good site 40 miles is easy. I can with a handheld hit my repeater from inside my house at 35 miles. With that said its not a cheap repeater, nor handhelds. All LMR equipment. Site location is half of the battle but antenna, feedline and repeater is just as important. Dont throw the RT97 on a J-Pole or Ed Fong antenna. Get a good commercial antenna (DB404/408 or equivalent) and you will be amazed at how well it works.

"The GMRS is available to an individual (one man or one woman) for short-distance two-way communications to facilitate the activities of licensees and their immediate family members" Right from the FCC website. That's what it was for years before FRS came around. But feel free to educate everyone on how its to gain contacts and use for meeting new people all over the world. https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

I do not. In my LMR world my meter costs many thousands more than the ham meter so in practice it gets used and put back in the box. At home I use my trusty BIRD when needed and put back in its leather case. If per say you did not have good grounding and took a hit to the antenna you will buy a new meter on top of radio. As long as your antenna is a solid unit it should not change much over time. I think checking them yearly is the only time I use my meter, unless something changes.

Part of the issue is GMRS is normally not intended for open communications. Many folks have systems to use with their families and such as I do. I don't have anything linked that another user can access nor do i offer it to the public to use. It serves my purpose of a community system for my family and friends only. There is a misconception that GMRS is like CB and Amateur radio and many do not use it that way. I know some do and I think in CA its more used like ham. Easy way as you said is your own repeater. Location is always the issue for coverage but the RT97 with the linking module and a good antenna/line will get you on the air quick. Depending on location you can mount the RT97 to the mast just below the antenna and run the power to it to lesson the loss factor of cable. (and price). Just something to think about.

I guess that's my question. Other than remote head what does the KG offer that a basic GMRS radios does not ? I find that most of the feature people ask for are more for HAM stuff they do than GMRS. Just trying to understand. Quick search shows 30 channels as with Midland. Is it the other bands you listen to that you like the KG better for ? I'll use my APX for that stuff. I also noted the KG costs the same as the 500.

So because some one on Youtube says its so everyone will believe it. Why not just use 446.000...I mean no one gets GMRS licenses so why bother with amateur...Heck and most $25.00 baofengs already have it programmed !

Do people actually need more than 30 channels ? I guess I don't live near 300 repeaters. In NY I just had 3 to choose from so it was simple. 99% of the folks that will use this radio wont even use a repeater. those that do use 1 maybe 2 repeaters. All my repeaters use the same tone so its simple. I dont even setup "other" repeater channels as I just change to CSQ if I'm out of my area. With the 500 its pretty quick and simple to change a PL. Guess to each there own but coming from 8 GMRS channels in the past to now doesn't change my mind much. BTW on my APX I use MPL which allows me to change PL on the fly. I normally leave it in monitor while driving the east coast in my work truck. In my Jeeps I just use the midlands and keep the APX for PS stuff. As for Frequency you can add that in the programming software. While I like the idea I would probably use something like 20-675 or 20R-675 and not the entire frequency. On Ch1-7 I don't care about the frequency as those only get used with folks nearby on handhelds. In reality this radios is a step up from the 400 and the other Midlands of late so glad they did some good changes. Oh and the NMO 1/4 wave antenna is a huge step from that POS little mag mount they used to ship.

Not sure what features you think are missing. For a out of the box simple radio thats a good deal. They will sell thousands of these with out batting an eyelash. Everyone bashes Midland but they are one of the few folks out there that have been making GMRS radios for decades. I'll grab the 575 when its released.

Not sure who you talked to but both CAC and Wireless will work on GR1225. Sounds like maybe you called the 1800Motorola number and not the actual shops.

Stanby Generator on house with a 1000 gallon propane tank (Furnace, Stove, Generator). All radios are powered via 48V DC plant that will run everything for most likely 4-5 days. Also have many battery packs and portable generators along with a 35' MH with another 7K generator on board....