gortex2

I would use a simple black 1/4 wave for UHF. its 6" and will blend in. It will work night and day better than the phantom or stealth antenna

install radio and talk

There is more than a repeater to get into the net. It requires internet and modules. Not a easy slap together setup. Do some searching on the forums on repeaters. I have heard good reviews on the RT97 but have yet to grab one. If you only want a repeater for you and a few friends thats probably the best way to start, but you need good cable and a good antenna and location. You will probably spend more on cable and antenna than the repeater.

Guys we already have multiple posts on this in the forums. Do a search.

SWR will change by channel. The Phantom antennas are not much more than a dummy load or rubber duck smashed in a plastic pepper shaker. They are tuned in the center of the bands. Going up or down in frequency will change VSWR. If you were to sweep it you would see a dip at the best frequency. The gain antenna is the same way. the 1/4 wave should be much closer but will still be as others.

lot of aftermarket ones online also...

for the most part GMRS is not about talking to someone you dont know. Most GMRS users use it to talk to family or personal friends. This gets discussed monthly. If your looking to chat on a radio GMRS probably is not the best option.

Do you have your license ? If not no one will approve you to use the systems.

....tons of posts on this forum about the radio and the ability to do wideband....

Not ideal time but thats why many tower owners ask for insurance. It protects them and you in all reality. Glad no one was hurt.

Jeeps are not friendly when installing antenna's but my JK ran UHF "phantom" style antenna under the hard top for years. On my JT I used the A Pillar light mount from Mopar and stuck a 1/4 wave there. On the JK we have a hard top all winter. IT still works for what I need.

If your logged in its the last heading in the GMRS section on the forums. Private Discussion

As Steve stated all the repeaters listed are volunteer submissions. Some are actually good reliable repeaters and some are not so much. Also many folks may have more than one repeater but only list 1 or 2 as they utilize them for a specific purpose and dont share them. I have multiple that are not listed.

Depending on where you are iin VB there was one in Chesapeake. I didn't make it down with the MH last year but when Im at Holiday Travel part my repeater is on. As was stated if you got into GMRS to talk to people youd be better off with your ham ticket. GMRS isn't like CB or HAM radio. There are some folks who chat but mostly people use the service for its purpose. I know for the years Ive been down in VB the only chatter I normally hear is around the beach and up by the state park on FRS channels.

IF you have a digital volt meter test your power while you key up the radio and make sure your not overloading the power supply. You may not have enough power with the power supply. Also a true watt meter test would help.

Nope. Mine is in scan any time im in the jeep

If your really talking 200' you want hardline. I would use 7/8" LDF for that distance if you want any favorable results. You may be much better putting an antenna on the house and shorten less than 50' then use LMR400.

As said Id sweep both antenna's for return loss on the frequency you plan to use. Id use the best of the 2. They are both solid performers. The only issue with more gain is if its really higher than surrounding area. I have 1 at 2500' and have some dead spots heading down the mountain until I get 5 miles away.

You had a 6db antenna with 16' of cable then went to a 40' of LMR400. You will have loss in the cable. Granted wont be a ton but will be different than 16' of cable. As reference I run the Laird antenna on my Motorhome for my repeater and have used it alot. Its a solid antenna. Get it in the air and it will do fine.

What are you using as a Power Supply on the mobile radio ?

You can wait but you'll also be paying $35 when you renew your Ham License when its all done....

GMRS does not allow digital.

Yes, in October. My phone doesn't like to spell early am...

Jeep Jamboree played with GMRS last year. On the JJUWarie event hardly any of the guide had GMRS. Its was still mostly CB. Supposedly this year its all GMRS. I think it will depend on location still

If antenna is grounded radio would turn on but not tx well if at all.... how i radio mounted ?