WRKU973

That's too long for some applications. I'm still interested to know if anyone has actually tested or compared the Wouxun ANO-003U antenna to a stock antenna. BTWR says it has 2.5-3db of gain and it has the words "High Gain Antenna" molded into the side of it. The price, at $8, is very reasonable if it gives even a little bit better performance.

1980 active GMRS licenses in MA as of now. 6 in my zip code.

You'll need an FRN number to apply. It's like a "customer number" for the FCC. Again, you just fill out the online form, and you'll get it. So, technically, first you get your FRN number, then you can buy the GMRS license paying with your credit card on the FCC website. There's a great 10 minute video on youtube showing this process. Super easy, you probably don't even need but it couldn't hurt. BTW: What's the difference between in-laws and outlaws? Answer: Outlaws are wanted.

More power is good. If you go to the GMRS ones (GXT according to above), you're supposed to pay the FCC $70 for a license your entire family, even in-laws, can use. Easy to do, you pay on line and they send it via email in a day or so. If you're willing to do that, and cost isn't a factor, consider stepping up to an $80 Wouxun KG-805G. You'll have a full five watts, probably roughly double the GXT. If you only need to go .5 miles or less, save the money.

How'd it work out?

I think group scanning is a terrific feature and useful for applications like the one mentioned. Many families designate a channel and use one or two repeaters, a quick-cycling scan through just a few channels ensures reliable coms for a family group. So funny for me to learn just now of the MXT575 in the pipeline as I installed an MXT275 in the bride's suv just yesterday. Really wanted a higher power radio, cost wasn't the issue, dashboard real estate was. Having the display on the mic was the single feature that drove me to that radio. Woulda gone with the Wouxan 1000g otherwise, which I think has a removable head unit, but even then room was scarce and the wiring up makes the install a much bigger challenge. I would absolutely upgrade to the MXT575. I sure hope they'll add an "auto-on" feature to enable the radio when starting up the car and add group scanning as well. However, my guess is that it'll be the exact same radio as the 275 with the only addition being higher wattage. (Note to self: email Midland.)

I have this radio and like it tremendously.

Got mine about two weeks ago and I am very impressed with it. Weighty due to the extended battery. Quite impressed by the stock antenna but will try out a few others for the fun of it. I too, had issues downloading the software. Scanned it with malwarebytes, but windows defender was blocking. Turned off Windows Defender, downloaded it, scanned it again with additional virus software - again no hits, and was good to go. Absolutely love this radio and intend to have one in each of my family's "emergency bags". Just added a gmrs radio to the bride's suv as well.

Only got my GMRS license a while back after learning there were several gmrs repeaters in my area and one in my town. I contacted probably seven or eight under an hour's drive from me, using the links on mygmrs. To my surprise, virtually every one of them came back to me within a day or two. One informed me that the repeater was presently down for a bit. All others gave me permission to use any time. I guess I was lucky. Tested the gmrs repeater in town just today, actually for the first time. It's just over 2 miles from my house, according to google maps, and I was using a Wouxan KG-905G from inside the house on the 2nd floor. Radio report came back that signal was clear and strong. Sweet. Now to get the wife to try this once I put a mobile in her car. I expect my luck to turn some then.

Was told these are proprietary to BTW.com. Been wanting to get a couple but they've been out of stock. Something I read on line said the mfgr is having a hard time getting the connectors back in inventory.

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

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.

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!

Thanks much! Super helpful of you, Wayoverthere. I'd seen that one on Antenna Farm and it was hard to find out what cabling it actually has. But, your reference to the Pulse Larson mag mount has born fruit, I think. Led me to their model NMOMMR200SMA. Looked at their product specs and it's interesting. Almost all their NMO mag-mounts still use RG58, except this model, which comes with either a type N, SMA, or no connector. It also has a shorter coax at 12', where most of the mounts I've looked at have 17' or so. I think I can make 12' work and, for this; less is more. (I opted for a 15W radio, vs a 50W, as the display was on the mic and that's super-desirable in this particular mounting application. Trying to preserve whatever wattage I can and have learned that a high percentage is typically lost from the mount & cabling.) A little additional googling has taught me that the LMR200 cabling has about 40% less loss than RG58, so it's very desirable. I wasn't able to determine if that one on AntennaFarm's site is using LMR195; I couldn't locate the "BR195" they refer to. Might call 'em up tomorrow and inquire, but betting they'll just quote the catalog to me which won't teach me anything. Very hard to find this Pulse Larson model in anyone's inventory. Digikey has 'em and the price is about double what some list em for but the others have no inventory. None the less, I have two leads, Digikey and Neobits, who'm I've never heard of. Will call 'n see. I could use the SMA version as I have a PL-259 adaptor for and SMA connection. Might re-introduce a little loss, but should be minimal. Read online that the center wire in the LMR200 is thicker than RG58, and that it can be tricky to connect a PL-259 connector directly to it. Some say you need to "round-out" the conductor to get it seated. Have never connected one of these before. I'm sure I could figure it out but I'd need to buy the crimping tool and connector. Think I'll just use the adaptor for the SMA version but will see what a crimper runs me, might be handy another time. Very helpful of you to send me those links. Adding a couple pics with information regarding the cabling. Think I'm good from here.

Thanks, Wayoverthere, for those suggestions. I have heard good things about the Laird brand and both of the ones you suggested would fit my application. I will look into those, for sure. My question, really, is about buying the NMO magnetic mount, one that comes with cabling and a PL-259 connector to attach to the radio. Very little info on loss in product descriptions on line. Axorlov, I will check out the DXEngineering site. Believe that cabling is better than the typical RG58 that it seems most come with. Thanks. If anyone has further suggestions for a low-loss, NMO mag-mount, I'm definitely still interested in as many suggestions as I can get.