BKmetzWRKZ843

pcradio, good discussion. I'm also of thinking along the same lines you are in my need for a do-it-all HT.
First I'll address what you haven't said, do you have a ham license? I'll assume so because of the Yeasu radio you mentioned.
I own a Kenwood TH D74A. It's a tri-bander (2m/1.25m/70cm) and rather than list all it's features, I'll just post a link.
https://www.kenwood.com/usa/com/amateur/th-d74a/
It has everything you're looking for but it's discontinued and sold out everywhere. Used ones are going for stupid money. 6 months ago these radios were selling for $450 to $500. Then Kenwood unexpectedly discontinued it because of the chip shortage. Open box radios (if you can find one) are going for $800 to $1000. Prices of used radios are just as high.
I had the MARS-CAP mod done on my D74A by HRO so the warranty is intact. What this means is the radio was internally modified (removal of one tiny resistor) to open up those extra frequencies. What I have not done is get the firmware tweaked so I can take full advantage of those frequencies. I have a bunch of radios so it hasn't been a high priority.
Another radio, on the opposite end of the price spectrum, is the Wouxun KG-UV9P amateur band radio & scanner. It has everything your looking for except GPS. If you buy it from these guys https://bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg-uv9p-amateur-ham-two-way-radio/ they will pre-program all the scanner frequencies. That's why their price is a bit higher than other online retailers. This radio will only transmit on the ham frequencies and scan everything else. I don't know if the radio can be opened up to transmit on all its frequencies. There is probably someone out there who knows how to do this.
Good luck in your search and let us know what you end up buying.
Here's a photo of my Kenwood D74A. I'm monitoring my local NOAA frequency.

Because Trump will need a project at his low-security incarceration.

I dont usually like to post videos here, but I have been so inspired by several of the "experts" in this forum complaining that we should not be using radios made in China that I put together a list of all the American Made radios AND I vow to purchase each one of these American made radios and do a full review of them in the next 30 days..  Thank you to "some people" that opened my eyes about not purchasing radios that are not made in America.
 

Its not really a 'hack' as much as it is putting the radio back to its natural state - the way Xenu intended.
The video that I watched has a warning about not being able to UNdo it, in the info/description.

I heard a rumor that this video was made specifically to disprove comments that a few "experts" in this very forum seem to regurgitate on almost a daily basis.
But, probably just a rumor..

"never" means "never" .. I reiterate what Mr Spaz says about speaking in absolutes.. This is one of the reasons why many people dont trust "online experts".. or, make fun of them.

I greatly enjoyed reading this post and I love hearing about your military experiences. But I have to agree with OffroadX that people are responsible for their own actions, especially when it comes to emulating someone on the internet. There are far more authoritative warnings against transmitting into an infinite impedance than the examples his two videos show.   

The only people responsible for people who try this are the people that try this.

That guy is a clown, but let me explain what he is saying - since "some people" have a real problem grasping the underlaying message because it is not spelled-out literally enough for their defective brains to process.
If you go online (in this forum for example, other forums, YouTube comments, reddit, etc)  "some people" teach us that if you ever transmit without an antenna, for any length of time, ever, in any way, it will destroy, or at a minimum damage your radio - No ifs, ands or butts:  push button with no antenna = destroyed radio.
That video, and the video demonstrating the same thing on an HT (both videos use the "cheap Chinese junk"/CCR radios), show that the common lore of "push button no antenna = dead radio" is not necessarily true.
The video does not suggest that people try it, or make a habit of doing it, it specifically says to NOT do it.  The video simply demonstrates that the common internet lore spread by "experts", has at least a few exceptions.  But unfortunately "some people" interpret the video as "he says you should always use your radio with no antenna" - which, if they actually watched the video and understand the English language, they would understand that is not what was said or even inferred.
Both the "experts" and "some people" have come out of the wood-work in the comments on both videos explaining all the reasons, exceptions, etc, why neither of the test radios were damaged - all proving the point that they are trying to disprove.
Also, FYI, it seems that it is "some people" that seem to be upset/most angry about the video - claiming fraud, trick editing, other fairy-tales, which is very entertaining - its as though their worlds just fell apart.

Depends upon who your neighbor is... ?

Another channel worthy of mention is Ham Radio 2.0
He does mostly ham videos but is engaging more and more into GMRS.

Not sure what your trying to do but your not going to get a vanity call sign in GMRS. Thats a HAM radio thing.

thank you all for the adivce … 
so after a month of fiddeling with the kg-1000G I finally got it hooked up and running was able to have a convo with someone 118 mils away 
what I have personally learned from this since im a total NEWBIE in the raido world .. this is for ANY AND ALL NEWBIES or anyone i guess for that matte things to purchase IMO along with your radio espically if its a mobile / base unit 
1. purchase a DC power supply dont be like me sitting in your vehicle for hrs off and one here and there with your tablet/ipad marking repeaters that you can reach and ones you cant with your new radio while in the AZ heat melting away lol enjoy the comforts of the inside of your home with cental air while you fiddle with setting/programming  your new radio lol
2. purchase the program cable nothing off amazon,ebay etc  ( trust me ) I already did that and it didnt work spent more hours in the AZ heat trying to fig it out and then called buytwoway and they informed me that its speficifc to that radio so I had to order it and  its on its way hopefully it will make it here before I leave or im gonna have to program them by hand as I pass though multilpe states in a a day or two 
3. have a old windows pc or something to use to program your mac/apple wont work  
 

Congrats on the KG-1000G !  IMHO, the best mobile GMRS radio you can find today..
If you get a "UHF" antenna, you will have to cut it..
If you get any antenna that says "GMRS", you will not have to cut it.
Although every different GMRS antenna has different specs, pretty much any GMRS antenna mounted properly on your (jeep??) will work just as well as any other since when you are on the trails you're generally not really talking very long distances..
No doubt some sad-GMRS user will quote a bunch of specs saying one antenna has better gain or lower loss, blah blah.. But in the real world, when on the trail you're not going to notice much difference so dont get too wrapped up on what the basement dwellers spew.

Yes, thanks; after I returned from a trip that interrupted my new radio play time, I explored the Wouxun software and programmed my local FM broadcast stations.  I also programmed some local 2m/70cm ham repeaters, and reception on the ham bands is more sensitive and clearer than my Baofeng BF-F8HP.  I also added my local NOAA channel, and again, the Wouxun's receive sensitivity on that frequency is better than both my Retevis RT76P and Baofeng radios. 
The included antenna is excellent.  I don't expect that changing antennas would be worth it.

Don't despair. You can carry up to four radios (to cover all the bands you need) by wearing two of these.
 

I installed the base radio under the driver's seat and face plate on a 67 design cf arm attached to a ball mount that installed in the passenger grab rail, running the cable to the face plate would have been cleaner with the base unit under the passenger seat but i could do that because my ARB compressor is already in that space. I hung the mike from another 67 Design arm that is using JeepUniq mic mount and also put a lido mic mount on the drivers side freedom panel so it could be closer to my head when it was really loud in the jeep. In order to mount the face plate i modified a 67 Design SwitchPro-SP9100 Switch Panel Holder. Overall very happy with how it all turned out, The mic speaker volume is loud enough but I like have both speakers on

Your choice of radio brands, types (HT, mobile or base) and what purpose you want to use them for, e.g. GMRS for family under one family license to the different levels of individual Ham licenses.  So those just starting the venture I hope that the following will help you plan where and what you want to do.
This review of the Wouxun KG-935G is more for how should one position this radio since Wouxun has made several GMRS radio which I have KG-805G, KG-905G now KG935G for GMRS and a Wouxun KG-UV8H for Ham.  They all have their place in how you use them.  The 805G has it place for smaller hands, easy to use.  Then going up to the 905G and 935G for a more beefy feel, programing and what I like is scanning group options to name a few.
I have my Ham ticket and so how do I plan to fit GMRS and Ham radio into my life.  Though out all the forum and posts on Part 95 for GMRS radios and Part 90 for Ham and the two can get married per FCC, I choose to carry two radios that share batteries and other accessories plus program on the HT face and software menus are some what alike.
So the KG-935G is a solid commercial radio for GMRS but allows you to monitor 2 and 70 meter ham frequencies, to be clear only receive and can not transmit.  So if you want to monitor a Ham repeater, pick the correct frequencies to hear the repeater when you set it up.
I have only had the KG-935G radio a few days and still working on making it my daily carry in my Jeep.  Yes, I could get a Baofeng or other multi band radios for Ham and GMRS in one radio but if you have used a $40-50 radio, you may not reach a repeater or others may not heard your audio.  Do not get me wrong, many who have these multi band radios and works for you great, you are closer to a strong repeater and it is your radio choice…  Happy for you.  I was given a free BaoFeng UV-82 Classic and could trigger the Ham repeater but no one could hear us in both GMRS and Ham…  Now I know why the gifter gave it to us.  Do not read into this statement BaoFeng or other brands… are fine, you get what you pay for.  It just where I live and the equipment did not match to my radio environmental needs.
So for fueling my Ham 2 and 70 meter I have a Wouxun KG-UV8H which is a Ham radio that can monitor GMRS but not transmit on 462.xxx…467.xxx  KG-UV8H is Part 90 legal for Hams per FCC.
So on both KG-935G and KG-UV8H I can scan away and in my area of Western NC, we have great high mountains and privately owned and friendly repeaters owners as long as you are license, follow the repeaters owners rules and get permission before hand to get the PL codes.  So one day the GMRS is busy or I need to reach family/friends/others approved operators on the GMRS repeaters.  Then on other days the Ham frequencies is active like on Net Control nights or Fox Hunts or just general communication with other Hams.  In our area we have more Ham repeaters then folks to use and talk on them.  Out of the 6 repeaters in all bands, it like crickets.    
O let me add one of the latest thing new to me as a Ham, it is DMR and the DMR repeaters are linked and you can have miles and miles of communication plus talk to others around the world with just a handheld HT radio.  No big antenna or collection like an antenna farm in your backyard which might upset your wife.  As soon as I understand more about DMR I will let you know.  So for those wanting digital GMRS and roam which FCC has not made the rules changes to fit that function, go get your Ham ticket… and do DMR as we have more DMR repeaters in our area.
Ham ticket test is not that hard… I’m 74 yo and my 12 yo grand daughter and I did FRS for years just in the yard and close neighbors.  Then we got a family GMRS license and many GMRS folks who are Hams also, suggested to us to study and take the Ham test.  You no longer need Morse Code as part of the first level of license.  Second get a study buddy, friend, one or more of your children or grand children.  For a preteen to get ones Ham ticket has caused her to grow, be confident and has new friends, fun events.  O yes she had Mic fright at first, I still do and ex LEO.  How we got started is we first reached out to the local Ham club, we meet the folks at a lunch meeting and felt welcomed and asked for a coach to walk us through the process.  It not hard, it took us one and half months of online study three times a week for one plus hours and we pass the test end of May 2021.
It is quoted that Ham radio is the art, science in communication and helping others in times of an need or emergency.  My 12 yo grand daughter caught the radio vision after going to Rocket Museum in Huntsvilles, AL and saw all the radio equipment and all the astronaut where Ham and you can talk to the ISS as it goes overhead.  So one of her many goals in life is joining Space Force as well as be a pet sitter and walker.       
Feel free to PM me if you want more personal detail, otherwise all comments accepted as this is IMHO which that is why no one radio fits all your needs, it personal, so share your story so others can see if that fits them.
So go and enjoy your radio journey.
MacJack

First, let me apologize for the tread hijack. I didn't see the need to start a new thread on this fine radio. Thank you everyone for understanding.
Received my radio a week ago. This is my first Chinese radio and it met all my expectations and then some.
#1: I was able to fully program the radio through the keypad. This is the first radio I have owned that I was able to do that, and rather easily at that.
#2. It has a great battery. I ordered a spare battery, desktop charger, and the battery eliminator for mobile use.
#3. The color display is awesome. It's better than the photos and videos I've seen. I almost had an ASMR moment when pulling the protective film off the display. I love doing that on new items. ?
#4. Build quality was much better than I expected. On par with my Japanese branded ham HTs. It's a rugged radio that will stand up to just about anything except being submerged. But then this is a premium radio and it carries a premium price. This is definitely NOT a cheap disposable Chinese radio.
#5. Performance? I easily hit my nearest repeater that is 35 miles away. Usual caveats apply, over flat farmland, no obstructions, etc. I know, lots of cheap HT radios can easily do that. Nothing special about that. While performing the radio check, I was told the KG-935G was as clear as my 40W mobile unit. That's the part that impressed me.
#6. As the radio is a joint project between Wouxun and buytwowayradios.com, buytwowayradios.com (they deserve a plug here) wrote the specs and the owner's manual and it shows. The manual is written in proper & correct English, very well edited, and has the beginner operator in mind. Everything is well explained.
As mentioned, this was the easiest radio I ever programmed. I expected programming to be 'challenging' so I ordered the programming cable. I'm still glad I did because it can be used on a lot of other radios, Wouxun and other brands. I did download the software and use it to look at what I did. In reviewing my menu settings I didn't miss anything. One can program the radio faster with the cable, software, and a computer, but it is easily done through the keypad. Using the keypad just takes longer.
Photo 1: The radio and the accessories.

Photo 2: This carry case was listed under Wouxun accessories, but not under KG-935G accessories. Glad I found it, it easily holds two HT radios.

Photo 3: Decent close up photo of the display. As I said earlier, the display actually looks better than in the photo. I also replaced the Wouxun rubber ducky antenna with a Nagoya NA-771G antenna. Maybe I'll drive out about ~40 to 45 miles from the repeater and switch antennas. See if it makes a difference.

My first and current GMRS HT are both the same, Wouxun KG-935G. great radio! ?

If there isnt a lot of RF noise/weak signals in your area you wont notice.. I'm a "SuperHet Snob" but I've been using my 935G for a few days now and abostively love it, SOC or not.

Agreed. I think it's a couple vendors that are working with wouxun and going the extra mile to get user feedback and get that incorporated into updated/future products. I know I see buytwowayradios active in r/gmrs, and fairly sure I've seen someone associated with bettersaferradio active as well.
 

As I mentioned in the paragraph I inserted at the top of my original post, I created this current reply you're reading as a summary section.  If/as additional points are made which could aid manufacturers and buyers, I will edit and update this same section.
Here is the running list, in no particular order:
•    Ability to store multiple versions of a GMRS repeater frequency with different tones is good
•    No arbitrary limit of how many of the above can be stored
•    To expand on the second point immediately above, careful about designing arbitrary limits in general
•    Tones should be specific for each memory and not across-the-board
•    When designing more capable "non-bubble-pack" radios, provide wide band and narrow band capability, not narrow band only
•    Double check firmware before new radios are released or when updating firmware.  (E.g., don't release radios with access tones or narrow band set in memories.)
•    Careful about proprietary designs.  (E.g., naming tones with proprietary names may be ok for bubble pack radios, but for more capable radios I'd stick with naming conventions such as 107.2, D025N, etc.)
•    Memory banks/groups are nice
•    Test OEM radio programming software adequately before releasing it.  These are often released with obvious, main-function bugs.  It's one thing to not catch more obscure error legs, but main-function bugs should be detected and fixed during testing.
•    OEM programming software should support a good, 21st century UI experience, such as copy/pasting
•    Good documentation please.  Missing, pertinent information is frustrating.  So is poor English.
•    The ability to field program a radio (including frequencies) using its keypad and/or knobs is desirable
•    For mobile radios, please use a DIN style mic connector.  This is the type which has a strain-relieved cable and a rotating, threaded, locking collar.  This is more robust than the RJ-45 style of connector.
•    Attention-to-detail niceties enhance a user's experience.  Examples can be found in the "Examples of Good Execution" portion of the original post.
•    Admittedly my personal opinion: non-bubble-pack radios should look professional/commercial rather than gimmicky
•    HTs should be stable (i.e., not prone to tipping over) when placed vertically on a flat surface. E.g., the end should be squared off, not rounded.

mbrun, I agree with you regarding BuyTwoWayRadio's positive role in advancing and improving GMRS.
Another person who has done so is Randy from youtube channel NotaRubicon.  It's obvious that GMRS manufacturers are aware of him and that he is an influencer.  For example, when he mentioned nine or so issues with a recently introduced GMRS radio, the manufacturer responded and fixed the bulk of the issues with a firmware update immediately.
Another good contribution is mygmrs.com.  Its forum appears to be the main GMRS watering hole.  The repeater database is also appreciated.
Thanks for mentioning you were glad to see this thread started.  I appreciate your and everyone's comments.