widnerkj

I started by listening with a UV5R, and then went to purchase a motorola XPR7550e.

Yup, it takes a lot of work and time. I had to apply some significance pressure to make progress. It's slow but does work. When you get to the point where you're happy with the result lighten up on the pressure, and as you observed, do circles to buff out any remaining swirl marks. I've also experimented with using an electric toothbrush as well with some modest results.
I put a small dab on a paper towel and went to work. I use the toothpaste just as it comes out of the tube. After polishing for 5 to 10 minutes wipe off the toothpaste then tilt the screen to get a light to reflect off the surface while looking at it.  This highlights any scratches in the plastic so you can see how much progress you're making. 
One hint. Use tape around the edges of the screen. This keeps the toothpaste from getting into any buttons and keys nearby. Don't ask me how I know this.

Been using it on low power to talk with the various repeaters here in the Tucson area.  At first was using medium power, but tried low, and it's clear and nice.  So why not give the electrons less of a workout.  I'm very satisfied with the radio and antenna.

Been using it on low power to talk with the various repeaters here in the Tucson area.  At first was using medium power, but tried low, and it's clear and nice.  So why not give the electrons less of a workout.  I'm very satisfied with the radio and antenna.

Ok, short update. Got the radio mounted nicely. Pulled headliner down a little, so I could knock a 3/4” hole, and got everything installed. And I’ve got to admit. This radio is fantastic! I have no trouble hitting the local, and kind of distant repeaters. Radio checks come back loud and clear. The more I use this thing, the more I enjoy it. The 1/4 wave antenna is perfect. No clearance issues on the lifted truck. I mounted the radio where the useless cupholder used to be.

Ok, short update. Got the radio mounted nicely. Pulled headliner down a little, so I could knock a 3/4” hole, and got everything installed. And I’ve got to admit. This radio is fantastic! I have no trouble hitting the local, and kind of distant repeaters. Radio checks come back loud and clear. The more I use this thing, the more I enjoy it. The 1/4 wave antenna is perfect. No clearance issues on the lifted truck. I mounted the radio where the useless cupholder used to be.

Well, everything is here except the antenna from antenna farm.  And I'm going to wait for that to show up before I go hog a hole out in the roof of the truck.  Impatience leads to sloppy installs.    That said, I seriously can't say enough good things about the antenna farm.  I ordered while working overnight using my work computer, so the companies IP address (which shows as somewhere in VA).  And while driving home after getting off shift at 7:30am, I received a phone call from them.  He was concerned about the IP being from VA, but the shipping being out to AZ, and wanted to make sure there wasn't fraud.  I explained that's work's IP, and everything is good.  What a pleasant surprise.   I'll be ordering everything from him from now on to be sure. 

used alot of those maxrad mirror mounts on dump trucks over the years. As long as its assembled as the picture its waterproof. The bottom of the mount is open and if you remove the 2 screws from under the bracket that mount comes off and its wide open. We used to have to repair some that got water damaged after years on the vehicles. Alot of DOT/DPW vehicles ran those in the NE on trunk systems.

The KG1000g with the 1/4 wave antenna is working much better than the HT I've been using.  But that goes without saying.  While driving to and from work, I have had no issues with conversations through the Lemmon 650 repeater.  But I'm only 25 miles due south of Tucson, and Lemmon is on top of the mountain.  Also a really powerful machine.  However now, I can use the Tucson 550 machine with little noise for my whole commute.  I've also been able to reach out to the  Sierra Vista, and Benson machines while driving up box canyon.  Dual channel monitoring is a huge plus, with monsoon season starting soon, I'll be able to have the county flash flood alerts on channel 2 while working the repeaters or direct comms on channel 1.  I did follow the advice on the KG1000 tips thread, and made button C scan tones.  Makes it really easy to listen in to the pecan orchards and other local chatter.
 

Ok, short update. Got the radio mounted nicely. Pulled headliner down a little, so I could knock a 3/4” hole, and got everything installed. And I’ve got to admit. This radio is fantastic! I have no trouble hitting the local, and kind of distant repeaters. Radio checks come back loud and clear. The more I use this thing, the more I enjoy it. The 1/4 wave antenna is perfect. No clearance issues on the lifted truck. I mounted the radio where the useless cupholder used to be.

That could be another thread all together. I did a lot of research into the native android head units, and on the xda developers forums, the ATOTO A6 pro got the best reviews and recommendations. I’ve only used this in several installs now. And I’ll keep with the recommendation on it. There are front, rear, and subwoofer amplifier outputs, so if you need it loud, it’s very easy to get carried away. The internal amp is 30 watts RMS, so it’s more than enough to add volume and clarity to a factory speaker system. Sound quality specifically is absolutely improved over factory sound. The dual Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS antennas make it seriously capable. Typically, I turn on my phones WiFi hotspot, and run pandora, Waze, google maps, etc... right on my dash. But having access to the google play store, I run an app called Torque pro ($5) that talks to a $12 Bluetooth OBDII adapter, and allows me to generate custom gauges on things the vehicles computer sees. Also scan, and clear check engine lights. I’ve got a dash cam, and a backup camera connected directly to it, and still have 3 available USB ports. I’m a little tempted to try a SWR app and usb dongle on it. But it has given my 1999 Chevrolet more modernization than anything else I could have done.


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As most of the terrain is fairly flat in AZ I would look at a 1/4 wave stub. I use the Laird QW450 available from a great many retailers.
Datasheet - QW Series Quarterwave Antennas | Laird Connectivity

Well, everything is here except the antenna from antenna farm.  And I'm going to wait for that to show up before I go hog a hole out in the roof of the truck.  Impatience leads to sloppy installs.    That said, I seriously can't say enough good things about the antenna farm.  I ordered while working overnight using my work computer, so the companies IP address (which shows as somewhere in VA).  And while driving home after getting off shift at 7:30am, I received a phone call from them.  He was concerned about the IP being from VA, but the shipping being out to AZ, and wanted to make sure there wasn't fraud.  I explained that's work's IP, and everything is good.  What a pleasant surprise.   I'll be ordering everything from him from now on to be sure. 

Well, everything is here except the antenna from antenna farm.  And I'm going to wait for that to show up before I go hog a hole out in the roof of the truck.  Impatience leads to sloppy installs.    That said, I seriously can't say enough good things about the antenna farm.  I ordered while working overnight using my work computer, so the companies IP address (which shows as somewhere in VA).  And while driving home after getting off shift at 7:30am, I received a phone call from them.  He was concerned about the IP being from VA, but the shipping being out to AZ, and wanted to make sure there wasn't fraud.  I explained that's work's IP, and everything is good.  What a pleasant surprise.   I'll be ordering everything from him from now on to be sure. 

Not in Texas.  I'm about 25-30 miles due south of Tucson, AZ.  I believe the repeater for Lemmon 650 is around 9'000 ASL.

Liquid electrical tape would be what I would use.

Gardner Bender 07315001126 LTB-400 Liquid Electrical Tape, Easy-on, Waterproof, Indoor/Outdoor Use, 4 Oz. Jar, Black, Bottle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FPAN2K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_X3G6JWQ2174DCBF19FZB

I had been looking at the wrong antenna's I guess.  Most were like this one.
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-ano-050g.html
which is 31".  And I wouldn't care if it was going on the trunk of the Kia.  However on the roof of a lifted truck ducking under mesquite trees, I wanted much more low profile.  As far as repeater coverage nearby. My area is pretty fantastic.  So if I need to yell for help, Lemmon 650 is seriously good coverage in my area.  But using to talk with others on the trail with me this should be just fine with the one from antenna farm.

Sound quality is phenomenal. Also, it seems to grab signal from the repeater much stronger. I do prefer the “heft” of it. This handheld is seriously solidly built. That UV5 felt like a flimsy child’s toy.
Once I sorted out how to program in the repeaters, I started looking up and requesting access to all the repeaters from my house to Albuquerque.
This forum is specifically why I decided to order the Motorola from eBay. I actually was so impressed with it, I ordered another. I do sort of wish I could program it from the front, but I think that would be a complicated mess.

I had been listening with a little UV5R for a while.  However, shortly after receiving my GMRS license. I ordered a pair of XPR7550e's from ebay, and began the long wait for motorola to decide to sell me the CPS software.  I got one of the handsets programed today.  Nothing fancy, just the local repeater that I had been listening to for a while.  But dang.  What a fantastic upgrade that hand held is.  The CPS software wasn't too crazy to figure out for simple analog programing.  Now I just have to do a codeplug for the repeaters for planned roadtrips.