wrci350

A repeater will [normally] have *either* a CTCSS or DCS tone for input, and may have either the same tone or a different one on the output. If the repeater you have been given permission to use has a CTCSS tone, that's all you need.

If your radio shows receive but you don't hear anything, then the repeater is either transmitting a different tone, or no tone at all. The purpose of the Rx tone is to keep you from hearing other traffic on that same channel, which could be either a different repeater, or simplex traffic (on the repeater output channel, which is shared with simplex GMRS and FRS users). But you don't *need* to program in the Rx tone; you will hear the repeater just fine without it (as you have seen). Does that make sense?

It's not the same cable. As was stated previously, RT Systems software only works with one of their cables, which use their own drivers. For example: You won't find a "pick a com port" option in their software packages, because the software finds the cable automatically.

Couple options: 1) Is there a ham radio club in your area? If so they may offer classes, either on-line or in person. 2) I know there are some General classes on YouTube. 3) New England Sci-Tech offers on-line classes for all three licenses. I took the Technician class during the height of the great Covid-19 lock-down in 2020 and enjoyed it so much that I ended up taking the General and Extra classes too. (Yes, I passed the exams along the way.) The instructor was great, and focused on the material behind the questions, not just on the answers to the questions. For me, it was money well spent. https://nescitech.org/shop/online-license-course-general/

You mobile or HT radio transmits on the 467 frequency and receives on the 462 frequency. That means the repeater has to RECEIVE (from your HT or mobile) on 467 and TRANSMIT (back to your HT or mobile) on 462. So the high side of the duplexer goes to receive, and low side to transmit.

Well, that's the strategy, faulty or not. You can very easily use a scanner or a radio that allows tone scanning to find the output tone (if there is one) from a repeater. Unless the repeater is using split tones, you've found the input tone too. With split tones, you have to be close enough to *someone who is transmitting* to monitor the input channel in order to scan for the input tone. It's not a matter of being close to the repeater, since the repeater can 'hear' better than you can, even if you are standing next to it. Not advocating at all, just expounding.

(I'm cutting out all the subpoints that are not relevant.) § 95.1733 Prohibited GMRS uses. (a) In addition to the prohibited uses outlined in § 95.333 of this chapter, GMRS stations must not communicate: ... (9) Messages (except emergency messages) to any station in the Amateur Radio Service, to any unauthorized station, or to any foreign station; So I think the answer is, 'No, you cannot do that'.

What kind of coax are you using, and how long is it?

OK I just realized that I missed something important when I looked at that section: "and"! (1) It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and, (2) The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section. Notice that it also says "under which it operates", so it's talking about the repeater, not about the stations using the repeater. So if you stand up a repeater that is only going to be used by your family, under your GMRS license, and all the users identify as required, the repeater does not have to ID. Otherwise, the repeater is required to ID every 15 minutes as described in that same section, although it is implied that this is only while the repeater is in use.

§ 95.1751 GMRS station identification. Each GMRS station must be identified by transmission of its FCC-assigned call sign at the end of transmissions and at periodic intervals during transmissions except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section. A unit number may be included after the call sign in the identification. ... (c) Any GMRS repeater station is not required to transmit station identification if: (1) It retransmits only communications from GMRS stations operating under authority of the individual license under which it operates; and, (2) The GMRS stations whose communications are retransmitted are properly identified in accordance with this section. "GMRS station" includes repeaters. But read subpart (c)(2). That seems to state that, as long as every user is operating under the license associated with that repeater, or every user on a repeater is ID'ing correctly, then the repeater itself does not have to ID.

Amazon is *not* the place to buy antennas. ? That looks very much like a knock-off of the Diamond X50A, which is a pretty good 2m/70cm ham antenna, and does fine on GMRS, at least for me. If that's the way you want to go, get a real one for $6 more: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=191_193_257_1107_261&products_id=4869

What cable were you looking at that was $50? The Wouxon one is $15.99: https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-pco-001.html My experience is that this cable is MUCH better than the typical Baofeng one, and I use it for all my radios that require that type of cable now. No driver games, and I have one radio that would transmit when you plugged in a cheap cable; no such issues with the Wouxun one. Interestingly enough, on the KG-935G page it says that cable is $14.99. But I think I know where the $50 came from. You were looking at the RT Systems cable and software, which IS $49. RT Systems software requires that you use the corresponding RT Systems cable. The item on the BTWR site is a bundle with both cable and software. But the cable can be used with multiple different radios that use the Kenwood interface, so you buy the cable once and then just buy the software if you want to program other radios that use the same cable. Their software packages are great. Often easier to use than the manufacturer's software (if there IS any) and Just Works. When you get right down to it, analog radio programming software looks like a spreadsheet with another page where you can set options on the radio. So there is nothing fancy about their software; it just works and isn't full of bugs. But if the Wouxun software meets your needs, then no reason to buy the RT Systems bundle. I would still recommend paying the couple extra bucks to get their programming cable.

+1 on RadioReference. If you register for an account, you can post in your (or your youngster's) state forum and folks who are local can assist. Or feel free to give us a state and county and we can give you a more informed recommendation. RR is definitely The Place for scanner folks though.

It should be just that easy. Plug the cable into the second radio and send the data to it.

That process is all automated. I purchased, downloaded, installed, activated, and used one of their packages at 10:30 on a Sunday night this past summer. In this case I already had the cable needed for that package, or I would have had to wait for it to be delivered to me. RT-Systems software is great, because it Just Works.

Not a member, and this is not an endorsement, but you might want to check this out: https://www.attica575.com/ Not sure what you mean by a "GMRS group", but I thought you might find it interesting.

The DJ-MD5 is a DMR radio, but it works just fine as an analog radio too. However, I see "IP54" on several websites where you can buy one, yet the owner's manual states: "We don't guarantee any IP grade of this product." So perhaps that's a disqualifier. My apologies. Another option would be the Alinco DJ-500TB, which has the same form factor as the MD5 (same batteries, etc.) but is analog-only. It also really IS IP54; even says so in the manual. I didn't recommend it originally since it's harder to find. I got mine from HRO and it was a special-order item. They still have it on their website so my guess is that it is still available. https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-016057 This is a Part 90 radio, which is what you would need. There is also another version of the DJ-500T that is amateur bands only, which would not meet your requirements.

I know you said you didn't need digital, but I believe the Alinco DJ-MD5XT checks all your boxes and is half the price of the Yaesu. I have the older version and it's a nice radio.

I do not have personal experience with any of those antennas, but I can offer a few general comments. 1) Tram is regarded by many as being bottom of the barrel for antennas. Comet and Diamond, while being "amateur-grade" are definitely a step up. 2) Note that #3 is not only single band but also narrow bandwidth and will need to be adjusted (trimmed) for GMRS. 3) I'm not sure if a yagi is the right solution for you. Yagis are directional antennas. If there is *one* repeater you want to hit, then that would work. Otherwise you'll need a rotator so you can point it in the direction of whatever you are trying to talk to. Additionally, the one you have listed is narrow bandwidth, tuned for only part of the 2m and 70cm ham bands. If it won't work well on 440-450 it's going to be even worse on GMRS.

Certainly not the only option, but a good one: https://www.theantennafarm.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=342_343_347_993_1410 Thesa are made wtih LMR-400UF (Ultra Flexible) so easy to work with and come with N connectors.

Don't believe SWR readings on HT antennas. The radio and the person holding it form the ground plane of the antenna system. Disconnecting the antenna and hooking it to an SWR meter will not give you an accurate reading.