WRHS218

In a nutshell: CHIRP is an open source radio programming tool that in many cases is better than the manufacturers programming software. The software will program a lot of the more popular radios. Newer radios will normally be added to the list, but sometimes takes a while. Use your favorite search engine to lookup CHIRP.

The pros for me are: The build quality is great. I need a radio that is water resistant and dust resistant. I carried Motorola radios for the last 40 years in my jobs and the 905G feels almost as solid as those. The radio is simple to use. I have had a HAM license for decades and when searching for a GMRS radio I wanted something simple to use. Repeater ready. Very easy to use on repeaters. I like the channels groups and the ability to scan groups. CTCSS scan. A function I find useful that I didn't think I would use. Audio quality is very good. The cons: You can only add repeaters having the same tones into a group via the computer. I like that you can build other groups for repeaters, but, not from the radio end. I wish the screen would accommodate "Name" "Frequency", and "GMRS channel number" at once. I understand it would take a bigger screen and I will eventually learn the channel numbers. Coming from the HAM side I am just so used to it all being about the frequency. I have tried other GMRS radios of lesser price but the quality just wasn't there for me. I was going to get the 805G but when I saw they were going to come out with the 905G I waited and I am happy I did. Sean

I prefer to use screen protectors on all my handheld and mobile screens because I spend a lot of time in dusty environments. Do anyone make their own? I guess I could cut down an old cell phone screen protector to fit. Any DIY screen protector ideas out there? Sean

I live in a mountain area a few miles from the South gate of Yosemite. Most of the listed repeaters in my area are no longer active. One nearby repeater is still active but I can't hit it from my house. The gentleman that owns the unit told me to keep it in my radio and use it if I am in the area which is nice. I cannot see the highway from my house due to trees but I can hear traveler conversations for less than a minute at a time. I use GMRS with extended family and for traveling. I have several 2m HAM repeaters I use occasionally but I don't enjoy talking about weather, radio brands, and new medications so I don't talk much. I got my Amateur license over 20 years ago so I would have reliable comms when a group of us went off roading in the Mojave desert. I have moved to GMRS for that now as a lot of people aren't interested enough to take the test. Can't blame them. This is a good forum to learn from.