Roadrunner74

I was camping on Washington Island (WI). It's north of the "thumb" in Wisconsin. Basically the northern part of Wisconsin. I was scanning for local repeaters using a Wouxun 905g and started hearing some traffic.
I tried making contact, but they said they couldn't make out what I was saying. I walked out of the woods to a nearby hill (about 20ft higher than my campsite). I made clear contact, asked where the repeater was, and my jaw dropped when I found out it was a repeater in Evanston Illinois, 230 miles away as the crow flies. It turns out they have a 200ft+ tower with a Yagi pointed north. The radio path was almost entirely over the lake. 
230 miles! My mind is still blown. Anyone else done something similar?

Glad you are enjoying your 905G... it is a great radio...  Let me know if you need some insight on multi channel slots for many repeaters...
MacJack

Michael,
Thanks for the info... I'm quickly filling up all those memory channels with repeaters from locations I tend to drive near. I'm loving this 905G and am glad I went with such a nice HT rather than one of a lesser price/quality... thanks to all you guys who have helped out with all my questions.
-RR

IF INSTEAD IH THE BATTERY ELIMINATOR YOU COULD CARRY YOUR CHARGER BASE WITH EXXTRA BATTERY AND Wouxun Vehicle Charging Adapter (CCO-001) (buytwowayradios.com) FOR THE CHARGING BASE!

I purchased the Wouxun KG-UV9G Pro (SHTF) radio at the beginning of June and received it July 16. I had a couple of days to play around with it and change the programming a little before leaving on a long road trip.
I have seen some comments asking why anyone would want all of the channels programmed with the Pro model. I am in California and live in the area of the Creek Fire last year. While CalFire does a great job, we don't get a whole lot of information when we need it. I had programmed a scanner with all of the Fire frequencies, all local and state LEO freqs, County public works, Utility company, Air, and Cal DOT freqs. During the fire (over two months) I kept the scanner on and my HAM radios on listen to local repeaters. I could hear the pilots of the helos and fixed wing aircraft that were making water and retardant drops as well as the pilot of the air control plane that was flying overhead and directing the drops as well as ground units. Many times I could information from what I was hearing before it was made public during two daily briefings. We were evacuated from our home for a week during which I could listen to see if the fire was near the house. We were some of the lucky ones who did not lose our house. When we returned I kept listening. The more frequencies you have to listen to the more information you can get.
On to the radio. Obviously I appreciate the scan functions and the scan types. I scanned all GMRS simplex and repeater channels plus some repeaters I had added to the programming during my trip. I had it sitting next to my KG-905G which was scanning the same frequencies just to test the two radios. When we swapped drivers I would scan the raildraod  frequencies that came programmed and heard a lot near large rail yards. I enjoy listening to that type of thing. The UV9G comes with AM Air frequencies programmed but I couldn't get anything on the radio even when I was in a hotel near the end of a runway of a major airport. I didn't take time to look up and program other known airliner frequencies. I will do that later and try again. I did scan all 800+ channels that were programmed at times and didn't hear much. As a GMRS radio the RX and TX are good. I need to do a little more testing but on simplex it seems almost as good as my KG-905G. I was able to hit the same repeaters on the UV9G as I could get on the 905G. Audio reports were good. I really like the level of water  and dust resistance. The menus are somewhat complicated with a slightly steep learning curve to learn what the abbreviations mean but it is the same convention as the 905G so I already knew most of it. I like the size of the radio as it isn't too big or too small. The supplied antenna seems to work well. The 3200 mHa battery that came with the radio as well as the extra 3200 mHa battery I purchased both had no issues with the belt clip installation as reported with some of the batteries. I scanned for over 70 hours with about a half hour of TX on my trip and never had to change batteries. Some of the pre-programmed channels are probably not needed, but then again, when there is an emergency or the SHTF you don't really know where you will get good info.  I purchased the radio and spare battery from BetterSafeRadio.com and they were great to work with. On their homepage they kept a running message of what order range they were working on which was much appreciated. Five weeks after I ordered the radio I went ahead and ordered the spare battery and after talking to them via email they made sure both orders were in one box so I would get it all together in time for my trip. The Wouxun programming software is minimal for the KG-UV9G like the software for the KG-905G but is sufficient. The same programming cable works for both radios. I am very pleased with the radio and BetterSafeRadio. For my needs/wants it is definitely worth the price I paid.
Sean
 
 

Wot-
I actually did a little more research and think that when the time comes to upgrade my mobile power I'll just go with the Wouxun KG-1000G rather than purchase an amplifier for my HT...
-RR

This is a list of speaker mics that I have personally purchased and tested along with any pros or cons. I hope this helps.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Compact-Reinforced-Arcshell-Shoulder-Microphone/dp/B01N5LJ0YR/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=commountain&qid=1628179895&sr=8-3   
Pros: Small but very loud. Treble seems elevated but this is (IMO) the part that increases the volume and performs well in high noise areas when it comes to hearing received transmissions. Reinforced cord with Kevlar fiber for increased life. Offers 3.5mm ear bud jack.
Cons: Not water or even rain proof 
I have several of these and are used by Fire/EMS team 
 
https://www.amazon.com/Speaker-Reinforced-Arcshell-Shoulder-Microphone/dp/B07MX4J3W8/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=commountain&qid=1628180226&sr=8-4
Pros: Heavy Duty waterproof with reinforced Kevlar cord and reinforced strain relief on both ends. Offers 3.5mm ear bud jack
These are the speaker mics I own in the greatest of numbers and my number one pick. 
Cons: Currently have none IMO.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Platinum-Rainproof-Shoulder-Speaker-Kenwood/dp/B073ZZ3DDD/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=xfox+solutions&qid=1628181068&sr=8-1
Pros: Equal to the Commountain in ALL features at a much lower price. You get 2 for the price of one basically.
Cons: Currently have none IMO.
 
https://www.amazon.com/BTECH-QHM22-Platinum-Rainproof-Shoulder/dp/B00Z4X3MM6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=BTECH+speaker+mic&qid=1628181246&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVUNSUFdGVDZGN0U3JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjgyMTQyVThVWENVRlFYOU1GJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1MzI0MzZOMENOQkQ1SDBHM0Mmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl
Pros: IP54 Rainproof, High impact casing and High Grade re-enforced cabling but see cons. All in all a decent option
Cons: both the casing and cable seems a bit lighter than the Commountain but performs well
 
https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Shoulder-Speaker-Compatible-Baofeng/dp/B01MTW1AQN/ref=sr_1_15?dchild=1&keywords=Retevis+speaker+mic&qid=1628181532&sr=8-15
Pros: Equal to the Commountain in all features
Cons: Currently have none - AVOID ALL OTHER RETEVIS MICS EXCEPT THE POWERED MIC IN THE NEXT LISTING.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Shoulder-Adjustable-Handheld-Arcshell/dp/B085LZRZNL/ref=sr_1_18?dchild=1&keywords=Retevis+speaker+mic&qid=1628181656&sr=8-18
Pros: Equal in construction to Commountain. A little larger head unit than most other speaker mics but nothing outrageous. IF YOU USE YOUR RADIO IN HIGH NOISE CONDITIONS AND STRUGGLE TO HEAR TRANSMISSIONS, THIS SHOULD WORK FOR YOU.
Cons: Unit amplifies received audio requiring a power source which is provided with the "built in" rechargeable battery. Current models do not allow for replacement of the battery so there's no way to swap it out for extra low use or replacement when the battery reaches end of life but, at this price you can just buy two and rotate them as needed. I have a nephew that is an engineer on a railroad and has struggled to hear his HT in the cab of the locomotive. I gifted him one of these and he swears by it.
 
If you're looking for headsets, these are the ones I use and would recommend.
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017KQCYGO/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pros: Absolutely the best quality and most comfortable of all (over eight different brands & models) the lightweight over the head brands/models tested and used. Part of the reason is the flat/smooth ear piece, the double band and amount of flax vs rigidity. I can't praise these enough, we are more then pleased (myself and my team members that choose to wear them) how great these are, especially for the price. They're not always available but you can't go wrong with this headset.  
 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Z76GY3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Pros: So far, great medium duty headset. Seems to be well made and all testing has been positive. Decent comfort for this style of headset but we have only tested these headsets and have not had the opportunity to use them in real world or field settings.
Cons: Currently have none IMO
 
I am not affiliated with any manufacturers or selling agents for any of the products I have listed. I purchased all equipment with my own money and personally tested over 26 speaker mics and 10 headsets. Above are the results regarding my personal testing and experience along with my team's input. There are other brands and models that have performed decent but only the ones listed would I feel comfortable recommending. I hope this will help and wish you good luck with correcting the USPS mess.
 
JC
 
 

This topic brings back a memory from the very early 1980's when I was young.
My dad was a semi driver all his life and back then we lived in a trailer. He had a CB base station with a tower and a fiberglass CB antenna. Which the antenna came in two sections with a metal couple in the middle and had a metal tip.
One night there was a nasty lightning storm. That night lightning hit the CB antenna blowing it up in little tooth pick pieces. Few days later we found the metal couple fused together and found the metal tip in the cornfield like 200 yards away.

Recently we have begun holding the National GMRS Net once per month on the last Sunday of each month. This is due to reduced interest in holding a weekly net, and due to quickly running out of fresh topics to discuss.
We will still link each regional hub together nationally each week during the same time period, but won't hold the net on the other weeks. Feel free to chat on Sunday evenings and make distant contacts during this time, but also please be mindful to not hog the repeater system so others can jump in there and participate as well.

I'd love a confirmation from someone that's used the 905g, but given how it's above the 805 in features in pretty much every aspect, I can't see it being a problem.
I know it can be done on the 805g via the software, as I have mine set with the base 30, 2 repeaters on .575 (ch 16), 1 on .625 (ch 18), and another set of repeater presets to use for travel.

THE THE UT-72G WILL DO MUCH BETTER THAN THE STOCK RUBBER DUCK  ALSO THE BATTERY ELIMINATOR Wouxun ELO-005 Battery Eliminator for KG-905G and KG-UV8H (buytwowayradios.com)

It was amazing how much it helped. Using a mag mount and 16 feet of RG58 coax, I mounted a 5db gain antenna on the roof. I can reach 3 repeaters in my area from my front deck. There is a 4th repeater 30 miles away that I cannot reach. Well, last night I was able to reach it, and had a nice conversation with a fellow. My HT was only pushing 2 watts, so it was amazing how much range I was able to gain just from antenna choice and placement. 
 

Should be no problem to find an appropriate so239 to sma(m or f) adapter. Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/DHT-Electronics-Handheld-Antenna-Quasheng/dp/B00COKNKS8/

And since March of this year it has gone up to 16,138

Any changes to the type of emissions authorized would have to come from the Commision through either petition or upon self determination by a majority of the commissioners. In other words, don't hold your breath unless digital is allowed in Europe or several manufacturers petition the change.

I figured it out! Not only do you have to right-click KG905G desktop icon--> properties--> compatibility mode,  you must run the app in Windows Admin!
Thanks for the help, guys.
 

I have https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-smo-002.html connected and draped over the mirror and works great.

I have nothing bad to say about the KG-1000G. It is a great radio from my own experience with it and from what I've heard and read. I would say it is the best dedicated GMRS mobile radio available presently.
For many mobile applications, though, I believe the Anytone AT-779UV would suffice, especially considering that it's about one third of the price of the 1000G.
The 779UV only puts out a nominal 20 watts vs. 50 for the 1000G, and the 779UV doesn't have a remote-mountable front panel like the 1000G does. It is also not easily paired with another radio to make a simple repeater, but unless those things matter to you, it's a pretty good little mobile rig.
I offer this suggestion primarily for those that want to advance from an HT to a mobile rig, but perhaps are not yet ready to take the plunge or spend the money for the 1000G.

Pleased to report I received my two  Wouxun-KG-905G's from BTWR yesterday.  After inspecting the units, & charging them up, I started to utilize them.
They're very nice, solid units, & although (during the interrium wait for them to ship) I purchased an 805G, to familiarize myself with the basics of the HT,
I'm really satisfied with the overall out of the box quality of the KG-905G's, and reception with the updated Nagoya NA-771G's I added to the order.
One noteworthy issue I wanted to share with folks here,  as it created a slight bit of anxiety for me while I was trying to utilize the USB Programming Cable (PCO-001)
cable to connect to the Wouxun-KG-905G-Programming-Software,  it seems there is a glitch in the Wouxun software with regards to identifying the COM PORT.
Initially, if you click on [Setup] -> [Com SetUp] you may experience an issue where you cannot modify (or select) an available com port on your system.
In discussing the issue with BTWR, I was told this is a known issue which Wouxun is addressing, but for now - the "Work Around" is to go into windows control
panel, identify which com port the: >> Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge << is associated with, then go into properties for that com port & then
select & confirm [Com Port 1] *disregard the  message indicating the port is in use if you see that on your system, and just confirm modifying Com Port 1.
Once you do that, the change takes effect immediately, & when you return to the Wouxun-KG-905G-Programming-Software, and then click on: [Edit] -> [Read]
the "Read" dialogue box will appear, and you can click on: [Start] to go ahead and download the image from your radio.
You'll also notice navigating to:  [Setup] -> [Com SetUp], that a black dot next to the left of [Com1] should appear in the communication port dialogue box.
*I attached a few screen shots to help anyone follow along if that helps.  Should anyone experience this issue, and need some help - feel free to message me,
I'm happy to offer any assistance if need be.
~JT
WRKZ907

RR in are in great Company with the 905G...  I like others enjoy it...  If you need any help PM and we can talk and willing to walk with you in setup.
MacJack

just about any HT can be used as a mobile, all u need is a good antenna and a battery eliminator. im doing exactly that right now, i use a nagoya nl-770g  https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-nl-770g.html 
with the nagoya mag mount base, the base already has the coax so no need to get anymore.
https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-rb-mjpl.html
other thing i would do is get a speaker microphone, and make sure u get one capable of dual ptt since the 905g can do it. if u would like a little more power u can add a amp. the btech amp u-25 is 40 watts and would make you a full power mobile out of a HT.
 

No. You can tweak some settings of the memory once it has been created via the software, but you cannot configure a preset from scratch via the radio controls. Basically, the front panel controls lack the ability to pick, save and change frequencies using at a memory location. Things like tones and power can however be changed after the fact.


Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

In a number of posts on this forum I have mentioned my intent to side mount my amateur radio antenna on the same mast that I use for the GMRS antenna. I can now say that it is done and has been working for almost a week. As promised elsewhere, here are some pics.
 

 

 

 
The side mount bracket is home crafted and painted a color similar to the main fiberglass mast. The amateur antenna is currently about 6-1/2ft below the bottom of the GMRS antenna. There is about 21” between the amateur antenna and the nearest metal (the GMRS feed line).
 
I am using LMR400 feed-line for both antennas and have ferrite chokes installed over the coax. I have not yet detected any material interference or objectionable desense in the GMRS radio while transmitting on the amateur radio. I do however observe one bar on the GMRS radio’s meter flutter while transmitting at 50w UHF on the amateur radio, if the GMRS radio is receiving a usable low-level signal at the point I key up the amateur radio, just not enough to be of concern presently.
 
I will be operating both antennas at the lower height you see in the picture until I am ready to guy the mast at full height, which is about 16’ higher.
 
One of the inquires I received elsewhere is listed below along with my original response. Posted here to prevent derailing another thread.
 

 
I will be running 50w UHF and VHF, 50w GMRS.
 
I will let you know once it is operational. I may not have it installed for two weeks.
 
I do expect some desensitization of the listening receiver while I am transmitting on the other service, but nothing that I expect will affect my operations. I will have ferrite chokes on the GMRS feed-line to cut down on the noise and reduce ingress from the 2m/70cm since that line will be running parallel to the amateur antenna.
 
 
Michael
WRHS965
KE8PLM

Welcome to the forum! I think you'll find GMRS to be both useful and enjoyable.

Welcome to the forum