MichaelLAX

In another thread, I facetiously said that a similar problem with Midlands was: "a feature and not a bug!" But hearing these complaints over and over again, I am starting to believe in the efficacy of my own advice! While they may have the "advantage" of being easy for Newbies to use "right out of the box;" that feature is worthless if the hardware is overpriced junk! That being said, I much prefer discounted junk! ?

With Midlands, it is probably a feature and not a bug! ?

I'd be more worried about those young arsonists! ?

I'd turn ToneSql to Off for now so that you can receive anything and everything.

What does 10 meters FM, during a band opening, sound like to a distant station?

I’ve had one for years but disappointed in its front end. perhaps mine was bad from the start but @Papatree’s FT-691 is pulling stations out of the noise that I cannot discern what they’re saying!

No one has responded to you yet, but I have the clone Pofung P15UV and have no such reports. Any many here have lauded the GM-30 for its features set vs. price and again, I do not remember any such criticism. Try one where you can return it if unhappy and see for yourself!

If there is no need to go up to 50 watts, the $99-$119 Radioddity DB-20G, a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV, is a 18-20 watt rig that will fit in the palm of your hand, has a cigarette lighter plug for power and out of the box is as easy to use for GMRS as a Midland at a fraction of the cost: https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-db20g

This instructional video, while specific to the UV-5R, goes menu item by item and explains what they do: How To Use Baofeng UV-5R Menus & All Menu Settings Explained - For UV5R & Other Ham & GMRS Radios

Get your quotes right:

Yes: you're welcome and the blank lines are ignored in practice when using the radio. I also follow the Radioddity practice of putting the NOAA channels in the 490+ channels and of course set them not to be triggered when I am scanning.

While I haven't tried it, you might be able to copy the data cells from a DB20-G or AT-779UV code plug and paste them into the Ra-25 programming software.* In any event, writing a code plug from scratch is not that hard, and be sure to keep blank lines between categories (such as GMRS Repeaters, 2 meter simplex, 2 meter repeaters, 70 cm simplex, 70 cm repeaters, etc.) so that you can easily plug in new channels for future growth; instead of having to go back and manually rebuild it from scratch, like I did! * A feature that certainly would be implemented by CHIRP, if they ever choose to support these radios.

If you haven't purchased it yet, I would suggest you go with the Raddioddity DB-20G or the Anytone AT-779UV, so that you can take advantage of the published code plugs available for them. As I mentioned in another thread, the Retevis programming software is semi-proprietary and the unit will not work with code plugs from the other two radios.

Be aware that the Radioddity DB-20G and the Anytone AT-779UV can use each others programming software and code plugs interchangeably. But the Retevis Ra-25 apparently must use its own programming software and code plugs generated from its software.

That's the same question I had for my Urologist!?! He said: "Use it or lose it!" ? Wikipedia's take on the issue

Not the first time on this forum and probably not his last…

When programming your Codeplug, be sure to leave gaps between the different categories for later growth (instead of having to rewrite it from scratch). For example: GMRS channels [gap] GMRS specific repeaters [gap] Ham 2 meter repeaters [gap] Ham 2 meter simplex [gap] Ham 70 cm repeaters [gap]... You get the idea! In operation, it ignores the gaps as if they were programmed successively.

I use Windows XP through Parallels Virtualization on my older Mac Mini; programs this radio like a charm!

On a slightly related note, the $99-$109 Radioddity DB-20G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV has all the advantages of the MXT275 plus can be easily opened to transmit on 2meters/70cm.

I'll take that as a challenge -- NEVER SAY NEVER!

Let me see if I understand this correctly: I agreed with @marcspaz's statement that you said: "programming software something like CHIRP" and now you apparently are taking offense?!? AND: I said: "There are three types of programming software possibly available for every GMRS radio..." NOTE the word in bold. Lastly, this is exactly what the OP asked about: help with using his MXT275 and the apparent lack of need to use programming software for a newbie radio.

I agree with @marcspaz. There are three types of programming software possibly available for every GMRS radio: The manufacture's programming software, whether for free or a separate fee (mostly free); From RT Systems for a fee and generally you must purchase their programming cable as well; and CHIRP, which is always free to download. I have NO experience with any Midland, but it would be radio-malpractice if they sold it without one or more of the foregoing options ("programming software such as CHIRP") being available.

If it can receive AM, SSB reception is not far behind!

Which style radio are you interested in? Handheld Mobile Home

From the Manual, it looks like Menu Function 10 (CTCSS) and 12 (DCS or DPL) are the functions to use to manually set the Tones. Have you tried these?