MichaelLAX

This also gives you the version of the installed firmware. Not stated, so to be clear: once it is moved to "Ham mode" you can also reprogram the GMRS simplex and repeater channels back into it. I also note that in @OffRoaderX's video, in the upper right hand corner, you will see that his power supply is feeding 13.2 volts to his radio. Mine gets 13.9 from my external power supply in the shack and I would bet that my power output is then higher than his (I don't have a meter to measure it), and hotter, too, when I am long-winded!

Yes, USB cables with an FTDI chip are the best way to go!

I believe that back when he posted his comment, CHIRP in all of its versions, had not yet installed a driver for that particular radio. It came later...

I believe that @stockjockhas posted previously that he was given a GMRS HT by Amazon for his personal use and for his review posted on Amazon. He gave a good review especially based upon its price vs. features and his frustration is lack repeater usage in the San Diego area. I don't know exactly where he lives, but I am surprised he cannot hit the CREST repeater on Santiago Peak, which has a dedicated user base.

I find no functional differences between the Anytone AT-779UV and the Radioddity DB-20G, and I have yet to discover what benefits come from updating the firmware, which on mine are 2.28 and 2.29. I use the Radioddity CPS programming software also on my 779s

Very happy: only disappointments are my hope for better CPS software (with cut and paste from other sources, but I work around this issue by programming with empty cells between such things as GMRS and then Repeaters and then Ham etc and plugging in new repeaters as I find them) and no ability to scan for tones, which I solved with a $30 HT. A 50 watt model would be nice, too! ? Check this Cup Holder from Amazon.

Good luck on the Tech exam. @WROA675 and I have conducted experiments and 2 meters has almost always shown greater reception for 2 meters over 70cms/GMRS. Answering @marcspaz’s concern, I do not believe that any of my experiments involved attempting to hear on VHF a station that I could not receive on UHF. So I look forward to your results.

I think @WyoJoesuccessfully runs Windows in his Linux machine, so maybe he will “chirp” in on helping you with that option, too.

If you go to License Lookup under Repeaters, you will discover he is in South Bend, IN Just like you're in Eagleville, PA! ?

I rarely get noise or interference on my rig unless it is Kevin's jamming of the 725 repeater! ? But I do frequently use the MON(itor) button to pull signals "out of the mud" especially simplex Ham, when I am home and when I am mobile and want to keep listening to someone as I leave their reception zone

10 meters is starting to have openings. During last weekend’s 10x10 Contest I had a nice contact on 28.450 SSB with another Ham in Trinity, Alabama

Now that you mentioned the T-word: Radioddity DB-20G a/k/a Anytone AT-779UV $99-$109 20 watts GMRS and opens easily to Ham 2 meters and 70cms cigarette lighter plug comes with USB programming cable I have one in my EV with a $20 mag mount and $35 cup-mount and another in the shack as it outperforms my Yaesu FT-857d on 2 meters and 70 cms. With my rooftop Comet tri-bander, I can hit repeaters up to 90 miles away (Double Mt) and simplex 45 miles away, sometimes more

An American radio in a Ferrari?!? Get the Marconi Bikini Radio?

My radio lights up white when I am receiving a signal that does not open the squelch due to a different tone.

Put another way: You receive a transmission on a specific channel and their tone opens your squelch so you can hear them. Now another transmission within your reception zone on that channel commences on a different tone. It does not matter that it is a different tone: your squelch is already open and both signals will be received and their distance and transmission power will cause the FM Capture Effect to determine which signal overpowers the other, or, alternatively, causes unintelligible communication between both signals.

Nice summary: If I understand the above comment correctly, my Anytone AT-779UV a/k/a Radioddity DB-20G a/k/a Retevis Ra25 allows for split DCS tones or just a transmit DCS tone and no tone on receive.

Have you tried to "hit" that repeater? Sounds like you'd get right in. I used to hear "strange" educational oriented transmissions on one of our local repeater channels and I tracked it down to a private middle and high school located in a "Tony" neighborhood in Los Angeles! I went to the hillside above it and sure enough, I could hear the HTs on the input frequency. Needless to say they used a somewhat obscure DCS tone for input (a DCS Toney, so to speak! ?)

No derail at all - absolutely on topic! Bay Area Repeater Network - R1 Repeater Coverage Map

Does the GD-77 come with its own programming cable, like the RD-5R does? And the RD-5R cable does not contain a chip, so there is no driver to install. Maybe you are using a USB cable with a chip? Once we get your GD-77 talking to your PC and programmed normally, we can then start talking about the OPENGD77 Firmware which I learned about after being posted one year ago on a public forum! ? UPDATE: I found this comment on an old Reddit post: Also: NOTE: I use Windows XP to program my RD-5R And: I have access to some GD-77 codeplugs which can be easily modified for your situation, once you get your PC to talk to your GD-77. Can you link me to a DMR repeater near you?

Towards the end of World War I, General John. J. Pershing needed more troops and telegraphed to President Wilson his request for more troops. Wilson faced a difficult decision because The Great Flu was spreading easily on Troop ships and killing many of our soldiers before they even arrived in Europe. Wilson of course made the order to send more troops as Pershing requested. Wilson then turned to his Chief of Staff and asked: "Have you heard the nursery rhyme that the children sing?"

Are you sure that the coverage of that repeater from Monterey Bay will reach to you in San Jose using an HT? Although their coverage map indicates HT coverage in San Jose broadly; try driving around to different spots, maybe take a drive down towards Monterey (darker red on their map): Here is what the programming should look like in CHIRP:

Watch this YouTube video by @OffRoaderX:

Oh, you’ve become an Online Influencer! ?

What would you hope to do with this? It is no-frills FRS

I checked with Governor Newsom and he told me: “I don’t always buy Wouxun cables, but when I do, I buy them at BuyTwoWayRadios.com” ?