MichaelLAX

OK: Please list all the radios that you have looked at and let us know which ones allow you to do what you want (since that sub-list will be smaller than the list of those that do not allow you to do what you want).

Some people mistakenly think that not warning you about a real danger is the same thing as warning you of a non-existent danger.

Which and where did you purchase the USB cable? Amazingly driver installations are the largest source of programming problems (but it only has to be fixed once). Which Yaesu software are you using? Looks like @Sshannonis on top of Windows drivers problems. I rarely use Windows myself (in virtualization on my Mac) and these days it is only for CPS programming software for my radios that cannot use CHIRP and/or to help with problem solving for USB cable users here. I have Windows 10 installed, but TBH, every programing challenge that I have solved worked in my original copy of Windows XP that I have owned for about 20 years now.

There are special enhancements for SM-T350 users! ?

Do the same steps while standing on your head! ?

Did you try the Miklor Guide I linked above?

Check out Let's Get Ready for their $20* Mag-mount dual band antenna and Let's Get Ready for their $15* 3200 MAh spare battery for the TYT-88UV which fits on my GM-30 clone, the Pofung P15UV and according to @WyoJoefits on his GM-30 with easily removing two "notches" on the battery (my P15UV did not require this modification). Another "accessory" to consider is the TYT-UV88 itself, which for $34 and *free shipping gives you: 1) an additional stock battery 2) a battery recharging cup (instead of having to use a USB-C cable) 3) and a "backup" HT: which is a 2 meter and 70 cms Ham Radio HT (in the style of the GM-30), which easily opens up to transmit on GMRS and MURS. That is much utility for only $34! I bought both the extra capacity battery and the TYT-UV88, gave the P15UV to my 10 year old grandson, and am happy I did AND: both the P15UV and the TYT-UV88 have CTCSS and DCS tone scanning capability to aid in finding and gaining access to new repeaters (this feature is missing from the DB20-G).

What are the wattage output differences and the cost differential? It would have been much cheaper and easier to get an ICE automobile, but now with my EV, I have no idea what a gallon of gasoline goes for these days: now that the Oil Oligopoly is taking advantage of the immense increased demand for gasoline compared to 18 months ago (when they could not give a barrel of crude petroleum away without paying for a shipping container company to take it off their hands; i.e. the cost of a gallon of crude petroleum was NEGATIVE!?!). It was just a matter of time for them to stick it to the consumers of the world to make up for all that "lost" revenues; and yes, my natural gas bill has gone up this year, too! Just an "crude" analogy?

You are correct: the Amazon page and reviews are full of misleading and outdated information. I purchased mine for $99 from Let'sGetReady with free shipping and a $20 dual band mag-mount antenna for my car (plus a $25 cup-holder mount from Amazon). I now have a 2nd unit in my shack connected to my rooftop Comet tribander and it outperforms my Yaesu FT-857d on both 2 meters and 70 cms.

After following @WyoJoe’s instructions to hold down V/M button while powering up, change MODE to: (136-174)(400-470), using the Up and Down arrow keys above the FUN key, and then Power down and power up again. Note your firmware version listed there too.

It comes as an GMRS radio out of the box; at least here in the US. Update: It is a Part 95e certified GMRS radio, right out of the box.

no dumb questions; only dumb answers! I’m on my iPhone right now, but look to my comments on how to open it up to transmit on 2 meters/70 cms, probably listed in a thread entitled “Radioddity DB20-G” the exact clone. Let me know if you can’t find them

"Some people..." "Some people..." @OffRoaderXhas posted a YouTube Video instructing how to make a repeater with the 10 times more powerful KG-1000g! ? There are two followup videos posted by him, too: How Far Can it Transmit? How Is It Working After 30 Days?

I don't often use Windows, but when I do (for codeplug CPS software programming), I drink lots of beer to get into the proper spirit!! ? Try following this link to the Miklor guide to USB Cable Drivers

Are you having trouble downloading the software, as you asked for where to download it from, or are you having trouble with the COM port setting once you have downloaded it and installed it? What USB cable are you using? What version of Windows?

Thete are no dumb questions; only dumb answers! Go here and click on GM-30

Kaffee: That's not what you said. You said he was never going to be able to talk to a repeater 80 miles away using an HT. Jessup: That's correct. Kaffee: You said 80 miles away using an HT Jessup: I recall what I said. Kaffee: I could have the court reporter read back to you... Jessup: I know what I said! I don't have to have it read back to me, like I'm... Kaffee: Then why the two statements? Colonel? Jessup: Sometimes men use HTs that are POS CCRs. Kaffee: No, sir. You made it clear just a moment ago that your men never use cheap gear. Your men use quality equipment or people die. So the OP shouldn't have been in any danger at all, should he have, Colonel? Jessup: You snotty little bastard. With apologies to Tom Cruise as Lieutenant Junior Grade Kaffee and Jack Nicholson as Colonel Nathan R Jessup in "A Few Good Men" written by Aaron Sorkin and directed by Rob Reiner. ?

While you boys are debating the finer points of grammar and lexicology, let us not forget that the OP is attempting real world communication from his home in Milwaukee to a repeater 80 miles away. I assumed he meant a repeater in Wisconsin when I suggested he was trying to reach Madison. But continued thought about his problem reminded me of a post on this forum that claims to hit a repeater in Evanston IL from Northern Wisconsin, 230 miles away using a Wouxun 905g. And the reason for the success of that contact was that it was primarily line of sight over the waters of Lake Michigan. So in remembering that Milwaukee also resides next to Lake Michigan, perhaps he is attempting to hit a 700 repeater in Chicago IL or Grand Rapids MI. We'll just have to wait for the OP to return and give us more facts.

Not a handheld exactly, but if 20 watts is enough for your mobile, let me suggest the Radioddity DB-20G: $109 easy to use pre-programed GMRS right out of the box cigarette lighter plug easy to program repeater tones without a computer supports multiple repeaters on the same frequency with different tones fits in the palm of your hand Amazon sells a cup holder mount

If you are in Milwaukee, why is your first attempt to a repeater 80 miles away? Why not try one of the closer repeaters, like this one:

Encode = Input = Your transmitting tone - Tx Decode = Output = Your receiving tone - Rx I recommend you not use receiving tones at least initially

That’s because the KG-395 has the codes transposed from their KG-935! ?

Buy a CCR for about $30, program it to this repeater and drive out towards the repeater with both HTs and a family member. When you get within the assurred reception zone, drop off the family member with the CCR and drive a few miles away and see if you can communicate with your family member through the repeater. If it doesn’t work in close range, something is not set correctly or the repeater is not active. When you head home, don’t forget to pick up the family member! ? Which Wisconsin repeater are you trying to access (Madison 700)?

When checking the firmware version, is your MODE set to: (136-174)(400-470)?

FWIW: Here are my Function Setup setting in the software: