[Radioddity DB20-G]

On 8/8/2021 at 4:52 PM, MacJack said:

I have two KG-805G for the girls as it light and simple to use...I use for myself a KG-905G as I like the groups scan and all the other high tech features.... more then the girls will ever use.  I got them from https://www.buytwowayradios.com and will tell you I had an issue with the first 805G as I THOUGHT IT WAS DOA.  It was not, I used CHIRP software and blow away some key files in the config.  So I got my second 805G and backed up the factory settings first before changing anything...  Then took the factory setting backup and wrote to the first 805G and fixed it... Sent email to https://www.buytwowayradios.com and said it is working now and stop shipping replacement which they pulled off the truck.  

I have told others on this forum if you did not do a backup PM me with your email address and I will send it to you.  In fact the President of https://www.buytwowayradios.com email me and asked if I would send him a copy of this backup file for his support team as many of his customers use CHIRP in my case on a Mac no PC's.  CHIRP is not a standard programing software but IMHO better to use for programing over the Wouxun PC program which is limited on cut and paste etc.

Hope this helps... I believe that a radio is a personally choice...  you pick what is best for you and your family.  I like FCC Part 95 certified radios, with good sound and range.  Most importantly a firm that will stand behind the product even when the user like me screws up, no questions asked.  I did feel bad not doing a backup before changing program on radio... I know better being in the software business.  Under full discourser I have twin adopted Chinese daughter here in the USA, now 50 yo with grown kids.  China government is so screwed up but the people are more or better American then us.  Some of the firms in China want to make good radios to sell in US and live under the Communist dictator government.  What I'm saying is I will support free Enterprise even in a Communist country.  Capitalism will win over any other isms.  Off my soap box, thank you for letting me to vent.  OK if Forum ADM delete my post.

MacJack    

Thank you for your detailed response. It's greatly appreciated and I'll check them out!

[Radioddity DB20-G]

Thank you very much for the response!

[Radioddity DB20-G]

33 minutes ago, MacJack said:

Congratulations and welcome to the GMRS family   I do have that antenna and I have it mounted on my steel bumper of my jeep and it's marginal but I do not have the same radio.  Trusting others will weight in.

MacJack  

What radio do you use if you don't mind me asking?

[Radioddity DB20-G]

I just recently received my FCC GMRS license.  I am new to GMRS and reviewed many radios, purchasing a Radioddity DB20-G mobile unit.  I am planning on installing the radio in my truck and was looking at the Midland Micro Mobile Ghost MXTA25 and mounting it to a ditch light bracket; however I currently am using a LT-UT72 19 Inch,VHF/UHF (144/430Mhz) Super Loading Coil antenna and I am not getting any reception.  Any idea on the best antenna to use?

 

I live on the Southern Tip of Illinois and see that there is a repeater about 50 miles away in Harrisburg, Illinois and a couple repeaters in Western Kentucky. How do I access these repeaters or are they too far away? 

 

Any advice for the GMRS beginner would be greatly appreciated.