pcradio

Chirp has its place, I would recommend to start out using the supplied software (sometimes refereed to as CPS / customer provided programming software ). So, using Retevis software you'll edit the frequency like so: Input the frequency for RX. This may automatically fill out the TX side. Input the frequency for TX, or edit to be 5Mhz higher. Input the tone for RX. This may automatically fill out the TX side. Note that you may leave the RX tone set to nothing if you prefer. Only the TX side is necessary.

P.S. Thanks for the comments. It's helping to clarify what I truly need.

That Kenwood is so nice! Way outside my budget for this application, however. I really appreciate what it can do. I was hoping GPS would exist in an analog mode radio to simply give me coordinates. If this is not true, I may remove that requirement. I have GPS already, just wanted the duplication in the radio. I am able to remove this requirement. Today, on a hike, my wife was taking off her backpack and it caused the attached radio to hit a rock. Still works great, but cosmetically, it took a hit. For myself, I was trying to get something special, so I was looking past the Wouxun and AnyTone brands. I don't know. This is really hard and $150 for a radio is very tempting. But is it truly "high end"? Out in the wilderness, the air is quite clear, do I truly need a really sensitive RF receiver? Since this radio will be used in harsh environments, I couldn't stand to take a desktop queen on the hikes. I do want one to look at, however! My radio is going to get hurt. This radio is going to get abused. I don't think I could stand to use something as nice (expensive) as the Kenwood, Motorola, and other $500+ offerings. Since nothing can withstand total submersion across a body of water, I put them in bags. That's why I don't need waterproof. I wouldn't trust such a claim anyway.

The Retevis RT76 is compatible with repeaters, according to the manufacturer.

Thank you. I did't realize that. I wanted GPS so I could note my coordiantes in real time while speaking with someone. However, I will have a GPS device on me, but was hoping I could get it in the radio too. Hmmm.

Sure, you can do it yourself by removing a diode from under the battery cover. Or you can have it professionally done here.

Super interesting. Out of the box too with no modifications. Nice looking radio. Have you ever used it side by side with a Yaesu? Sorry, I have that brand in my head. But at only $200 that does make it an easier buy. Is the front-end receiver just as nice?

Thank you for the recommendation. However, I'm hoping to get a high-end radio. Unless I'm mistaken, the Yaesu FT3DR does meet all my requirement?

Do they have Dual Watch? The images online I see of these units, it doesn't appear to show two frequencies?

Environment: I do a lot of hiking in areas with little to no cell phone coverage. I hike with and around others who will have different combinations of radios. I need one radio to handle coordination and emergency communication, even with others, who are not a part of my group, if they need help. I wish I could carry three radios, but space on my person is at a premium. Today: I know that the UV-5R and many other CCRs can in fact TX on all three frequency bands, but I'm looking for a high end radio. Yaesu can be modified by any dealer to open the bands in question, for example, and has caught my eye. I will be using a HAM/GMRS license/callsign and will have permission for all bands in question. Elephant in the room: I'm aware of Part 95 & Part 9*. This thread is not a discussion about that. Respectfully, please use another thread if you need to discuss. The FCC moves slowly and they have thankfully proven they don't really believe the outdated arguments of yesteryear. All these radios can be purchased in the USA. Modern Hams are encouraging the FCC to do the right thing. Special thanks to you, my favorite reader, for being onboard with common sense. Now, let's have a fun discussion with what is available today. Requirements: Transmit on 144-154Mhz, 420-470Mhz (2m,70cm,GMRS,MURS) Dual Receive (listen and/or scan two frequency sets) Onboard GPS Water resistant (waterproof not required) Analog (digital not required) I’m looking at the Yaesu FT3DR because it looks amazing. However, I'm open to any brand if it meets the requirements. Anyone else have my same need? What did you do? Anyone found the perfect hiking radio?

This why I'm glad there are radios which can transmit on GMRS, 2m and 70cm. Why in the world would a radio be gimped to not do such a simple thing is just plain silly. There is no reason, no logic that makes sense. I can push the gas pedal and exceed the speed limit, but a $400 radio, owned by a responsible person ... well too bad for you when you need it to hit GMRS! I'm am not going to hike in the woods with three radios. We are not talking about indiscriminate transmissions, we are talking about need, safety, and emergency. A $400, $500, $600 radio is useless. But $32 bucks get you everything? Wake up and tell the FCC what they will do on your behalf. Stop defending such silly mechanisms, laws, and disrespect for the America people. We tell the government what they can do to protect us and we thank them for their service. I think people laugh at those who support such draconian thinking. When you get your HAM license you "agree" to not transmit on certain frequencies. But somehow, in this warped ecosystem, its irresponsible to own a radio that can transmit on 146, 444 and 462? Really?

As BoxCar stated, height is the secret to great range and clarity. Before you go down the repeater route, try experimenting with an antenna. To simulate an antenna, climb onto the roof of your house, and try using your 5W HT from there. If you have marked improvement, you can feel confident to put up something more permanent. Absolutly, without question, see if there is a repeater between you and your transmitting party. If so, you may still want a small antenna on your roof or attic, but you may not even need that.

The Midland is setup to only hear a privacy tone. You'll need to set it to 0, or match it on the GM-30.

Weird. I really like the radio and will soon have three of them. Software is a problem and I don't know why. Private message me and I'll see how I can get the files to you.

From this post (a Retevis blog), it does say it is repeater capable.

Doesn't say in the specs. One way to tell, is to download the programming software for it, and see if you can do so there.

It might effect audio ... however, the ziplock bag did okay. Will have to test. And yes, I will be swimming. What I do now is: use the ziplock bag, and put that inside a dry bag while swimming. I was looking for a way to just keep the radio on me, attached to belt or whatever, while swimming.

I was out on the trail and had a radio with me. No being certain of its water properties, I put it inside a ziplock bag and was able to use it just fine. But that got me thinking. What if I could put my radio inside clear plastic, and then heat shrink it to seal it off? This would be for single use hiking trips to protect the radio. When I need to recharge the batteries, I will replace the covering and heat shrink again. Thoughts?

I'm new to this, but I think it would be purely for fun. I mounted an antenna on my roof and it did not give me the range I hoped for. More "watts" will not solve that issue either. You need height, and if you can not do so, then I think you'll be disappointed. Having said that, give it a go and we can all learn from your experience. The cheapest option will probably be the Retevis RT97 (or S variant).

I would like to see a buy and sell section here on the forums.

Don't know all the proper terms, but I mounted the antenna to a wooden 2x4 available in the attic at the southern gable. I ordered an N connector version of the antenna. So, I attached the 30ft of Bolton 400 cable there and then ran it back to my office closet. This is where I have all other forms of cabling going (cat5 etc). I drilled a new hole through the ceiling and a face-plate. From there, you can extend off your run to your device.

Before I fully understood this, I bought an $8 cable. Under Windows 10, wouldn't work and I did not know which driver to use. After poking around, was able to identify it as coming from Qinheng and found its driver. However, I would recommend getting the real thing.

New myself, some thoughts: I can recommend the attic antenna approach which does help increase sensitivity. When trying to increase range which is a function of height, I think you'll need to be above tree line and if much further, above the hills between you and your intended target. However, experiment and report your success. I went with this antenna, which is very small. Then I used LMR400 equivalent cable, then I have an adapter to get it to SMA. The fun part is getting up in the attic, drilling holes, running cable.

I have tested with the antenna on the roof, as well as in the Attic. In my testing it seems identical. So, I will be keeping it in the attic. For now, the extra expense of getting it right when on the roof was not worth it to me. To significantly increase range, I would have to raise the antenna a lot higher than what my roof could provide.

Get the Nagoya NA-701G (5.5") and the Nagoya NA-771G (15.3"). Excellent antennas. And yes, the 15" does work better. I like it when hiking, placed in the bag with the antenna poking out the top.