SteveShannon

If you’re trying to stay legal in both countries and have NOAA channels, the only way to do it is to buy an FRS radio that is certified by FCC and IC. This looks promising: https://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Solutions-T475-Extreme-Rechargeable/dp/B08KBP1RH7/ref=sr_1_17_sspa?crid=3TBAZQH0VFFXA&keywords=frs%2Bradio&qid=1704558129&sprefix=FRS%2B%2Caps%2C1536&sr=8-17-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

This person is having an issue registering for this site, not an FCC licensing issue. I’ll report it to Rich.

Call signs are not recycled in GMRS. Could you have the wrong call sign? 4 letters followed by 3 numbers.

Consider the KG-805. It’s a relatively simple to use GMRS radio. However, Canada doesn’t permit 5 watt radios on GMRS frequencies. You’ll need to do some research to see if you can even use these radios in Canada. Their GMRS is more like our FRS.

Are there any digital voice protocols that don’t require a proprietary codec at least? (If I’m saying that right…)

Although his quote lacks context it’s obvious (at least to me) that he was agreeing with you.

Welcome! I have and like Yaesu, but Yaesu doesn’t make a radio certified for GMRS. They make great ham radios though. People will say that certification isn’t important, and as you progress you might even decide that it isn’t, but for someone trying to get started it sure makes it easier to use the radio without having to worry about violating a regulation. Others will tell you that it doesn’t matter if you violate the regulations because the FCC doesn’t enforce them anyway. Statistically there is some validity, but I still like to know where I stand with respect to regulations. Wouxun is arguably one of the best GMRS radios made and certified for that purpose. The people who have one like the KG1000G Mobile Radio. It’s a 50 watt radio. As far as I know all mobile GMRS radios have a UHF connector for an external antenna. They have to. Several of us have purchased the Radioddity db20g, which is a tiny 20 watt GMRS mobile radio. It’s small and easy to use, plugging into the cigarette lighter. Like the Wouxun it needs an external antenna. It’s about $100, unless you wait for a sale. I bought two of them directly from Radioddity for $87 each. It’s sold under a couple other names as well. Firmware might vary based on brand. These forums have lots of discussions about what radio is best. There will never be universal agreement.

Here’s how it appears. Perhaps not just a resolution issue:

Eureka!

Sure, but someone needs to report it first.

The Communications Act of 1934 establishes the authority of the FCC to regulate the airwaves, which they do through regulations that they pass using the NPRM process (even if they completely disregard our comments when they want to). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47

What do you mean when you say you couldn’t find an antenna that matched? It’s unfair to condemn a product for failing to operate well on two frequency ranges it’s prohibited from operating on, especially when the OP is asking about use on the bands it’s designed for.

@WSAB827 You’re definitely in the right place! We’re glad you found us.

The Bozeman ham club (perhaps better monied than others) has switched to tablets for in-person testing. I haven’t seen it yet but it sounds interesting.

It’s never wrong to ask questions first, but our coordinator has been very open to taking multiple tests. The people who stand the best chance of passing multiple tests don’t take much time on the first test.

Some VECs do support online testing. Usually you must provide a couple of cameras to demonstrate that your workspace is clear and that you are following the few rules. https://blog.hamstudy.org/2020/06/so-you-want-to-take-a-remote-exam/

1/10 mile should be enough

Yes, you have to take each test in order, but you are allowed to take one test, and then the next and the next as long as you pass each one. You can walk in without an Amateur license and walk out having passed the Amateur Extra test. If you use something like HamStudy to study, it’s entirely possible.

Are you on channel 29 (which is also referred to in the manual as RPT-22)? That’s the quickest way to get everything setup. Then as a bare minimum you just need to set the xmit tone. Or, if you’re trying to program one of the user configurable 999 channels, have you seen this in the manual: Accessing a Repeater in Frequency Mode The REPEATER menu option (page 54) allows you to transmit to a repeater while in Frequency Mode. If you are tuned to a GMRS receive frequency that is valid for repeater use and turn the REPEATER menu option ON, the KG-935G will transmit to the repeater input frequency when the PTT is pressed. The REPEATER menu option is ignored when the radio is not tuned to one of the 8 GMRS repeater transmit frequencies.”

Here’s a clear copy. Scale it up as needed: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/icu1umn9p6ekwah7cya2b/GRMS-9R-Manual-V5_-Simplified-Annotated.pdf?rlkey=ghnqdzs5mi915ekf0gg7nx4r7&dl=0

How those stations sound to you is largely unrelated to a radio check and transmitting without a license into an ongoing conversation will ruffle feathers, that’s for sure. It sticks out like a turd in a punch bowl. But you’re on the right track by listening. Listen and learn all you can about receiving while you’re studying. In many ways learning how to get the most out of a receiver is the most important part of ham radio. Any idiot can add a linear amplifier to the full 1500 watts and make themselves heard, but being able to pick out signals from noise, especially on SSB, is an art form, one I certainly haven’t mastered, but I’ve gotten much better in the past year. There are some great YouTube videos that explain how to adjust noise reduction, RF gain, etc. What bands are you trying to listen to? What do you have for a radio, antenna, etc.

Ham test is not timed. You can take as long as your bladder can handle. I’m glad I made the cut. Before I got married I worked in the oilfield. (Filing pipe for the welders at first.) Cussing became second nature. I still way over-do it sometimes. But I’ve been married now for over 44 years and I have worked as a professional most of that time so I have had to learn when to cuss and when not. Sometimes it’s just a struggle. Anyway I’m not offended by it; I mentioned it only because it’s a quick way to alienate people who might otherwise have something helpful to offer.

A lot of people have issues learning and even with written tests. I have a good friend who went through engineering school with me who would have a hard time taking written tests. He’s a very good engineer. People are willing to help even if you don’t drop the f bomb. If you do decide to get your ham license the test can be given to you orally, if that works better for you. If I can help you understand anything I would be happy to help.

Perhaps this video will help the OP understand what picket fencing is and why there’s not a simple solution:

Did you check the voltage on the power supply?