SteveShannon

I was eyeballing that one too but there were just enough questionable reviews to make me pause. This Comet is about the same price and a nice size but I don't want to keep buying antennas with little to no improvement.

I have used other RT Systems software that were Windows only on a Mac in Parallels (remotely using TeamViewer or Remote Incident Manager). It worked very well.

Then I would recommend sending it in or replacing it unless you’re good at replacing surface mount components. 

My preference for an OS is Mac while I don't mind using Linux. I have not cared for Windows since they released Windows 8.1. One of the issues I have with Widows is the fact that the more RAM you add, the more Windows wants to take, which does affect how much RAM you can give multiple virtual machines. Needless to say I am not a fan of Microsoft or Windows OS. Windows 2000 Pro, XP Pro, and 7 Pro were good operating systems. Windows ME, Vista and 8 were total wrecks. Windows 10 isn't bad. But Windows 11 is convoluted for system administrators which how it hides the admin menus. I wouldn't have a Windows (PC or virtual machine) in my house if I didn't need one for certain radio and model train programs.
 
I actually have a degree in network administration and went through the Microsoft MCSE courses, Linux admin courses and Cisco CCNA courses. While MacOS is not perfect it is overall easier to deal with compared to Windows 11 and Linux.
And since I am stuck with having to have a Windows PC, then I will just run Windows native programs on it versus running them in a virtual machine. Wine and other emulators don't always work well.

If you put a roll-up twinlead antenna into a pvc pipe the velocity factor of the twinlead may change (according to Ed Fong’s videos and I don’t know nearly as much as he does), which would shift the tuning of the antenna. I would do as @UncleYoda suggests and put an antenna analyzer on it before and after. You might need to shorten the twinlead some. 

Nice job building something that meets your needs  and describing it. As long as it does what you want that’s all that matters. Fortunately there are many ways to do something. Your way is inexpensive and simple.
Thanks for telling us about it. 

Are you operating from a vehicle or as a base station? You seem to be describing two different things: “static interference after releasing the PTT” and choppiness and poor quality audio while transmitting.  
Let’s take them one at a time. First, static interference.  Do you mean that you hear static immediately after letting go of the PTT?  How long does it continue? Static is always present to some extent. The squelch control turns off the audio when the signal strength is below a certain threshold. Turning up the squelch increases the threshold. Have you tried turning up the squelch?

The moral of the story is you can blow $25 on things a lot worse than quality software. I never had a negative experience with RT Systems.

You did say "open" though, and and the frequency range specified in the instructions includes both.  Open is widely used to mean more than just locked to one service.  (Don't worry about how busy I am - I'm watching the show in DC.)

Grab a scanner and spend some time listening. It's usually either not used at all, or overrun with wireless driveway alarms. It never seems to be in between.

That is a great PSA. Thinking through it, I can understand why the programming is that way, but I don't think I would prefer that vs. manually changing DCS/CTCSS.

Why would you buy the roll up version if you are going to stick it in PVC like the standard version? His instructions are very specific on the type of PVC pipe to buy that it is designed to work with, anything different changes it's effectiveness and match. I'd suggest buy the other one for next to nothing and put it in PVC.

Yes there are many opinions on this subject. Your best bet is to follow NEC when it comes to grounding your antennas, coax, and radios.
Here are a couple of other links that will be helpful for you.
https://reeve.com/Documents/Articles Papers/Reeve_AntennaSystemGroundingRequirements.pdf
https://www.arrl.org/grounding
GMRS and amateur radio antennas, coax and equipment require the same grounding techniques.

You do not need two separate parallel conductors. You’re allowed to bond them together where they physically intersect. Understand that bonding is required to be permanent, using connections that cannot be easily undone.  Typical bonding methods include thermite copper welding or crimped connectors, not bolted cable clamps. 
The Mike Holt videos are very good. The Bible for comm site lightning protection is R56 from Motorola, but it’s very complicated and overkill for anyone other than a professional communications technician. 
I really like the succinct approach taken by the Reeve document.  It agrees with the Holt videos well:
https://reeve.com/Documents/Articles Papers/Reeve_AntennaSystemGroundingRequirements.pdf
 

If you put a roll-up twinlead antenna into a pvc pipe the velocity factor of the twinlead may change (according to Ed Fong’s videos and I don’t know nearly as much as he does), which would shift the tuning of the antenna. I would do as @UncleYoda suggests and put an antenna analyzer on it before and after. You might need to shorten the twinlead some. 

Using a VM or Remote Desktop is always an option. But I would rather have Mac native software when possible. It is just easier to deal with. I have never had much luck with Wine or other emulators on Linux or Mac.
The Apple ecosystem has spoiled me a bit since it is so much easier to deal with when you have multiple Mac's and Apple iPads, etc.
I am currently running Mac, Linux and Windows on separate computers. The Linux computer basically runs just one program for me which is HamClock. The Windows 11 computer is currently running WSJT-X, TQSL, and Grid Tracker for running digital modes, along with my Windows only CPS programs.
Anyway, I'm glad that RT Systems has come through for the AT-779/DB20G and it is working well for everyone.

Then I would recommend sending it in or replacing it unless you’re good at replacing surface mount components. 

Nice job building something that meets your needs  and describing it. As long as it does what you want that’s all that matters. Fortunately there are many ways to do something. Your way is inexpensive and simple.
Thanks for telling us about it. 

This is an ideal situation for the RT97 repeater. Add a battery and a little antenna and it will sit and tick away. 

Or just buy a base station antenna

As @Amaff said it is user specific whether the software is worth it. The software worked fine with the cable provided with the db20g, so the cost for me was only $25, about what a UV5R costs and much more useful to me. 
But I suspect that now that someone has cracked the nut Chirp will add the radio soon. RT Systems proved the concept; it’s no longer an iffy proposition. 

As @Amaff said it is user specific whether the software is worth it. The software worked fine with the cable provided with the db20g, so the cost for me was only $25, about what a UV5R costs and much more useful to me. 
But I suspect that now that someone has cracked the nut Chirp will add the radio soon. RT Systems proved the concept; it’s no longer an iffy proposition. 

N9TAX does not recommend putting his roll-up ladder-line Slim-Jims inside of PVC pipe or even against anything.  If you do it, do some before and after testing.

Yes, it automatically restores the basic 30 channels. 
You should do a backup of your current library of channels now using the Radioddity/Anytone software and again when you acquire RT’s software. 
Then you will have the ability to easily restore your library of repeaters/settings, etc
Rather than overwrite my code plugs as I modify them, I just save a new file with date and time. This way I can always go back to an earlier code plug, if I screw the new one up for any reason

Using channels 8 through 14 on a mobile is somewhat controversial as a violation of part 95E rules
The reason being that you are transmitting higher power than was intended on these interstitial channels very close to repeater input channels