kerstuff

Yes sir.  Sorry, I have not checked in here in quite some time.  Finally got my base antenna (Diamond V2000a) that is a tri-bander for 6m, 2m and 73cm and Nano VNA scan shows VSWR 1.4 to 1.3 across all the GMRS freqs.  I've got it 30 ft up on a flagpole and been chatting a bit on the Sheraton Dallas repeater.

This is completely normal.  If the other repeater is not being interfered with, which would seem to be the case just run with it.
You seem to be in a location that there is a good bit of overlap, so you should be aware of what the other repeater is doing (active or not) when you are talking on the other repeater.
But past that, I wouldn't be too concerned.
 

That's what we need here, more enginears, injuneers, engineerz, - well, you get what I mean.

Why not make the sheet into a google sheet and share with you net folks. Simple and every one sees everything.

Well you sure seem on the ball… don’t let anyone talk you into throwing in the towel. ?Cheers and welcome ?

No prob. ?

It’s very good in direct sunlight.

What radio are you using?
I knew this is a somewhat controversial suggestion, but if you study for the relatively easy Technician Ham Radio exam and get licensed, you will discover so many more Repeater options open to you (as well as even Simplex communications, especially on 2 meters).

@Luish19779, unfortunately GMRS is not a rag-chew service.  Many refer to it as a BYOC radio service (Bring Your Own Contacts).  Meaning, you and a specific person or group of people are looking for a common radio service so your group can specifically talk.  This is why its so popular with groups that do family emergency communications, offroading and outdoors type of entertainment, road trips involving multiple vehicles, etc.
 
As Michael (@MichaelLAX) mentions, Ham radio is most likely a much better bet for you.  I am in NYC 6 to 8 times a year and there are a bunch of repeaters in NY, CT, NJ and PA that I can reach, depending on where I am in and around the city.  I have really good luck around Bronx Zoo and little Italy, up to around Yonkers Raceway.  There are some amateur repeaters on the mountains nearby and the stuff south and west are at lower elevations or you get some clear LOS due to the river.  Something to think about, if you are just looking for strangers to chat with and to make new friends.  GMRS really isn't the best choice for that, though.

Nice!  I am looking forward to a review on the RT49Ps, PartsMan, once you have had a chance to get them on the water. 
I'd like to know how many "fars" they will allow you to "talks" across the water. 
Here is my Christmas KG-1kG plus.  Thanks wifey!
 

I have a couple of drones I use for hanging antennas from trees, recording offroad videos, scouting areas to put up my portable gear when in the field, and occasionally just for the sake of flying.  I got really bored yesterday and ended up with a fun gag reel I wanted to share.
 
Anyone else here use drones and find a way to incorporate then into other hobbies?  How do you use your drone?  Anyone a Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot?  If so, what are you using your cert for?  Work? Fun? Both?
 
 

Thank you for sharing this. Merry Christmas! ?

Glad you got it figure out, but its weird that it runs fine on my Windows 10 machine AND on Windows 11-ARM running on my Mac in Parallels without having to futz with any of the compatibility settings.. I hate Windows...

I recorded Christmas wishes from a new friend in South Africa. We chatted 12,700+ km / 7,900+ miles via HF radio.
I apologize for the audio sync problems.  I rushed last minute to record a conversation with Lyle, which led to me having some issues with the radio display feed being frozen and the time sync between voice and video being off.  I will record another one later, after I fix my video codec issue, but I really wanted to share it anyway.
Merry Christmas everyone. 
 

I heard a rumor that a GMRS YouTuber will be making a video in the next few weeks showing how "compatible" the Retevis 40W amp is with the RT97 repeater.

They've been introducing bills like this for many years.  They never pass.   Better to just not live in a HOA neighborhood.

Nope. 

Ahhhh man, they were there a second ago... Wrong Rack ?

Made my day! ?

It's the gift that keeps on giving! 

I can't remember what I had for dinner last night and you are chiding me for a post I made in December 2021?!? ?
Governor Desantis sets his own rules...

@Lscott at this point in my life, I have come to distrust anything electronic.  There is a good chance that if electricity can flow through it, someone can use it improperly against you, without your knowledge. 

That's BUL, and you of all people should know that!  (KQ4BUL, that is...)?

What I've heard up this way (mostly the air traffic control) was around 118 and 121mhz, but yes, definitely AM....I guess that's the bit excluded by "most all".

Saw this in an article just now:
"The SKA-Mid array in Karoo (will) scan the sky for sources of radio waves in the middle frequency range from 350 MHz to 15.4 GHz using 197 dishes, each 50 feet (15 meters) in diameter."
How soon do you think it will be before Midland starts advertising FRS radios capable of reaching Africa? ?