WRPH745

Nelson, It is the Federal government. A year later they still haven't changed the price. I got my last month and it cost me $70. They are also supposed to change Ham license from free to $35 which hasn't been changed yet. Nobody knows when the change will actually happen. Robert

Thanks for the advice. I have settled on the CX-333. FYI, I passed my Technician Exam this past Saturday.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I ordered The ARRL General Class License Manual. Dave Casler did a series containing 38 videos which goes through the book. The videos are at the Arrl Learning Center website. I will also use HamStudy for test prep. So I think I am set.

I passed my Technician Exam today and I want to start studying for the General. I used Hamstudy.org to prepare for the Technician exam and it was very helpful and I plan on using it to prepare for the General Exam. But hamstudy.org is a test prep tool and not a way to learn new material. While a large portion of the technician exam covered knowledge I already had from previous learning, looking at the General Exam the majority of the material is new material to me. I am looking for resources to learn the material that is covered in the General Exam not just something that helps me learn the test. Any recommendations on study materials? I am also wondering if the ARRL General Class License Manual would be helpful? Thanks.

I found the answer https://superuser.com/questions/619528/converting-the-dev-ttyusb-to-com-port-to-use-it-with-wine-in-linux Once I edited the registry all was good.

I am still trying to figure this out but I was able to find a old Windows 8 computer which the software runs on and I can connect with that till I get Wine figured out. Thanks

I tried it no luck. I am digging through some wine posts with comm errors and seeing what I can find. Thanks

I've got my DB-20G and I am trying to connect to it using the software from Radioddity. I am running Ubuntu 20.04. The software is running under wine and everything except connecting to the radio seems fine. A few of you mentioned you got the software running under Linux any suggestions? Also is there anything I have to do with the radio but have it on? Also I noticed in the software under Model it show three possible versions, DB20-GUV, DB20-GSU, and DB20-GSV. How do I tell which one I have? Thanks

Sshannon, Thanks for the advice. I looked at the samples issues and I see what you mean. I would much rather read paper than online, so I can see why you ordered QST. It makes sense to have a paper copy of the larger magazine and read the smaller one online.

Thanks for the feedback. Second question: When I join you have the option of one of two magazines. QST, ARRL's membership journal for active radio amateurs On the Air, for new and beginner-to-intermediate-level radio amateurs (US only) Since I am new to all this I am assuming I should pick On the Air. Since both journals are online I don't think it really matters but I thought I would throw it out there. Thanks

I am debating about whether to join ARRL or not? Thoughts? Thanks

Thanks everyone for their advice. I went with the DB-20G. Since it has band "flexability", I thought it was a good radio to start with till I know where I want to focus my resources.

Thanks to both of you for your advice. I went with the Samlex SEC-1235M. That way I have some to grow.

I bought a DB-20G and it should be here, Monday. In anticipation and to test my current power supply. I used my current power supply and hooked up a GT5R to the power supply using a power eliminator. I had a voltage drop from 13.8 to 12.3 volts. The power supply is a 30 year old lab bench supply rated at 300 watts. I was gifted it used. I have only used it for 5v arduino projects so I never noticed the voltage drop before. I think is time for a new power supply. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

I am looking to get my first antenna for my base. Comet antenna have been recommended several times. The CX-333 was recommended and the Comet Original CA-712EFC. The CX-333 is a triple band antenna for 2m / 1.25 m / 70 cm. The CA-712EFC is for 460 -470 MHz I am brand new to all this. I have my GMRS license and I am taking the test for Technician next week. My area has a GMRS repeater which connects to The Midwest GMRS Repeater network. It also has a 2 m repeater where the local Ham group has weekly on air meetings. I spend most of my time on GMRS but once I get my Technician license I want to participate in the local Ham group. There is a repeater on the 1.25 m band but I have not listened to it. I do not have a radio for that band. I also have heard the 6 m band is interesting. I also found: The Comet GP-15 is a triple band on 6 m / 2 m / 70 cm. The Comet GP-6 is a double band on 2 m / 70 cm. I know the best thing would be to get a GMRS antenna and an antenna that would cover the 2 meter band. To keep down expense and only running one line into the house I would like to just get one antenna to cover both GMRS and the 2 meter band. It is my understanding I cannot put a GMRS antenna and a 2 m antenna on the same mast. If I could I would be tempted to get a separate antenna just for GMRS. So I am leaning towards a double or triple band antenna and trying to pickup GMRS using the 70 cm band. All the antennas listed have similar price points and similar specs for similar bands. Is there any reason to get the double rather than the triple? If I should go with the triple which triple? At this point I don't have enough knowledge about 6 m or 1.25 m to know which way to go. Thanks

I have a GT5R and a couple of UV5Gs as starter radios. I understand what they are. Here is my question: Should I or should I not replace the stock antennas? For every article I read about replacing the Baofeng stock antenna with an aftermarket antenna for improvement I can find one that says don't bother because an aftermarket antenna will overload the Baofeng receivers. Anyone have any experience with swapping out the stock antennas? Thanks

I tracked down the issue. webgl.disabled was set to true it needs to be set to false for the maps to show. Thanks for your suggestions.

Like I said previously , the DB20G/ AT-779UV is in the running. The price point at Amazon is the same once you factor in the coupon. Assuming, I will unlock either model. If I am reading the thread correctly either model can be unlocked? Any advantage to one model over the other besides what channels are preprogramed in? Thanks

MichaelLax and WyoJoe you have convinced me to take another look at the DB-20G. I do appreciate it's transmit "flexibility". The very low price point actually turned me off. The voice in the back of my head said can $100 radio last. That is why I was leaning towards the KG-XS20G. But are the two of you happy with the DB-20G? Side note: MichaelLax in another post you mentioned a cup holder mount you are using for for DB-20G. Do you remember which one you purchased? I have Corolla with very little room for a radio and a cup holder mount would work great in my car? Thanks.

Thanks again to everyone for their input. It is greatly appreciated. Yes, I live in South Bend, IN in the middle of town so I am in an urban area. I use Elkhart 550 as a repeater. Elkhart 550 is part of the Nationwide hub. Currently, going through that hub is almost all my GMRS use. I am a Linux user so programming either has to be done through Chirp or on the radio. I know that rules out several good options. Most of the radios discussed do not have Chirp support yet so I want a radio that has a keypad for programming. I found the Baofeng UV-5G fairly intuitive to program just time consuming. So a radio that can be programmed via the keypad on the radio is a plus. Yes, I am both a Geek and a Nerd, so all that messy keypad programming that people find difficult I think is fun. So, I am currently leaning towards the KG-935G or the KG-XS20G. It looks like everyone thought both radios were good radios, so I don't think I can go wrong with either. I just need to decide between a handheld or a mobile. If anyone has any input which would be better feel free to chime in. Again with my UV-5G I have great reception anywhere in the house and around town. The problem is transmission, I can only transmit outside and be heard. Everything I heard about the Baofengs is that they just don't work well with other antennas. The receivers get overloaded. One of the main reasons I am looking for a different radio. I want to be able to transmit from inside the house using an external antenna. Thanks again.

This whole thread is his fault. I was studying for my Technician license and didn't know GMRS even existed till I saw his videos. After watching his videos I want to GMRS and Ham.

Thanks to everyone for their input. I am taking the test for my Technician license in 2 weeks. So old 70 cm band radios and dual band radios that go up to 480MHz are ok to recommend. When I travel from Indiana to Iowa I hit two repeaters on the same channel but different tones. So it would be nice to have a radio that will let me store different repeater configs in memory. Thanks again

Here is my idea. I want a good radio for the money that can fit multiple roles till I get dedicated radios. My thought is if I get a ht. I would get a model that supports a battery eliminator, external mic, and antenna. With the idea that if I am in the house I would plug in the battery eliminator, external mic, and external antenna. I would use the same idea with the car. Each situation would have a dedicated antenna. If I get a mobile, I will install it in a way that I could swap it between the car and the house. If I need a portable, I would use a battery pack. Radios I have been looking at BTECH Mobile GMRS-50X1 50 Watt GMRS. KG-XS20G Wouxun KG-UV9G PRO KG-916 GMRS Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions. I am away from my computer for a few days. I will try your suggestions when I am back Thanks.

I am new to GMRS and looking to get my next radio. I started with a pair of UV-5Gs to see if I like the hobby. I can connect fine to our local repeater. I can receive fine in or out of the house. I have to be outside to transmit I want to upgrade my system I am looking to get an Ed Fong antenna and a better radio. I am looking to spend about $200 for the radio. I keep hearing that transceiver with Superheterodyne receiver is the way to go. At my price point there are radios that are 5 watts with a Superheterodyne receiver or I can get a nice radio with higher wattage but a without a Superheterodyne receiver. Any suggestions on which way to go? Thanks in advance