SocailForester

Thanks for all the information folks. I actually bought these to use just around the farm/house/yard but was reading about the GMRS and it peaked my interest. It is a shame they can advertise these radios to have the range they do. All the while knowing that the "ideal" situation is NOT what most folks will have. Guess i wasted $85.00 +/- on the radio b/c they really do now work well even around the farm here and another 85 dollars on the GMRS liscense. Oh well! Are there any handheld units that will work. Or maybe a mobile unit in a vehicle and a handheld combination Any recommendations for the newbie as far as particular radios or setups that would get me in business from a GMRS standpoint; Would be appreciated. I grew up on CB's but after the airways got so crowded i just packed it all in. I really have no idea of how to get back into they radio scene and it may be cost prohibitive but i am interested in getting on the air again somehow..

I am very much a newbie to GMRS so bear with me. I have requested use of the Tuscaloosa repeater which indicates approx. 60 mile coverage. Now I have Motorola ms350r radios with advertised 35 mi range and I lie within the mapped coverage area near Union AL. But cannot trigger repeater from there and only am able to do so after crossing the Black Warrior river on I 59 N. is this a radio prob. Should I use a different radio?