PRadio

I disagree. On a rental it is much, much easier. Simply drill through the roof and headliner, and run the wire through. Easy peasy.

This shows the codes for Cobra radios and others: https://www.k0tfu.org/reference/frs-gmrs-privacy-codes-demystified.html

Are you using the old models that are only .5 watt? With the new rules channels 1-7, and 15-22 can be put to 2 watts.

Got the same response on the other forum, only more harsh.

That is not always true, especially given the fact the antenna for MURS needs to be longer than that for GMRS in order to me efficient. In my area I have tested both, and generally speaking, we get better range with GMRS, even though theoretically MURS should work better since we have hills. I love MURS, but with the shorter antennas on hand held, I am getting better range with GMRS. Now, with a longer antenna, MURS may give better range, but I don't want one on my handheld.

It's a company that sells survival/preparedness products. Their entire company is built around that premise. I wouldn't be too concerned about how they market the radio in light of what their company is all about. It makes sense for their company model. People who are going to their site normally, are there for that reason. If you like the radio, buy it.

Bandwidth and channel spacing are two different things. Channel spacing: Defines the frequency difference between adjacent radio channels in the radio modem. Channel Width: Occupied channel bandwidth. Typically channel spacing is the same in the radio modems as the channel width.

Thanks. The Motorolas I bought used CSQ, I thought. I didn't keep them long, I returned them since they had horrible volume issues. I bough Midlands and they outperformed the Motorolas. Before I returned them, I was able to communicate with the Midlands with no changing of any settings. I still use the Midlands from time to time, though I have bought better radios since. I will say that having a radio preprogrammed to use a tone by default is not necessarily bad, and possibly a good thing for someone who simply wants to talk to family. They don't deal with hearing others without having to select a tone, unless of course there are others using the same radio nearby. None of it is much of an issue since tones are easy to select, and the radios come with instructions.

I have never seen a bubble pack radio programed to use a tone out of the box by default. All I have seen have carrier squelch by default, and are "preprogrammed" with tones that can be selected if desired.

The small size of the Midland radios may be a selling point for many as well. I have very little space in my car, and would love the Midland, but I need the split tone currently.

You may want to experiment with MURS. It can work in hilly terrain a little better depending on conditions. A CB can actually do better in hills as well.

The data sheet I just looked at for your radio shows it is 25 watts on low power, and 45 watts on high. Increasing power isn't really going to do anything for you, realistically. GMRS is line of site, so you really should have no issues getting three miles from a mountain top, providing there are no obstacles in the way. I get that with my little Tera TR-505 with the right conditions, and it is a 4 watt handheld. Antenna, and antenna height is more important. As for legal, you can go up to 50 watts on some GMRS frequencies, but the jump to 50 from 45 is negligible.

I forgot they changed the rule on businesses. They can now use the FRS frequencies.

Welcome! As for what you are hearing, no, it has nothing to do with the radio, it's just what people are using the band for, though it isn't supposed to be used for businesses. I heard a lot of that on MURS, those bands had been used for business before, but not a lot on GMRS, though I have heard some.

Actually, the tones are not preprogrammed. Out of the box, all the channels are set to use carrier squelch. You have to make the decision to use a code, selecting it from a menu. I don't see the issue here. I would not want to buy a radio with fewer options. Out of the box, without reading any directions, basically anyone can turn on a pair of radios, hand one to someone, and use them to communicate.

His business, his choice. You don't have to read it, or do business with him. And he didn't engage you in a discussion. You were not compelled to read it, or reply to it. Much ado about nothing.

You don't have to read it.

It is sort of like asking, why someone doesn't make their car available for all to use. Private property is just that, private. If the repeater's owner wants to allow someone else to use it, that is great, and a privilege to those allowed to use it. Asking permission is a reasonable request.

Yes, you can pretty much do whatever you want with their programming software. Here is an example. I don't really have it programed this way, but look at channel 16.

The Tera TR-505 is repeater capable as well, and can be programed narrowband or wideband.

Thanks for the review. Since it's not for you, I'll give you 100 bucks for it.

I got permission to use a repeater locally. The owner was very nice, and even offered to let me use a Motorola mobile he had until I got a mobile of my own. I was using a handheld. I got on one night and another user quickly keyed up, asked who I was, though I had identified myself with my call sign, then told me I was on the wrong repeater. I wasn't, and I had permission. I decided to discontinue using the repeater. Though the owner was great, I don't need to wast my time on jerks. Sad, but for now I remain simplex.

Look on page 12 of your manual, under "Menu Mode Functions." The repeater function is there. If you don't have the manual, it is here: https://midlandusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/MXT115-Owners-manual-Final-24Oct16.pdf

I have to say, the Tera is possible to be programmed to Emergency services too. I currently have one channel on my Tera 505 programmed to receive my local police radio. I programmed the transmit to a GMRS frequency to be safe though.

I was looking online to see what I needed to listen to my local police. I use an Android scanner app that has some area police, but not mine. So I wanted to see what equipment I would need. I found they are using 155.43. I realized that should be in the TR-505 range. I decided to see if I could program that frequency into the Tera, and it accepted it along with the PL code. It picked up traffic just fine. I then went back and programed the transmit on that channel to a GMRS frequency to be safe in case someone keyed the mic. It is working great. Not the intended use for it, but it is nice to having to buy new equipment.