WRUU653

The Y adapter is the most logical issue. However and this may sound silly, have you turned both volumes up? Also I saw this note in the manual “The radio must be powered off/on after external speakers are connected before they will become active.”

I have the Icom IC-2730A as well and I’m very happy with it. I got mine from Ham Radio Outlet (they also do the MARS mod if you so wish). I picked up some of the mounting accessories from Amazon though because it was cheaper there.

This is why while @SvenMarbles choice may be right for him, it’s not an absolute one answer for everyone. It’s still simple, just not that simple.

I wouldn’t get a Midland or a DB20 and not because I think either are unreliable. I don’t fault those that do though… While I have an old XP laptop, I hate using Windows machines. I have been an Apple IOS user since forever and I prefer to program on that platform so until those radios are supported on a Mac I’m out. I’m hopeful for the DB20. So if someone is considering a radio purchase and they have the same preference for operating system as I do and want to use a computer to program with then I recommend checking the radio you are interested in for Mac compatible RT software or Chirp. It’s easy to say what you don’t like, I think we all know people that only do that. So what do I like? Well for what is type accepted I would go with the Wouxun KG-1000 plus if you like bells and whistles. If you want a little more basic I like the Retevis RA87 , (I have one and I’m very happy with it). If you are okay with Windows and you need something more resilient I would go with the Wouxun KG-XS20G (I think they are IP65). That’s just my opinion and as of today it remains. Of course tomorrow something new will come along. I hope I have given some ideas to what someone might consider rather than just saying “that radio sucks and this is better”. The why is it better for you part can be helpful. Side note, I recently had opportunity to deal with the people at buytwowayradios.com for a small issue I had with a radio and the customer support team was awesome. I sent a radio back and they had taken care of it and sent it back to me before I even knew they had seen it. Cheers

…hold on now let me double bag that for you, did you get everything?

This sounds exactly correct.

Well I mean as long as it’s highly suggested…. I don’t see how you can argue with that. Cheese and crackers, “you promised, you promised”. Run for cover the socalgmrs cops are here!

Welcome @Bobuff977 and @HHD1 to the forum.

Okay based on other comments here I think the radio you have is a Retevis RA87? If that is correct there are two ports on the back. One is for a speaker the one above it is the data port. Chirp is pretty basic for this radio and the left and right channels are seperately programmed. If I got the radio wrong let me know.

I guess I missed that, thanks.

There is likely a way to do a factory reset if that is the route you want to take but you would lose things you may have programmed in that you might want to keep. Retevis is the brand, IP67 is a waterproof rating. Do you know what model you have?

Found this one here MXPW500 Ammo Can , kinda pricey but nice.

I didn’t notice any GMRS clubs listed near you. As mentioned it looks like you have some good open repeaters near you that you and the family can use. If you’re looking for clubs I would possibly ask the owners of those repeaters or possibly look into Amateur Radio clubs near you. Sometimes you’ll find over lap and some repeaters are hosted by someone also in Amateur Radio.

What radio were you using before? How did you program the RA87? Are you using chirp or Retevis software? If so could we see the program? Have you checked your squelch setting??? What channel and tones are you using? Are you sure the repeater is on line? Some more info would help in troubleshooting. Did I mention the squelch?

This is good info. A much simpler way than doing multiple individual quotes. Thanks for the tips @SteveShannon.

You are correct. The hazards of not enough coffee, I was looking at the non plus manual.

I first read this as a problem but after reading again it seems more like a quirk with OP providing the solution. I thought this too but looking through the manual I didn't see a way to change the screen.? An important reminder. What am I doing? ...must go get coffee.

The thread in question is not for the faint of heart… only the bravest knights seek this knowledge… what is your name? What is your quest? What is a fixed station - ahhhhh

I couldn’t remember this myself so I had to look it up but English on the identification is required. 95.1751 GMRS station identification. (b) The call sign must be transmitted using voice in the English language or international Morse code telegraphy using an audible tone. You can use a P.O. Box as stated. With GMRS if someone can hear that you are no where near home than they are also not likely anywhere near said home. While you do bring up a valid concern here are some ideas. Use an alarm system, camera security, house sitter, big dog, a pleasantly noisy neighbor, Burmese tiger traps (affiliate link below). Pun intended

I know a ham who's dog is frequently a third party operator. I only wish I could get mine interested in radios.

The system goes all the way north to San Luis Obispo County, up to Paso Robles now with the addition of PAPA 34 repeater. Congratulations, it's great to hear you had such a positive experience.

@Raybestos, I appreciate you taking the time to respond and can relate to the experience in other products where I have had issues where others have not. I have not had any issues with tones on my Wouxun radios. I have the S88G, 935G plus, UV9PX, Q10H and now the 935H. I use them all with tones on repeaters, not so much on simplex. I certainly haven’t used every tone there is, though I did go and test the two you mentioned with no issues. You asked how often do people use tones and how often do they use their radios. Are you saying that the radios have trouble with tones after extended use? I would have expected if there was an issue with a particular tone it would be there from the start but I really don’t know. I do have decode set for most of my repeater entries so if the radio is on then I’m using it and they are on a lot. Sorry to hear about your experience and yeah I agree that customer service can put you off a brand.

Pretty much, only thing I would say is since the menu starts on “one” you really only press it nine times to get to menu 10. Also it depends on what the repeaters tones are, but yes you got it right, you did in fact go to the menu I mentioned. As @SteveShannon mentioned previously you don’t need to put the RX (receive) tone in. Without it you will hear everything on the frequency with it you will only hear people on the repeater. It looks like you are set to go. Enjoy