WRUU653

Here are some more details on what I found and what radios I tested. I only tested the KG-935G plus, the KG-S88G and the Baofeng UV-9G for type accepted. I also tested the KG-UV9PX, KG-Q10H, KG-935H and Baofeng GT-3WP. While they all have voice prompts there were no prompts once in the menu. The S88G didn’t even give numbers when changing channels unless you punched the number in the keypad. It didn’t work with the up and down arrow or the knob. So I would avoid that one if you are sight challenged. There may be work arounds that I’m not thinking of and I’m no expert on radios or the needs of the blind. I’m just trying to give information I think might be useful.

Admittedly I certainly can’t speak definitively to all that is out there. Could you give more info on how it works for you that could help OP’s friend?

They both say “scanning begin” and “scanning stop” when the appropriate button is pressed again. edit- no indication of where it stops though, you have to change a channel manually to hear what channel you are on.

This makes a lot of sense. good call.

I tried my Wouxun and Baofeng radios and I'm sorry to report they all behave the same. The channels only give you a number, when you press on menu it says menu but there are no prompts once in menu. Halfway just doesn't seem like enough, I'm not sure what it's good for if it isn't complete. I doubt this is any different but I'd be happy to find that it was. You need the promts to work for everything not just channel numbers. Imagine trying to set up a repeater with no audio and no sight. I imagine computer programming might be helpful. It would be nice if the channel names were spoken. At least with GMRS you have potentially less to memorize.

Please let us know how it works out. Good luck.

As stated I used a dummy load.

I did 6.8 on repeater (467.625) and 7.4 pretty much across the simplex channels (take another look at my info), that said you wont go wrong with the dedicated to GMRS KG-935G. It's a good radio.

I actually was about half done with my test when I remembered the ultra high setting and started over. I don't leave very much on that high of a setting. I would rather the battery last longer and just use what I need to get the job done. But yeah the power setting is probably the thing I forget the most. At least this time I remembered to make sure the battery was 100%.

I am looking forward to trying this radio. I have a Nagoya NA-320A triband antenna along with the stock antennas. There are two 220 repeaters near me. I can hear both but only reach one so I am curious if the extra power this gives over the Q10H will be enough to hit the second repeater. I just don't have the time right now to play unfortunately. Family obligations... I hope Chirp is running with this soon, it should be easy enough given the similarities to the 935G, 935G plus and the UV8H.

Results posted here.

I received the new KG-935H yesterday and ran test on high power this morning with a fresh battery using my Surecom SW-102 and a *dummy load, here is what I got. I posted my KG-Q10H at ultra high setting results for comparison. I have not had a chance to take it out in the world as of yet. * I mention this because obviously MURS and GMRS are not type approved and MURS output is way high at these settings. This is only a test, if this had been an actual emergency you would have heard screaming KG-935H 2m - 8.8 watts 1.25m - 4.6 watts 70cm - 8.4 watts GMRS - 6.8 watts rept, 7.4 watts smpx MURS - 9.7 watts KG-Q10H 2m - 4.5 watts 1.25m - 2.9 watts 70cm - 6.5 watts 6m - 1.1 watts GMRS - 5.5 watts MURS - 4.6 watts

It sounds like what you have is good if I'm understanding it. You don't want to fuse a ground because if energy can't go to the ground it will go somewhere and that may not be where you want it to go. Side story to illustrate this is people using surge suppressing plug strips and plugging them into an older non grounded outlet. The plug strip suppression goes to ground when it sees a surge and if the ground is not there the energy has to go somewhere and I have personally witnessed these plug strips having caught fire in a non grounded situation. Like @SteveShannon said electricity will take the path of least resistance which is why we want to help it go somewhere safer. I have a surge suppressor for my service panel as well as plugs throughout the house for the very reason that what may not be fully captured by one can be captured by another down stream.

You don't need a second rod. If the mast is mounted to the home I probably wouldn't have a second rod. If I had a tower that's another story. Each situation can be different depending on where and how your set up is so I try to avoid absolutes but the links @WRYZ926 included do a great job of covering different scenarios. You can find the relevant codes in the NEC 810.21, 250.52 and 250.70.

You can use one wire or two. All roads need to lead to the service ground though. As the video mentions you can't run to two separate and separated grounds, they need to be bonded. bonding is different than grounding, bonding all grounds together removes any potential between grounds. This is why you don't use one ground rod at the service and another at the mast without them being connected ("bonded") together.

Welcome @WSGP755 to the forum and our compulsive radio buyers support group

Thank you Steve for reporting back on your experience with this. Well worth the money if you ask me.

I have no idea, it hasn't arrived yet. I do get better than 5 watts on my 935G though.

I never thought this day would actually come. No Mac version yet but still it’s a good start. I wonder if now that RT has managed to achieve this if the folks at Chirp don’t take another stab at it. Anyway I imagine this software will be very popular. Bravo RT.

Just to clarify, 935G = GMRS with dual band receive and IP66. The 935H = Ham tri band (which like the Q10H can be unlocked if desired) and IP66. Q10H = quad band with AM airband receive and IP67. Good luck.

While I'm all for a continued discussion, just in case anyone missed it it has been nearly ten years since OP posted this question. I hope he isn't still trying to make this decision.

The term best is really up to what criteria you apply, there is no absolute. I see all the big names mentioned here already and while I doubt Midland comes to mind for anyone using the term best I would add that if you need to get through a firewall, have a limited size hole in which to do that and you are not comfortable cutting and redoing the cable end or mount than the Midland mount might be best for you. It appears to be yellow brass (I couldn’t find documentation) and the cable end removes to go through tight spaces. I used one to connect my mobile and have no issues so far two years and counting.

I would rather have one of each than two Q10h’s. Long answer- If it were a one or the other it would be the Q10H because it is quad band, IP67, super het. It’s probably going to be able to take a good beating. I really like my 935G plus. I’m pretty sure the battery life on my 935 last longer and I like how it fits in my hand. It is my favorite GMRS radio and recently I was wishing it did Ham. Even though I have the Q10H and other Ham HT’s. So two weeks ago I was looking at the KG-UV8H. I decided I really can’t justify it, I have other radios that will do everything it does despite my want. Did mention I have been stricken with the I want another radio affliction? The minute I saw the KG-935H and saw it was tri band I thanked myself for not giving in to my whim of getting the UV8H. Yeah I ordered a KG-935H three days ago. Well I’m off to my radio anonymous meeting, Anyone need a ride?

The guilt will slowly eat at your soul until you find yourself standing in the desert in bunny slippers howling at the moon and calling “CQ 10-4” repeatedly on some bubble pack FRS radios with the batteries in backwards? Or something like that. I wouldn’t risk it.

Yep, last active notification. It's now a must have. I usually monitor two frequencies and if you are not looking at the screen (and you wont be) when a call comes you won't know which one it was without it. I had it not working on one radio and I found I just wouldn't use that radio.