axorlov

According to data sheet, TK-880 Type 1 is aligned for 450-490MHz, Type 2 is for 485-512MHz, Type 3 is 400-430MHz. I have TK-880H-1 v2.0, and there are no problems programming ham bands into it.

According to data sheet, TK-880 Type 1 is aligned for 450-490MHz, Type 2 is for 485-512MHz, Type 3 is 400-430MHz. I have TK-880H-1 v2.0, and there are no problems programming ham bands into it.

"parsimonious" - the new word in my allotment

Nevermind, found it: 2AAR8RETEVISRT22. Indeed, certified for FRS with 1W. Only narrow-band? Repeater-capable?

Something like MFJ-874 would cover ham bands, CB and GMRS. That's what I'm thinking to get for myself. Reviews are not too bad on eHam and amazon. On the other hand, I may save $120 and put it toward a proper antenna analyzer.

Seems that it is CB-frequency SWR meter. If so, it won't work on 462MHz

I second PastorGary's suggestion to consider used (and abused) commercial equipment. If you know electronics, as in: can build a PC from components, you may be able to save a ton of money. Or may not, could be a money pit too. I went with Kenwood TK-3170 and built 4 working units from the five I bought. I was lucky on the price of the HTs and on the price of some components.
 
When I was buying equipment (I also have three TK-880H and ArgentData simplex repeater) GMRS-V1 did not exist. But if I'd do it all over again, I'd still probably go with used commercial radios. Kenwood software is very easy to come by, user interface is fool-proof, good for non-radio-inclined family members.

I second PastorGary's suggestion to consider used (and abused) commercial equipment. If you know electronics, as in: can build a PC from components, you may be able to save a ton of money. Or may not, could be a money pit too. I went with Kenwood TK-3170 and built 4 working units from the five I bought. I was lucky on the price of the HTs and on the price of some components.
 
When I was buying equipment (I also have three TK-880H and ArgentData simplex repeater) GMRS-V1 did not exist. But if I'd do it all over again, I'd still probably go with used commercial radios. Kenwood software is very easy to come by, user interface is fool-proof, good for non-radio-inclined family members.

Fairly simple. Assuming all your current batteries are functional and hold charge, buy a cheapest, worst looking, not holding charge battery off ebay for the experiment. Pry the case open, as neat as possible. Consider how you'll glue the case together for the later use - batteries do not have to be pretty, but must fit. Look what's inside. Chances are that it'll be something of a standard size (AA, 2/3 AA, AAA, etc). For the refurbishing, you'd need to solder tabs or wires to the new cells. It is not a big deal. You would need a 20W or bigger soldering iron for that, the bigger the better. The quicker the soldering action the better - do not overheat the cell.
Modern NiMH cells are night-and-day comparing to the old cells. The are low self discharge, getting closer to alcalines for that, the capacity is also getting close. The good ones are AmasonBasics and Panasonic Eneloop (former Sanyo). Tenergy are fine, many are already with tabs.There are others too. Any new cell would be better than the old depleted cell.

Fairly simple. Assuming all your current batteries are functional and hold charge, buy a cheapest, worst looking, not holding charge battery off ebay for the experiment. Pry the case open, as neat as possible. Consider how you'll glue the case together for the later use - batteries do not have to be pretty, but must fit. Look what's inside. Chances are that it'll be something of a standard size (AA, 2/3 AA, AAA, etc). For the refurbishing, you'd need to solder tabs or wires to the new cells. It is not a big deal. You would need a 20W or bigger soldering iron for that, the bigger the better. The quicker the soldering action the better - do not overheat the cell.
Modern NiMH cells are night-and-day comparing to the old cells. The are low self discharge, getting closer to alcalines for that, the capacity is also getting close. The good ones are AmasonBasics and Panasonic Eneloop (former Sanyo). Tenergy are fine, many are already with tabs.There are others too. Any new cell would be better than the old depleted cell.

In urban, congested areas I monitor frequency a bit to see if I'm not stomping on somebody, then identify, than go chat, keeping it short and to the point. When done, identify again and say "frequency clear" just as a courtesy to others.
In the woods I (or my family) identify then go blabber away till the the batteries drained, identifying when remember. I have yet to stumble on other GMRS user in Sierra foothills in close proximity. When talking to family the one who starts the talk speaks the callsign, and the one who is finishing the talk identifies too.
 
Regarding specific words and meanings, the rule I go by in face-to-face, email, online forums and radio communications is: do not be an --- to others, and there is a better chance others will do the same to you.

In urban, congested areas I monitor frequency a bit to see if I'm not stomping on somebody, then identify, than go chat, keeping it short and to the point. When done, identify again and say "frequency clear" just as a courtesy to others.
In the woods I (or my family) identify then go blabber away till the the batteries drained, identifying when remember. I have yet to stumble on other GMRS user in Sierra foothills in close proximity. When talking to family the one who starts the talk speaks the callsign, and the one who is finishing the talk identifies too.
 
Regarding specific words and meanings, the rule I go by in face-to-face, email, online forums and radio communications is: do not be an --- to others, and there is a better chance others will do the same to you.

In urban, congested areas I monitor frequency a bit to see if I'm not stomping on somebody, then identify, than go chat, keeping it short and to the point. When done, identify again and say "frequency clear" just as a courtesy to others.
In the woods I (or my family) identify then go blabber away till the the batteries drained, identifying when remember. I have yet to stumble on other GMRS user in Sierra foothills in close proximity. When talking to family the one who starts the talk speaks the callsign, and the one who is finishing the talk identifies too.
 
Regarding specific words and meanings, the rule I go by in face-to-face, email, online forums and radio communications is: do not be an --- to others, and there is a better chance others will do the same to you.

Great question. I was reading through the rules and through the https://www.fcc.gov/general/international-agreements and I can't find anything regarding 462/467 MHz.

I know what are you talking about, but I do not know who he is and I don't want to know. He is hanging on local repeaters for years, I heard him on N6NFI and others. Our lord has a big zoo.

If you want to talk to strangers you need a repeater-capable radio. But here is Bay Area repeaters are closed/private anyway, so maybe it's moot. Only open repeater I'm aware of is BARN-R1, and it's far and behind the mountain ridge. I can't open it from Livermore with handheld, although I can open it with my mobile radio, but signal reports are not great. Airwaives are busy, though, especially on weekends. Somebody always talking on GMRS around lake Del Valle, where there is no cell service. Rancher kids, hiking buddies, fishermen on water, etc. That's how I use my radios: family communications on camping/hiking trips. GMRS is mostly used as utility tool, and if you want to be able to make random contacts get your HAM ticket. There are number of popular busy HAM repeaters around this area.