In the market for a mobile....

[WSDJ727]

I'm looking for opinions/ideas on a mobile.   I am VERY new to GMRS.  I bought a  Wouxun 905g because it was easy to use and so far, I like it.

I'd like to put a  mobile in my car, but I'd also like to keep it simple. A mobile that is easy to operate and easy to set up, like the 905g. Probably a 15-20w radio, as I'd like to plug it in to the cigarette lighter and not hard wire it to the battery.

Budget is flexible. Something less than $200, as I don't want the wife to freak out. 

WSDJ727

[WSDJ727]

Oh, one more thing.  I'd like it to be repeater capable.

thanks!

[dosw]

Wouxun KG-XS20G. It may be a little more elaborate to set up than the Wouxun KG905G, but you can review the manual online and see if it will fit your needs. And it's $199, so it fits under your $200 threshold. It's a 20w radio.

I have an Retevis RA87 40w radio. It's not what I would call simple, but only because the manual is written in a version of English that doesn't exist outside of China. Once you configure it with CHIRP, it's all set and good to go. And you can get it for under $160 if you do a little searching.

You will still need an antenna and antenna mount. Staying under $200 with a decent antenna may be a bit of a challenge.

There's also the Midland MXT275, which comes with an antenna, though a tiny one. That bundle is $169 on Amazon. It's a 15w radio. But here's where it may fall short of your needs: Yes, it can do repeaters. However, you get only one repeater per frequency. You get one repeater on channel 15R, one on 16R, and so on. So if you happen to have two repeaters you like to hit on 462.7000, you'll have to pick one and go with it. To use the other one, you'll need to reconfigure the radio's tone on that channel. However, the radio is otherwise extremely simple to use, and works quite well. It was my primary mobile radio for a couple of years.

[WRUE951]

A few things you need to ask yourself..   Do you intend to use the mobile 100% GMRS, Do you want capability to switch to HAM bands, (which is nice in case of emergency) , Do you also use have a need to tune into MURS for off roading events or just to monitor.  Do you feel it important to be able to switch to weather forecast with a button flick.   Many times folks will start off with a certain radio only to find other needs/requirements weren't thought out..  And then you'll end up with a closet full of radios.  (like me  )     Personally, i like the Hytera, Motorola and Maxon options), some like Kenwood too, which i;ve never tried.   But my point,, think out what you really need..  

[OffRoaderX]

1 hour ago, WRUE951 said:

Do you also use have a need to tune into MURS for off roading events or just to monitor.

Right - because soo many people have this need ...

... "some people" could over-complicate a door-knob.

[BoxCar]

3 hours ago, WSDJ727 said:

I'm looking for opinions/ideas on a mobile.   I am VERY new to GMRS.  I bought a  Wouxun 905g because it was easy to use and so far, I like it.

I'd like to put a  mobile in my car, but I'd also like to keep it simple. A mobile that is easy to operate and easy to set up, like the 905g. Probably a 15-20w radio, as I'd like to plug it in to the cigarette lighter and not hard wire it to the battery.

Budget is flexible. Something less than $200, as I don't want the wife to freak out. 

WSDJ727

Lots of choices in this area. Keep in mind though the radio is only part of the purchase - You need an external antenna and mount which can cost as much (or more) than the radio.

[WRUE951]

1 hour ago, OffRoaderX said:

 

... "some people" could over-complicate a door-knob.

And "some people" practice on them

[WRYZ926]

I can definitely recommend the Wouxun KG-XS20G Plus.  It is a nice little 20 watt radio that performs well. It is actually pretty easy to program through the radio. 

[OffRoaderX]

9 minutes ago, WRYZ926 said:

Wouxun KG-XS20G Plus

X2 .. This is what i was going to recommend before getting distracted earlier.

[WRUE951]

18 hours ago, OffRoaderX said:

X2 .. This is what i was going to recommend before getting distracted earlier.

stay away from those 'door knobs' Randy..   

[GreggInFL]

I'm using a Radioddity DB25-G with a Nagoya UT-72G antenna.  At ~$137 total it's a mid-grade package but will still hit repeaters at 15+ miles, which doesn't sound like much but I'm pushing through a mountain of trees.

Had I gone with a Midland MXTA26 antenna and mount the package would hit your $200 budget.  That antenna with the Wouxun radio noted above (nice combo) is going to run ~$300.  My next upgrade will be that antenna.

[CentralFloridaGMRS]

I purchased the Radioddity DB-40-G for our local Community radio service. I like it but the software is not very good. I figured it out. It performs as well as the Wouxon 1000g plus.