The Ham Radio Thread

So if I were making an emergency kit with a ham radio for an area I don't live in, how would you go about identifying which repeaters in a certain area are the most frequented? I can look on RepeaterBook, but some populated areas have 10-20 repeaters. Our area here does and I have learned by experience which ones see frequent traffic.
 
Digging this thread up from the dead. Looking for a GMRS with a remote faceplate (maybe a handheld?) as I'm assuming that's what a lot of folks are going to rather than the CB (RR4W seems to continue to insist on those?) .

Midland MXT275 is tempting

Also looking for a HAM dual band with remote faceplate. Trying to not have massive clutter in the busy JT dashboard area.

What are recommendations on the above?

1) GMRS unit for trail use

2) HAM dual band for general driving use and trail use.

Good mounting spot for remote faceplate would be immediately in front of the shifters in the Gladiator. Another awesome place would be immediately above the rear view mirror on the windshield frameIMG_20221002_180644.jpg
 
Last edited:
I'm trying to decide which platform I will install in my landcruiser. If I go GMRS, this will be the radio for me.
(it's not shown clearly in the photos, but the faceplate can be remotely mounted)

Wouxun KG-1000G GMRS Base/Mobile Two Way Radio

The Wouxun KG-1000G is a new GMRS base/mobile two way radio packed with a plethora of features at an unbelievably affordable price.
www.buytwowayradios.com www.buytwowayradios.com
 
I have a 50w mobile unit but I this one of the reasons I still keep the Baofeng in the truck, to be honest. I don't normally do GMRS, but if I have to, it'll do it.

I've heard that the FCC finally got around to forcing Baofeng to ship the UV5Rs with that "feature" disabled, but I've also heard that it's just software and easy to hack if you wanted to open it back up?
 
If you are needing a GMRS antenna, let me know. I have one I will likely never use. supposed to be a high dollar unit but can't remember the name or brand. LMK is you are interested and I will dig up the deets.

As for Ham, I love my Kenwood D710G. Remote Faceplate and very easy to use.

I have no input on GMRS as I don't use them. I feel Midland has the market.
 
moab_cj5 said:
If you are needing a GMRS antenna, let me know. I have one I will likely never use. supposed to be a high dollar unit but can't remember the name or brand. LMK is you are interested and I will dig up the deets.

As for Ham, I love my Kenwood D710G. Remote Faceplate and very easy to use.

I have no input on GMRS as I don't use them. I feel Midland has the market.
Click to expand...


Interested in the antenna. Thanks for the heads up on the Kenwood. I've wanted an "easy to use" HAM since I started. My Yeasu and ICOM units aren't horrible but I do have to kind of familiarize myself with them again every time I use them past turning them on and finding a programmed channel.
 
mbryson said:
Interested in the antenna. Thanks for the heads up on the Kenwood. I've wanted an "easy to use" HAM since I started. My Yeasu and ICOM units aren't horrible but I do have to kind of familiarize myself with them again every time I use them past turning them on and finding a programmed channel.
Click to expand...
When I get home tonight I will dig up the deets on the antenna.
 
Kevin B. said:
I've heard that the FCC finally got around to forcing Baofeng to ship the UV5Rs with that "feature" disabled, but I've also heard that it's just software and easy to hack if you wanted to open it back up?
Click to expand...

It's true, but it's also ridiculously easy to unlock the new UV5R's. With the radio off, hold down the push to talk button, the monitor button (below the ptt button), the orange VFO button, and then turn the radio on. It sort of requires 3 hands.
 
moab_cj5 said:
I have no input on GMRS as I don't use them. I feel Midland has the market.
Click to expand...

x2 on both counts. Having said that, if I decided to install a mobile GMRS radio I would very likely choose the Midland MTX115. No, it doesn't have a removable faceplate, but I don't think that really matters much because the MTX115 is downright tiny. It is 5" by 5.5" and only an inch tall, which makes it significantly smaller than my Yaesu FT-7900R ham radio. I figure I could mount the MTX115 practically anywhere I could mount a removable faceplate. (YMMV)
 
My Gmrs setup
radioddity Db25g $95.00 3.85x 5.03x 1.73 this thing is tiny
my mount is the 67 design magnetic phone holder - the magnet is plenty strong to hold it
quick and easy to move from my TJ to the wife’s jlu
 
@cruiseroutfit's post reminded me, my own venerable Icom pooped it's drawers on the last trip and I need a new radio. Looking for 2m/70cm dual band, at least 50 watts (more would be better), small would be good, a remote faceplate would be good, both would be awesome. Intuitive controls that an ADHD-riddled spaz like myself can operate without getting out the manual would be fantastic - my old Icom was terrible in that regard.

Any recommendations?
 
Kevin B. said:
I need a new radio. Looking for 2m/70cm dual band, at least 50 watts (more would be better), small would be good, a remote faceplate would be good, both would be awesome. Intuitive controls that an ADHD-riddled spaz like myself can operate without getting out the manual would be fantastic - my old Icom was terrible in that regard.

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

I haven't used one, but Yaesu's FTM-6000R seems to hit all your hot buttons, including ease of use. (They even brag about their new E2O-III user interface and how it is so easy to operate.)

https://www.yaesu.com/indexVS.cfm?c...A7C6A71F41B8ADCEC9&DivisionID=65&isArchived=0
 
My go to fave (Kenwood D710G) has been discontinued. I've got a new build coming up and need to find something similar to Kevin's need list with the addition of APRS and MARS mod-able.
 
Kevin B. said:
@cruiseroutfit's post reminded me, my own venerable Icom pooped it's drawers on the last trip and I need a new radio. Looking for 2m/70cm dual band, at least 50 watts (more would be better), small would be good, a remote faceplate would be good, both would be awesome. Intuitive controls that an ADHD-riddled spaz like myself can operate without getting out the manual would be fantastic - my old Icom was terrible in that regard.

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...
i have a yaesu ftm300dr that I was thinking of selling. I used for a few months and decided I didn't like it. $400
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top