ONSC standardized comms

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Just saw this new Rocky Talkie brand 5 watt GMRS handheld radio with repeater capability. Looks like a great option for trail comms. Pre-oder available with delivery estimated for early next month.

rockytalkie.com

Expedition Radio - Rugged 5-watt Backcountry Radio | Rocky Talkie

A GMRS radio with IP67 waterproofing, 4-6 days of battery life, and 5-watts of power for optimal range (35+ mile max range). Designed and tested in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Expedition Radio is ideal for adventures that require maximum range or submergible waterproofing, like white-water...
rockytalkie.com rockytalkie.com
 
Diff Kraken said:
Just saw this new Rocky Talkie brand 5 watt GMRS handheld radio with repeater capability. Looks like a great option for trail comms. Pre-oder available with delivery estimated for early next month.

rockytalkie.com

Expedition Radio - Rugged 5-watt Backcountry Radio | Rocky Talkie

A GMRS radio with IP67 waterproofing, 4-6 days of battery life, and 5-watts of power for optimal range (35+ mile max range). Designed and tested in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Expedition Radio is ideal for adventures that require maximum range or submergible waterproofing, like white-water...
rockytalkie.com rockytalkie.com
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I have 4 of their FRS radios for ski-trips with my kids. they're solid and work fine for FRS.
 
jht3 said:
i've been using study guides, but not that one. added to my study materials. the AARL site is down for maintenance until tomorrow but i found a copy elsewhere. but that is making it a challenge to search for local testing sites.

it seems some VEC's offer online testing, but most in-person. scheduling this is the hardest with my severe lack of free time. anyone have personal experience with online testing?
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I am taking my Technician Exam online tomorrow afternoon/evening. Cost is $15. I found the Lakeway Amateur Radio Club (LARC) is proctoring/offering it. Through ExamTools: Amateur Radio License Exam administration - http://exam.tools

1) get your FRN at FCC first: Getting an FCC Registration Number (FRN) in the Universal Licensing System (ULS) - https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/support/knowledge-base/universal-licensing-system-uls-resources/getting-fcc-registration
2) find/register for a class: Ham Radio Online Tests – Get Your Ham Radio Licenses with us! - https://hamonlinetests.com/
3) pay them $15 before the test
4) be ready to take exam on laptop/pc and have a separate phone to put zoom on so they can watch you from the side view (?) during the test.

Oh and OP as far as test prep, i've done some youtubes and audiobooks but so far the most intense/useful for me has been: HamStudy.org: Technician class Ham Radio practice tests, ham radio flash cards, and ham radio question pool. - https://hamstudy.org/tech2022 create an account and grind through prep questions. do some tests and this site shows you *by section* where you're weakest, then do a youtube dive on that section, like from this guy; which is a series about the Technician License - whatever resources you use, ensure it's for the 2022-2026 content!

@emorth @StaleAle still never made it to in-person class but by tomorrow night I'll have my ticket.... (scoring 95-97% on the practice exams this week). I have CB, and think I still have a club Motorola, but will see about programming the GMRS codes above in my in-truck Yaesu - which I'm installing this week. My "listen only" Icom from 10 yrs ago got some damage during my truck renovation... so a shiny new FTM-500DR is going in... unclear if I can program that to speak GMRS... (I do have a GMRS license...) GMRS is part 95, yes?
 
Diff Kraken said:
Just saw this new Rocky Talkie brand 5 watt GMRS handheld radio with repeater capability. Looks like a great option for trail comms. Pre-oder available with delivery estimated for early next month.

rockytalkie.com

Expedition Radio - Rugged 5-watt Backcountry Radio | Rocky Talkie

A GMRS radio with IP67 waterproofing, 4-6 days of battery life, and 5-watts of power for optimal range (35+ mile max range). Designed and tested in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, the Expedition Radio is ideal for adventures that require maximum range or submergible waterproofing, like white-water...
rockytalkie.com rockytalkie.com
Click to expand...
I bought a Wouxun GMRS (from BuyTwoWayRadios.com if memory serves). IIRC, 5w, superheterodyne radio). KG805? Approximately $75. Works great. Only problem is getting frustrated wasting time while "everybody" with a baofeng tries to figure out how to make it work.
 
DirtNap said:
I bought a Wouxun GMRS (from BuyTwoWayRadios.com if memory serves). IIRC, 5w, superheterodyne radio). KG805? Approximately $75. Works great. Only problem is getting frustrated wasting time while "everybody" with a baofeng tries to figure out how to make it work.
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DirtNap said:
I bought a Wouxun GMRS (from BuyTwoWayRadios.com if memory serves). IIRC, 5w, superheterodyne radio). KG805? Approximately $75. Works great. Only problem is getting frustrated wasting time while "everybody" with a baofeng tries to figure out how to make it work.
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This is why I also keep a couple Midland handhelds around. There’s no time to be messing with radios when you just want to wheel.
 
New Midland handheld GMRS with repeater function. Looks like a winner to me...

GXT67 5-Watt GMRS Radio | Midland Radio

Experience unbeatable range with the GXT GMRS 5-Watt Two-Way Radio - GXT67 PRO. Get 5 Watts of power, repeater capability, 16-hour battery life, and more.
midlandusa.com midlandusa.com
 
TTViper said:
This is why I also keep a couple Midland handhelds around. There’s no time to be messing with radios when you just want to wheel.
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I agree simple is the best option most of the time. Although, there have been a few times where having our "own" channel is nice as to not have a bunch of folks on it.
 
Diff Kraken said:
New Midland handheld GMRS with repeater function. Looks like a winner to me...

GXT67 5-Watt GMRS Radio | Midland Radio

Experience unbeatable range with the GXT GMRS 5-Watt Two-Way Radio - GXT67 PRO. Get 5 Watts of power, repeater capability, 16-hour battery life, and more.
midlandusa.com midlandusa.com
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This thing is pretty impressive. A bit expensive, but worth it I think for ease of use, portability out of the vehicle, combined with repeater function. It's also extremely well built. As a GMRS licensed non-HAM, I'm pretty happy with the investment...

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Land Shark said:
Looks pretty beefy. Do you know if it is programmable? Meaning can we program "custom" channels like we do the Bofrengs?
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It has privacy codes, so it can be used for our club CLCC channels 1 through 11 the same way the Chinese radios and the club radios do. See chart below. What makes this new handheld unique is that previously (*Edit: Midland) GMRS radios with a repeater function were only available as vehicle mounted units.

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Diff Kraken said:
What makes this new handheld unique is that previously GMRS radios with a repeater function were only available as vehicle mounted units.
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There are a bunch of repeater-capable handhelds, generally Wouxun models, at BuyTwoWayRadios. Not affiliated, just satisfied. Always good to have more options.
 
Diff Kraken said:
It has privacy codes, so it can be used for our club CLCC channels 1 through 11 the same way the Chinese radios and the club radios do. See chart below. What makes this new handheld unique is that previously GMRS radios with a repeater function were only available as vehicle mounted units.

View attachment 3647831
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That's awesome
 
DirtNap said:
There are a bunch of repeater-capable handhelds, generally Wouxun models, at BuyTwoWayRadios. Not affiliated, just satisfied. Always good to have more options.
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My previous understanding was that the Chinese offerings didn't closely follow all USG regulations and that Midland follows them closely... do you know if that is inaccurate? Are these Wouxun models up on all the regs? EG- Midland felt they needed to have Non-removable antenna, non-removable battery for this new radio to meet legal requirements.
 
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Diff Kraken said:
My previous understanding was that the Chinese offerings didn't closely follow all USG regulations and that Midland follows them closely... do you know if that is inaccurate? Are these Wouxun models up on all the regs? EG- Midland felt they needed to have Non-removable antenna, non-removable battery for this new radio to meet legal requirements.
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Good question DK. The battery is replaceable and the antenna can be removed, at least on mine. I thought the fixed antenna was only applicable to the unlicensed FRS radios, but I could easily be wrong. What I do know is that they only transmit and receive on the right bands and the regulated power levels.
 
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