Ham (2m/70cm) + GMRS Antenna for the RV

[Joe Dutchstar]

This is the GMRS radio I am considering but might prefer Rugged, Uniden or Midland (Rugged made in ?? others Unfortunately all made in China)

BTECH GMRS-PRO IP67 Submersible Radio, Bluetooth, App Programmable GMRS Mobile Radio ‣ BaoFeng Tech & BTECH Radios

BTECH GMRS-PRO 5W Long-Range GMRS Radio – IP67 Waterproof, Bluetooth VOX, GPS, Texting, NOAA, Compass, Dual-Band Scanner, Off-Grid Location Sharing, Two-Way Walkie Talkie ‣ #woocommerce_price ‣ Purchase, Software, and Support for BaoFeng and BTECH Radios

baofengtech.com

Or

Rugged GMR2 GMRS and FRS Two Way Handheld Radio - Grey

The GMR2 handheld radio keeps you connected to friends and family while on the go! With the included 22 channels, you'll have universal connection to all other GMRS radios; meaning you can talk to the other walkie-talkies, both GMRS and FRS. Built to perform! The GMR2 has an optimized...

www.ruggedradios.com

ATLANTIS 295 Dual Band GMRS and Marine VHF Radio Camouflage

Atlantis 295 radio combines a powerful GMRS radio with a marine VHF radio featuring all NOAA weather channels. Product Overview IPX7 Submersible Waterproof level + Designed to Float - So you can use it just about anywhere in any weather condition. Realtree AP Camouflage Pattern - A great match...

uniden.com

Midland GXT1000X3VP4 2-Way GMRS Radios - 3 Pack

Take the Midland GXT1000X3VP4 2-way radios on hunting trips & backcountry adventures. This long-range radio is available in a 3-pack from Midland Radio.

midlandusa.com

 

[Trav_lr]

find mounting an antenna on the RV problematic but probably will use handheld radios if traveling.

I attached a Tram 18" dual band 70cm/2m NMO antenna to the driver side mirror. It works well enough when driving or when stationary. The cable goes into the mirror arm, sealed with a grommet, and through the sidewall with the mirror wires terminating at the center of the dash where the radio is mounted.

 

[Joe Dutchstar]

After much discussion with my local Ham buddies, and much searching on the Internet on topic, I have decided to use both Ham, mostly for entertainment, and in case a SHTF, AND GMRS for local communication with family and friends.

Added the GMRS license to my collection of various licenses. After many hours of trying to use a PC, Apple Air, Ipad, etc, on the FCC websites, I obtained the GMRS license from FCC using my iPhone.
The iPhone connected almost immediately, and clicked through the process in a matter of minutes. (as it should be).

Read the law on using HAM radio to TX on GMRS freq. Too easy and not legal....no go.

So a Chinese GMRS radio, or 收音机, is on its way. I'll have to brush up on my ChinLish to figure out the radio instruction, I am sure.

I'll report back on my experience on the road with the GMRS.

 

[Trav_lr]

Are you aware of this free programing software Home - CHIRP
I use it with my cheap Chinese HTs and my Yaesu FT2900

 

[tetranz]

FWIW, here's the antenna I recently put on top of my Minnie Winnie. It's a Comet SBB-2 which is basically a 19 inch quarter wave on 2m. That's a magnetic mount on a metal plate taped down to the fiberglass roof with some radials. After some adjustments, SWR is good on both 2m and 70cm. Height is okay. It's only a couple of inches higher than the A/C unit. I haven't mounted the radio up front. It's just for use in the "house" while stationary as a fun toy if things get boring while camping. The general coverage receiver might be useful for listening around.

I've been a ham for over 50 years although not very active for a while. I recently got a 2m / 70cm Yaesu FTM-6000R to use in the RV and as a base station at home. It works well and I can hit numerous repeaters here in southern NH but not a lot of human activity. Not like the 1970s and 80s where almost every man and his dog was on 2m. Now it seems like almost every man and his dog runs a repeater with nobody to use it.