Prechate all the comebacks! I got it figured out. A couple solders in that mic circuit needed to be reinforced. And maybe my voltage regulator might be it, but was recommended not to change it yet. My range has definitely improved! thanks
The antenna is as important as the radio, a $300 radio under a $10 antenna you still end up with a $10 system. With a real tech tuning your unit 10 to 15 miles on a single drive radio such as a cobra 29 is the norm. The dual final radios such as 10 meter galaxys can up that to 15 to 20 miles mobile to mobile and even further mobile to base.