GMRS Radios?

[Poseidon20]

We've had our Jeep for a few months now and have been off-roading twice. Both times I had to borrow radios. Now let me get started by saying I DONT KNOW ANYTHING about these radios. I did a quick Amazon search and was ready to buy $20-40 GMRS radios but one of the trail guides recommended a Rugged Radio R1. Without more research I just bought thinking he knows what he's talking about. Well, the radio came in today and I was googling and apparently a lot of people don't like this brand. Saying it's just an expensive version of the cheaper stuff that work the same. So now I'm thinking about returning them, but I still need one. But since I don't know anything about this, I'm hoping to get some guidance but also get schooled on this.

Can you guys please explain it like I'm 5 when it comes to: which one do I need for simple off-roading to communicate? Eventually I would like to head out west to do wheeling there so would like it to be compatible. Do I really need a license and why? Can just a handheld work or do I really need to install a whole CB type unit I've seen some guys do? Should I just keep the R1, I think I read its not GMRS. What even IS GMRS? Ok, sorry for all the noob questions but if I can get a $30 amazon radio that does the same stuff as the R1 I'll do that. Thanks!

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[grimmjeeper]

There is a lot to unpack when it comes to radios.

Start with the radio bands. The FCC lays out ranges of frequencies that make up radio bands. Your car broadcast radio listens to AM and FM, and now Sirius/XM. 3 separate bands. Broadcast TV uses VHF and UHF. Wifi uses a couple of different bands. Your cell phone uses different bands. CB is a radio band. GMRS is a radio band (that it shares with FRS). There are many more.

Also, lots of laws and regulations about who can transmit and how much power you can use.

Most common on the trails is GMRS. People used to use CBs a lot but they are almost unheard of these days.

There are quite a few people who use business radios like the R1. However, you're not allowed to use that band without a license. The FCC can fine you if they catch you. But they almost never do unless it's a flagrant violation. So a lot of people do it.

GMRS also requires a license if you use above a certain power level and what not. But again, the FCC doesn't sit around looking for people so most users don't have a license.

CB has fewer regulations but people still violate those all the time as well.

As far as which radios to get, start with the people you go off road with. Ask them what kind of radios you're borrowing and get something similar. Once you are familiar with those, look at upgrading if you want.

 

[bd100]

Yes return them. Business band is not what you want. License and proper programming required to avoid breaking various rules.

Instead, go to a sporting or electronics store and get FRS "family radio service" radios, which are made exactly for what you are doing. No license, simple to operate.

GMRS uses the same frequencies as FRS (except for mobile high powered units which only use some of the FRS freqs), but GMRS allows an external antenna and more power and repeater use, all of which makes for more potential to conflict with others and thus more responsibility and thus the license.

You don't need GMRS, but if you stay with FRS then you are stuck with the cheap handheld radios, whereas if you pay for the (inexpensive) GMRS license then you can get a vehicle mounted system or a home based system with better antenna and more power and also use any repeaters in the area, all of which gets out further.

On the trails in a group the handheld FRS radios are fine. Get one for each of you so you can go for a hike or whatever and still talk to each other. Until terrain blocks the signal.

Features to look for FRS include a built-in flashlight, weather radio, water resistance, USB-C charging, lanyard and/or clip attachment. 22 channels is standard, some have more, but those extra channels are just the same 22 with some "privacy codes" added. These codes mute the speaker unless someone with the same code talks, so you only hear your own group, but anyone without the codes turned on can year you, so they're really not private at all. The codes are just to mute chatter from other groups.

Channels 1-7 are "high" power, 8-14 are "low" power, 15-22 are "high" power but are also used by repeaters which can swap the channel over a wide area. FRS radios can hear but not transmit into repeaters.

 

[cosmokenney]

I've been told that the Baofeng UV-5R hand held radio can do GMRS frequencies (462.* and 467.* MHz) , but looking at them on amazon the only show up to 450 MHz. I think if you look around, you can get them where they go up to 500 MHz. I have two of the latter UV-5R and they do both GMRS and FRS (tested). I also have a QYT KT8900 mounted in my JL. It can do both FRS and GMRS too. I believe these have very similar origins to that of the Baofengs.

 

[americonium]

Here are the Baofengs

BAOFENG GM-15 Pro GMRS Handheld Radio 8W Long Range Walkie Talkie NOAA Weather Receiver and Scan Rechargeable GMRS Repeater Capable Two Way Radio with USB-C Charger Full Kit,2Pack https://a.co/d/dkeBPu9

And for only $35, you can have your own GMRS call sign, and it's good for ten years!

https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

Good luck.

 

[dapipp]

A decent GMRS handheld is all you need to get started.

Here is a great handheld to get started with. The BAOFENG UV-5G Plus GMRS Handheld Radio.

https://www.amazon.com/Compatible-B...v_ct_cx=baofeng+uv-5r+plus+gmrs&s=electronics

If you have time to kill and are okay with sarcastic presentations that actually provide information try "NotaRubicon Productions".

NotaRubicon Productions

https://www.youtube.com/@TheNotaRubicon

 

[Gunfighter]

The Motorola T465 has been a dandy little radio.

 

[Terrymo]

I see a good number of BAOFENG or Midland handhelds

 

[JesseT]

For straightforward and reliable, Midland is a safe go-to manufacturer. (Just make sure the one you get is really a GMRS radio and not just FRS).

I'm coming from ham so I like to fiddle a bit more. My handhelds are the Radioddity GM-30. They were, I believe, the only GMRS radios with USB-C charging ports (though note they don't confirm to standard and will only charge with an A to C cable, not a C to C cable). I like that you can set your own tones manually instead of relying on the present "privacy channels" (which is a misnomer because they don't actually increase privacy at all). Definitely not made in USA though if that factors into your purchase decision.

 

[21JLURDG]

Can you guys please explain it like I'm 5....

BLUFF: Get a simple GMRS handheld radio from a reputable company like Midland or Motorola. Baofeng is Chinese and has actually gotten a descent reputation with its cheap radios, but they're performance (as in clean transmissions not going outside allocated frequency) and FCC compliance is suspect.

I'm also a Ham with a powerful vehicle mounted multi-spectrum radio that is overkill for most small group rides. Many of my friends now own the cheap Boefeng UV-5R handheld or a variation of it, but are reluctant to figure out how to properly program it. They usually ask one of us radio-geeks to do it for them. A simple GMRS radio from Midland or Motorola is very easy to use, clear, legal, and plenty of power for group rides.

I don't recommend FRS because they are much more limited in transmitting power than GMRS. IMHO, FRS is great for the campground to keep track of the kids. GMRS is better when the trail leader wants to talk to the guy in the back. Vehicle-mounted high-power radios are great for trail leaders to call back to camp, or find the guy who missed the last turn (don't get me started on this topic ).

Technically you need a GMRS license, just like we needed one for CBs when they first started. And like CBs, very few are actually getting the license. FCC treats it like the police treat speeders. Don't drive 100 mph or transmit 100W in the middle of town.

Stepping on soapbox:
Please use the low power setting all the time unless you find that it's not sufficient. This way you are less likely to interfere with others on the same channel.
Stepping off.

 

[Mark75H]

Actual testing of Baofeng radios show them to be well within spec, maybe not as super perfect as Motorola's but no one has ever shown a BF to be out of spec. Midland is the king of marketing, pretending to be better when it is merely equal to its competitors.

Videos on youtube by notarubicon may be what the OP is looking for

 

[Wagabond]

Having recently gotten in to this, I got my $35 FCC license and then got a pair of Baofeng GM 21s from Amazon. For me it camedown to a choice between those and Baofeng UV 5G plus. Both USB C chargeable and virtually no difference in specs.

 

[JesseT]

Having recently gotten in to this, I got my $35 FCC license and then got a pair of Baofeng GM 21s from Amazon. For me it camedown to a choice between those and Baofeng UV 5G plus. Both USB C chargeable and virtually no difference in specs.

Are they real USB-C (conform to standard) or fake USB-C (use the type C connector but won't charge with a C-to-C cable)?

 

[Dlit]

Got a midland 575 and I am surprised with the lack of general traffic….might be my location outside Boston.

 

[Apples491]

1st and probably most important is, what are the people you wheel with using. No point in buying a certain type of radio if you can't talk to the guy in the next vehicle.

2nd Yes, return the Rugged Radio for all the reasons people already mentioned. They actually got in trouble with the FCC a while back and still managed to survive somehow. Avoid.

Your radio types are determined by the frequency they tend to operate on. CB, GMRS(FRS), Ham.

CB was popular for a long time and is still used by a lot of truckers just for the interoperability. They are lower powered, maxing out a 4W (legally) and finicky to tune and get the maximum range out of. You can consider this the AM option. Lower power but broad compatibility.

GMRS is an extension of the FRS (the radios you can buy in the toy aisle at Walmart) standard. It requires a license but it's just $35 and lasts 10 years. GMRS has been gaining in popularity because it's still relatively easy to understand and operate. There have also been some improvements in recent years, such as GMRS repeaters. This is likely what anybody you're out on the trails with will be using.

Ham is very similar to GMRS both in frequency and functionality, but it takes it a step further. You can get into the weeds with Ham, with HF frequencies being bounced off the ionosphere and contacting people in different countries etc. There's also a lot more infrastructure built for Ham, with repeater networks that you can use to extend your signal, digital standards, GPS tracking(repeater triangulation), etc.

But for your every day use, it's enough to know that Ham works basically the same as GMRS. I use a combination of GMRS and Ham. GMRS is typically my normal trail comms and Ham is there if I need to reach out in an emergency, which has come in handy once or twice.

A note on modifying devices. The Rugged Radio radios are essentially radios that have been modified to work on a band that isn't strictly allowed. The modification isn't the thing that's wrong. It's the frequency use that runs afoul. if you can legitimately use the frequencies you're modifying for and operating within the parameters of that band, you're good. For instance, I have a FTM-400DR Ham radio that I've unlocked to access GMRS frequencies. I have the license for both and I have the GMRS frequencies set in the radio to only transmit at the power allowed on those frequencies.

Hope that helps.

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