GMRS Radios?

[JesseT]

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.

I don't think that's right. From FCC Part 95 subpart E

§ 95.1761 GMRS transmitter certification.

...

(c) No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure
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[Apples491]

I don't think that's right. From FCC Part 95 subpart E

§ 95.1761 GMRS transmitter certification.

...

(c) No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure
...

You may be right. I've always interpreted it as certification for sale, not use. I would never sell it without removing the MARS mod.

 

[ArmyRN]

Baefeng UV 8w radio with an attached mic using Bulletpoint mounts. Also a battery delete so the radio is plugged into the cigarette socket.

I have both my Ham (KI7TSP) and GMRS license. This radio handles both Ham and GMRS frequencies. Eventually I'll get a larger radio, but till then this works fine for trail use.

This set-up works nice as I don't have to worry about setting the radio down as I'm driving, or dropping it on the floor while driving. The sound comes out of the handheld mic.

 

[autotragic]

I have a rugged radio whatever their little handheld is it works great I've used it during a Jeep jamboree event and it did exactly what I needed it to do.

But I also went through the FCC hoops to get my gmrs license not that I think it's worth anything. But if I'm asked I do have it. There's no testing requirements or anything like there is with ham radio so it's literally just a pay to play scheme.

And by FCC hoops I mean their website is antiquated dog shit and almost impossible to navigate.

https://www.ruggedradios.com/products/rugged-gmr2-plus-gmrs-and-frs-two-way-handheld-radio

Is what I use.

 

[Mark75H]

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

GMRS is different from CB and ham. The specified use is to talk with people you have prearranged to talk with. Like Queen Randy says, if talking with random men is your goal, Grinder is much better.

 

[Mark75H]

The certification relates to use, not just sales. The sales and import restrictions are to limit improper USE.

 

[Wagabond]

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)?

They come with an A-to-C cable and l’ve only used the cradle charger. I’ll see if I have a C-to-C cable and give it a go.

 

[roaniecowpony]

A lot has been stated already which I really can't add much to.

But, my recommendation is to get 2 decent handheld GMRS radios from a reputable name like Midland, Motorola, Baofeng/B-Tech, so that you can communicate with your spotter if he takes a hike up the trail or if you have a trail buddy that comes along in his vehicle and doesn't have a radio. It's a really great convenience to have 2 handhelds. I have not seen anyone use anything other than GMRS here in southern Calif. So, I didn't consider going with FRS, HAM, or CB for Jeeping. If you want to install a base unit in your jeep, you'll know more later after having used handhelds for a while. I've found that I don't want a mounted base unit and continue with handhelds.

I have Amazon.com: BTECH GMRS-PRO IP67 Submersible Radio with Texting & Location Sharing, GPS, Bluetooth Audio, Compass, NOAA Weather Alerts, Dual Band (VHF/UHF) Scanner, Long Range Two-Way GMRS Walkie Talkie : Electronics However, I would say they are overly complex for my needs. I would recommend something more simple while still of high quality. Waterproof is a plus.

Get the license.

 

[Nokones]

The Cheap Chinese Radios (CCR) POS junk is exactly what it is, pure junk POS. Will they work, they'll get the job done for awhile. Most CCRs are channel and feature limiting. If you feel good about using a $20 CCR, just don't expect them to work for a long period of time. They are a $20 radio what can you expect out of a $20 radio.

The little Itty bitty FRS handheld radios will work, but don't expect them to work for more than a half mile if you're using from inside the vehicle.

The Midland mobiles, MXT500 and MXT575 are of a good quality and simple to use and are tailored for GMRS use, but are limited on most features just like any of the GMRS radios. The Midland approach concept is keep it simple. Most people think that the price of a Midland is you don't get the value of what you pay for a Midland as compared to the CCR junk POS radios.

The MXT radios are 50 watts and don't suck/draw a whole lot of power. The MXT575 will not allow for custom channels so you're going to be limited in setting up multiple repeater channels with different Tones. The MXT575 uses a handheld controlhead type microphone.

The MXT500 has been expanded to 128 channels so you will have the ability of almost 100 channels for custom programming for different mountain top repeaters or different simplex/Direct car-to-car channels with different tone settings. The MXT500 is a normal dashmount configuration design.

If you are just looking for a decent radio for off-road communication within a group of people and not concerned with having any channel capacity for different repeaters, than the MXT575 may be the best for you. The Tone settings are set by using the handheld microphone just like what you would do with a portable FRS radio. The MXT575 only has a display for the channel number.

The MXT500 is PC programmable and has an Alpha-Numeric display for custom naming your channels and customizing your channel list and setting your tones.

The problem I have is the Rugged Radios can be cumbersome to program with the proprietary software. There is nothing simple about those radios. There is nothing wrong with having a radio that has the capability of programming the Business Radio Frequencies as long as you know what frequency and the configuration it needs to be programmed.

The GMRS radios take most of that guess work out of it for the user with the basic default programmed channels to get started, but without any tone settings.

I like the Midland MXT500 radio. It is a great sized radio for a vehicle with limited space. I have one, but I don't use it on a full-time basis. I keep it as a Loaner.

For my day-today use radios, I use professional grade Mototola radios because I need the various features that GMRS radios don't offer and a channel capacity of 1,000 channels. I have approx 840 channels programmed in 49 different zone/channel banks with a 14 character display.

 

[Terrymo]

We have the Midland MXT275 installed out of view (with the mic removed) and a couple of Midland handhelds. One for a passenger/spotter, and one to share. We run trails with 6-12 vehicles. Someone new will generally need one. Although I appreciate people with a deep understanding on this topic, it makes my eyes glaze over so I just have a keep it simple stupid set up.

 

[Nokones]

The key thing to make any radio perform is the cable and antenna installation. This is another area where users make a big mistake. They buy cheap and usually from a retailer that operates a multi-product warehouse operation with no technical or customer service for a specific product. It is best to buy from a retailer that specializes in the product(s) they sell.

Buying cheap is never cheap in the long run and headache free.

Most users usually want to use only mag-mount antennae so they don't have to drill any holes in the vehicle. That's ok, and will work, but some are pure junk and are not tuned for GMRS freqs.

For GMRS, I have found that the Midland Mag-Mount and the MXT26 antenna will out perform the best professional grade products hands-down.

Most professional grade products are usually designed for a broader operating band range to cover the Business Radio Service freqs, whereas the Midland products are designed specifically for the GMRS freqs.

If the antenna system is not tuned/matched to the freqs you are trying to transmit on, the radio will perform poorly and in some cases damage the radio after prolonged use.

 

[roaniecowpony]

We have the Midland MXT275 installed out of view (with the mic removed) and a couple of Midland handhelds. One for a passenger/spotter, and one to share. We run trails with 6-12 vehicles. Someone new will generally need one. Although I appreciate people with a deep understanding on this topic, it makes my eyes glaze over so I just have a keep it simple stupid set up.

My lack of understanding all the radio technobabble runs deep. I have enough hobbies to keep me buried and a radio, to me, is just mainly for listening to someone that likes to talk, usually the point rider, on a group trail run. Seldom is anything said on it that is necessary. Most of the time I like to be at the end and often enough someone keeps checking with me to see if I'm still ok, since I'll lag back.

 

[Terrymo]

My lack of understanding all the radio technobabble runs deep. I have enough hobbies to keep me buried and a radio, to me, is just mainly for listening to someone that likes to talk, usually the point rider, on a group trail run. Seldom is anything said on it that is necessary. Most of the time I like to be at the end and often enough someone keeps checking with me to see if I'm still ok, since I'll lag back.

Yep a trail leader and tail gunner is enough chatter. I’m too inexperienced to be either. The folks making clever quips can get tiresome but so it goes.

 

[Nokones]

The CB Radio is very seldom used off-road. The CB is even very seldom used on the highways.

Although, I have heard some CB traffic use off-road way back in the boonies here in Arizona, but is is very infrequent.

I have a feeling, maybe someday, people may come back to CB radios for off-road when they discover that the CBs now have FM modulation and with a lot less noise. The CBs are simple and really don't require a whole lot.

I did a comparison test with the CB in both the AM and FM modes. In the AM mode, I got about 2 to 2 1/2 miles, whereas I got 3 1/2 to 4 miles in the FM mode.

As far as Amateur radios being used, I have never heard anyone using them. The licensing process is extremely difficult for most people and require taking a test to get licensed. Who would want to go through that process when there are better and easier options.

 

[roaniecowpony]

The CB Radio is very seldom used off-road. The CB is even very seldom used on the highways.

Although, I have heard some CB traffic use off-road way back in the boonies here in Arizona, but is is very infrequent.

I have a feeling, maybe someday, people may come back to CB radios for off-road when they discover that the CBs now have FM modulation and with a lot less noise. The CBs are simple and really don't require a whole lot.

I did a comparison test with the CB in both the AM and FM modes. In the AM mode, I got about 2 to 2 1/2 miles, whereas I got 3 1/2 to 4 miles in the FM mode.

As far as Amateur radios being used, I have never heard anyone using them. The licensing process is extremely difficult for most people and require taking a test to get licensed. Who would want to go through that process when there are better and easier options.

I think I read that a prominent Utah jeep club (maybe the one that puts on EJS), uses CBs. Possibly a club politics thing where the old guys that run the club don't want to buy new equipment.

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