Looking to get a GMRS handheld

[reost1]

So, I am going on a Jeep Jamboree next month. I need a GMRS radio. I do not do enough off roading to validate a hard wired GMRS radio. Has anybody had a good experience with a handheld GMRS radio? If so, which one do you recommend and why? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

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[kbp810]

The midland mxt’s have some mobile radios that are designed for temporary use. External magnet mount antenna and power that plugs into the lighter/vpa. Better performance than the typical bubble pack handheld.

For a handheld though… the midland x talkers or Motorola talksbouts perform well and have decent speakers. Good enough range for within a group; and I also keep a talk about handy for when I need to hop out of my jeep to spot someone or assist with recovery.

The baofeng handhelds used to be a go to; they worked on gmrs and “ham”; but the latest versions are locked out of gmrs now, without some fiddling and some key sequence dance to unlock it anyways. I think they sell some gmrs specific ones now too though? (Ones that are type certified for gmrs, and locked to gmrs only). Not sure, haven’t looked in a while.

edit: looks like baofeng uv9g is the gmrs specific variant.

 

[Txcomp]

Check out NotaRubiconProductions on YouTube. He tests and does overviews on a lot of GMRS radios.

https://www.youtube.com/c/NotaRubiconProductions

 

[Jtclayton612]

Just super general Gmrs radio I would recommend is radioditty gm-30.

Gmrs does require a license to use, $35 for 10 years. Whether or not you care to pay no one is actually going to come down and prosecute you.

FRS radios transmit on the same lower power freq as Gmrs and those are your typical bubble packs from Walmart etc.

I second looking at some stuff from notarubicon on YouTube.

 

[Gunfighter]

Really happy with our Motorola T465 radios.

 

[Mikester86]

https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-805g.html
Simple design and easy to use! Great radio! Had the Baofeng UV5R and the Wouxun KG-805G is far superior.

 

[JL MADDOG]

I'm really happy with the two Baofeng G11S units I purchased through Amazon.

Simple design, GMRS radio functions only, and they work well.

 

[Bulletbill]

I have the following:
https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-gm-30

Works great with RAM mounts. I’ll attach a picture of my setup.

 

[OldBlue]

I have a mobile MXT115 in my JLU. Works well, for a simple mobile radio.

Baofeng G11S

I have 2 of the exact radios, but they are labeled as Retevis RB27, also on AMAZON. Good basic radio.

 

[gburchett]

Check out NotaRubiconProductions on YouTube. He tests and does overviews on a lot of GMRS radios.

https://www.youtube.com/c/NotaRubiconProductions

I love watching his videos. He is funny as hell and the videos are very informative.

 

[Alan_Hepburn]

FRS radios transmit on the same lower power freq as Gmrs and those are your typical bubble packs from Walmart etc.

Last year we picked up a pair of Midland GXT1000VP4 GMRS units for $68 at Walmart - they seem to work quite well.

 

[Cycle11111]

So, I am going on a Jeep Jamboree next month. I need a GMRS radio. I do not do enough off roading to validate a hard wired GMRS radio. Has anybody had a good experience with a handheld GMRS radio? If so, which one do you recommend and why? Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Wouxun has the best radio performance. Noted by Notarubicon in his videos. I have multiple Wouxuns including handhelds (905G and 935G) and have a mobile installed in my Jeep and my van. I use the HTs for backcountry skiing as well. As for the license it extends to you and your family and does not require a test - do not assume you won’t get caught especially if you hit a repeater. As for FRS bubble pack radios they have fixed antennas and much lower power so in a big group or tricky terrain you really notice. Also any group I have seen using GMRS does not use the FRS lower power channels for the reasons I just mentioned.

 

[Txcomp]

I love watching his videos. He is funny as hell and the videos are very informative.

I agree 100%!! I "found" him when I was doing GMRS research and have hung around for his humour.

 

[Txcomp]

The best bargain for a really good GMRS + other freqs handheld = BAOFENG BF-F8HP UV-5R 3rd Gen for $ 69 at Amazon

Some are using the $29 version which works just as well

I have one of the Baofeng BF-F8HP's sitting on my desk and it works great on GMRS but when I originally answered, I didn't know if others on the forum would get "excited" recommending using a radio not specifically intended for GMRS.

I also have a Wouxun KG-UV9G that works well on GMRS too. It's a bit spendy for just a GMRS HT but I liked the bandwidth I could cover with the scanner.

FWIW, I have 2 sets of the Midland x-talker radios I carry in a bag in my Jeep that typically only get used when out playing. I have an MTX-275 hard mounted for me but use the HT's to lend to others so they can have coms also. They also come in handy at events when there is little to no cell coverage so you can stay in touch with your group.

OP, hope this helps!

 

[Bobsled]

i picked up the Tid radio package off of Amazon
2 handhelds
4 batteries
2 handheld mics
chargers and programming cable
all for 90 bucks
They work great

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