Anyone have a recommendation for a handheld GMRS radio?
As this is becoming the go to on the trails I would like to use it for spotting and as an easy spare for others. Trail rides mostly, so don’t need a long range (~2 miles).
Any luck with Daystar? GMRS Hand Held Radio 3 Mile Range | Daystar

They are on the more expensive end, but I have been happy with these:
Amazon.com: Motorola T260TP Talkabout Radio, 3 Pack

There are cheaper motorolas, but the build quality of the 260s are nice and they are just strong enough to make it up a hill or around a bend or two in the mountains.

I got these on sale for $120 total at Battle Born. I haven't used them yet. I'll review when I do. If you get on their email list you can get deals and they don't spam, I receive very few emails from them.

I had used Motorola FRS radios. Horrible when trying to communicate from one vehicle to the other if there is any distance between the two. I hope these new ones are better.

Do you have to get the certification for the 5 watt handhelds?

Those are HAM radios, are they not? I remember reading somewhere long ago you can hack a HAM to transmit on GMRS frequencies, but it didn't sound like it was for the casual user to attempt. If the rest of his group already utilizes GMRS, then picking up HAM wouldn't be any good unless he's willing to modify his set to work with them.

Yes. I recently received all my certs for my SAR job.

I have a set of these laying around somewhere from some old family road trips. I didn’t realize there were considered GMRS.

If you're going to buy a rebranded baofeng... why not just buy a baofeng. They're cheaper. Also for dedicated GMRS, I would go with midland for their handhelds.

I was looking at Midland, had good luck with their products in the past. Good point, didn’t look into it hard enough yet to realize it is a baofeng rebrand. I’ve had bad luck with longevity of baofeng in the past.

If it looks like a baofeng.... it probably came from the same factory as the baofengs.

That daystar radio looks like a rebranded Baofeng UV5R for 4x the price.
Amazon.com: BaoFeng UV-5R Dual Band Two Way Radio (Black)

If you're just looking for a beater radio / spare, the Baofengs are hard to beat.

Pickup a radio and the USB cable, and you can program them easily with the freely available CHIRP app.

-Rob

No, no HAM radio license required. At least that is what they told me.

That's not quite true.

You don't need a ham license, but you do technically need a GMRS license. You can transmit up to 2 watts on GMRS without a license, after that you need one. With a GMRS license you can legally transmit up to 50 watts.

The license costs $70 for 10 years, covers you and your whole family, and no test required, just send the FCC a check.

I have one, but I don't know that I've ever heard of anyone getting in trouble for using a 5 watt handheld without one. If you're concerned, you can dial back the power on the BaoFeng to 2 watts.

-Rob

What folks will to to make a sale...

There is a true statement in there someplace - you don't need a license..., as long as you never hit the transmit button...

Stuff below is intended solely for informational purposes. I happen to have done a fair amount of research on all of this, so just passing it along for what it is worth.

These radios (BaoFeng's and copies/rebrands) can transmit and receive on Ham frequencies, GMRS frequencies, and FRS frequencies (FRS freqs overlap with GMRS), as well as other frequencies outside all of those ranges.

• If you transmit on Ham frequencies, you need a Ham Technician's license (invest about $15 for the test, and some study time).
• If you transmit on GMRS frequencies, you need to get a GMRS license ($75, and no test).
• If you transmit on FRS frequencies you don't need a license, but be aware that the FCC does not classify these as legal FRS radios. Will the FCC catch you for that? Possibly not, but do make sure to have to make sure the power is limited based on FRS rules, or you are rolling the dice even more.
• If you plan on transmitting on both Ham and GMRS/FRS frequencies, you need both licenses, and have to remember to keep your call-signs straight, depending on which band you are on... Both the Ham and GMRS licenses are good for 10 years.

It gets even muddier - these Baufeng radios were never legal for sale as a FRS radio. It doesn't matter with whatever rebranding has been applied (Daystar, or BattleBorn's "Rugged"), or whatever amazing price hikes have been added (a $32 radio shouldn't cost $60-$80 with a different logo).

They aren't FRS, because they have detachable antennas, and can transmit on other bands. After September of 2019 they also were not legal for sale as a hybrid FRS/GMRS, since they were not certified under Part 95 (FCC rules). There is even some debate/discussion about whether they are even legal as HAM radios, but many Hams use them. The current rulings seem to be in favor of allowing them for that use.

I am very surprised that Daystar lists these as a GMRS radio in light of the 30 September 2019 FCC regulation. Most folks sell the Baofeng radios as "Dual-Band", and the GMRS capability is a "wink-wink nudge-nudge" part. Advertising these for sale as a GMRS radio seems to put them in violation of the FCC reg.

Another point about FRS radios - the rules have changed about power. You can now use FRS radios at 2 Watts in some channels, whereas before they were limited to .5 Watts. The older ones were limited, so anyone who has just used the older .5 Watt handhelds won't know the range of the newer 2 Watt models. Newer ones may have more power. Check the specs. A pure FRS radio may be the way to go if you don't want to deal with licensing issues, and don't need the capability (and associated complexity) that comes with one of these dual-band radios.

Full disclosure - I have a BaoFeng UV-8HP and a UV-5R on the way. I also have my GMRS license, and will be taking my Ham test on Saturday (before I transmit on a Ham frequency...). I'm not saying don't use these radios - just know the rules and regs so you can make an informed decision.

Interesting. Seems like there would at least be some requirement for a license other than money. If it is a Baofeng, I guess the rugged radios are way overpriced. Baefeng is $22.

Edit: Found this. At 1:17 he says Rugged Radios do need a HAM license. He didn't say what kind. Maybe later in the video. Watching now.