Handheld GMRS Radio

[Mudhorn]

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

 

[heptolisk]

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.

 

[mteolus]

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

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.

 

[heptolisk]

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?

 

[Friggin Idiot]

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.

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.

 

[Mudhorn]

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

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

 

[Mudhorn]

They are on the more expensive end, but I have been happy with these
.

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

 

[srsrogerissrs]

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.

 

[Mudhorn]

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.

 

[srsrogerissrs]

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

 

[RivMan]

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

 

[mteolus]

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

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

 

[RivMan]

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

 

[PaulC4]

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

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.

 

[mteolus]

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

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.

 

[Mudhorn]

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.

You will have to post your reviews on these radios. Honestly a one stop shop handheld would be nice, even if it is legally questionable.

Do you need different antenna types to transmit/receive on so many different bands/frequencies (Ham, GMRS, etc)? Or is it just the wizard inside the radio being able to make it happen?

My new SAR group is using Yaesu VX-6T, but a cheaper option with the same functionality would be great.

 

[mteolus]

There website seems to indicate that if you use their pre-programmed frequencies then it is legal without a license.

Rugged Two-way radios operate on radio frequencies that are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). A license is required to transmit on these frequencies.

To ensure our customers are operating in compliance of FCC Rules and Regulations, Rugged Radios has licensed:
• 10 nation-wide commercial band frequencies (35 Watt)
• 60 area-specific commercial band frequencies (60-Watt)

These frequencies/channels are available to transmit for business, recreational, or race use. For a list of channels and areas licensed, please click here:

Edit: Called them. They said they got the licensing for this last year:

• 10 nation-wide commercial band frequencies (35 Watt)
• 60 area-specific commercial band frequencies (60-Watt)

It is legal to use these channels on only Rugged Radios without having to get an FCC license for yourself. If you buy a BaoFeng, you will have to get a license even if you use the same channels on that radio as you do with the Rugged Radios. Also, here is what I got for $120 which you will not get with the BaoFeng unless you get a bundle I guess. So maybe not that much more expensive considering. I think the reason you would want to get Rugged unless they are just lying about it is you can buy these radios and get more range than FRS without having to get a HAM radio license. If that really is it, you would think they would just say this. But if they did I guess they might have to admit that these are the exact same radios as BaoFeng. I don't think they would want to say yea, these are BeoFangs without the need for a license.

 

[DeltaWhiskey]

GMRS requires a license. Ham requires a license. You are required to use a call sign when transmitting. A GMRS license is $70 bucks for 10 year license, ham is $15 and pass an exam for a 10 year license. The two are not interchangeable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BobsTrail]

Probably best to go with Motorola or Midland for a dedicated FRS radio. Much easier to use.

The Baofeng UV5+ ($38) can be used on FRS frequencies but it's lowest power is 1W which means you can only use channels 1-7 and 15 - 22. FRS channels 8-15 are 1/2 W only.

The UV5+ will need to be set for 1W, narrow band and a privacy code can be used.

It can also be used for amateur 2 meter and 440 if you have an amateur license. I use a Baofeng F8HP for FRS on 1W as my third FRS radio at times and use it for 2 meter repeaters when needed. The UV5R will do the same. The newer UV5R will not transmit below 145MHZ so it may not be good for 2 meter amatuer. I listen to a repeater on 145.29 with an input of 144.69

A dedicated FRS would be easier.

 

[mteolus]

GMRS requires a license. Ham requires a license. You are required to use a call sign when transmitting. A GMRS license is $70 bucks for 10 year license, ham is $15 and pass an exam for a 10 year license. The two are not interchangeable.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is the response I got from Battleborn. Bold mine.

You do not need an individual license if you use Rugged & PCI Radios preprogrammed business band channels. To use HAM channels, you need a HAM license. To use GMRS channels, you need a GMRS license. The radios are capable of operating on multiple bands and depending on what you are using, may require different license.
Rugged and PCI Race Radios work with the FCC to allocate and program in licensed frequencies that fall within the business band section of VHF. The licenses for this level are issues to an organization (PCI, Rugged) and as a customer you fall under their license. They own the rights to the frequency regionally and allow their customers to use them. You do not need an individual license to use these channels as long as they are nationwide or approved in your area. Ive attached a list showing which channels you may use and were.
Rugged Radios has licensed:
• 10 nation-wide commercial band frequencies (35 Watt Power Limit)
• 60 area-specific commercial band frequencies (60 Watt Power Limit)