Which FRS/GMRS handheld radio(s) to buy?

[Hulk]

Going on the Steamboat Color Cruise this weekend, and it sounds like FRS/GMRS will be the radio of choice.
I just spent the $70 to apply for my GMRS license.
Which handheld radio(s) should I buy? Not looking to install a mobile unit just yet.

 

[Inukshuk]

Reserved to write more later ...

I have 8 Midland T71VP3, one MXT275, and one MXT400 (and three types of mag mount external antennas) provided to me by Midland marketing I am happy to lend out to club members. Try before you buy!

Update 9/24: Midland rep confirms the T71VP3 is only FRS powered at a max of 2watt. Very disappointing to learn. I would swear their website previously said FRS/GMRS. Still nice FRS radio, but we need more power of GMRS!

Update 2/29/2021:
"a GMRS license will now cost significantly less than before. Up to now the application fee for a GMRS license was $70. With this Report and Order, the new GMRS license fee will be only $35, which is $15 less than the proposed fee and half the cost of the fees previously charged by the FCC. The license is still valid for 10 years and covers an entire family." https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2020/12/fcc-approves-new-ham-and-gmrs-license-fees.html

 

[Inukshuk]

also read this thread: https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/stick-with-ham-or-time-to-go-gmrs.29329/#post-345134

GMRS wins over CB but does not replace HAM

 

[Hulk]

also read this thread: https://risingsun4x4club.org/xf/threads/stick-with-ham-or-time-to-go-gmrs.29329/#post-345134

GMRS wins over CB but does not replace HAM

Yeah, dude. I read that whole thread before posting this one. Sigh.

 

[Romer]

Matt, I have a pair of FRS Radios you are welcome to borrow. They are not GMRS. I bought them for the LCDC a few years ago but everyone I was with had HAM

 

[Hulk]

OK, a few questions:

1. Is there such thing as a GMRS handheld that puts out more power than an FRS handheld? If you want the extra transmission power that you are authorized to use with a GMRS license, do you need to get a mobile unit?
2. What is the deal with the Midland FRS radios claiming to have 36 channels? For example, the Midland T71VP3. The FCC says FRS has authorized 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range. How do they get 36?
3. The Midland GXT1030VP4 says it has 50 channels! Again, what is up with this? This is supposedly a GMRS radio -- and GMRS has 30 channels according to the FCC. Where is Midland getting all these extra channels?

 

[J1000]

I've used the Midland T71VP3 now a few time and it's been great. The battery life is really good I've gotten 8 hours of use out of it, plus the USB plug makes charging in a vehicle super easy. The sound quality is great and the range is also very good for being a very small handheld radio. We've gotten 3-4 miles vehicle to vehicle before.

 

[Romer]

The two I have are Midland GXT Pro series GXT1000VP4. It says 50 channels and up to 36 mile range. I have never used them so can't attest to the range. Looking them up on line they are GMRS radios.

https://mid.factoryoutletstore.com/...pk.html?category_id=94649&catalogitemid=55548

 

[Inukshuk]

OK, a few questions:
1. Is there such thing as a GMRS handheld that puts out more power than an FRS handheld? If you want the extra transmission power that you are authorized to use with a GMRS license, do you need to get a mobile unit?
2. What is the deal with the Midland FRS radios claiming to have 36 channels? For example, the Midland T71VP3. The FCC says FRS has authorized 22 channels in the 462 MHz and 467 MHz range. How do they get 36?
3. The Midland GXT1030VP4 says it has 50 channels! Again, what is up with this? This is supposedly a GMRS radio -- and GMRS has 30 channels according to the FCC. Where is Midland getting all these extra channels?

1a. Yes.
1b. No.
2. They all have 22 channels. The extra use one of the 22 with a pre-set privacy code. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2008/05/how_midlands_extra_channels_work.html "It turns out that these new channels are not channels in the sense that we have been historically used to (where a channel represents a frequency). These "extra channels" use a frequency already used by a standard channel, but have a pre-set privacy code that cannot be changed. This provides the illusion of a new channel, but has some side effects that could cause confusion. For example, if you transmit on Midland channel 24 a typical radio left in scan mode would receive your transmission as if it were sent on channel 3. "
3. The GXT models drawback for our use is no USB charging input. You can only charge in the base station.

The two I have are Midland GXT Pro series GXT1000VP4. It says 50 channels and up to 36 mile range. I have never used them so can't attest to the range. Looking them up on line they are GMRS radios.
https://mid.factoryoutletstore.com/...pk.html?category_id=94649&catalogitemid=55548

GXTs drawback for our use is no USB charging input. You can only charge in the base station. Nothing wrong with the radio but you cannot plug in and use on the go. It has an SOS siren and animal call.

 

[Romer]

what is an animal call?

Looking in my box there is a car charger input to the base station, so looks like you can keep it charged in the vehicle, just not plugged in while using. I don't see a downside to that

 

[Inukshuk]

what is an animal call?

Try it and maybe you will get a laugh! You can buy the GXT in camo too.

Looking in my box there is a car charger input to the base station, so looks like you can keep it charged in the vehicle, just not plugged in while using. I don't see a downside to that

When halfway through your day the battery is too weak go position that hard plastic base into which you snap a radio upright and start putting it in and out of that base every time you want to talk on the radio. Add to that you have two radios and you lent one to your buddy in the other truck and he or she has no charger. Maybe someone forgets to turn the radio off at end of day (happens all the time) and in AM you have a dead radio battery. You going to have a fun day holding a plastic base to your ear? No way. (Unless you happen to bring spare AA batteries to insert, but oh then you still cannot charge the rechargeable battery pack of the GXT.)

Unless a radio has a direct input jack to charge while using you will find yourself with loss of comms partway through a day. Ask anyone who has a baofeng.

 

[Romer]

I would think the batteries last all day? Thats what I was told by the folks who recommended this to me. Do you have data that says otherwise? Battery technology is really good these days. The cheap $25 Baeofung HAM I have does. So I don't need to ask anyone as I have one of those I would think these would as well

Edit - I see you said forgets to turn it off so it runs down overnight. That my friend is an operator error

 

[Hulk]

They all have 22 channels. The extra use one of the 22 with a pre-set privacy code. https://www.buytwowayradios.com/blog/2008/05/how_midlands_extra_channels_work.html "It turns out that these new channels are not channels in the sense that we have been historically used to (where a channel represents a frequency). These "extra channels" use a frequency already used by a standard channel, but have a pre-set privacy code that cannot be changed. This provides the illusion of a new channel, but has some side effects that could cause confusion. For example, if you transmit on Midland channel 24 a typical radio left in scan mode would receive your transmission as if it were sent on channel 3."

Thanks, @Inukshuk. This is exactly what I was looking for. So the "extra channels" might be useful if everyone else has a Midland radio. Otherwise, the "extra channels" are reachable only with programming the right privacy codes.

The website you pointed me to has a really good chart of frequencies and differences between FRS vs. GMRS that I will post.

 

[Romer]

since you didnt answer I looked it up

• IDEAL FOR HUNTING - 5 Animal Call Alerts (turkey, duck, crow, cougar and wolf), a Vibrate feature to silence all tones, and the Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camouflage pattern make this an ideal walkie-talkie for hunters.

 

[Inukshuk]

I would think the batteries last all day? Thats what I was told by the folks who recommended this to me. Do you have data that says otherwise? Battery technology is really good these days. The cheap $25 Baeofung HAM I have does. So I don't need to ask anyone as I have one of those I would think these would as well
Edit - I see you said forgets to turn it off so it runs down overnight. That my friend is an operator error

Ok, enjoy it. I don't have to be right here. Let us know when you use it.

 

[DaveInDenver]

It’s common with commercial radios not to be capable of external power. We get spoiled with ham radios having that. But the reason Motorola and the others don’t is operating a radio battery while charging tends to ruin their lifespan by never fully charging. Their solution is the drop in car charger and have two batteries you cycle between. Just a different approach. Also their sales department wants to you to buy a mobile radio if you’re going to connect external power, antenna and mic. Midland sells more commercial radio than ham so it may just be a carryover design decision. Recent ham radios are moving away from it too.

 

[subzali]

I have a couple of the GXT1000 as well, but am happy that Daniel has been experimenting with other radios, because I agree the charging station is ok but not ideal to our use! Wish I would have known better a couple years ago!

 

[Coyote]

@Inukshuk “ I have 8 Midland T71VP3, one MXT275, and one MXT400 (and three types of mag mount external antennas) provided to me by Midland marketing I am happy to lend out to club members. Try before you buy”

Do those models have the ability to charge in the vehicle off the base station? I’ve been trying to read up on this subject somewhat in the last couple days and the information, reviews and prices are all over the place....

I would value Personal experience from RS members over any review I read online

 

[gungriffin]

I am really happy with the T71VP3 that I have been using on the Grill N Chill runs. It is what I would get if I wanted a hand held. I don't have much desire to go with a hard mount after using the hand held. The mounted radio with a higher wattage was definitely broadcasting farther on the runs, but what does broadcasting farther matter if others in the group are using a handheld? The mounted options are more expensive by a fair margin as well. The micro USB charging works well and allows the radio to be used even when charging. Maybe that kills the battery quicker, but I don't really care. I would imagine that replacement batteries would be easy to get. My preference is USB charging over a charging base.

You can program many of the HAM radios to TX on GMRS with a small hack.

The handheld GMRS is limited to 5w. Handheld FRS is limited to 2w. The mounted GMRS radios allow for up to 40w.

*edit* apparently the T71VP3 that we were using is a FRS radio. I don't really know. They work well enough. Midland is doing an exceptionally poor job with marketing these items. It is super hard to tell which are GMRS and which are FRS.

 

[Inukshuk]

@Inukshuk Do those models have the ability to charge in the vehicle off the base station? I’ve been trying to read up on this subject somewhat in the last couple days and the information, reviews and prices are all over the place....
I would value Personal experience from RS members over any review I read online

Yes. Charge directly with a micro USB cord

*edit* apparently the T71VP3 that we were using is a FRS radio. I don't really know. They work well enough. Midland is doing an exceptionally poor job with marketing these items. It is super hard to tell which are GMRS and which are FRS.

I have asked.

I have a couple of the GXT1000 as well, but am happy that Daniel has been experimenting with other radios, because I agree the charging station is ok but not ideal to our use! Wish I would have known better a couple years ago!

Great radio, just the lack of ability to plug in.