GMRS recommendations

I run a pair of Rugged radios GMRS radios.
I hear a lot of folks running Baofang radios and of course there are the Midland Radios. The only thing I can tell you about the Rugged is don’t put them in the cubby behind the shifter they pick up a bunch of static and make a hella noise. I just clip it to my paracord grab handle. But a good mount would work nice too.

BaoFeng here… work great for what we need to do.

We started with handheld radios, but found wheeling all day with a chatty group the bats were only good for few hours. That may seem adequate, but going radio-silance while recharging bats is annoying. We're now running Midland's 2-way mobile MXT275 in Bronco and loan the handhelds to family, friends, usually the grandkids.

Cheers

We have a pair of midlands. Worked Well in the groups and a bullet mount attached to tackform pieces

Lots O Fords

We have a pair of midlands. Worked Well in the groups and a bullet mount attached to tackform pieces

Coincidentally, I just bought a bullet point base for a tablet mount today.

I have the Midland MXT575. You can get a mount from Metal Mountain that allows you to mount it behind the glove box. This has all the controls in the mike, which works very well. No need for an external speaker. Don't remember if the thread is on this site or the G6 site, but it has pictures and details how to mount this radio behind the glove box. I had a couple issues and was able to contact the guy that created the thread for help. It's also easy to mount the antenna on the drivers side cowl. Metal Mountain has a mount for that as well. You get a short antenna and cable with this radio. I also purchased a second antenna from Midland to use when traveling. One last thing, you can talk with folks the have the FRS handhelds as well, so for short distance you don't need to buy a hand set of GMRS radios, spotters, etc. I would look on the G6 site but I have been banned...cause I don't play well with others.

I have a Midland MXT275 mounted under my steering column with an external speaker mounted in the driver’s footwell and I have a pair of Baofeng hand held units with a longer antenna for improved reception - I mostly lend out the heldhelds unless hiking.

I get asked this question a lot as I'm the unofficial "radio geek" for our club. Let me start by saying that if you're looking for a radio to communicate with a group of vehicles (Broncos) on a trail run, then a handheld will likely be plenty of radio for you. An HT is a great was to get started, and later, if you decide you need something more, you can always add a mobile into your Bronco. The HT won't be a waste, since I always recommend that if you leave you Bronco while on a run, you take an HT with you. Personally, I have a few since they are pretty inexpensive, so I can have mine, my wife has hers, and I still have a couple I can lend out when I'm leading a run to someone who doesn't have a radio yet. When I'm leading a run, I prefer everyone have a radio, to me, it's a safety thing.

OK, so which handheld do I recommend? Well, "it depends". You can pick up an inexpensive Baogeng on Amazon, and any of those will work great for what I describe above. Radio's like the UV-5R, etc. are all, actually, HAM radios that will work on the GMRS frequencies. Some have to be "unlocked", some like the BF-F8HP PRO don't (my current recommendation, or at least one of them). https://a.co/d/8b2xKff

But in both cases, they do have to be programmed, and that can be a bit of a PITA unless you're a bit of a radio geek, or know one that can help you. If you want a "pure" GMRS handheld that requires no programing, you could go with something like the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro. https://a.co/d/gZ56pqE Note that that radio works ONLY on GMRS. You can get a pair of those for under $40 right now with the Black Friday sale on Amazon at the link I posted.

All of the radios above are repeater capable, so if you are in an area with a repeater, you can key one up with any of those radios and extend your range considerably. But repeaters are a WHOLE other conversation.

If, on the other hand, you do decide you want to go with a mobile radio, then I usually recommend the Midland MXT575 https://a.co/d/ch8lkEM which I think someone mentioned in one of the other posts. You can mount that radio in a hidden location since all of the controls and the channel display are in the microphone. Note that this too is a GMRS only radio. If you're looking for something that is a dual band radio, I'm using an ICOM 2730a with the MARS Mod (note, that MARS mod is important otherwise you won't be able to transmit on GMRS freqs). https://www.gigaparts.com/icom-ic-2...enXigN2LSuem78lPWZbpiRzTxd-mqQ9FSbRyaild879rU This radio also requires you to program in the frequencies you want to use, and you can use a computer to do that. Again, that's a WHOLE topic, but just keep in mind that the non-GMRS only radios can all be programmed via a cable connected to your laptop and the right program (like Chirp) running on it.

If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out at any time, I'm happy to help.

JoergH

If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out at any time, I'm happy to help.

• Thank You. This was a very informative post. Right now I'm leaning towards the 2 pack of the GM-15 that you linked. Seems like a very good deal to get started & I'm not sure I want to mess with unlocking anything.

jtgensler

• Thank You. This was a very informative post. Right now I'm leaning towards the 2 pack of the GM-15 that you linked. Seems like a very good deal to get started & I'm not sure I want to mess with unlocking anything.

You will not go wrong with @JoergH recommendations. He's the guy

I start off using midland mxt275 and GXT handheld when I start 5 years ago, quickly found that I need a better radios.

The mxt275 is ok, but lack of functions and limited use on custom settings, like frequency mode and privacy codes and some other custom functions. mxt275 is more like beginner radio. Same as the GTX. also GTX is more like a toy and battery and distance are sucks, the battery can't less for full day use and still use old style ducking for charging. Many of new GMRS radios already use USB-C for charging. The good thing about the GTX is easy to use and can compilable with AA batteries when the rechargeable battery is out of juice.

Two years ago, I start using Wouxun KG-XS20G - 20 watts fix mount radio. and bring multiple of Baofeng GM15 pro 8 watts handheld for spotting, and spare radios for someone else.
I am alway one of the group leader or guide, and frequently we need to spit into two groups if we have lots of cars at the same time. I like the KG-XS20G can monitor two channels at the same time. Is confusing if both group using the same channels. So we use different channel in the group. However, I like to know whats going on with other group. the dual channels can let me know.
Also I can say both radios are much more powerful from functions and distance. Also both are much better build quality than midland. If you know the local frequency, you can turn these radios into scanner if you needs to, but the midland can't.

So, if anyone ask me, IMO
If you looking for easy to use, just need a radio to communicate with a group, go for midland
if you want more extend function in future use - go for something else, I bet lots of post above me have suggestions. I will say Wouxun and Baofeng is a good choose and they have lots of different models to pick from.

One other thing I didn't mention. If you run trails alone you might want to consider having a CB as well. The GMRS are good radios, good range, etc, but there are not a lot of folks that will respond to you the way folks on CBs will. I've had times when I hear two guys talking and when they finish try to reach them with no response. Then I remember they could be on a repeater so they don't hear you. I know the CB doesn't reach as far, been told there is a fix you can do to them to get more range, but if folks can hear ya they generally respond. One other plus with the CB is the truckers still use them and you can get good highway info. when you are on the road. Another 2¢, possibly 6¢, gotta account for inflation, worth of info.

MIGeezer

One other thing I didn't mention. If you run trails alone you might want to consider having a CB as well. The GMRS are good radios, good range, etc, but there are not a lot of folks that will respond to you the way folks on CBs will. I've had times when I hear two guys talking and when they finish try to reach them with no response. Then I remember they could be on a repeater so they don't hear you. I know the CB doesn't reach as far, been told there is a fix you can do to them to get more range, but if folks can hear ya they generally respond. One other plus with the CB is the truckers still use them and you can get good highway info. when you are on the road. Another 2¢, possibly 6¢, gotta account for inflation, worth of info.

The emergency communications subject is a whole thread onto itself. Personally, I don't rely on radio communications for emergency situations. It's just to hit and miss. When I need serious help, I want something that's going to get me directly to someone who can help me 100% of the time. What I use for that is a satellite communicator called a ZOLEO, and you can find it here. Another device in this category is the Garmin inReach. In both cases they use the Iridium satellite network to send messages to a emergency dispatch center that can send help via the forest service, sheriff's department, etc. It can also send update text messages to a contact you define so when you're out on the trail they can track you. Finally, you can text with your friends via it when there isn't any cell coverage as well. https://www.zoleo.com/en-us/rescue-stories

As for CB radio, I keep a handheld CB in the Bronco as well, mostly in case I'm running with a group that still uses CB (they are disappearing fast, but they still exist. For example, they still use CB for Easter Jeep Safari. Jeep Jamboree, on the other hand, has switched to GMRS.

JoergH

I get asked this question a lot as I'm the unofficial "radio geek" for our club. Let me start by saying that if you're looking for a radio to communicate with a group of vehicles (Broncos) on a trail run, then a handheld will likely be plenty of radio for you. An HT is a great was to get started, and later, if you decide you need something more, you can always add a mobile into your Bronco. The HT won't be a waste, since I always recommend that if you leave you Bronco while on a run, you take an HT with you. Personally, I have a few since they are pretty inexpensive, so I can have mine, my wife has hers, and I still have a couple I can lend out when I'm leading a run to someone who doesn't have a radio yet. When I'm leading a run, I prefer everyone have a radio, to me, it's a safety thing.

OK, so which handheld do I recommend? Well, "it depends". You can pick up an inexpensive Baogeng on Amazon, and any of those will work great for what I describe above. Radio's like the UV-5R, etc. are all, actually, HAM radios that will work on the GMRS frequencies. Some have to be "unlocked", some like the BF-F8HP PRO don't (my current recommendation, or at least one of them). https://a.co/d/8b2xKff

But in both cases, they do have to be programmed, and that can be a bit of a PITA unless you're a bit of a radio geek, or know one that can help you. If you want a "pure" GMRS handheld that requires no programing, you could go with something like the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro. https://a.co/d/gZ56pqE Note that that radio works ONLY on GMRS. You can get a pair of those for under $40 right now with the Black Friday sale on Amazon at the link I posted.

All of the radios above are repeater capable, so if you are in an area with a repeater, you can key one up with any of those radios and extend your range considerably. But repeaters are a WHOLE other conversation.

If, on the other hand, you do decide you want to go with a mobile radio, then I usually recommend the Midland MXT575 https://a.co/d/ch8lkEM which I think someone mentioned in one of the other posts. You can mount that radio in a hidden location since all of the controls and the channel display are in the microphone. Note that this too is a GMRS only radio. If you're looking for something that is a dual band radio, I'm using an ICOM 2730a with the MARS Mod (note, that MARS mod is important otherwise you won't be able to transmit on GMRS freqs). https://www.gigaparts.com/icom-ic-2...enXigN2LSuem78lPWZbpiRzTxd-mqQ9FSbRyaild879rU This radio also requires you to program in the frequencies you want to use, and you can use a computer to do that. Again, that's a WHOLE topic, but just keep in mind that the non-GMRS only radios can all be programmed via a cable connected to your laptop and the right program (like Chirp) running on it.

If you have any more questions, feel free to reach out at any time, I'm happy to help.

What are your personal thoughts on the BTech GMRS-V2? https://a.co/d/8yyCVjT

And any opinions about adding a longer antenna for better range on a HT?

IL21Bronco

What are your personal thoughts on the BTech GMRS-V2? https://a.co/d/8yyCVjT

And any opinions about adding a longer antenna for better range on a HT?

I actually have one of those (yup, I have 4 handheld's and that was actually my first radio). It's a nice HT, but I think that you can get more radio for your buck with the BAOFENG GM-15 Pro. This offer on Amazon includes the longer antenna as well and it less money for 2 radios. https://a.co/d/gZ56pqE

I have the longer antenna on all my handhelds. It can be a bit of a PITA because it's so long, but again, I only use the HT hen I'm outside the Bronco, so it's not a big deal for me. As far as distance is concerned, how many "fars" you can get with an HT is going to depend a lot more on the terrain than on the wattage or the antenna. Receiving, on the other hand, can really be helped with a better antenna.