Trail Two-Way Radios

There is an RJ45 cable connected to the back of the midland base under the dash that is run to the back of this plug. Then the mic plugs into the front. I have had no issues with connectivity whatsoever. It’s made for watercraft, so it seems plenty durable.

Ok so I have another question if it’s been covered here I apologize for missing it, but what’s the difference between the GMRS radios and the little Motorola 2way radios that are common and you can get anywhere. Do they operate on different frequencies? And I’m also assuming one can’t talk to the other?

Polaris425

Ok so I have another question if it’s been covered here I apologize for missing it, but what’s the difference between the GMRS radios and the little Motorola 2way radios that are common and you can get anywhere. Do they operate on different frequencies? And I’m also assuming one can’t talk to the other?

Actually, GMRS shares some of the frequencies/channels used by those "walkie-talkies." Those use what's known as "FRS" (Family Radio Service) and are limited in the power they use to transmit and their antennas are fixed (not removable/interchangeable). No license required, either. So, if you have a GMRS radio, you can communicate with others who have only the FRS handsets, and they with you, when using the in-common channels.

felgercarb

Actually, GMRS shares some of the frequencies/channels used by those "walkie-talkies." Those use what's known as "FRS" (Family Radio Service) and are limited in the power they use to transmit and their antennas are fixed (not removable/interchangeable). No license required, either. So, if you have a GMRS radio, you can communicate with others who have only the FRS handsets, and they with you, when using the in-common channels.

Just to add to this explanation, here is an article that has a table breakdown of frequencies and watts for FRS and GMRS:
https://midlandusa.com/blogs/blog/why-gmrs-for-two-way-radio-communication

The Motorola 2way radios work off of preprogrammed FRS frequencies.

Dang, thanks for the quick responses! Y’all are awesome. So in a tight spot someone joining a group ride could communicate with the others even if they only had the FRS radio. Good to know.

Polaris425

Dang, thanks for the quick responses! Y’all are awesome. So in a tight spot someone joining a group ride could communicate with the others even if they only had the FRS radio. Good to know.

One more caveat: depending on the FRS handheld, it may be able to transmit with only 0.5W of power, which wouldn't carry far. I'd really want that person to be in the middle of the pack on a trail ride. On an organized ride, there are usually some folks that have spare GMRS handsets for newbies which would be a better option.

husker73

I got my HAM radio license since it offers a little more than just two way radio. I can send messages to email or SMS to let people know my status or location when no cell service is available. The basic Tech license is super easy to pass. We have 9 year olds passing it. Also you arer allowed more power on the HAM bands.

Oh great, now you need a license to buy a HAM. Does the license cost more if the HAM is honey glazed?

felgercarb

One more caveat: depending on the FRS handheld, it may be able to transmit with only 0.5W of power, which wouldn't carry far. I'd really want that person to be in the middle of the pack on a trail ride. On an organized ride, there are usually some folks that have spare GMRS handsets for newbies which would be a better option.

Let me add a couple of things:

First, the FRS channels use something called Narrow Band FM (don't ask, it will give you a headache), and the rest of the GMRS channels use regular standard FM bandwidth. This is ONLY important if you have a radio that you can program like the Baofeng UV5r. You need to make sure that you set the channel/frequencies for the FRS shared channels to NFM.

Personally, I prefer, especially in larger runs, that we use GMRS because we can use a channel with higher power so the ability of the leader to reach the "tail gunner" is better. If you have folks on the run with only FRS that locks everyone into the low power channels. Since you can get a decent GMRS radio now for pretty cheap, I try to discourage the use of FRS radios on our runs. I usually bring a couple of spares with me that I can hand out to folks who don't have one. Note that all of this depends a lot on the geography you are in. So, for example, if you're in the maintains, and the "tail gunner" is a mile or so behind and "are around a bend" it might make no difference how much power you have since both GMRS and FRS are "line of sight" radios. I think this was discussed earlier.

Finally, one thing you can do with GMRS that you can't do with FRS is leverage repeaters. This is one way to get around potential "line of sight" issues. I've done this on runs with a lot of Broncos where as leader I can't reach the tail gunner directly all the time. By the use of a repeater, my ability to talk "further" can be significantly enhanced. I don't usually use the repeater for the entire group, just to talk with the "tail gunner" and/or "mid gunner". A lot of these inexpensive GMRS radios allow you to monitor two channel at the same time so I use one channel to talk to the group, and the other one that's on a repeater to talk to the "gunners".

I’ll definitely be looking into GMRS.

Polaris425

I’ll definitely be looking into GMRS.

If you're looking for a radio that's GMRS only, something like the the Baofeng UV-5R GRMS radio which is basically a regular UV-5R that comes preprogrammed for GMRS channels, and has transmit locked out on the HAM frequencies although you can listen. IT's also CHEAP. You can find it here on Amazon. There's also the Radioddity GM-30 GMRS radio. This one is also super easy to use, and just just a little more than the Baofeng. You can find that one here. If you're looking for some more quality in your radio, you could go with something like the Wouxun KG-805G Professional GMRS radio. That one is super easy to use, but doesn't allow you to monitor two different channels at the same time like the Baofeng above. However, it does use a Super Het receiver, so it's defiantly a more quality radio. You can find that here. If you're looking for a GMRS only mobile, then you can't beat the Motorola MX575 which you can find here.
All of the above are strictly legal, GMRS only radios. If you want some more/different options, DM me.

** edited to fix the links **

Great feedback, @JoergH! Unfortunately, I can't see links to the products you're describing. All I can see are Amazon logos. Can you provide live links? Thanks!

BuckYeah

Great feedback, @JoergH! Unfortunately, I can't see links to the products you're describing. All I can see are Amazon logos. Can you provide live links? Thanks!

I think I fixed it, sorry about that!

JoergH

I think I fixed it, sorry about that!

Thank you, sir! I appreciate you providing these resources. 😎

I think many (myself included) are learning a lot about radios, and their various configurations.

The problem with GMRS is the private mode if you aren't in the loop on the private mode no one will hear you.

James M.

I’ve come to the conclusion that at our age, we need to stop lone wolfing our off-road adventures. We have joined the Az. Bronco club. So I’m looking for recommendations for brands and model #’s of two way radios. I’ve have not kept up with what is available today, or with the new technologies that are out there now.
I would love to hear about your experiences as well with different radios good and bad. Thanks.

I only go fishing alone, why would I bring along a bunch of people? However there is no chance of being lost in this part of the country or breaking down far from help.

Bronco V-8

The problem with GMRS is the private mode if you aren't in the loop on the private mode no one will hear you.

Yup, and the Motorolas used to default to that being on. But most radios you buy new these days default to it off. That being said, if you are on a run where there’s a lot of traffic on your channel it might be a good idea so you don’t have to hear all that noise.

JoergH

If you're looking for a radio that's GMRS only, something like the the Baofeng UV-5R GRMS radio which is basically a regular UV-5R that comes preprogrammed for GMRS channels, and has transmit locked out on the HAM frequencies although you can listen. IT's also CHEAP. You can find it here on Amazon. There's also the Radioddity GM-30 GMRS radio. This one is also super easy to use, and just just a little more than the Baofeng. You can find that one here. If you're looking for some more quality in your radio, you could go with something like the Wouxun KG-805G Professional GMRS radio. That one is super easy to use, but doesn't allow you to monitor two different channels at the same time like the Baofeng above. However, it does use a Super Het receiver, so it's defiantly a more quality radio. You can find that here. If you're looking for a GMRS only mobile, then you can't beat the Motorola MX575 which you can find here.
All of the above are strictly legal, GMRS only radios. If you want some more/different options, DM me.

** edited to fix the links **

We'll look into those links soon. We've been planning for a trip, at least five vehicles and seems a good GMRS radios are good choice. The new rotors and tires from 4Wheelonline are on the mail and will do the interior mods next.

LOTS of great information here on two way radios. Thanks to all!! I’m looking for communication options on rides (will use for hiking as well) and as such have decided I prefer hand-held options, after reading this thread GMRS for certain, and yes I will apply for a license. I think I have narrow it down to two radios. Just wondering who has had experience with these and the good, bad, and ugly of each. Recommendations? OR, is there another hands-down choice out there I missed and should consider?
MIDLANDS:
Verses BAOFENG:

obviously I do not know how to post a link from Amazon! Options are:

Midland GXT1000VP4 - 50 Channel
https://midlandusa.com/products/gxt1000vp4
verses
GMRSBAOFENG GMRS Radio GM-15 Pro
https://www.baofengradio.com/products/gm-15-pro

Edited: Attempting to add links.

Sam I Am 1966

obviously I do not know how to post a link from Amazon! Options are:

Midland GXT1000VP4 - 50 Channel
https://midlandusa.com/products/gxt1000vp4
verses
GMRSBAOFENG GMRS Radio GM-15 Pro
https://www.baofengradio.com/products/gm-15-pro

Edited: Attempting to add links.

It's all good, @Sam I Am 1966. Everything comes easy with enough practice. Trial and error taught me how to post links with simple descriptors. The link feature shown below (circled in red) lets you paste a URL link in one window and then you can add a "plain English" description of what the link is in another window.



I think you're wise to purchase what's right for your expected usage. I opted to get both, the Midland GMRS base station for my Bronco as well as the Midland GMRS handheld radios so I could share them with others as needed while on trails. And as described earlier, the GMRS license is cheap. It only costs $35 and is good for ten years. Both of the manufacturers you listed offer quality merchandise. They are major players in the market.