The GMRS Radio Thread

[spaggyroe]

I'm no GMRS radio expert, but I'm learning. This thread is to discuss all things GMRS.


This is somewhat of a spin-off from The Ham Radio Thread.

The Ham Radio Thread

I'm no Ham radio expert, but I'm learning. This thread is to discuss all things Ham.

www.rme4x4.com

After looking into communications options for my land cruiser, I realized that GMRS is a great option for 4x4 groups. Much more power is available than a CB and you don't need to pass a test like Ham. A $35 license from the FCC covers you and your immediate family for 10 years.

I recently picked up a Midland MXT575 50 watt that will be going in my Land Cruiser.

Who else on here runs GMRS?

 

[glockman]

I have been running the hand held beofeng gmrs this year and love them.

 

[spaggyroe]

I have been running the hand held beofeng gmrs this year and love them.

I think we have 5 beofeng's in the family that we use for hunting trips. You can't beat the value of those! $20-$25 and they smoke the bubble pack talkabout style FRS radio's you can get at the big box stores.

 

[Stephen]

I have an MXT275 in the Armada. Use it every trip, has great range and crystal clear.

 

[spaggyroe]

I have an MXT275 in the Armada. Use it every trip, has great range and crystal clear.

Good to hear!. From what I have read, the small antenna that comes with the Midland GMRS radios has nearly perfect SWR right out of the box.

 

[TurboMinivan]

If all you want to do is communicate among your group of trail rigs, I think GMRS is a fantastic solution.

Even though I'm already running ham radio, the growing popularity of GMRS makes it inevitable that I'll need to install one of those in my Jeep as well. I'm already eyeing the Midland MTX115.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I heard about a guy that uses his HAM to talk on GRMS frequencies.... he seemed happy with one radio doing both... I heard.

 

[mbryson]

I heard about a guy that uses his HAM to talk on GRMS frequencies.... he seemed happy with one radio doing both... I heard.

I just bought a HAM that is supposed to have that MARS mod. I need to get that programmed and in my Jeep. Turns two radios into one (bonus in a JT) and more importantly, two antennas into one.

 

[spaggyroe]

If all you want to do is communicate among your group of trail rigs, I think GMRS is a fantastic solution.

This.
My exact motivation for going GMRS.
I studied for the Ham test but it felt more like a hobbyist thing to me.
All I want to do is chat with wheeling buddies, and family while hunting.
I don't want to talk to the I.S.S. or some person in another state.

 

[Hickey]

I heard about a guy that uses his HAM to talk on GRMS frequencies.... he seemed happy with one radio doing both... I heard.

I have no idea what you’re talking about…

 

[Kevin B.]

I heard about a guy that uses his HAM to talk on GRMS frequencies.... he seemed happy with one radio doing both... I heard.

But that's illegal!

 

[Hickey]

But that's illegal!

ONLY IF YOU TRANSMIT!!

 

[spaggyroe]

But that's illegal!

Count me in!!!

Wait... what are we talking about??

 

[Kevin B.]

Wait... what are we talking about??

Exactly. Too many folks talking about it and the FCC is going to find a way to take it away. Or just lump the GMRS freqs under the ham license.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, CB is for peasants and GMRS is for people who are scared of studying for a couple hours and spending $15 for a ham license. That's literally all it is, $15 and a couple hours of studying at hamstudy.org and you've got your license and can legally access 50w or more of transmit goodness that kicks GMRS into next week. You don't need to nerd out, you don't ever have to access a repeater if you don't want to, and it's easy as pie.

K, I'll shut up now.

 

[Hickey]

Exactly. Too many folks talking about it and the FCC is going to find a way to take it away. Or just lump the GMRS freqs under the ham license.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, CB is for peasants and GMRS is for people who are scared of studying for a couple hours and spending $15 for a ham license. That's literally all it is, $15 and a couple hours of studying at hamstudy.org and you've got your license and can legally access 50w or more of transmit goodness that kicks GMRS into next week. You don't need to nerd out, you don't ever have to access a repeater if you don't want to, and it's easy as pie.

K, I'll shut up now.

GMRS is for people who don’t care about HAM people who care about a stupid test and constantly berate you and call you scared or poor or stupid or whatever because you don’t care about their beloved test.

Also, you can legally transmit 50w on GMRS.

 

[spaggyroe]

I mean…. I started going down the Ham path, studied, passed the practice tests, and still went GMRS. It cost me a little more to get a GMRS license than to take the ham test, so I don’t think I was being cheap. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Having studied enough to pass the ham test, I don’t think I was being lazy. 🤷🏻‍♂️

The GMRS radio I bought is 50W.

 

[Unimog]

I'm not sure what having either license means. I have a Ham license. I bought a GMRS license last year because I thought I would be transmitting in that band on high power. Both have their place in my mind.

 

[UNSTUCK]

I kinda liked the good ol days when EVERYONE had a CB in their rig. Sure, it wasn't great quality, but it beats the quality you get when no one in your group can communicate and yet they all have a radio. Just different ones.

Guess we still have horns and middle fingers.