Handheld GMRS radios

[Knobs]

I expect this is a bit OT for this forum, but if anyone has recommendations, I would appreciate it.

I'm looking for recommendations on handheld GMRS radios for backcountry use.

These will be used on multi-day backcountry, mountainous backpacking (my DD, SIL, and family).

Primary use will be keeping in touch with some who are out hiking and others who are back at camp. PNW Cascades and related terrain. Ability to be away from any battery charging capability for up to a week is important. Range is important in difficult terrain where the manufacturer's claimed "range" is fiction. I'm thinking a range of 1-2 miles is the best that can realistically be expected, but I'm interested if anyone has real-world experience with these devices. Rugged construction to handle being knocked about and the ability to handle inclement weather is important.

These family members are not licensed ham operators, so pre-programmed channels without the need for software is necessary - which I expect rules out some of the higher-performing geekier devices (I do realize that GMRS does require a pro-forma FCC license...)

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

You cannot buy range. That is strictly dictated by line of sight - whatever is between the two antennas. If it's not air, range will be diminished. So hilltop to hilltop will net you miles, with the hill inbetween, less than a mile. What you can buy are some of the other features you mention - battery life, construction. There are many GMRS radios out there marketed online that are not technically legal because they're not type accepted by the FCC. Because there's basically no enforcement many disregard this but just offering that as a data point. A company like Midland or Motorola will have legal radios, a Baofeng off of Amazon is likely not.

Digging deeper you need to quantify your operating life in terms of hours, and if that can't be met with a single battery, how it's managed. Radios that have replaceable batteries you just swap out the battery. It's pretty trivial to carry one or more spare batteries. If there are facilities to charge at a later time or place that's when the spares are recharged or exchanged. There are radios that can be charged via USB-C which means you could carry a cell phone charger battery bank, and use that to replenish charge on the radios as well as phones and other devices. Some radios run on primary cells (AA, et al). That's no different than carrying batteries for a flashlight and indeed, it offers a logistical advantage to have one kind of battery operate multiple devices.

Ruggedness can mean different things but you mention inclement weather which implies rain. That would demand an IP67 rating which even some commercial radios don't carry. It also demands a fairly stiff price tag, and I suspect you won't find many GMRS marketed radios with that level of performance. If you really must have that you're in the commercial market realm with commensurate prices (public safety radios). Otherwise it's consumer grade marketing, i.e. "water resistant" and you get what you get. Keep the thing in a pocket or case and short of dunking it you'll probably be OK. I would weigh the value of that vs the cost. You can buy a thousand dollar radio that can get wet, or a $35 one you throw away in the event it gets wet and keep a few spares.

Speaking as a former USAF and Motorola radio tech having fixed/programmed/used thousands of portable radios (police, fire, hospitals, military). I currently own/use a couple dozen different brands and models.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Larry N.]

Generally the "name brands" such as Motorola, Cobra, Midland will have decent units. Check if the antenna on the HT is removable (perhaps a BNC or SMA connection) so that you could get a mag mount external antenna for mobile use, which helps range somewhat. But Mark is absolutely correct about range in general, as antenna type and mounting, elevation and terrain or other obstacles will all affect range. On a handheld, even the way you hold the rig and the exact spot you have it in (3 dimensional spot) can affect range.

Given your intended use you may wish to make sure that you can carry spare batteries (meaning they must be easily swappable and readily available for purchase) since your hikes likely won't allow you to recharge on the trip.

Note that while I've never used an GMRS like this, I have plenty of experience with ham radio handhelds as well as CB handhelds, and all the comments above (and in Mark's post) apply to all of these. And note that FRS radios (many of which include some GMRS channels) are limited to very low power AND non-removable antennas. BTW, I don't know about GMRS radios, but for CB and ham radios you can buy improved (and usually longer) antennas to swap onto the handheld while carrying it (hot rod antenna, et al).

 

[John From Detroit]

Baofeng makes a lot of radios. Some use the UV-5R on GMRS. 5 watts. VHF/UHF. with the ability to receive Weather. Supports Tone Squelch (CTSS) both ways but NOT Type accepted for GMRS so illegal there.
You need to get a programmer or programminmg cable.

BTech (Baofeng Tech in case you wonder) GMRS pro.
Also advertised as VHF/UHF but I'd not guarantee it. Programming via Computer, phone or Tablet using FREE app. (NO special cable, Uses Blue tooth) Has advanced options including Weather alert (Receiver not as good as I like but I'm kind of far out) FM broadcast (Muted if it picks up a GMRS signal) you program the frequencies and it has banks of 30 channels. now the advantage to this.. There are 22GMRS/Frs channels. of those 14are FRS (low power) and 8 are GMRS. but there are 8 more GMRS channels 5MHz hither (I think w/o looking) So your program 1-22 with the FRS-GMRS set than 23-30 with the REPEATER PAIRS (receive is the same as 15-22 but you transmit 5MHz up)

and around me most repeaters use the same CTSS tones so I have one bank programmed for the MI-8 System. all use the same Tones. and if I plan to visit somewhere else. I can program additional banks with the same frequency for the Radio but differnet tones for the repeaters. This won't matter for hill climber to base camp but for Person at "home" to person in Store.. might.

Finally it can do digital signaling and GPS position reporting though the MI-8 System I use does not support those features.. They do work Radio to Radio however (on 1-22)

Finally.. IF you settle on a GMRS-pro from BTech. and plan to be near Flint. MI.. Contact me with your call sign and we will discuss color and I'll make you a stand.. No charge.