Box specs like "5W" and "5.5W" are hard to compare, so I looked up what each radio actually reported to the FCC in its grant (ERP on the 462 MHz main channels):

- Wouxun KG-935G Plus: 5.0 W (marketed as 5.5 W)
- Midland GXT67 PRO: 4.875 W
- BTECH GMRS-PRO: 4.624 W
- BTECH GMRS-V2: 4.6 W
- Rocky Talkie Expedition: 4.487 W

So the gap between the "strongest" and "weakest" here is about half a watt, which you'd never notice on the trail. The real differences are elsewhere: removable vs fixed antenna, waterproofing, weight, texting/GPS, and price.

Couple of other things I didn't know before digging in:
- Radios that send texts or GPS data have to use a fixed antenna under the FCC rules (47 CFR 95.1787).
- The "50W" mobiles file a little under that: the Midland MXT575 at 48.87 W and the BTECH GMRS-50X1 at 42.56 W.

Full disclosure: I built a small site that lays this out with a link to every FCC grant and spec sheet. It's here if it's useful: https://gmrsspecs.com/guides/how-to-choose-a-gmrs-radio/

If I got a filing wrong or missed a radio you'd want compared, let me know and I'll add it. What's everyone running?

any users in the NEPA, Poconos, Brodheadsville, Wind Gap/Pen Argyl areas? I'm new to GMRS and would like some help/advice in communicating on my new Baofeng GM-32 hand-held. Thanks!

I am new to GMRS radios and just recently picked up a pair of Tidradio H3 plus. One radio works fine but the other radio will only transmit on Channel 1. If I use any other channel then it will receive from other radios, including from some old Motorola radios, but not transmit. I have updated the firmware from Odmaster and also factory reset them with no change. I read that charging the batteries inside the radio can cause problems and so I had charged the batteries separate. Anything else I should check or did I just receive a defective radio?

I am trying to program local repeaters into my radio. I am not having success saving them in a manner that allows me to transmit on the proper nfrequency despite programming in the correct input tone for each channel. I am programming the channels but when I attempt to transmit I am just transmitting on 462Mhz instead of 467Mhz. I am entering the channel frequency, entering the input tone, and leaving the radio on the default 12.5KHz step.

Does this have something to do with the repeaters’ frequencies being the same as already available GMRS channels? As an example, I can tune to Channel 20RP (repeater) 462.67500 and manually enter the correct input tone for a given repeater and I can transmit on 467Mhz using said repeater. But I can’t program and store those settings as a custom channel for that repeater.

I am confused why if I am able to program and store custom channels I cannot get the proper transmit frequency along with the input tone.

Any help is appreciated as manually entering input tones for every repeater I am able to use defeats the purpose of being able to program and store custom channels.

Hi all,

Going to be installing a DB20-G in my truck soon, wondering what most people here have done for mobile installs in terms of power. I’d like to be able to use the radio while the truck is off, but I don’t want it draining my battery. Doesn’t sound like the radio supports an auto shutoff timer. What are you all typically doing?
- Low voltage shutoff switch?
- Direct wire to battery and manually turn the radio on/off every time?
- Ignition circuit relay to power it?

Looking forward to hearing ideas. Thanks all!

Hello all. I recently bought a Radioddity UB-15G for use in my 2023 Ford F-150 work truck. The radio came with a small magnetic antenna, about 6-9” in length. As the truck is made with aluminum instead of steel for the body panels, I have a 90mm circular steel disc secured to the roof using VHB tape. The magnetic antenna is in turn held in place on the steel disc.

I am new to the world of radios, but from what I understand, the small steel disc on the aluminum roof is a less than ideal ground plane to provide good reception. My goal is to improve my reception without making any permanent modifications to the truck.

Would a magnetic no ground plane antenna on the steel disc on the truck’s roof work? Should I look at a different mounting solution?

Ideally, I’d be able to temporarily remove the antenna for low overhead clearances and drive through car washes. I understand this may not be be realistic and I am keeping that in mind.

Any help and input is appreciated. Thanks!

WSLA385

How come there are no gmrs repeaters along the ridges of the cottonwood canyons. I see one up near parleys north of PC but nothing along Millcreek canyon where there is no cell service. Is it due to the ability to use a cellphone in the other two canyons?

I’ve been going through the subreddit and reading a lot of threads, but it is all completely new to me. From what I gather, if I want to be able to communicate with my family a couple miles away during a hurricane/aftermath when there is little/no cell service, then I’ll need a license because the 2watt MURS and FRS don’t have much range unless you’re in an open field (correct me if I’m wrong, please).

It looks like a license doesn’t require a test and is about $35 for 10 years and we only need one for the household. That is reasonable.

So if I move forward and get a license for…GSMR (I think that’s the acronym), what’s a decent budget model? I’ve read both good and bad things about Baofeng. My kid‘s school uses a Motorola APX 900 and those work well in my area, but I couldn’t see where regular people like me could buy them.

Another use case, my kid’s best friend lives almost exactly 1 mile away. I don’t want them to have a phone yet and was considering a 2 way radio for that, but I didn’t want to spend the money on one that won’t reach under normal conditions (there is a school and about 20 houses between our homes, and it’s very flat). Is there a MURS or FRS that could make that range and if so should I go with MURS? I read it’s less popular so would be more private. Any recommendations?

This is a Nagoya UT-72G with a 13' cable connected, running through a window to a Baofeng UV-5G Mini. Is this set-up okay? It is right next to a wall.

I have the Baofeng DM32UV and the Baofeng GM32

I watched some youtube videos on each radio and it appears that neither one are supported by the CHIRP software.

I then went to the CHIRP website to see if thats confirmed or if maybe the list got updated. I scrolled down through the listed radios under Baofeng but nope, doesn't look like anything there for either of those radios

I then seen what looks like a great yt channel "Citizen Survival Plan" who offers the service of programming your radio for your specific location.
However, even if he would happen to offer the service for the DM32 and GM32 radios, I rather not spend whats looking like approximately 90.00 for each radio that he would build the programming file for the customer to then download

Does anyone know of any reputable download for simplifying the programming/settings for those two particular radios?
If so, please put the direct link so everyone can easily find the website

I'm working on a GMRS handheld and before going any further I want to hear

from people who use these every day: what drives you crazy about the radio

you own now?

A few things I keep hearing, but tell me if I'm wrong:

- Programming it is a pain (menus, CHIRP, cables)

- Battery doesn't last or can't be swapped

- Screens you can't read in the sun or without your glasses

- Location sharing only works with the same brand

- Range is nowhere near what the box says

What would you fix first? And what would make you pay more for a radio, if

anything?

Two early screens from what I'm building (not final): big, high-contrast,

one thing at a time.

Not selling anything, there's nothing to buy. Just want to build the thing

people actually want.

Ok.

So, I thought I was on the right track, did some quick research off of Chat GPT about a good entry level, mobile GMRS radio and an associated magnetic mount and an antenna.

Welp…classic rookie mistake:

The radio and the magnetic mount connect fine.

The mount and the antenna do not connect.
I’m trying to get into the game in the middle of the road for now, not looking to spend an arm and a leg. Just enough to get on a larger area of the air, so I’m looking for basically the correct antenna or antenna and mount combo to be able to get to transmitting. If you can provide direct links to products I would greatly appreciate it and I prefer to shop Amazon, but I’m not afraid to go elsewhere if I need to, I just prefer the convenience.

For some extra info: I already have a hand held, a license and call sign and have been transmitting and have reasonably figured out that side of things, this mobile portion is just beating me up a bit. lol.

I appreciate the info in advance!

My set-up:

Radio: Radioddity DB20-G

Magnetic Mount: Radioddity RA M5, the male connector is .53 inches/ 13.65mm in diameter (measured with calipers for chat GPT)

The mount connects to the radio securely (have not powered the radio up yet due to the antenna issue).

I ideally just need an antenna that will fit the current mount that I have that is GMRS capable. The mount I have has a Male connection so the antenna would need to be a female connection.

The radio was sold per Radioddity as a GMRS capable radio.

Hopefully I’m not up a certain type of creek without a paddle here, but if so, please let me know.

Thank you again for any info!

EDIT/UPDATE:

You all killed it with your responses and how quickly you responded and I greatly appreciate it! I should have a new mount here tomorrow to be able to try it.

For a follow on question:

For right now what I’d like to do is be able to use my mobile as both a mobile and a base station depending on if I’m in my car or not.

With that I’ve read several times that the antenna’s work best on magnetic mounts on metal/magnetic surfaces. I would like to ideally be able to just set the antenna up in a window or something similar when using it at home. I’m assuming that will work, but if I wanted to have a small home antenna would there be any small like tripod type mounts that I could put the antenna on instead of the magnetic one? Not looking to get a large/tall outdoor antenna right now. Again, just starting out and playing around.

Appreciate the info yet again!

I see there’s some repeaters in the general Raleigh area. Is the community of people on those active? I’m new to the GMRS life.

This CP-2x4 base antenna is quite new on the market and so cant quickly find the manual/instructions for it.
Of the three websites which I found the antenna being sold on and also trying searches on the net, I couldnt find any copies
It was CometAntenna.com who had emailed me a copy and said theyre not sure when they will update their website listing with the GP-2x4 manual, and so here it is for anyone who would need it:

Is there any active groups for Michigan gmrs? On facebook or discord? Few weeks ago I tried communicating on a local repeater. The people were talking on it for a radio check. I responded back. But they kept asking. Until someone else responded. So I’m guessing the channel I programmed for that repeated. I programmed wrong for the key up.

I returned the Diamond X50A antenna due to issues of people encouraging to purchase it for use of GMRS, but the antenna resulted in causing significant problems with its inability to properly use the GMRS frequencies

The PowerWerx ANTCOM 2m, 70cm, GMRS antenna was shown to be out of stock.
Upon contacting PowerWerx customer service I was told that they dont know when or if the ANTCOM antenna will be available again.
and I will CERTAINLY PASS on ANTCOM. Their customer service stopped responding to me right after I politely informed that I dont need to give numerous personal information just for them to let a customer know if they have a particular antenna for sale, are there any of their sellers who have it, when will the next production run be?

And so after doing some more research on the Comet GP-2x4 Base Antenna, I found plenty of users saying Comet is well-known for legitimate quality-made antennas, and the GP-2x4 is providing the users exactly what it advertises, and so I went ahead and bought it.

Concerning installation, I noticed this Comet antenna is very similar to the design of the Diamond X50A which came with x2 mounting brackets that secures it to the mast, where as the Comet only comes with one mounting bracket.
I searched a few Comet seller's websites for replacement/additional parts but couldn't seem to find the same mounting bracket which comes with the GP-2x4 antenna
I also did NUMEROUS internet searches for it but came up empty handed.

So I'm here to ask if anyone knows the direct website for purchasing the authentic Comet replacement parts

And if anyone has direct experience with the Comet GP-2x4 please share it in the comments

PS
Yes I know the obvious of being able to call antenna websites and ask them for information

And thank you for trying to help but I dont need informed of the following:
"the Comet antenna doesn't need a second mount as the manufacture wouldn't sell it with one mount if one mount wasn't enough"
With all due respect to everyone, this is my project and choosing to do it the way in which I see fit to do it which is no different than all of you have your own individual reasons for modifying original products 👍

Can you guys help me program in this repeater? I’ve tried a few things and am not sure anyone can hear me. I’d like to know its set up correctly then worry about anyone responding.

https://mygmrs.com/repeater/4438

I can hear people on 462.575 with no tones set up, so I think I can leave the RX codes off.

1. For transmitting, do I use that same frequency, or offset it to 467.575?

2. Is 311 DPL input tone the same as D311N on TX DCS? Is that what I should set and leave all other codes off?

3. The radio is a Baofeng UV-5G mini if that matters.

If it’s a matter of no one responding, that’s cool, I just want to know that my side is correct.

Thanks!

How do you get a GMRS to communicate with an FRS?
I’m a total noob to gmrs, please take it easy on me!

Was wondering if anyone of yall used a GMRS radio for a manpack build/setup?

Just got my license and a set of GM-21s, which I am liking a lot so far! Trying to think of the best ways to put these to use day to day. I work in video, so I can definitely see them being practical in that case. But what are some other practical uses you get from GMRS on a day to day basis?

edit: typo