GMRS Radio

[DefNotBuddyLee]

Question, what frequencies were we using at the Safari? I was all ready to buy a set of radios and I'm learning different groups use different radios and frequencies. It seems that one group I went out with, and maybe the Bronco Safari used preset channels in the 400Mhz-520Mhz range and SoCal Broncos (Big Bear Bash) uses the lower racing frequencies down 136Mhz-174Mhz. If I'm correct????

If true I should get a dual channel radio like this:

BAOFENG BF-F8HP (UV-5R 3rd Gen) 8-Watt Dual Band Two-Way Radio (136-174MHz VHF & 400-520MHz UHF) Includes Full Kit with Large Battery.

Or

BaoFeng UV-82HP (Blue) High Power Dual Band Radio: 136-174mhz (VHF) 400-520mhz (UHF) Amateur (Ham) Portable Two-Way

The first one has a bigger battery and the other is blue (maybe newer) and has three different settings for power level, 1, 5, or 7/8 watts.

BaoFeng is definitely the budget route, but I love them. We can carry about 3 or 4 with no worries about handing out if anyone in our run forgot one. Just keep in mind that because of FCC licensing issue, the UV-5R (and many models) can only receive on GMRS and no longer transmit. However, if you accidentally did the factory reset (just google) then bam...you got yourself a radio that can transmit/receive.

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[Pugsly]

BaoFeng is definitely the budget route, but I love them. We can carry about 3 or 4 with no worries about handing out if anyone in our run forgot one. Just keep in mind that because of FCC licensing issue, the UV-5R (and many models) can only receive on GMRS and no longer transmit. However, if you accidentally did the factory reset (just google) then bam...you got yourself a radio that can transmit/receive.

Just a little warning about using something like a BoaFeng. Since they can put out more power then a all in one handheld you might consider getting a license.

How to Get a GMRS License | Quality Two-Way Radios (quality2wayradios.com)

I believe its $35 for 10 years.

 

[Arrowbear Rider]

I was originally looking at the Midlands, but then I found out that different groups use different bands. Nobody has really confirmed, but I'm thinking the Bronco Safari used "common channels" that are in the 400 Mhz range???

And, the local Bronco club uses the lower 130-170Mhz, (146.535 to 151.995 per their spread sheet) channels used by raced teams, so I guess there's less weekend traffic where they wheel. So, I wasn't seeing dual band (the lower freq) on the Midlands and started to follow links from different forums, which led me to the BaoFeng.

I'd rather have something like the Midland, I just need to known what product works for both clubs. I also want to be able to talk with whatever brand radios others are using and it seemed the programmable could do that, can the Midlands handhelds without the keypad do that?

It's confusing because the more I learn, i.e. dual bands v tri-bands, locked out, slapped by FCC, but can unlock, the more I don't know. I'm sorry if I'm being dense here, but it seems some say I use this and it works great, that but didn't answer if "this" works for both clubs and all brands.

 

[ksdon]

You are not being dense. It is confusing.
In the general public there is CB, Murs, FRS radio bands that do not require a license.
Then there is Amateur or Ham, GMRS, Maritime (boat) and various business bands that do require a license. If you dig some more you can find others. And then there is Public Safety...government but that is not for us.

This is a chart to help you see what is where by frequency: https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/OPP/working_papers/oppwp38chart.pdf

It is also confusing, but kind of helps see where a a radio frequency might belong.

 

[UtahBrandon]

We used GMRS channels on Bronco Safari. my Midland MX275 was great and I loaned out a handheld to another Bronco that didn't have a radio.

 

[Gnomad]

And, the local Bronco club uses the lower 130-170Mhz, (146.535 to 151.995 per their spread sheet) channels used by raced teams, so I guess there's less weekend traffic where they wheel.

Hey Arrowbear Rider, this post isn't a dig at you, it's meant to be strictly informative!
any frequency from the 146.535 to 148.00 is in the 2 meter amateur radio band and is illegal for those without a ham license. Above that is business band where the folks who legally use these frequencies pay for the privilege and users run the risk of interference.

OTOH, most low power radios don't have the range to interfere with anything beyond a limited range and it's not like the FCC realistically enforces anything that doesn't interfere with public safety. I've known plenty of people who use the lowly Baofeng on ham, GMRS, FRS etc and nobody has ever been tagged for it. I'm certainly not advocating the use of frequencies you don't have privileges to use. You'll have to decide your own aversion to risk, eh?
I have both ham and GMRS licenses. And that GMRS license was a merry chase through more than one gummint website that took a good hour and a half to navigate. Worth it for trail communications but when you venture in to the FCC website buckle up buttercup!

 

[Arrowbear Rider]

Hey Arrowbear Rider, this post isn't a dig at you, it's meant to be strictly informative!
any frequency from the 146.535 to 148.00 is in the 2 meter amateur radio band and is illegal for those without a ham license. Above that is business band where the folks who legally use these frequencies pay for the privilege and users run the risk of interference.

OTOH, most low power radios don't have the range to interfere with anything beyond a limited range and it's not like the FCC realistically enforces anything that doesn't interfere with public safety. I've known plenty of people who use the lowly Baofeng on ham, GMRS, FRS etc and nobody has ever been tagged for it. I'm certainly not advocating the use of frequencies you don't have privileges to use. You'll have to decide your own aversion to risk, eh?
I have both ham and GMRS licenses. And that GMRS license was a merry chase through more than one gummint website that took a good hour and a half to navigate. Worth it for trail communications but when you venture in to the FCC website buckle up buttercup!

Thanks for the info, above is much of what I'm seeing after a couple of weeks of researching. My community has several clubs, and a ham radio club just happens to be one of them and they had an "all clubs" promotional event where I was able to talk with them. The first guy wasn't much help with new info, but just confirmed a lot of what I already knew, but the second guy was more helpful and I can join if I want to/have the time to. I have no problem getting a license and I've seen links on the other forum on how to, some have found ways that seem a little easier than others have experienced.

It's going to be one of nicer radios, one that is dual band or better, maybe a mobile one too in a couple of months. I'm leaning on just one nice, current generation radio to get familiar with the usage, programming, license and etc. I may get a mobile unit later and then use the handheld for a spotter or to loan.

 

[dcaero]

@Bmadda I ordered the identical connector to @UtahBrandon and the cable did not work. Messed with it a bit and the connector that went into the main radio was not working. Bought a new connector, cut the bad one off and replaced it and it works like a charm.

PSA: If you buy one of these extension cables, maybe buy a few to make sure you get a good one and then return.

 

[LateToTheParty]

Can't go wrong with these. It's nice to be mobile and just clip it to your belt. Use them all the time on group trips! Amazon

I found them at Walmart for $60 and couldn’t pass it up.

 

[Losy]

Helpful thread... How loud and clear is the Midland MX275 speaker from the handheld? I listen to louder music when off roading and tend to have trouble hearing from the handhelds I have used.

 

[telenerd]

I got a 3 pack of radios from Walmart. Some offbrand. I used them for back country skiing and my friend was way down a steep ridge and could hear him very clearly at the top and was pleasantly surprised. When I use the radios for small group rides this summer they will be more than adequate. Just my 2 cents.

 

[darinhouston]

Technically, the Baofang radios aren't legal to use on FRS/GMRS (other than the specific GMRS-only models they have) and you aren't supposed to use custom antennas on those channels. But, people do. I'm licensed for GMRS - but that doesn't give you the right to use those radios - without the license, you aren't even "supposed" to be using GMRS and are limited to FRS channels (but people do). Just information.

If you still want to do it, or are just curious, here are the frequencies for the FRS and GMRS channels so you can communicate with those other GMRS/FRS folks...

GMRS and FRS Frequencies


The table below lists all the FRS and GMRS channels. FRS only radios have channels 1-14. Radios with both GMRS and FRS have channels 1-22.

Channel #	GMRS Channel Name	Frequency	Usage	Max Power GMRS / FRS
1	Interstitial 5625	462.5625 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
2	Interstitial 5875	462.5875 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
3	Interstitial 6125	462.6125 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
4	Interstitial 6375	462.6375 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
5	Interstitial 6625	462.6625 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
6	Interstitial 6875	462.6875 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
7	Interstitial 7125	462.7125 MHz	GMRS / FRS	5 Watts / FRS 2W
8	Interstitial 7125	467.5625 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
9	Interstitial 7125	467.5875 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
10	Interstitial 7125	467.6125 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
11	Interstitial 7125	467.6375 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
12	Interstitial 7125	467.6625 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
13	Interstitial 7125	467.6875 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
14	Interstitial 7125	467.7125 MHz	GMRS / FRS	1/2 Watts / FRS 1/2W
15	Lower 550	462.5500 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
16	Lower 575	462.5750 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
17	Lower 600	462.6000 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
18	Lower 625	462.6250 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
19	Lower 650	462.6500 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
20	Lower 675	462.6750 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
21	Lower 700	462.7000 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
22	Lower 725	462.7250 MHz	GMRS Only	50 Watts
15RP	Upper 550	467.5500 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
16RP	Upper 575	467.5750 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
17RP	Upper 600	467.6000 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
18RP	Upper 625	467.6250 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
19RP	Upper 650	467.6500 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
20RP	Upper 675	467.6750 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
21RP	Upper 700	467.7000 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts
22RP	Upper 725	467.7250 MHz	GMRS Repeater Transmit	50 Watts

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