FRS / GMRS Radios
$72 for 6 FRS Baofengs
By the new definitions, anything that does not exceed 2 W is FRS. These can be channels 1 to 22.
Anything over 2 W is GMRS.
FRS Radios
| Radio | Channels 1-7, 15-22 | Channels 8-14 | Website |
| Midland LXT 210 | 1 watt? | ½ watt | https://www.cnet.com/products/midland-x-tra-talk-lxt210vp-two-way-radio-frs-gmrs-lxt210vp/ |
| Motorola Talkabout 5000 | 1 watt | ½ watt | https://www.cnet.com/reviews/motorola-talkabout-t5420-review/ |
| Motorola Talkabout 6400 | 1 watt | ½ watt | https://www.cnet.com/products/motorola-talkabout-t6400-two-way-radio-frs-gmrs/ |
| Uniden GMRS 540 | ½ watt | ½ watt | https://www.cnet.com/products/uniden-gmrs-540-two-way-radio-frs-gmrs/ |
GMRS Radios
| Radio | Website | Approximate Cost | |
| Wouxun KG- UV9G PRO | https://bettersaferadio.com/wouxun-kg-uv9g-pro-gmrs-two-way-radio-shtf-scanner/ | $169 | Handheld |
| Baofeng / BTech GMRS V-1 | https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-v1/ | $55 | Handheld |
| Baofeng UV-5R | https://baofengtech.com/product/uv-5r/ | Shows as discontinued | |
| Retivs RT76P | https://www.retevis.com/Retevis-RT76P-GMRS-Radio-Portable-Walkie-Talkies/ | $40 | Handheld |
| Wouxun KG-805G | https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-50×1/ | $80 | Handheld |
| Baofeng GMRS-50X1 | https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-50×1/ | $200 | Mobile |
| Midland MXT-400 | https://mid.factoryoutletstore.com/details/457351/midland-mxt400.html?category_id=79531&catalogitemid=421430 | $250 | Mobile |
Midland MXT- 400
Antennas
Antennas are more important than transmit power. Many GMRS handhelds ship with poor performing antennas.Nagoya 701C seems to be the most popular replacement:
The Nagoya 701-C works but it is center tuned for 455MHz which makes it a bit sub-optimal for GMRS. It’s weirdly advertised as high gain but is 2.15dBi, which is fine if that is what you want, but that’s unity gain. The Nagoya NA-701G Handheld GMRS Antenna (5.5 Inch) is specifically tuned for 462MHz frequencies on the GMRS and costs $16.99
Damian Boune KN6PPF writes that the SMILEY 5/8 SLIM DUCK 465 MHZ @ $24.50 is still the best antenna I’ve used on a handheld for GMRS. Nagoya and others fail where this antenna succeeds.
https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46520.htm
Mag mount antennas provide a substantial performance upgrade. The ground plane provides a far better counterpoise than your hand! Mag mounts require a steel roof; aluminum roofs need some other way to attach an antenna. If it’s raining or too hot or you want to sit, this kind of set-up is far more comfortable:
For a base station GMRS antenna we recommend the Laird FG4603 antenna (3dBd/5.15dBi). FG4603: 460-470 MHz, 3 dBd/ 5.15 dBi Outdoor Fiberglass Omni base Station Antenna with N-Female Connector $133. This is the antenna on top of the 25’ mast above:
At GMRS frequencies there is more signal loss, so better cable is needed for high antennnas.
