GMRS HT that's also a decent scanner?

[sallen07]

A radio can have Part 95E type acceptance and still transmit on other frequencies. I use a Icom LMR radio for years that had Part 95E type acceptance and I had it programmed to work on 70cm amateur frequencies, also. All totally legal.

Not the case for radios certified under the 2017 rules.

Federal Register :: Request Access

No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.

So a manufacturer could (in theory) submit for certification under Parts 80 and 95E, but it explicitly excludes a radio that can do Part 97 from certification.

Of course the Internet is full of "hints and tricks" to unlock just about every GMRS radio to do 2m and 70cm, but ....

 

[prcguy]

Reading this post made be just buy a TIDRADIO TD-H3 which will be here tomorrow. I didn't want to but y'all made me do it. I'll post my comments in a few days after playing with it.

 

[gman4661]

I received a Tidradio H-3 for Father's Day to use as a basic scanner. On the day of Hurricane Helene, I woke up to no power, extremely high winds and pitch black darkness outside. As soon as I turned on my little $34 radio, I had accurate information as to what was happening in my area. I was immediately aware of trees down, streets blocked and disruptions of utilities. We were safe, but about 30 people in our region were killed. For many, devastation. For 10 days I carried the radio day and night as we had no power. Cell service was out for 7 days, no internet for 21 days. Using my cheap Chinese "junk radio" I had access to local real-time information from a GMRS repeater with 24/7 emergency power. Even the built-in flashlight was extremely helpful. Using my hybrid car, I charged the radio via USB every couple of days. Since the hurricane, I have obtained my GMRS license and can access three repeaters in my area. Several of my friends and family have acquired H-3s and I cloned them using the bluetooth feature. The Odmaster phone app is extremely helpful in programming. Even if you have commercial grade, high end radios, I highly recommend that you get a Tidradio H-3 and program it emergency use.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Owning the the H-8 in the unlocked configuration it has proven to be a decent analog vhf/uhf Scanner and 2m/ 70 cm transceiver when necessary. In the future I'll do some testing on the PMRS band between 446.100 -446.200 mhz. band.

 

[Omega-TI]

I bought << THIS >> Baofeng 5RM at Amazon. While I would NEVER buy one of these to transmit with, it makes a decent inexpensive ANALOG ONLY scanner. The battery life on this thing is obscenely long, days in fact. It'll even pick up the Air Band (AM MODE) and FM radio frequencies, and it'll even program via CHIRP with the Kenwood compatible cable.

If all you need is analog for receive...

 

[gman4661]

Looks like an OK radio, but the Tidradio H-3 has the same size battery and is available with an optional air band antenna.

It also has some additional features:
Bluetooth cloning
Bluetooth programming via your phone
Earpiece
Available in three colors
Customer support

Plus, it appears to be a smaller radio. I am extremely pleased with mine.

 

[Falcon9h]

Tidradio H3, be aware that early radios had numerous transmit failures. Mine was DOA. The H8 (tried 3 of them) display generates so much noise that weak signals are drowned out. Had to set the display to off while receiving. Not acceptable. My favs now and they will do what you want are the Radtel RT-752 and the Baofeng UV-32. Scan speeds for a CCR are not too bad. And neither display is a noise generator. And I ignore the radio Karens.

 

[a727469]

All these various radios being available for mostly in the $20-40 range amazes me and while I currently own 2, a uv17pro and a uv5r, I use only for receive…I stick with my much better quality Icoms for occasional transmit. Being into experimentation, I probably will continue to buy new ones in the price range for fun..I do not feel bad if I drop one or mess it up while programming and would just throw away with very little loss. Yes, I know it is not good for the environment or a good thing to advocate, but I have also given a few to local hams to get started, so they do serve a purpose.

 

[xilix]

You appear to be correct. I searched on 2A4FB TD831 only. Both the G and non-G came up in the search and I didn't realize it.

So, two separate radios. One is amateur radio only and the other is GMRS.

Neither one good to go on FRS or Part 90.

Same radio actually, depending on what you purchase. This is with the "stock" firmware: Power off radio - Hold down PTT and the STAR button and power up. You get a menu with three items listed: Ham, GMRS, and Normal. Normal opens it up for unrestricted TX.

 

[mmckenna]

Same radio actually, depending on what you purchase. This is with the "stock" firmware: Power off radio - Hold down PTT and the STAR button and power up. You get a menu with three items listed: Ham, GMRS, and Normal. Normal opens it up for unrestricted TX.

Same hardware, but from the view of the FCC, the different firmware, or how it's shipped with whatever mode is activated, makes a difference.

The G model only has Part 95E, so can only be used on GMRS or amateur
The non-G model only has Part 15, so can only be used on amateur.

 

[vagrant]

A legit Motorola PMAT4001 dual band HT antenna works very well for VHF/UHF amateur as well as MURS and GMRS. It costs a little more than the TD-H3. I use them on my VHF and UHF XTS5k's, APX7k, TD-H3 and UV-K6. It has the SMA female connector. I purchased it for $35.25 shipped from RadioTwoWay.com.

Of course there's always the Thales 1600500-1 for some real wideband action...if you don't mind adapters.

Reading this post made be just buy a TIDRADIO TD-H3 which will be here tomorrow. I didn't want to but y'all made me do it. I'll post my comments in a few days after playing with it.

 

[sloop]

Check out Retevis Ailunce HA-1G. It's a dedicated GMRS HT with scanning capabilities in VHF and UHF. Good price and great specs.

 

[jazzboypro]

Looks nice but being left handed a would prefer if the antenna was on the left side and the buttons on the right side.