Seeking User Comments on 25W to 50W GMRS Mobile Radios

[K4EET]

What I am looking for are users of GMRS Mobile radios in the 25W to 50W range that can give me their opinions on their unit. I am looking for radios specifically designed and dedicated to only GMRS. I don’t want to hear about radios that are wide-banded and can operate in the VHF and UHF bands and capable of GMRS frequencies. Radios must be type accepted for 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart E — General Mobile Radio Service only. Please provide your radio’s manufacturer and model number along with your likes and dislikes of the unit. Thanks for your time and assistance!

 

[merlin]

Sounds a bit of a tall order, anything over 25 watt will be a mobile. Probably dozens of radios meeting 47 CFR Part 95 Subpart E
are also other than GMRS only.
A fast search, the only ones I find are the Btech GMRS, but never had one. Midland makes a couple.
The only way they sell is adding features likw scanning quad channels other than GMRS, Weather, FM Broadcast etc.
I have a pleathora of radios that are legal GMRS, but none are labeled GMRS. Mostly commercial from Motorola, Harris, Icom, Kenwood.

 

[K4EET]

Thanks for your comments, @merlin. Yes, a little specific but I’m looking for a well-designed mobile radio made specifically for GMRS. They exist and a commercial brand would be fine as long as it was made only for GMRS. Discontinued models would also be fine.

Users of such a radio seem to be far and few in-between. I guess most everyone is using a “multi-purpose” rig which I am trying to avoid because of the added parts and broad tuning of the circuits.

Again, I appreciate your thoughts, my friend!

 

[kf8yk]

You can use the FCC OET Authorization Search

In the 'Power Output' field enter a lower limit of 25 and an upper limit of 50, uncheck the 'Exact Match' box

In 'Rule Parts' pick 95E

 

[tweiss3]

There are a number of Kenwood mobiles that have Part 95 certifications. This thread Part 95 GMRS radio list has a list of radios that contain the Part 95 certification. I have a pair of Kenwood TK-8150 that are 45W units. I feel that they are better than any of newer radios that were certified in the last 5 years (sound, selectivity & sensitivity).

 

[sallen07]

What I am looking for are users of GMRS Mobile radios in the 25W to 50W range that can give me their opinions on their unit.

Since you are looking for *opinions* (and not just a list of radios) you might want to go ask your question on mygmrs.com, or even just go look through the "Equipment Reviews" forum there. Just be warned that the "culture" there is different than here on RR.

 

[K4EET]

You can use the FCC OET Authorization Search

In the 'Power Output' field enter a lower limit of 25 and an upper limit of 50, uncheck the 'Exact Match' box

In 'Rule Parts' pick 95E

Thanks for the link information. However, what I am really looking for are users of said radios to see what they think of their GMRS mobiles.

 

[K4EET]

There are a number of Kenwood mobiles that have Part 95 certifications. This thread Part 95 GMRS radio list has a list of radios that contain the Part 95 certification. I have a pair of Kenwood TK-8150 that are 45W units. I feel that they are better than any of newer radios that were certified in the last 5 years (sound, selectivity & sensitivity).

Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated!

 

[K4EET]

Since you are looking for *opinions* (and not just a list of radios) you might want to go ask your question on mygmrs.com, or even just go look through the "Equipment Reviews" forum there. Just be warned that the "culture" there is different than here on RR.

Good suggestion! I’ll be sure to wear my flameproof surfing suit just in case… 😂

 

[jeepsandradios]

So for Part 95 certified mobiles I use Midland. I have multiple. I have the MXT275 and 275J in both of my off road jeeps. They are rated at 15 watts. My paretns run the MXT115, MXT275. We also run the MXT115 on our SXS and tractor. Lastly the MXT575 in my JT. To be honest even in the JT I never use high power. Maybe I'm different but my use for GMRS is on trail rides where I have a jeep in front or behind me, then personal use on my own repeaters or simplex. My parents enjoy the simple KISS method and both in the 70s can still change from repeater to simplex without me doing it for them. I dont use GMRS to meet friends, chat for hours on end, or other stuff. Basically been in GMRS since I was a small tike and Dad got his first xstal Midland mobile.

Just my experience.

 

[KD8DVR]

I'll actually answer the question. I use a BTECH 20V2 GMRS radio. It's actually a 20 watt radio. I use it in my apartment now; but it has great range to repeaters locally and to adjacent counties.

It is fully customizable. This means, you can order the channels in any order you wish. You can add and delete frequencies also. Unlimited ability to add different tones to the same frequency and assign it a unique channel, for multiple repeaters on the same frequency.

I have no dislikes.

 

[N4GEX]

There are a number of Kenwood mobiles that have Part 95 certifications. This thread Part 95 GMRS radio list has a list of radios that contain the Part 95 certification. I have a pair of Kenwood TK-8150 that are 45W units. I feel that they are better than any of newer radios that were certified in the last 5 years (sound, selectivity & sensitivity).

If I ever get into GMRS then this would be the way I'd go based on the research I've done.

 

[KF0NYL]

I have been very pleased with the Wouxun KG-XS20G 20 watt radio and the Wouxun KG-1000G 50 watt radio. Both are Part 95 certified. Yes they cost more than an Baofeng/B-Tech radio but they are also higher quality too. My KG-XS20G actually puts out closer to 25 watts.

Another popular 20 watt radio is the Radioddity DB-20G

Don't skimp on the antenna either. I run a Comet 2x4SR with the KG-XS20G on my SxS and it works great.

 

[K4EET]

<snip> Lastly the MXT575 in my JT. <snip>

Thanks for the rundown on your Midland radios. As an aside, before I became disabled and in a wheelchair, I had a 2004 Jeep Rubicon soft top with a 4.0 liter engine that I used for rock crawling. {{{Jeep-Wave}}}

 

[K4EET]

I'll actually answer the question. <snip>

Thanks for your spot-on response! Nicely done!

 

[K4EET]

If I ever get into GMRS then this would be the way I'd go based on the research I've done.

I am looking at the commercial rigs too. As for the Kenwood programming software (CPS), do you or @tweiss3 know what that would cost? I’ve never dealt with Kenwood radios before.

 

[mmckenna]

I am looking at the commercial rigs too. As for the Kenwood programming software (CPS), do you or @tweiss3 know what that would cost? I’ve never dealt with Kenwood radios before.

Then the TK-8180, high split, 30 watt version is the way to go. It has legit Part 95 approval, along with Part 90.
KPG-89D is the software. I'm sure if you search, you'll find it being sold by someone, or hidden under one of the many internet rocks.

Pair it with a TK-3180 portable and you'll have one of the best GMRS radio setups available.

 

[K4EET]

<snip> Don't skimp on the antenna either. <snip>

Thanks for your comments. I fully agree on the antenna system needs! Even if you’re pushing out 50 watts, if the antenna system is only slightly better than a dummy load as a radiator, you might as well stick with a 2 watt portable radio… 😂

 

[K4EET]

Thanks for chiming in @mmckenna! You already know that I value your responses. I’ll put that equipment combo on the top of my list. 😃

 

[KF0NYL]

I can give you a side by side comparison between the Midland MXT500, MXT575, and the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus. I have used and/or owned all three.

All three radios will cost about the same, within about $20.

Midland radios are hard to beat for simplicity of use and programming through the radio itself.
The downside to all of the Midland GMRS radios with everything built into the hand mic such as the MTX575, is that they have no way to connect to a computer nor is there any CPS available for them.

The Wouxun KG-1000G Plus definitely has more bells and whistles since it is based on the Wouxun amateur quad band radio. The KG-1000G is locked to transmitting on GMRS only yet allows you to listen to amateur bands. The KG-1000G is also easy to program through the radio. You have your choice of the official Wouxun CPS (downloaded from Buy Two Way Radios) or you can buy the RT Systems CPS.

I had received a MXT500 from a bad batch that were only putting out about 35 watts on high power and the 20 watt Wouxun KG-XS20G did just as well or better than the MXT500. Midland has since corrected the issue.

My brother had the MXT575 and did not like the fact that it could only be programmed through the hand mic plus the small screen on it.

All three radios work but the KG-1000G does do better on transmit and receive quality compared to the MXT500/575.

If you decide to go with the Wouxun radios, I will suggest buying from Buy Two Way Radios instead of Amazon or eBay.