What was your first GMRS/FRS radio?

[DVINTHEHOUSEMAN]

Mine was a Uniden GMR4040-2CKHS I got back in 2012. It had decent range and it worked for what I needed it to do, and they're still kicking around today. I don't use them as much anymore though, but I do occasionally bring them places and listen to see who's on. Where I live there's almost zero activity (likely because it's a pretty forested area out in the middle of nowhere) besides what sounds like a Motorola on channel 7 sometimes that comes in pretty staticy.

 

[mmckenna]

A couple of Motorola HT-600's/P-200's
Then a UHF Motorola MTS-2000
Icom F-420 mobile and an Icom F-4 portable.
Then an Icom F-2020 remote head with the 160 channel chip add on.
Then a couple of UHF Motorola HT-1000's
Icom F-221 mobile.
Then a UHF Motorola CDM-1250

Then I got out of GMRS when everyone who was using GMRS finally got their ham tickets. We all switched to 2 meter band.


And then they lowered the license cost, so new license again.
Still have the F-4 portable and picked up a few F-21s's along the way, might still have a UHF mobile in the garage.
Going to rehab the F-4 and the two F-21s's
Kenwood TK-3180 in my shop with some GMRS stuff on it.
Will probably add it to the newer radios on their way.

GMRS isn't a good service for making random contacts. It is absolutely a great choice for family communications.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

GMRS Motorola Sabers and now, Systems Sabers.
FRS ICOM IC-4008A's still great radios.

 

[prcguy]

My first was a tube type GE Progress line mobile in about 1976. Second was a Motorola HT-220 that my boss and I shared.

 

[ecps92]

ICOM U-16 with FPP

Mine was a Uniden GMR4040-2CKHS I got back in 2012. It had decent range and it worked for what I needed it to do, and they're still kicking around today. I don't use them as much anymore though, but I do occasionally bring them places and listen to see who's on. Where I live there's almost zero activity (likely because it's a pretty forested area out in the middle of nowhere) besides what sounds like a Motorola on channel 7 sometimes that comes in pretty staticy.

 

[ladn]

My first was a Motorola U44BBT circa 1970's. Burned my fingers more than once on those xtal ovens!

 

[6079smithw]

Motorola P200 6-channels. 2 GMRS freqs, 3 440 ham, 1 company freq.
Absolutely indestructible. Even my kids couldn't break them.

 

[KevinC]

ICOM U-16 with FPP

Oh man! What memories.

 

[ecps92]

1-5-9
3-5-7

Oh man! What memories.

 

[KevinC]

1-5-9
3-5-7

You down with FPP? Yeah you know me.

 

[mmckenna]

Motorola P200 6-channels. 2 GMRS freqs, 3 440 ham, 1 company freq.
Absolutely indestructible. Even my kids couldn't break them.

Dropped mine off an ATV once while riding.

 

[KevinC]

Dropped mine off an ATV once while riding.

The HT600/P200 were indestructible.

 

[mmckenna]

The HT600/P200 were indestructible.

I still have a UHF and VHF model. Batteries are shot and the standard antenna rot. I might make them go again just for kicks.

 

[GTR8000]

I still have an MT1000. Batteries are shot, but the radio itself has been going strong for 30 or so years.

 

[GraniteScanner]

I first had the FV300 set from Motorola. Then the MS350R which where my favorite FRS/GMRS bubblepack radios ever (aside from the belt clip). When those broke warranty kicked in and Motorola gave me the T600s.
When I finally got my GMRS license and could move to higher powered gear it was the perfect timing as my school was moving down the band to VHF. I got some UHF radios from them, re-programed them for GMRS (acquired and purchased a ton more radios after that) and the rest is history.
I do own 4 Part95 style GMRS radios such as the Radiodity GM-30 and the Wouxun KG-S88G which is an awesome radio.

 

[W8UU]

Two 40 watt GE MASTR II crystal controlled remote mount UHF radios (one channel) and an old Regency Micro-Com.

First programmable GMRS units were a pair of brand new GE MVS 16 channel programmable mobiles with scan purchased through our family's two way radio dealership. I thought I died and went to heaven.

 

[DeoVindice]

A Kenwood TK-390 that I believe is Arizona DPS surplus. I still have it, but it needs an appointment with Mr. Service Monitor.

 

[Citywide173]

ICOM U-16 with FPP

Strange....so was mine

 

[ecps92]

And I think from the same Radio Shop as well - previously a 617 areacode and 387 prefix ? (Not to Hijack the thread)

Strange....so was mine

 

[BMDaug]

My first was a Garmin Rino 130. It was cool to have situational awareness and text messaging with your group on gmrs 15 years ago.

-B