suzukigs750ez
Member
Hey guys. Can I buy a UHF/VHF radio and program it for channels 1-14 until I get my GMRS license? Is the radio in the subject decent? Anything better?
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Wouxun KG-UV8H for FRS?
- Thread starter suzukigs750ez
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Yes you can, but not legally. The KG-UV8H an amateur radio and not FCC type accepted for FRS or GMRS.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
As other said, FRS is limited to low power and has a very specific requirement for a non-removable antenna. That would prevent it from having the proper FCC certification to be legal for use on FRS.
For GMRS use, the FCC rules are clear that the radio needs to meet specific requirements and be certified by the FCC to be used on GMRS.
This radio doesn't meet those requirements and doesn't have the FCC certification to be used on GMRS.
Don't be in too much of a rush to buy a radio to get on the air. Take your time and pick out a suitable radio that will meet your needs and be legal. A lot of these low end/bottom of the barrel Chinese radios are not worth it. With a little bit of research and a bit more money, you can get yourself a much nicer radio that will serve you well for a long time.
suzukigs750ez
Member
What I’m looking for is a high quality two way radio I can legally use while hunting in the woods, hands free. I don’t mind spending a bit of money. My buddy has a UHF/vhf radio, unlicensed that I need to be able to communicate with. When I get around to getting my license I’ll pick up another radio.
suzukigs750ez
Member
If no quality FRS radio exists (not bubble pack), I’d MURS able to communicate with FRS? Also, do they sell Bluetooth capable radios I can use AirPods or something with?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Well, first, make sure that hunting with a radio is legal in your area. It's not legal in all states.
suzukigs750ez
Member
We won’t be using it for spotting game, that is illegal. It’ll be communication from one area to the other as far as moving to and from one another. It’s 90 acres of densely wooded area private property.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
If your hunting buddy is using a non-type accepted radio on FRS, don't be in a rush to join him. Two wrongs don't make a right.
If he's using FRS, then just buy a basic FRS radio. That'll give you what you need. Then start working on a better plan to move forward.
If he has a cheap Chinese radio, that's going to be a limitation. If he's using it on FRS, that's going to be another limitation.
Don't limit yourself based on poor decisions by your buddy.
Quality radios make a difference. Cheap Chinese radios are not quality, no matter what anyone tells you.
If you want good radios, then figure out what you need, figure out what is legal, and figure out what your budget is.
MURS is a good solution for short range communications. It uses VHF that will work better in rolling terrain. It is not interoperable with anything other than MURS radios. Icom makes some really nice MURS radios: V10MR Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) Transceiver - Features - Icom America
So does Ritron:
-only- the NT-152M model: NT Series, MURS/VHF/UHF, Ritron 2-Way Radios
Those will give you what you need and get you away from the kids with FRS radios.
If you want to try GMRS, both of you will need a valid FCC issued GMRS license unless you are directly related. Finding high quality GMRS radios is a bit more difficult. Avoid the urge to jump on the Cheap Chinese Radios.
If he's using FRS, then just buy a basic FRS radio. That'll give you what you need. Then start working on a better plan to move forward.
If he has a cheap Chinese radio, that's going to be a limitation. If he's using it on FRS, that's going to be another limitation.
Don't limit yourself based on poor decisions by your buddy.
Quality radios make a difference. Cheap Chinese radios are not quality, no matter what anyone tells you.
If you want good radios, then figure out what you need, figure out what is legal, and figure out what your budget is.
MURS is a good solution for short range communications. It uses VHF that will work better in rolling terrain. It is not interoperable with anything other than MURS radios. Icom makes some really nice MURS radios: V10MR Multi-Use Radio Service (MURS) Transceiver - Features - Icom America
So does Ritron:
-only- the NT-152M model: NT Series, MURS/VHF/UHF, Ritron 2-Way Radios
Those will give you what you need and get you away from the kids with FRS radios.
If you want to try GMRS, both of you will need a valid FCC issued GMRS license unless you are directly related. Finding high quality GMRS radios is a bit more difficult. Avoid the urge to jump on the Cheap Chinese Radios.
suzukigs750ez
Member
We use MURS at my work which is why I asked. What quality FRS radios do you suggest? And what are the better hands free options out there?
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
OK. If it was me, I'd get two of the Icom V10MR radios.
MURS is limited to 2 watts, and yes, GMRS will let you run up to 50, but all you are going to get out of a real GMRS radio is 4 or 5. The difference between 2 watts and 4 watts isn't as much as you think. It's -not- twice the range. Anyway, frequency propagation plays more into it than power output does. MURS uses 5 dedicated VHF frequencies and VHF will usually perform much better than UHF in hilly or heavily forested terrain. The radios are also built like tanks and will outlast any of the cheap stuff.
suzukigs750ez
Member
Still new so bare with me… can that v10mr communicate with FRS? If he ends up getting an FRS radio I’d like to be able to communicate with it. GMRS may be in my future.
suzukigs750ez
Member
Now, if I apply for my GMRS license, is it an immediate licensing? Also, does that open me up to a higher quality radio? Eventually I’d like to get my HAM license, but one thing at a time lol.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
No, the Icom V10MR will not work with FRS.
I understand what you are saying, but I think it would be much better if the two of you coordinated on what you are going to do. If cost isn't a challenge, start with new radios that will do what you want, legally, and you'll solve a lot of problems. Might be a pain for your friend, but trying to match an inappropriate solution to make this work is just going to lead to a mess.
FRS is limited to 1/2 or 2 watts, depending on the channel. Required by rule is a non-removable antenna and the antenna must be low gain. FRS was designed from the start to be a short range radio service. Trying to force it to do long range communications legally isn't going to work. Sort of like trying to make a riding lawnmower compete at NASCAR.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Yeah, usually GMRS licenses are granted within one working day, sometimes two.
GMRS allows you to legally use type accepted radios at up to 50 watts of power, essentially no limitation on antenna, and it'll give you a lot of options.
You can run mobile radios, which will really give you much better performance over a hand held.
Finding high quality GMRS portable radios is a challenge. Most of us used commercial radios programmed with GMRS frequencies to get what we wanted.
suzukigs750ez
Member
The problem is I don’t believe he wants to invest in a new radio. And not on my account. He does have FRS with GMRS channels as well I believe.
suzukigs750ez
Member
So, as with all my hobbies… I invest a good bit of money. I’m not looking to spend $400 on a radio unless it’s necessary but I would like to get a quality radio I can hold on to for years to come. I will apply for my GMRS license today or tomorrow.
What recommendations as far as GMRS can be given? I know little to nothing about communications laws. I had a CB as a kid/teenager and have always enjoyed the private communications. Until the Chinese radios came out I was only aware of channels 1-14 lol.
mmckenna
I ♥ Ø
Well, what is it you actually need?
Portable radio?
Mobile radio?
Remember that a properly installed mobile radio will give you much greater range than a portable will.
If you really need a portable, I'm not the best one to ask. I've been out of GMRS for a few years. When I was active, I used higher tier commercial radios. That's a whole mess you don't want to get into with programming, software, cables, etc.
There are probably some really good GMRS portable radios on the market, and I'm sure someone on this site will provide some really good info. I'm just not the best one to ask when it comes to what is available on the consumer market right now.
Most of the recent higher end consumer GMRS stuff involves low tier radios we often call "CCR's", or Cheap Chinese Radios. The price may be attractive, but the quality of the radios is usually scraping the bottom of the barrel. That's why most of us who are/were serious about quality GMRS gear went with the commercial stuff. But like I said above, that's a challenge, especially to the newcomer, with programming, software, etc.
I'll let someone else take over here and give you some sage advice on good portable GMRS radios that will fit your needs.
Portable radio?
Mobile radio?
Remember that a properly installed mobile radio will give you much greater range than a portable will.
If you really need a portable, I'm not the best one to ask. I've been out of GMRS for a few years. When I was active, I used higher tier commercial radios. That's a whole mess you don't want to get into with programming, software, cables, etc.
There are probably some really good GMRS portable radios on the market, and I'm sure someone on this site will provide some really good info. I'm just not the best one to ask when it comes to what is available on the consumer market right now.
Most of the recent higher end consumer GMRS stuff involves low tier radios we often call "CCR's", or Cheap Chinese Radios. The price may be attractive, but the quality of the radios is usually scraping the bottom of the barrel. That's why most of us who are/were serious about quality GMRS gear went with the commercial stuff. But like I said above, that's a challenge, especially to the newcomer, with programming, software, etc.
I'll let someone else take over here and give you some sage advice on good portable GMRS radios that will fit your needs.
suzukigs750ez
Member
I guess once I lock down the FRS/GMRS radio I plan to purchase, I’ll apply for the license. I’m aware of VOX, I think the idea of VOX is nice and something I could utilize. I would like to communicate hands free with the radio. I understand power limitations dictate transmission but a quality radio with good battery life, durable and features would be nice.
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