"Cheap Midland GMRS Radios"

[tripp2k]

Hi,
I'm new here. I recently got my GMRS license and I picked up a couple of Midland GXT1000vp4s. I've seen the quote in the subject at least twice here and I'm wondering if the Midlands I purchased fall into this category.

What GMRS radios would you recommend for meeting the full spec for GMRS if my Midlands don't?

Thanks!

 

[03msc]

Most who are really serious about GMRS will not be big fans of any of the "blister pack radios" that you can buy hanging on the racks at Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc. They'll be info using commercial gear (i.e. "professional" radios) instead so that they can use the higher power, etc., that is allowed. That is likely what the quote/comment stems from.

 

[mmckenna]

Welcome, Tripp,

Question would be "What do you need?"
If the Midlands do what you need them to do, then don't be concerned what others think about them. Midland makes decent radios for this market, and I wouldn't consider them "cheap".

Usually the "cheap" is attached to - "…Chinese radio" around here. Usually referring to the very low end Chinese radios you can find on e-Bay and Amazon for $15.00.

If you are looking for more, then as Mark said,
There are some commercial UHF radios that have the FCC part 95A certifications necessary to be fully legal to use on GMRS. They'll give you more capability, more RF output power, better receivers, more options, etc.
The drawback to those is that you cannot -legally- use them on the FRS only frequencies.

But, back when I was active on GMRS, I owned a mix of Icom, Kenwood and Motorola UHF radios.
Many of the commercial/professional UHF hand held radios will run closer to 4 or 5 watts.

-However, don't get hung up on RF output power. Changing from 2 watts to 4 watts does NOT double the range.-

The big benefit to the commercial radios is that you can change the antennas out, or even add an external antenna. That will have a bigger impact on performance than just increasing RF power.

Also…
You can use mobile radios. Using a mobile radio allows you to connect the power directly to the vehicle battery, and most importantly, get the antenna OUTSIDE the vehicle. A decent mobile radios with a properly installed external antenna will give you a big improvement in performance. The louder audio and larger speakers make a big difference, too.
I ran Icom 35 watt mobiles for years with a permanent mount 1/4 wave UHF antenna on the roof of my truck. In open areas, I could easily communicate 15 miles or more between vehicles.

In addition to all this, you can program them for a lot more features than the consumer grade stuff. If you have any GMRS repeaters in your area, you can contact the repeater owner and see if the repeater is "open" to other licensed users. A well situated repeater can improve your coverage drastically.

 

[tripp2k]

Thank you both! These Midlands should get me by for the time being. Studying up for my Tech ticket over the holidays. Wish me luck and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

[mmckenna]

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.

When you get your amateur radio license, you could program some of the 70 centimeter band amateur radio frequencies into the commercial UHF radios and use the radios for both GMRS and Amateur radio.

I did that with mine. GMRS for talking to non-amateur family members. 70 centimeters for the amateur stuff.

 

[TailGator911]

I did that with mine. GMRS for talking to non-amateur family members. 70 centimeters for the amateur stuff.

Ditto here. I bought a pair of 'cheapie' Midlands just to use with my wife at flea markets, malls, if we convoy somewhere, cruise ships. etc. They come in REAL handy on a cruise ship. Tried to get her interested in getting her ticket but no-go. I think these little Midlands are fine radios for what I need them for. They are good for about a mile give or take. I don't care what anybody says about them, I like them!

JD
kf4anc

 

[KE5BCP]

Thank you both! These Midlands should get me by for the time being. Studying up for my Tech ticket over the holidays. Wish me luck and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

If you'd be interested in taking a class, the Lewisville Amateur Radio Association (L.A.R.A) will be having a 2 day class on December 8 and 9:
https://w5lvc.org/training

Welcome to the hobby!

 

[Hans13]

then don't be concerned what others think about them. Midland makes decent radios for this market, and I wouldn't consider them "cheap".

Usually the "cheap" is attached to - "…Chinese radio" around here. Usually referring to the very low end Chinese radios you can find on e-Bay and Amazon for $15.00.

The Midland Micromobiles are literally rebranded China radios with locked down firmware and a Part 95 sticker.

Essentially, they are CCRs without the lower price and greater functionality. It's less for more with a sticker.

 

[Hans13]

The drawback to those is that you cannot -legally- use them on the FRS only frequencies.

Are there any FRS only frequencies anymore? FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

 

[Hans13]

Welcome to GMRS and RR, tripp2k.

You will want to also check out MyGMRS.com. There is a repeater directory and a forum. Between RR and MyGMRS, there is a wealth of information and interaction.

 

[03msc]

Are there any FRS only frequencies anymore? FRS/GMRS combined channel chart - The RadioReference Wiki

General Mobile Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki

https://www.fcc.gov/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

Don't guess so but it's the power allowed, etc., that is the difference.

 

[Hans13]

General Mobile Radio Service - The RadioReference Wiki

https://www.fcc.gov/general-mobile-radio-service-gmrs

Don't guess so but it's the power allowed, etc., that is the difference.

I was confused by the answer in your post because it didn't have the last sentence until I hit "Quote". Forum strangeness is afoot!

Yeah, that is the point... there are no FRS only channels anymore as far as I can tell. If the Part 95 radio will do the bandwidth and the power limitation, GMRS and FRS can use the same channels except that FRS cannot use the repeater inputs. The limitation is now on FRS and not on GMRS.

 

[Hans13]

When you get your amateur radio license, you could program some of the 70 centimeter band amateur radio frequencies into the commercial UHF radios and use the radios for both GMRS and Amateur radio.

I did that with mine. GMRS for talking to non-amateur family members. 70 centimeters for the amateur stuff.

Yep. That's been the most useful way for family and friends here. Instead of having a mixture of radios, it's nice to have some standardization in a group. Amateur operators have their extra frequencies and GMRS only operators have their channels so everyone can communicate somewhere on the dial. Also, we can discuss some business stuff on GMRS channels.

 

[mmckenna]

I was confused by the answer in your post because it didn't have the last sentence until I hit "Quote". Forum strangeness is afoot!

Yeah, that is the point... there are no FRS only channels anymore as far as I can tell. If the Part 95 radio will do the bandwidth and the power limitation, GMRS and FRS can use the same channels except that FRS cannot use the repeater inputs. The limitation is now on FRS and not on GMRS.

Good point. My mind reverted to the "old" rules.

 

[Hans13]

Good point. My mind reverted to the "old" rules.

You've given me so much valuable information here in the past, I'm happy to have even a sliver to contribute.

Have a good Thanksgiving, mmckenna.

 

[mmckenna]

The Midland Micromobiles are literally rebranded China radios with locked down firmware and a Part 95 sticker.

Essentially, they are CCRs without the lower price and greater functionality. It's less for more with a sticker.

The important part is the "locked down", also they tend to have real FCC certifications.
I'd rather have a decent consumer GMRS radio than the low end CCR's any day. I've used a few of them, and I'm not impressed.

 

[mmckenna]

You've given me so much valuable information here in the past, I'm happy to have even a sliver to contribute.

Have a good Thanksgiving, mmckenna.

My mind slips it's clutch now and then…

Happy Thanksgiving to you, too.

 

[Hans13]

The important part is the "locked down", also they tend to have real FCC certifications.
I'd rather have a decent consumer GMRS radio than the low end CCR's any day. I've used a few of them, and I'm not impressed.

I agree about the "locked down" part. Unfortunately, Midland seemed to go above and beyond to cripple the radios beyond what was necessary for Part 95 certification.

I think you missed the point that these are, in fact, CCRs. I'm not particularly fond of typical CCR quality either. These might be consumer radios but I wouldn't call them any more decent than the identical China models. Midland has functions locked down, too far IMHO, and a sticker but the performance aspects of the signal is the same. They are all CCRs but the price differences are incredible.

 

[Hans13]

My mind slips it's clutch now and then…

It comes with getting older but the alternative is much less pleasant.

 

[mmckenna]

I agree about the "locked down" part. Unfortunately, Midland seemed to go above and beyond to cripple the radios beyond what was necessary for Part 95 certification.

I think you missed the point that these are, in fact, CCRs. I'm not particularly fond of typical CCR quality either. These might be consumer radios but I wouldn't call them any more decent than the identical China models. Midland has functions locked down, too far IMHO, and a sticker but the performance aspects of the signal is the same. They are all CCRs but the price differences are incredible.

No, I get what you mean.
What I was saying was that when you usually see "Cheap Chinese Radios" on this website, it's usually referring to the BaoFeng type radios, not the consumer grade stuff.

I agree, the FRS/GMRS -> GMRS radios are pretty low spec.
But at least they can't be easily hacked to work on your local PD channels.