Brand new to GMRS - looking for radios

[mformby]

That's a lot of radio, or not

Seriously, that is a lot of radio (frequencies, capabilities, etc.) in one housing for what appears to be a really low price. I would have to talk to someone who had one before I would chance it. That's just my opinion.

I only read about ONE radio (currently unavailable) that is supposedly both Part 90 + 95 certified, which is the "Anytone Terminator - TERMN-8R" - https://anytonetech.com/TERMN-8R

It has GMRS/FRS/MURS/VHF/UHF with FM/AM/SW receiver in one (if I understand it correctly), but I can't find a single site selling it, only talking about it. They mention firmware issues and some even question the legality of the radios and their certifications, so I don't know.

 

[MrGClips]

Seriously, that is a lot of radio (frequencies, capabilities, etc.) in one housing for what appears to be a really low price. I would have to talk to someone who had one before I would chance it. That's just my opinion.

I've only found a couple of reviews and videos about it, but they seem to be positive. However, if I'm correct, their dual part certification had been cancelled. The FRS/GMRS/MURS/VHF/UHF capability is not that special, since all dual band VHF/UHF radios can be programmed like that, BUT, to have AM and SW (Short Wave) radio receiver in them as well, is a bonus not too many radios have.

Price-wise it's not that bad, but not that good either, since the same kind of HTs (Baofeng/Pofung/Anytone) without the AM/SW are available for the fraction of this model's price, so I don't know...

I think, in the end this radio is more like a curiosity with an interesting idea that didn't exactly work out with licensing, but still a very interesting unit. I've found a link where it's available but never heard of this seller, the page doesn't say much, so I'd be hesitant to buy there.

LINK: https://www.skodot.com/us/catalog/p...mateur-ham-commercial-portable-two-way-radio/

 

[KD8DVR]

I've read a little on this radio: It seems that to switch between MURS, GMRS and Amateur bands, you had to power down, and hold down a specific, band related key on power up. Therefore, it could only do one band at a time, there is no "switching channels" per se. I've also heard that this radio's certifications have been rescinded. Since my interest in this radio was academic only, I've never purchased one so I have no first hand experience.

Likely got yanked, because all you have to do is start it up in the Amateur/Commercial mode and program all the GMRS/FRS/MURS stuff and totally disregard the GMRS mode. I'd imagine if there is any size, shape, or form to be able to front panel program a radio, that would constitute a violation.

The Anytones ARE decent radios or at least at the top of the Chinese radio list. He would have done far better if he simply ordered up a run of GMRS only radios with a locked down firmware. He would have had a lot of sales, I'm sure.

 

[mmckenna]

I'd imagine if there is any size, shape, or form to be able to front panel program a radio, that would constitute a violation.

This is specifically called out in Part 90. There are some allowances for this, but it's still pretty tightly controlled. Many of the front panel programmable radios out there would probably be well into the grey area of the FCC rules. I think "technically" it's really only allowed for Federal/NTIA users.

How these Chinese manufacturers are getting this stuff past the FCC is really troubling.

 

[KD8DVR]

This is specifically called out in Part 90. There are some allowances for this, but it's still pretty tightly controlled. Many of the front panel programmable radios out there would probably be well into the grey area of the FCC rules. I think "technically" it's really only allowed for Federal/NTIA users.

How these Chinese manufacturers are getting this stuff past the FCC is really troubling.

The testing labs they send them to "rubber stamp" out approvals. Of course, they are in China.

 

[N4GIX]

I've found a link where it's available but never heard of this seller, the page doesn't say much, so I'd be hesitant to buy there.

I note that the company is located in Lost Wages, Nevada (er, Los Vegas I mean!). Probably the guy is stuck with a huge inventory of stock he needs to liquidate, but at $169 they evidently aren't desperate yet!

 

[iMONITOR]

You can use 5 watts, and larger antennas on FRS channels 15~22, providing you have a GMRS license.

 

[Your_account]

in the EU the PMR446 (FRS equivalent) radios also have the 0.5 limit, BUT, they allow the antennas to be removed/changed!

not the dont. The Antenna must bust be fix and non removable.

 

[WI3EMT]

One of the best radios for this purpose would be a Vertex Standard VX-800U. Two hundred channel capability, ten groups, and it will do GMRS AND 70cm ham NO PROBLEM.
They're readily available on the Bay of E, and there are still replacement parts available. I have about thirty of them (shop donation from when a customer upgraded) and they're dead reliable, and public safety grade so they will take a beating.

 

[Will001]

For GMRS, I use the following:
Base Station: Motorola Astro Spectra (UHF, of course)
Portable: Motorola HT1000 & Tyt md-380