GMRS HT that's also a decent scanner?

[sallen07]

A radio can have Part 95E type acceptance and still transmit on other frequencies. I use a Icom LMR radio for years that had Part 95E type acceptance and I had it programmed to work on 70cm amateur frequencies, also. All totally legal.

Not the case for radios certified under the 2017 rules.

Federal Register :: Request Access

No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with a frequency capability not listed in § 95.1763, unless such transmitter is also certified for use in another radio service for which the frequency is authorized and for which certification is also required. No GMRS transmitter will be certified for use in the GMRS if it is equipped with the capabilities to operate in services that do not require equipment certification, such as the Amateur Radio Service. All frequency determining circuitry (including crystals) and programming controls in each GMRS transmitter must be internal to the transmitter and must not be accessible from the exterior of the transmitter operating panel or from the exterior of the transmitter enclosure.

So a manufacturer could (in theory) submit for certification under Parts 80 and 95E, but it explicitly excludes a radio that can do Part 97 from certification.

Of course the Internet is full of "hints and tricks" to unlock just about every GMRS radio to do 2m and 70cm, but ....

 

[prcguy]

Reading this post made be just buy a TIDRADIO TD-H3 which will be here tomorrow. I didn't want to but y'all made me do it. I'll post my comments in a few days after playing with it.

 

[gman4661]

I received a Tidradio H-3 for Father's Day to use as a basic scanner. On the day of Hurricane Helene, I woke up to no power, extremely high winds and pitch black darkness outside. As soon as I turned on my little $34 radio, I had accurate information as to what was happening in my area. I was immediately aware of trees down, streets blocked and disruptions of utilities. We were safe, but about 30 people in our region were killed. For many, devastation. For 10 days I carried the radio day and night as we had no power. Cell service was out for 7 days, no internet for 21 days. Using my cheap Chinese "junk radio" I had access to local real-time information from a GMRS repeater with 24/7 emergency power. Even the built-in flashlight was extremely helpful. Using my hybrid car, I charged the radio via USB every couple of days. Since the hurricane, I have obtained my GMRS license and can access three repeaters in my area. Several of my friends and family have acquired H-3s and I cloned them using the bluetooth feature. The Odmaster phone app is extremely helpful in programming. Even if you have commercial grade, high end radios, I highly recommend that you get a Tidradio H-3 and program it emergency use.

 

[rf_patriot200]

Owning the the H-8 in the unlocked configuration it has proven to be a decent analog vhf/uhf Scanner and 2m/ 70 cm transceiver when necessary. In the future I'll do some testing on the PMRS band between 446.100 -446.200 mhz. band.