Mikado
Member
Hello,
I am looking for advice on a handheld radio that I can program for GMRS / FRS. I have spent a great deal of time reading about GMRS, and I will apply for a license. I have a few friends with their ham license. I have thought about that, but I already have some other expensive hobbies… I don’t need any more ;-)
I am looking for a handheld radio that is better quality than the bubble pack radios from Walmart and the like. I have been looking at Icom, Midland, Kenwood, and others. For a little bit more than the cost of a bubble pack radio, I think I can pick up a quality used radio on ebay. So here is my list of requirements. Please let me know if I missed anything important.
Frequency range: Needs to cover the necessary frequencies for GMRS / FRS
Transmit power: Needs to be programmable from 0.5W for FRS, up to 5W for GMRS (some of the radios I’ve been looking at had a max power of 4W, and that’s OK too.)
Memory: at least 22 channels so I can program both GMRS and FRS frequencies
An alpha-numeric display would be nice, but not absolutely necessary
I have previously used third party software to program my Uniden Trunking scanner. And I am also a professional database geek. So I’m pretty sure I can program a two way radio if I also pick up the necessary software and interface cable on ebay.
So based on that, are there any brands / models that you'd recommend?
I am looking for advice on a handheld radio that I can program for GMRS / FRS. I have spent a great deal of time reading about GMRS, and I will apply for a license. I have a few friends with their ham license. I have thought about that, but I already have some other expensive hobbies… I don’t need any more ;-)
I am looking for a handheld radio that is better quality than the bubble pack radios from Walmart and the like. I have been looking at Icom, Midland, Kenwood, and others. For a little bit more than the cost of a bubble pack radio, I think I can pick up a quality used radio on ebay. So here is my list of requirements. Please let me know if I missed anything important.
Frequency range: Needs to cover the necessary frequencies for GMRS / FRS
Transmit power: Needs to be programmable from 0.5W for FRS, up to 5W for GMRS (some of the radios I’ve been looking at had a max power of 4W, and that’s OK too.)
Memory: at least 22 channels so I can program both GMRS and FRS frequencies
An alpha-numeric display would be nice, but not absolutely necessary
I have previously used third party software to program my Uniden Trunking scanner. And I am also a professional database geek. So I’m pretty sure I can program a two way radio if I also pick up the necessary software and interface cable on ebay.
So based on that, are there any brands / models that you'd recommend?