What's considered a "GOOD" FRS radio?

[Omega-TI]

I have a need for one (single) FRS radio. I know Baofang's are considered cheap Chinese c-rap, and this Amazon link
Amazon.com : frs radio
shows a wide disparity in price. So I figured I'd ask the experts here, what is considered a "GOOD" FRS radio?

 

[W8UU]

Used commercial grade equipment. Motorola, Kenwood, Vertex, et al. Hands down the best. Works 110% of the time, easy to use, and built to survive a nuclear holocaust.

Biggest issue is getting some of them programmed (Moto is cross-eyed psycho about having or copying their proprietary software) and, of course, once they're programmed, you really can't add or change things on the fly.

That's an intentional feature for commercial equipment.

I never had an issue with putting in all the repeater pairs and simplex channels (1-8 and 11-18) carrier squelch receive and a 141.3 hZ transmit CTCSS tone, then adding my repeater pair, plus a handful of simplex channels with an oddball TX/RX CTCSS tones for personal use.

Boom. Done.

eBay is a great source and there are a number of Facebook groups and a couple of email listservs out there for used radios.

 

[nokones]

I do agree with the above post however, the Motorola FRS have been pretty good radios for FRS use and simplicity.

 

[K6GBW]

The problem with using a commercial radio on the FRS system is that you can't readily change the PL tones to match whoever your are working with. I have a ton of commercial and amateur radio gear, but I also keep a pair of Retevis RB27 GMRS radios specifically for that purpose. When I meet up with people for backpacking, hiking, or the road trip to the trailhead I can simply dial up whatever frequency and PL tone we want. Actually, I've been pretty successful in getting everyone in my group to use channel 3 PL 85.4 (wilderness protocol).

Take a look at Retevis, Dewalt, Motorola and Midland. They are all decent quality and can be programmed from the front of the radio. They can also run on regular AA batteries as a back up. I don't know what you're using the radios for, but I recommend staying on channels 1-7. They are two watts while channels 8-14 are only .5 watts. The higher channels will have repeaters on them and I've always felt that best practice is to let them have those channels and simplex people stay on 1-14. Not a legal thing..just a best practices thing.

 

[mmckenna]

I have a need for one (single) FRS radio. I know Baofang's are considered cheap Chinese c-rap, and this Amazon link
Amazon.com : frs radio
shows a wide disparity in price. So I figured I'd ask the experts here, what is considered a "GOOD" FRS radio?

FRS is limited by rule to 2 watts (1/2 watt on 467 interstitials) as well as a non-removable antenna. Commercial LMR radios are NOT legal for use on FRS under any circumstances.
Most of the CCR's are not legal either, for many reasons, like lack of Part 95 certification, removable antenna, user selectable options that are not compatible with the radio service, etc.

While many will discount the basic FRS radios, there's some good stuff going for them, especially if you will be using them with those that are not radio people. Simple design, simple user interface, and can use alkaline batteries.

My son had a set of Motorola FRS radios for years, and they did just fine. A company called Giant made them for Motorola and they were pretty solid.
Retrevis, while under the CCR heading in my book, makes a pretty good FRS radio.

I'd avoid the Baofeng crap, as well as any of the no-name/unpronounceable name crap.

Keep it simple, don't over complicate it. If you want fancy high end radios, FRS isn't the right service. If you want basic (mostly) fool proof communications, go with a basic FRS radio.

 

[K6GBW]

Your question prompted me to search the market. The Chinese radios are flooding the market and they really aren't that great. Most come with the PL tones preprogrammed and require software to change them. A total PITA if you ask me. I found a radio made by Cobra (of CB radio fame) that is easy to program and has very good rating. It also helps that it doesn't look like some sort of childs toy. Look for the Cobra PX655. I'm afraid they only come in packs of two, but it's good to have a spare.

 

[Omega-TI]

Your question prompted me to search the market. The Chinese radios are flooding the market and they really aren't that great. Most come with the PL tones preprogrammed and require software to change them. A total PITA if you ask me. I found a radio made by Cobra (of CB radio fame) that is easy to program and has very good rating. It also helps that it doesn't look like some sort of childs toy. Look for the Cobra PX655. I'm afraid they only come in packs of two, but it's good to have a spare.

I also don't want anything made in China and it has to be LEGAL to operate, I'm funny that way.

Per your suggestion, I looked up the PX655 and was shocked to see it didn't have a display for even the basics like channel or PL tone. Another video I watched showed that the setting are changed by audio feedback.

Yeah, I guess I'm gonna have to buy two of whatever I end up with. The Cobra looked well built, but I'm going to have go with a model with a visual display.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[K6GBW]

Even non-Chinese radios are made in China these days. It's a reality that's hard to avoid. Even my Motorola APX8000 was made in Malaysia, which is kinda China adjacent.

 

[chrismol1]

Motorola FRS, Cobra FRS, Midland FRS radios were pretty much the most popular back in the day, dunno what else is out there these days.

Motorola has stepped up the game to modern technology and has one that hookups over bluetooth and allows their app that does all kind of stuff, messaging, data, GPS tracking functions in addition to plain old voice so as long as their phone is on and gps can track and send locations to each other in groups you can communicate and track over the app with the radio connected for "off-grid" comms. I know some GMRS radios have been doing that for a few yrs now but last I look motorola has one doing that with purpose built FRS radio.

 

[K6GBW]

I wish Motorola...or somebody...would make a nice ruggedized FRS radio that does a rightous 2 watts and is stupid easy to program from the front panel. Also, as long as weire wishing, that it would be USB chargable and have a nice sunlight readable screen. No fraking beeps or flashlights or personal alarms. Just a damned rugged radio! And please, don't make it look like a childs toy!

Oh, and a super rugged clip on the back so we can attach it to stuff!

 

[PDXh0b0]

Company leader to raven, talk to me Johnny

 

[Omega-TI]

Company leader to raven, talk to me Johnny

Oh wow, quoting the original Rambo movie. BTW - did you see the last one?

 

[Omega-TI]

Motorola FRS, Cobra FRS, Midland FRS radios were pretty much the most popular back in the day, dunno what else is out there these days.

Motorola has stepped up the game to modern technology and has one that hookups over bluetooth and allows their app that does all kind of stuff, messaging, data, GPS tracking functions in addition to plain old voice so as long as their phone is on and gps can track and send locations to each other in groups you can communicate and track over the app with the radio connected for "off-grid" comms. I know some GMRS radios have been doing that for a few yrs now but last I look motorola has one doing that with purpose built FRS radio.

Last I heard Motorola is now a subsidiary of the Chinese brand Lenovo, at least on things like Internet routers, PC's and cellphones. So I'd have to be dang sure it was made somewhere else besides China before buying one.

I must be behind the times, last I heard MURS was the service for digital data comms and control. Cool if you can get that stuff to work with FRS, I'd be a little leery if it's Chinese though, the APP might steal your information and send it back to China.

 

[PDXh0b0]

Oh wow, quoting the original Rambo movie. BTW - did you see the last one?

You bet, it was great

 

[Omega-TI]

Your question prompted me to search the market. The Chinese radios are flooding the market and they really aren't that great. Most come with the PL tones preprogrammed and require software to change them. A total PITA if you ask me. I found a radio made by Cobra (of CB radio fame) that is easy to program and has very good rating. It also helps that it doesn't look like some sort of childs toy. Look for the Cobra PX655. I'm afraid they only come in packs of two, but it's good to have a spare.

Well, the DeWalt DXFRS800 meets some of your criteria, not the USB charging though...
It looks solid, even with rubber housing, and a beefy looking belt clip. It looks more like their tools than a toy, and the display even appears to light up.. how much I have no clue.

 

[PDXh0b0]

Well, the DeWalt DXFRS800 meets some of your criteria, not the USB charging though...
It looks solid, even with rubber housing, and a beefy looking belt clip. It looks more like their tools than a toy, and the display even appears to light up.. how much I have no clue.

View attachment 161702

$120 😱

 

[PDXh0b0]

Shoplifter got a new set on fb marketplace in Portland

 

[K6GBW]

Only the Motorola phones were bought by Lenovo. Yes, those are the Dewalts I was talking about. They are beefy, but you're right, no USB charging. Not something that's strictly necessary. I have USB-C charging on my Retevis RB27's and it's kind of handy. I can charge them on a multiday backpacking trip with an external cellphone battery. I can also have them plugged into the car on the drive to the trailhead, that why they're charged and ready to go on the trail when I get there. Mine are orange and black. I sometimes wish they were bright yellow like those. They can be hard to find in the dark.

I was Johnny.

 

[chrismol1]

I'm afraid you're going to be disappointed as pretty much every mainstream FRS radio mfg, cobra, midland, motorola, dewalt etc, all those bubble pack cheap $50-$100 frs radios, or really anything made for mass consumption are going to be made in china

 

[hill]

never had an issue with putting in all the repeater pairs

With this tread's title being being what is considered a good FRS radio and repeater pairs arn't really needed, since this radio service doesn't use repeaters.