Recommend some two way radios?

L

lifesupport4u

Member
I am wondering if you guys use FRS/GMRS type two-way radios for hunting... headed down to do some predator and late season big game hunting. Want to be able to communicate with buddies back at camp or a few roads over. It is legal here.

I know range is dependent on terrain. I will use it in a variety of terrain.

I am looking to get the most range/clarity possible from an FRS/GMRS radio around $100 or less for a pair.

I am wondering if anyone has experience with the Midland GXT1000 or Uniden GMR5095?

Can anyone recommend some radios? There are not a lot of reviews out there that really compare range and quality of various radios well.
 
Last edited:
You are barking up the wrong tree...

I've no use for any of it, myself. But have a lot of close friends who use radio for offroad racing. The real stuff, Baja, Mint, BITD, etc. They live and die by their comms. None of them would ever consider FRS/GMRS as viable comms method...

- DAA
 
Originally Posted By: DAAYou are barking up the wrong tree...

I've no use for any of it, myself. But have a lot of close friends who use radio for offroad racing. The real stuff, Baja, Mint, BITD, etc. They live and die by their comms. None of them would ever consider FRS/GMRS as viable comms method...

- DAA

I'm sure there is better options that your friends use but I don't think he needs the same level of quality that is needed in off-road racing. He just needs something reliable that can accept a head set. Also I'm sure your friends spend more than 100
 
Based on your limited description of your needs I'll stick with the above. FRS/GMRS won't get you there.

- DAA
 
Originally Posted By: DAABased on your limited description of your needs I'll stick with the above. FRS/GMRS won't get you there.

- DAA

What would you recommend?
 
Originally Posted By: Illinoiscoyote
What would you recommend?

The description of actual needs wasn't very complete. But based on what little he did describe, VHF.

Borkon is right - even the most expensive FRS/GMRS radios are crap, when trying to communicate over any real distance without line of sight. Just pretty useless.

Like I said, I've no use for any of it, so don't have anything, but if I were going to go down that path, I'd just go HAM, personally.

Might add... I do use CB quite a bit, and it's sufficient for the applications I use it for, but would only rate it as slightly less useless than FRS/GMRS.

- DAA
 
Originally Posted By: DAAYou are barking up the wrong tree...

I've no use for any of it, myself. But have a lot of close friends who use radio for offroad racing. The real stuff, Baja, Mint, BITD, etc. They live and die by their comms. None of them would ever consider FRS/GMRS as viable comms method...

- DAA

Not really interested in this. I am not running a Baja truck race. I am just wondering if buying a $40 pair vs $100 pair will give me an extra 1/4 or 1/2 mile.

I am not gonna buy VHF or HAM. I don't need that.

When I am leaving my stand and my buddy is leaving his I just want to know so we can meet at the truck. And the other times of the year during big game season when I am hunting a draw or ridge for elk or deer and I am getting up in the morning or evening I just want to let my hunting partners know to meet up so we can hike together when we want.

I don't need a true 50 mile radio.... I just need a 'junky' frs/gmrs radio that can reach a half mile or a mile... but I just wonder if one kind is any better than another?

If you don't know and they are all junk to you.... well then your opinion really isn't helpful to me, is it?

Thanks for those of you who have offered up helpful info thus far.

If there is a better forum to have posted in than I am sorry and mods can lock or move this post if needed.
 
Good enough. I've used what you want. They suck.

But you don't want to hear about that. Experience isn't useful to you.

Buy any brand name that appeals to you. They are all the same.

- DAA
 
I've only used the Motorola Talkabout and the Garmin radios. Ya have to be pretty close to each other or line of sight, but IMO they are useful at times. Especially if your doing a stalk on a bedded animal. I prefer the Garmin, but I understand that is a little out of your price range. If your going buy them, I would strongly recommend an ear piece. Ya can't be yelling into a radio out in the field.
 
We have used the motorola frs for a long time. Got them new for six bucks each new somewhere on here.
Then we got PTT mic and an ear bud for a cell phone.
Several of my friends have been impressed and bought the same setup.
 
I have used the Motorola talk abouts for over 10 yrs and as long as you are not too far they worked OK. Its been a great way to keep in touch when starting drives, ect. My Dad hunted with me into his 80's and it was comforting to keep in touch. Until cell phone service gets better they are a viable option within limits.
 
Go to Amazon, buy a BaoFeng UV-5R and also a Nagoya NA-771 whip antenna. These little radios are impressively good for how cheap they are. Easily have miles of range (terrain dependent of course) For the price range you are looking at, you won't find a better radio, period. And I'm not telling you to break the law, but these radios are capable of exceeding the FCC allowed maximum power on FRS/GMRS bands as well as operating on frequencies outside those bands. Do what you think is within your moral and legal limits, but I really doubt some FCC nazi is going to come track you down for using 5watts while hunting out in the sticks.
 
Originally Posted By: HibsGo to Amazon, buy a BaoFeng UV-5R ...
.. +1 .. they are amazing for the price.
They need a better antenna than the oem, as mentioned above.

We use them for car caravans, 5 miles easy on the flats and line-of-sight in the hills.

Know that they are only legal for amateur radio transmission and can be user programmed outside those bands including FRS.
These are responsible for many interested in amateur radio to make the effort to get their first license.

Programming is clunky with the key paid but easier with free software called CHIRP.

These units are popular among preppers.
 
Those BaoFeng are a great bang for the buck. He's already said he doesn't want to go that route though.

- DAA
 
I wouldn't call those inexpensive 2-way radios "junk". They just are what they are. I have talked to hunting partners 2 miles away with line-of-sight, with $40/pair radios. Down in a gully, no...

Tuff crowd here...
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top