GMRS Radios - Good or Not so Great?

Elk2901 · 06-23-2005, 07:03 AM

I am thinking of using the new GMRS radios for elk huntingbecause of the supposedly increase in range. Are they better than the FRS radios? Is the NOAA weather band any good?

I know they require you to purchase a license but I doubt that they enforce it.

rick_reno · 06-23-2005, 07:31 AM

My neighbor bought a couple to try out. I took one of the new ones and an old Moto Talkabout up the road about a mile and a half. The Talkabout worked great, the new one didn't work at all. He took them back.

kshunter · 06-23-2005, 07:40 AM

If you need the extra distance then the GMRS is the way to go. I have a few Garmin Rino units, and use them a lot. I use the FRS majority of the time, because I don't need the distance past 1 mile, most of the time. But I've used GMRS a descent amount too. It just adds to the distance you can use it at, compared to the FRS. The NOAA weather stations a nice to have also. A great tool for those away from home hunting trips.

stinkbelly · 06-23-2005, 10:22 AM

I have both types. I also have the Rino. I will use it if possible. It seems to "punch" through structure better than the FRS radios.

Buckshot · 06-23-2005, 10:25 AM

Elk, just make sure the GRMS radios you get are 3 watts or better for power output. Last year when we were in Idaho, my dad and I could talk better than 3 airmiles with a 6000 foot mountain between us. Saved alot of leg work., not to mention piece of mind when making sure my dad was ok.

skeeter 7MM · 06-23-2005, 03:38 PM

Buckshot is right pay attention to the watts usednotthe published number or rating as this is done over water where the signal will travel the furthest (you'll notice they all disclaim with"UPTO"). I have tried a number and havesettled on the midland 500 series which is the only 5 watt available at this point. I haven't tried it but the 4watt midland 400 series was easily the best or most consistant performer I tried in the GRMS radios (which included Motorola and Cobra).

In my search anything under 3 watts is not going to give you much advantage over the Motorola FRS radios.

TerryM · 06-23-2005, 05:46 PM

I agree with skeeter. At this point it makes no sense to buy anything less than the 5 watt ones. Mine are only a year old but I am still thinking of upgrading to the 5 watt Midland.

Rob in VT · 06-24-2005, 12:58 PM

I have a set of the Midland 4 watts. It says 12 Miles on the package (over water of course). I have used them at 3.5 miles and the signal was starting to break up.I measured thedistance with my GPS, so this is a straight line distance.

. . . Rob