FRS radios

[Satex]

What does the brain trust have to recommend for FRS radios? The application is casual use by family while camping. My first thought is to go with regular batteries rather than rechargeable since it's easier to replace batteries than charge them while out and about. Other than that, any recommendations for make/models?

[the_natterjack]

I have a bucket full. Can't see to stop buying them at garage sales for a couple of $. All the makes & models seem fine. Hard to screw up a simple radio and they all have to meet FCC specs.

[Satex]

Not too bad of an idea except that I don't frequent garage sales often. Yes, I know they are all interoperable. I am looking mainly for suggestions regarding simplicity of operation for untrained users (wife, kids...) and ruggedability.

[gorn5150]

I have a bunch of FRS radios. The last set I bought are rechargeable and use a USB connection to charge. I bought them to leave in my new tent trailer. I can recharge them off the battery of the trailer, off a small folding solar panel with USB jack or from my truck. I like that a whole lot better then feeding them batteries.

Most new FRS radios are pretty easy on the battery life so in the long run it just depends on what you would prefer. I am looking at some new Motorola ones that have built in bluetooth for connecting a BT headset. Almost all FRS radios will be straight forward and easy for the kids and wife to use. The only problem my 6 year old grandson had with them was remembering to push the PTT button before he started talking.

[ExtremeX]

I have a bucket full. Can't see to stop buying them at garage sales for a couple of $. All the makes & models seem fine. Hard to screw up a simple radio and they all have to meet FCC specs.

This... They need to meet a minimum spec and cant be modified so its not like you are really going to receive a FRS band radio which is going to be much better than the next one.

That said, Motorola would be my brand of choice for an FRS radio. Get one that has support for CTCSS.

Operation from brand to brand and radio to radio is pretty generic... if you learn to you one, you cans pretty much use them all.

If you do get a Motorola and it runs off AA, I highly recommend you get some Eneloop rechargeable cells. Not only is the performance better, they hold their charge very well in storage.

[m98]

Try the midland gtx 1000 series. It is a superior frsgmrs radio imo compared to its competitor moto. Its construction and quality is closer to professional radios compared to motos. Moto frs radios looks and feels like childrens toys.

[Waking Heavy]

I've gotten excellent performance from these. Lots of features too. USB charging, dual power, WX radio, ability to use regular AAA batteries, etc.

http://tinyurl.com/pyz2qth

Course, as with all FRS radios you'll need to take the range claims with a healthy grain of salt.

[Epaphroditus]

I am tending to prefer MURS band radios as they are permitted high power transmission (2W) and have longer ranges.

[chiefcrash]

I am tending to prefer MURS band radios as they are permitted high power transmission (2W) and have longer ranges.

Not to mention you can use real antennas instead of just a permanently attached rubber duck...

[the_natterjack]

Wasn't there an attempt to organize a FRS/GMRS radio night?

Everyone goes on-air between a set time frame on one day a week.

Talk to others in your neighborhood, build a community kind of thing?

What happened to this or was it a figment of my imagination?

- Brian

[Satex]

Try the midland gtx 1000 series. It is a superior frsgmrs radio imo compared to its competitor moto. Its construction and quality is closer to professional radios compared to motos. Moto frs radios looks and feels like childrens toys.

I am reading good things about the Midland GTX1000VP4 on Amazon.

[Doheny]

Are the channels the same freqs regardless of who makes the radio? Channel 1 on a Moto is the same as channel 1 on a Midland, etc?

[Satex]

Are the channels the same freqs regardless of who makes the radio? Channel 1 on a Moto is the same as channel 1 on a Midland, etc?

Yes.

[ar15robert]

I have some motorolas and they have about an average 1 mile range depending on terrain.

I also have a baofeng uv5r that i use for a car to car in the desert or dunes.That works alot better than a frs radio.I'll probably get a couple more for my kids to use while we ride vs using the frs.They can be found for about 30 bucks each.

[chiefcrash]

Are the channels the same freqs regardless of who makes the radio? Channel 1 on a Moto is the same as channel 1 on a Midland, etc?

Yes, unless you get something designed for the asian/european market. but the "privacy codes" might not be the same...