What's a good entry level radio GMRS/HAM?

Any recommendations for a good entry level GMRS or HAM radio that doesn't brake the bank

 

Baofeng UV-5R is a popular choice. I have two of them. Can’t go wrong for $25 a piece. Well reviewed on Amazon also.

 

This ^

 

New uv5rs are locked for gmrs and frs from factory but are easily unlocked.

 

Please share if you know something. I believe they are now locked out in factory firmware that is a one time flash from what I read. Though I don’t have any new ones since the crack down on manufacturers.

Also

$125 Btech UV-25x2 (Second Gen.) Mini Mobile 25 Watt Dual Band Base, Mobile Radio: VHF, UHF Amateur (Ham)

Btech UV-25x2 is a fair little starter for HAM mobile. It even fits inside a 30cal ammo can with a SLA HR12-9 battery that can run about 1 day.

 

I'll definitely check them out Thank you

 

To unlock a new

$40 UV-5R 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UHF/VHF Radio with 2 Rechargeable Battery, Portable Radio for Adults with Earpiece, GV-771 Antenna, Programming Cable (3rd Gen)

UV-5R: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sg3RJf1ZEA
Although you can not "legally" transmit on FRS/GMRS channels since the UV-5R is not approved by the FCC for GMRS use.

 

Yaesu, Kenwood, Icom are the known mobile brands for Amateur Radio.
Each have a 2m version; like the FT-2980, basic radio, heat sink, whole radio has to mount. ~$200
or a Dual Band version; like the new FT-6000r, dual band, detach face, fan cooled. ~$400

 

Small price increase will get you the Baofang Uv-8. Longer range than the 5

Baofeng UV-5R Upgraded Ham Radio Handheld Two Way Radio UV-S9 Plus 8W Long Range UV5R Portable Rechargeable Walkie Talkie with USB Charger Cable (Black)

Amazon.com: BaoFeng UV-S9 Plus 2200mAh Larger Battery with USB Charger Cable Rechargeable Ham Two Way Radio : Electronics

 

You may want to find out what your buddies or the local groups use. I have found in my area, most people opt for GMRS over ham mostly for convenience.

 

The group I ride with mostly uses HAM radio but there are a few other options;

CB - I have not run into many who use CB regularly although it is in use by some, just not as much as it used to be
GMRS - Requires a license to transmit (not to listen) which may be purchased for $20 from the FCC and is good for the entire family
HAM - Requires a license to transmit (not to listen). Just pass a test, pay $10 and the FCC will issue you a certificate and a call sign, it's really not as hard as it sounds. There are three HAM license levels and each level authorizes you transmit on more frequencies. The basic level (Technician) covers 146.460 which is the overlanding frequency that most use.

Can't speak for GMRS or CB but if you go HAM, a BaoFeng costing under $40 on Amazon will be just fine for vehicle to vehicle communication although it may struggle with long distances that aren't line of sight.

 

I started on the UV5r when I punched my ham tech ticket and I keep one in my truck when wheeling. Group of guys I wheel with have no ambition to study for their ham license so we all bought GMRS licenses and all of us have UV5x radios. few of us are going to be upgrading to stronger units hardwired in our rigs for this coming year but we keep the UV5x with us for when we are out of the truck.

I had a CB but it was pretty much unusable, range and audio was horrid compared to GMRS and HAM. Plus the UV5x and UV5r are the same physically so I can carry over external mics and extended batteries without having to rebuy anything.

 

Portable or mobile?
For ham, I assume 2M/440?
Cheap radios generally have technical limits and cumbersome features but if they hit your repeater reliability get the job done.

 

UV-9R works well too. I have 3x

$40 UV-5R 8Watt Ham Radio Handheld Long Range UHF/VHF Radio with 2 Rechargeable Battery, Portable Radio for Adults with Earpiece, GV-771 Antenna, Programming Cable (3rd Gen)

UV-5R(pre GMRS lockouts) also.

I like the mic connection better on the 9R than the 5R. UV-5R is a little more temperamental with the dual pin connection. I have 1 5R that drops wired connection if you're not physically holding the pins in.

Going to a hard wire next, most likely the

$161 Midland MXT275 MicroMobile® GMRS Radio – 15 watts Two-Way Radio with Integrated Control Microphone – Overland Caravanning Tractors – Detachable External Magnetic Mount Antenna - 8 Repeater Channels

Midland MXT275.

 

Wow that’s cheap!!!
I could replace the Hello Kitty walkie talkies I borrowed from my daughter.

 

I’ll take them.

 

You'll get the same performance..

Sorry OP, handhelds are alright for line of sight and talking with a group of trucks at best, but if you are trying to talk out of the group or hit a repeater you're going to have a problem. Combine that with the interesting programming methods, questionable assembly, licensing and fcc dodging and you will see why most Hams spit on the ground when you mention Bao-junk..

 

My buddy and I purchased Yaesu FT-65R's (VHF/UHF) for $89 a piece. We've had them for 2ish years and they're still holding up. They were the next-best analog cheap option that weren't over $100.

If I recall from my research, they are more rugged (better weather sealing) and observe the FCC's spurious emissions protocols better than the Baofengs (If you care about that). (Further reading on what Part 90 Certified means: https://observer.wunderwood.org/2020/02/07/baofeng-hts-and-spurious-emissons/)

 

Subbed

 

You get what you pay for... if you're not committed, then go for cheap / disposable to see if it works for you; maybe upgrade once you decide.

If you want something that'll probably outlast your truck, I've been an ICOM dual band / remote head fanboy for decades. The hardwired 2700h in my '94 hilux is still working (it went in when I bought the truck new; yeah, I keep stuff for a while), and I expect the 2730 in my '19 Taco to do the same. YMMV, of course.

The latest crop of GMRS mobiles from the name brands look like they have potential as well, and they're not all that pricey.

P.S. good quality and well-placed (preferably permanently installed) antennas that are tuned for the desired frequency matter. A lot.