Looking To Get A GMRS Or HAM Radio, Or A Single Radio That Can Do Both

[Dr. Zaius]

@Msfitoy , I noticed in one of your pics that you are using this radio.

QYT-8900

I looked it up and it is available at what looks like a great price right now.

It also works with CHIRP.

There were some complaints that some channels were blocked? I'm guessing this is due to power restrictions.

My only qualm with it is that the controls are on the head unit itself.

Can you lend me your thoughts on this unit?

You can PM me if you don't want to post it here.

Edit: With a bewildering array of available options, I have to confess that part of me wants to just get the Midland MXT275VP4 Kit that has everything included and is a well regarded radio.

Sponsored

 

[Msfitoy]

@Msfitoy , I noticed in one of your pics that you are using this radio.

QYT-8900

I looked it up and it is available at what looks like a great price right now.

It also works with CHIRP.

There were some complaints that some channels were blocked? I'm guessing this is due to power restrictions.

My only qualm with it is that the controls are on the head unit itself.

Can you lend me your thoughts on this unit?

You can PM me if you don't want to post it here.


Edit: With a bewildering array of available options, I have to confess that part of me wants to just get the Midland MXT275VP4 Kit that has everything included and is a well regarded radio.

Hi Dennis...I got this unit due to it's small size and mid power combination...I just wanted something to communicate with drive group when needed...to be honest, I haven't dove deep into it's functionalities since installing it except that it seems to work well enough...I wanted it mostly for GMRS but having access to SW when an emergency deems necessary...where I have installed allowed ease of access and I mounted the antenna to the ditch bracket and grounded to the hood bracket...probably not the most effective set up but it works ok...I'd defer to the other more informed users of radios...if SHTF ever comes, I'm hoping to find McGuiver who'll know exactly how to get help with my radio...

 

[Dr. Zaius]

So a bit more info from my ongoing research.

I got my GMRS license. $35 for a 10 year license that covers you and your immediate family. No exam, just a payment method required.

The Gold Standard in GMRS radios appears to be the Wouxun KG-1000G Plus.

Around $400 for the radio and it appears to be the cat's meow. 50 watts of power and considered to be a better radio than the similarly priced 50 watt Midland MXT-500. Can be programmed to do most anything. The faceplate can be mounted separately from the radio body. Often out-of-stock because it's the one everybody wants.

Not sure if I want to jump in at that price point before I know what I really want/need in a radio.

The Midland radios are considered to be good quality but not programmable. They are pre-programmed and you get what you got. Recommended for someone who wants plug-and-play without wanting to dive into programming or customization.

You can't find a good review on any of the Chinese brand radios because one person will claim that it's terrific and the next will claim that it only transmits and receives directly to hell.

I found THIS one that is a complete kit for $110, but again I'd prefer a unit that I can mount remotely.

All that said, I am leaning a bit toward this Retevis RA86.

It is Chirp compatible, has a speaker in the body and the mic (I could probably hear it in my Jeep), and all controls are in the mic so the body can be mounted anywhere.

With this unit I could be all in for <$200 and hopefully get an idea of what I actually need.

I'll put this one in the Jeep and probably get a better one later for the Ranger.

Or if this one works well maybe another one of these.

It's hard to know what you want when you don't know what you want

 

[Frenchy]

I have to ask what exactly you need to program with GMRS? Last I checked the only thing you might have to do is set the privacy tones and nothing more and that's if you want.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

I have to ask what exactly you need to program with GMRS? Last I checked the only thing you might have to do is set the privacy tones and nothing more and that's if you want.

Local repeaters.

Edit: Just ordered the Retevis listed above.

We'll see what shakes out.

 

[Frenchy]

Local repeaters.

So privacy tones. Got it. Don't worry as many local repeaters in different areas require you to change the privacy tones especially if you want to speak with others in the local clubs. Beyond that there shouldn't be any programming to do. Now keep in mind that I have the Midland MXT575 and had the MXT275. For both I had to set the privacy tones for the local repeaters here in Colorado. Once that was done I was able to talk to individuals in the group. None of it was preset, but instead every channel didn't have privacy tones set.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Only 2 models of Midland were compatible with Chirp so Midlands got crossed off the list.

Midland

• CT-210 (use Puxing PX-777)
• DBR2500

As far as additional programming, I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Once again, noobie here. I don't know what I don't know.

 

[Frenchy]

Please explain the chirp you are talking about. Don't worry as I'm a bit new to the game and have been running for just over 3 years. At this point knowledge is nice to have

 

[Dr. Zaius]

CHIRP

Open source programming software.

Allows you to program repeaters, power levels, customize channel displays, and other things that I'm not familiar with.

You can save a setting file and then upload it into another radio that supports Chirp.

No experience with it but I should get some this week.

 

[TJC]

I have Chirp running on my Linux Desktop. Chirp runs Mac and Windoz too. I want a repeater that can reach out ~20 miles... means I need a nice tall antenna.

Still doing the research and math on just how tall I need it to be.

 

[Frenchy]

I have Chirp running on my Linux Desktop. Chirp runs Mac and Windoz too. I want a repeater that can reach out ~20 miles... means I need a nice tall antenna.

Still doing the research and math on just how tall I need it to be.

Have enough power and you won't need that much of a tall antenna. With a 15 Watt Midland GMRS and a 6 dB antenna, I was able to reach further than 20 miles no problems when it came to getting repeaters or weather stations

 

[Illking]

I have a MXT275 and a few handhelds I can loan out to friends when we are out of cell range. Its perfect for my needs of just staying connected on navigating trails.

My friend has his HAM license and it literally saved our camp neighbors life once. The guy at the site across attempted suicide by OD, he fell in his (very large) fire and we pulled him out. One friend headed down the mountain, another reached out to all in the campground for anyone with medical training and my buddy with HAM hit a repeated and reached out for help. We were doing our best to keep him conscious and administered first aid to his burns. Just as I though he was gunna die on us a helicopter dropped a ranger by rope to stabilize him as a ambulance ripped up the mountain. The ham communication saved his life that day it was terrifying and sad and i was so impressed with the response.

so in short Id say gmrs for trail coms HAM for bullshitting with the international space station and potential life saving communication.

 

[Frenchy]

I have a MXT275 and a few handhelds I can loan out to friends when we are out of cell range. Its perfect for my needs of just staying connected on navigating trails.

My friend has his HAM license and it literally saved our camp neighbors life once. The guy at the site across attempted suicide by OD, he fell in his (very large) fire and we pulled him out. One friend headed down the mountain, another reached out to all in the campground for anyone with medical training and my buddy hit a repeated and reached out for help. We were doing our best to keep him conscious and administered first aid to his burns. Just as I though he was gunna die on us a helicopter dropped a ranger by rope to stabilize him as a ambulance ripped up the mountain. The ham communication saved his life that day it was terrifying and sad and i was so impressed with the response.

so in short Id say gmrs for trail coms HAM for bullshitting with the international space station and potential life saving communication.

One side note to this since you mentioned the life saving moment there. Along with my GMRS Radio, I also have a Garmin InReach. The InReach has an SOS Button to easily make that call. Would it be faster than the HAM? I guess it all depends. But it is an excellent idea especially if you are out of cell range.

 

[Illking]

I have that as well, I did not at the time but I started carrying it when riding dirt bikes solo and backpacking.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

Of course it arrived too late to do anything with it, but it got here.

Sponsored