Originally posted by jsbcody: My Btech gets better reception than either Baofeng. The Wouxun 905 and 935 have great reviews and I will probably pick one up. The Midland 275 (what I have in my truck) and 575 are both very good radios. I like being able to do everything I need to do from the mic.
Not sure if you know but Btech is short for Baofeng Tech. I think the Btech are the higher end ones. I think I am going to buy the Btech GMRS-50V2 as my base/mobile.
Posts: 3978 | Location: FL, GA,HB, and all points beyond | Registered: February 10, 2010
Dumb question: I found an 5W HT radio (Alinco md5xlt) that seems to operate over a freq band that includes the GMRS frequencies. However, the radio product page doesn't mention GMRS.
Will this operate as a GMRS HT radio? It will operate on the GMRS freq but is not certified for GMRS use in the US (not sure we'll care if SHTF)? Or spans the GMRS freq but won't work as GMRS radio? Or what?
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13381 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
That is a $300.00 plus digital radio with a manual that is incomprehensible. I tried to read through the specs but was unable to determine an answer for your question. sorry.
Posts: 237 | Location: Florida | Registered: July 07, 2016
Alinco is a Japanese manufacturer, but since about 2014 many (nearly all?) of the radios, including the MD5XLT (based on the info I've found), have been built by AnyTone. Some refer to them an 'AnyLinco' and there's even an 'AnyTone Inside' graphic that circulates around the web similar to those brand plates/stickers adorning Intel powered PCs everywhere. They're considered a mid-tier Japanese radio, and though they've got a good reputation for quality, they're also known to be pretty lacking in support, especially re: firmware upgrades to address known issues, plus their manuals are horrendous! You'd be well advised to buy the AnyTone version of one of their radios if you're sold on a particular cross-branded variant.
Like 'ltz400' indicated, the DJ-MD5XLT is a Digital DMR HT Radio and probably not what you're looking for at this point anyway.
If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !! Trump 47....Make America Great Again! "May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20 Live Free or Die!
Posts: 9803 | Location: New Hampshire | Registered: October 29, 2011
The Alinco is an amateur radio FCC Part 90, not 95, not a GMRS one. Just because it can maybe "cover" the 462-467 MHZ frequencies doesn't mean it can transmit. The Yaesu VX-6R HT is an excellent tri band ham radio, but needs to be internally modded and AFAIK, with software as well to transmit in the GMRS world. But spending hundreds to mod it simply doesn't make sense, since there are dedicated GMRS HTs galore, specifically designed for GMRS and ease of use.
In your attempts to avoid the Chinese manufacturing, you're probably better off studying for your technicians license, studying the use of amateur radio, getting your loved ones to do the same, and getting Yaesu or Kenwood stuff made for ham so you and others can practice in trying to gain an edge in 2-way comms. Because it is a LOT more than just the radios; it is a deep rabbit hole bottomless orfice of antennas and positioning, perhaps more important than the radios themselves.themselves.This message has been edited. Last edited by: oddball,
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 17712 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003
Midland makes some good GMRS radios, I looked at their MXT500 mobile unit as a possible base station, but leaning towards the Wouxun KG1000 Plus. Midland corporate is based in the U.S., but their stuff is made in China.
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 17712 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003
"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965
Posts: 17712 | Location: Texas | Registered: May 13, 2003
Moving to digital radio adds a few layers of capability, and with that comes the accompanying layers of complexity. The learning curve starts to get steep here and the costs increase accordingly. At this point in time the benefits are only realized by those with unlimited budgets and dedicated technical skills. the advantage that Chinese companies have is that they don't care about the FCC, and they will import and sell you what ever they can and whatever you will buy. Personally I don't care who made it as long as it suits my ultimate purpose.
Posts: 237 | Location: Florida | Registered: July 07, 2016
Went ahead bought the Baofeng UV-5R. Two for 60 bucks on BezoMart. I figure I can use them to get my feet wet with GMRS and get better stuff later once I get things figured out.
End of Earth: 2 Miles Upper Peninsula: 4 Miles
Posts: 16667 | Location: Marquette MI | Registered: July 08, 2014
Thanks guys. Just so that I'm clear - the Alinco is technically capable of Rx/Tx on the GRMS frequencies is not allowed in the US w/o Part 95 cert? Or technically not capable even though the DXE webpage for the product indicates transmit freq range: 70 cm 400.000-480.000 MHz? (https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/alo-dj-md5xlt)
Product specs / webpages are impossible to decipher for the uninitiated. If GMRS is so popular, why is it so hard to buy one that is not CCR?
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13381 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Originally posted by hrcjon: I built my GMRS system using ICOM and Kenwood hardware, made in Japan at least.
You have a Icom GMRS HT? Pray tell model number?
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13381 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Originally posted by oddball: The Alinco is an amateur radio FCC Part 90, not 95, not a GMRS one. Just because it can maybe "cover" the 672-677 MHZ frequencies doesn't mean it can transmit.
In your attempts to avoid the Chinese manufacturing, you're probably better off studying for your technicians license, studying the use of amateur radio, getting your loved ones to do the same, and getting Yaesu or Kenwood stuff made for ham so you and others can practice in trying to gain an edge in 2-way comms. Because it is a LOT more than just the radios; it is a deep rabbit hole of antennas and positioning, perhaps more important than the radios themselves.themselves.
That's what's confusing. The DXE webpage for it suggests it can Tx on the freq. So, not sure if it's capable but not allowed? Or not really capable?
I'm far and away from getting into modding anything - turnkey at this point is more than I can handle
I bought the books for the Tech license. Need to sit down and read it and test for it. Not sure how hard it is. Old man, new tricks and all. I'm getting Yaesu ham HT. Just trying to get some 5W GMRS HT's as well.
"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy "A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
Posts: 13381 | Location: In the gilded cage | Registered: December 09, 2007
Great thread. It's all new to me but I find it fascinating. I just went through the GMRS license process and ordered a pair of the BAOFENG GM15 Pro radios, which should arrive this week. Thanks to all who have provided the excellent information in this thread.
Posts: 1522 | Location: NV | Registered: July 01, 2006
Originally posted by pace40: Is there such a thing as a simple receiver only that can pick up ham/SW, and GMRS? Something with a simple scan function like in your car? You know, pick a band, hit scan and it stops when it receives something. I have a scanner and it's a pain in the ass. I don't want to go back to school to use a radio and I don't want to talk to anybody over it. Thanks for any help!
Have you considered a SDR (software defined radio) for a phone, tablet or PC?
Posts: 237 | Location: Florida | Registered: July 07, 2016
Originally posted by skonie: I just went through the GMRS license process and ordered a pair of the BAOFENG GM15 Pro radios,
I'll be curious what you think of those. I've looked at them about a dozen times over the past week, but haven't made the purchase yet. For 50 bucks, I figure I can't mess up too badly. The UV-5G and UV-5G Plus are on the "consider list," too, and within 10-20 bucks for the pair. What made you choose the GM15 Pro?
God bless America.
Posts: 14320 | Location: Virginia | Registered: July 15, 2007
I bought a couple baofeng g11s radios last year because “you can’t go wrong” with the price. With very light use both the screens have problems and one battery is weak. I’m not sure all baofengs are like this, but I think this time I’m gonna spend the extra money on the wouxun radios from better safe radio.com
______________________________
DONT TREAD ON ME
Posts: 2263 | Location: AZ | Registered: January 30, 2003
