What would I need to make the switch to GMRS?

EternalHobbyist

EternalHobbyist

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I am considering going the GMRS route for coms. I own a couple of hand helds, and I have no idea if they will work for GMRS.

Can someone much smarter than me, help me to know if I would need to buy new radios to switch to GMRS???? Please? :D

Here is what I have:

I have the Motorola RDU4160D
https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...adios/rdx-series/rdu4160d.html#tabproductinfo

AND

I have the Baofeng UV-5R
https://baofengtech.com/product/uv-5r/

Do either of those work??

***Feel free to tell me I'm a complete idiot, just mask it so that I kind of think I'm super smart.... thanks.
 
EternalHobbyist said:
I am considering going the GMRS route for coms. I own a couple of hand helds, and I have no idea if they will work for GMRS.

Can someone much smarter than me, help me to know if I would need to buy new radios to switch to GMRS???? Please? :D

Here is what I have:

I have the Motorola RDU4160D
https://www.motorolasolutions.com/e...adios/rdx-series/rdu4160d.html#tabproductinfo

AND

I have the Baofeng UV-5R
https://baofengtech.com/product/uv-5r/

Do either of those work??

***Feel free to tell me I'm a complete idiot, just mask it so that I kind of think I'm super smart.... thanks.
Click to expand...

Both of those could be programmed to GMRS, the UV-5R with relative wise and the Motorola will be a bit of a PITA to find the software.

Neither will be legal technically (though not commonly enforced) however both will work well and serve you with no problems after programming.


These are “business band” UHF radios originally, but they can be adapted fairly easily.
 
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If you just want cheap, the UV-5R can't be beat in my opinion. Don't know anything about Motorola handhelds. I installed the Motorola MTX 275 in my TJ Rubicon and have 3 UV5R's to hand out to others that need them. I programmed the UV5R'S with gmrs and frs frequency's and they work well together. I just use the little antenna that came with my MXT 275 out on the hood and pretty happy with the set up.

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DavidBT said:
If you just want cheap, the UV-5R can't be beat in my opinion. Don't know anything about Motorola handhelds. I installed the Motorola MTX 275 in my TJ Rubicon and have 3 UV5R's to hand out to others that need them. I programmed the UV5R'S with gmrs and frs frequency's and they work well together. I just use the little antenna that came with my MXT 275 out on the hood and pretty happy with the set up.

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I think you meant to say "Midland".

I know nothing about the Motorola, but the UV5R is a Ham radio that can be persuaded to work on GMRS. You just need to know how to program them to do so if that is what you want to do.
 
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KingCarGuyZ said:
Both of those could be programmed to GMRS, the UV-5R with relative wise and the Motorola will be a bit of a PITA to find the software.

Neither will be legal technically (though not commonly enforced) however both will work well and serve you with no problems after programming.


These are “business band” UHF radios originally, but they can be adapted fairly easily.
Click to expand...

Thank you for responding. So it sounds like I should use my UV-5R's for GMRS. Is this programming something that I can do myself at home? Computer related stuff isn't exactly a strong point of mine... Is there a link that shows how to make this work?
 
You can program at home. You need a special programing cable and probably a windows vs Mac computer. If you dont have a cable and could use a spare radio you can find a bundle for a good deal.

I have been trying to get my small group to switch to GMRS. We all have CB's. We have found the UV5R to be a little weak in receive volume ( I do have a separate speaker for my CB). I would get the Midland unit but we have one hold out who wants to stay with CB. With occasional rides with larger groups I dont think I will be able to ditch the CB anytime soon.
 
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EternalHobbyist said:
Thank you for responding. So it sounds like I should use my UV-5R's for GMRS. Is this programming something that I can do myself at home? Computer related stuff isn't exactly a strong point of mine... Is there a link that shows how to make this work?
Click to expand...

Get with the program!


Of course, I’m as lost as you!
 
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EternalHobbyist said:
Thank you for responding. So it sounds like I should use my UV-5R's for GMRS. Is this programming something that I can do myself at home? Computer related stuff isn't exactly a strong point of mine... Is there a link that shows how to make this work?
Click to expand...

You can find a list of gmrs and frs frequency's on the web pretty easily. I watched a few of notarubicon's on YouTube and it wasn't to hard to manually program them. Of course, the UV-5R has to be unlocked.
 
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EternalHobbyist said:
Thank you for responding. So it sounds like I should use my UV-5R's for GMRS. Is this programming something that I can do myself at home? Computer related stuff isn't exactly a strong point of mine... Is there a link that shows how to make this work?
Click to expand...

You will need a special cable, but you can program with softwear called “chirp” it works best on windows, but can be persuaded to work on Linux/Mac
 
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I'm pretty sure I have the cable. I programmed it to work with my motorolas when I first got it. So I probably just need to know what frequency to tune it to and I'll be good to go. I'm going to go ahead and get my GMRS license.
 
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EternalHobbyist said:
I'm pretty sure I have the cable. I programmed it to work with my motorolas when I first got it. So I probably just need to know what frequency to tune it to and I'll be good to go. I'm going to go ahead and get my GMRS license.
Click to expand...

https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/newsletters/gmrs-radio-frequencies-and-channels

Chirp is easy to program the UV-5R's.

The Motorola handhelds, it can be done. if you are ever in the DFW area, I have the software to do it, but you'll also need the cable. finding someone else near you with he software thats willing to program to GMRS might be a challenge, but you might have some luck at your local Motorola dealer.
 
KingCarGuyZ said:
https://www.rightchannelradios.com/blogs/newsletters/gmrs-radio-frequencies-and-channels

Chirp is easy to program the UV-5R's.

The Motorola handhelds, it can be done. if you are ever in the DFW area, I have the software to do it, but you'll also need the cable. finding someone else near you with he software thats willing to program to GMRS might be a challenge, but you might have some luck at your local Motorola dealer.
Click to expand...

I decided to leave my Motorola handhelds as is. I pulled up chirp on my computer and had already programmed GMRS into them a couple of years ago when I purchased them. I tweaked a few settings and watched a bunch of online videos.... but I think I'm good to go now!! Pretty pumped. I do need to get a license...
 
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EternalHobbyist said:
I decided to leave my Motorola handhelds as is. I pulled up chirp on my computer and had already programmed GMRS into them a couple of years ago when I purchased them. I tweaked a few settings and watched a bunch of online videos.... but I think I'm good to go now!! Pretty pumped. I do need to get a license...
Click to expand...

probably worth doing, keep it to breaking one law at a time :)

no one will care that you are on a Baeofang, you will get a decent sized group of people that will give you shit about not having a license.
 
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