Here you will find lists of GMRS radio and antenna equipment. By no means are these lists exhaustive, but we have attempted to catalog as many options as possible that meet at least a set of basic requirements making a device at least semi-usable with our repeater network. Not included here are basic non-repeater capable models such as the Midland and Motorola handhelds.
There are many features and specifics about each radio that are not presented here. If you are looking for more information about a radio’s capabilities beyond what is strictly required for GMRS, please refer to the product page for the radio you are interested in. Before skipping to the radio lists we recommend you review the Brand Details section below. That section provides some important information about various brands that provide GMRS radios which will help you avoid making a very expensive mistake.
Important: The radios listed here are only suitable for use in transmitting by those with a GMRS license. Anyone may own a GMRS radio and listen, with or without a license. Any radio used for GMRS is required to be compliant with the FCC Part 95e rules. No other type of radio is permitted for use on GMRS by the FCC.
Brand Details
There are some important considerations to make when purchasing a GMRS radio. Features between radios do vary, and some radios are more or less capable of being programmed for more advanced configurations. Here are some details about each brand, and what you can expect.
Wouxun
All Wouxun radios are fully programmable. All Wouxon GMRS radios output true to their listed wattage and contain high-quality receivers and transmitters in comparison with other brands of GMRS radios. With the exception of the KG-805G, these radios have a true Dual Receive capability that allows listening to two channels simultaneously. Most Wouxon radios are NOT programmable using CHIRP. This means that the relatively poor factory software must be used unless the radio is supported by RT Systems software which has a high cost but works very well.
These radios are only sold by specific distributors who have specific models available, so do not purchase from other sources or you may find yourself with a knockoff.
Wouxun is currently the preferred brand when purchasing a Part 95e GMRS radio as they meet all programming and functionality requirements. Unfortunately, they also tend to be more expensive than other brands.
Baofeng
Baofeng radios are known for being inexpensive, yet functional. They contain a “radio-on-a-chip” receiver and transmitter that cannot be considered high quality. Transmitter output wattage can vary from radio to radio. Most Baofeng radios have a Dual Watch or Quad Watch feature that allows monitoring two or four channels, though not in a truly simultaneous manner as there is only one receiver. The currently available Baofeng GMRS radios are programmable by the free CHIRP software package.
There are no Baofeng GMRS mobile radios available at the time of this writing.
The UV-5G is capable of having custom transmit-capable channels programmed, and comes in a two-pack, making this one of the least expensive fully functional GMRS radios available. The first 30 channels are partially locked from being modified, so these radios will have an unusual loadout that doesn’t match other radios with fewer programming restrictions.
The UV-9G has a somewhat more locked-down configuration than the UV-5G and is currently known to have two issues. Programming of the “DIY” channels is artificially limited and they are not completely usable, and the antenna interface prevents the use of some antennas. Baofeng says they will be fixing these issues for a later version which may or may not be backward compatible.
BTech
BTech sells rebranded Baofeng radios that are customized specifically for BTech. Both the GMRS-V1 and GMRS-50X1 have serious issues. Both radios are not fully programmable which makes the use of multiple repeaters difficult.
For the GMRS-V1, output wattage is uncharacteristically low for GMRS at 2 watts, though “up-to” 5-watt versions were once available.
BTech is strictly NOT recommended for Part 95e GMRS radios.
Midland
Midland is known for providing quality consumer radio hardware. Though they were early to market with a number of GMRS radios they also missed the mark. In particular, we can’t recommend any Midland handheld GMRS radios unless you will not be using a repeater, and only need a radio that is only just slightly more powerful than your common FRS radio.
In the mobile/base radio market, Midland now has a bit more to offer with a few issues. Midland radios are not fully programmable which is a problem if you need to be able to use multiple repeaters on the same frequency. Some Midland models are narrowband only which results in users of their radios sounding quieter than users of wideband radios, and in low or poor signal situations Midland radio users will have more difficulty communicating.
The Midland MXT400 does use wideband but is not fully programmable. You must use their factory software to program the radio.
The Midland MXT500 is somewhat more programmable than the MXT400 but limited to 7 customized channels. For some people, this may be enough to satisfy their needs.
In general, we do NOT recommend Midland radios, though we recognize that they are well constructed and will work very well for some needs.
Radioddity
Another rebrand company, Radioddity radios are made by various manufacturers. They appear to be considered a good value with decent quality, though we have no direct experience with them as of yet.
It is presently unknown to us if these radios meet their claimed specifications, or how programmable they are. We’ve heard enough good that we’d like to find out.
Retevis
Retevis radios are generally considered to be low quality, though some reviews have claimed better transmit performance than Baofeng. They do have very limited functionality, though by reviewing the factory programming software it appears the 30 available channel memory slots can be programmed freely with respect to GMRS.
We do not currently have experience with Retevis GMRS radios.
Alternative Solutions
Someone may suggest buying a high-power programmable amateur radio handheld, and either setting the appropriate maximum wattage for the channel or lockout channels with too low wattage requirements, but that would be against FCC rules because the radio isn’t certified for use on GMRS however it is configured.
It is worth noting that it is becoming more difficult to find non-GMRS radios that can be used on GMRS frequencies.
Another solution sometimes offered is to buy a Part-90 (commercial) radio, locked to only allow transmission on GMRS frequencies, with the correct settings. Some people consider this to be “legal enough”, but it takes some expertise to accomplish correctly. There are older Part-90/Part-95e dual certified radios on the market, but they can be hard to find.
Handheld Radios
These radios have lower output power and thus have less range than a mobile radio. They are also less expensive than mobile radios. If you are only talking to others in your more immediate area, or if you are using a repeater that is in easy reach, these are the best tool for the job.
Available Handheld Radios
We primarily recommend the Wouxon line of GMRS radios. The Baofeng UV-5G is also a satisfactory radio with the lowest cost.
Handheld Radio Antennas
The stock antenna delivered with handheld radios is usually not well-tuned, and will not provide the highest performance. For radios that support it replacing the stock antenna will provide better performance.
A longer antenna however is not necessarily a better antenna. Though at times a longer antenna might help better receive a signal, it may be worse for transmitting. Antennas are tuned for specific frequency ranges through length and configuration. For GMRS the optimal antenna length for a standard antenna is about 6” though helical antennas such as the SmileyAntenna can be shorter while providing the same or better performance. The optimal center frequency should be 465 MHz.
Antenna gain can play an important role in how well your antenna functions. As with length, more gain isn’t always better, but in testing the 3dBd and 6dBd handheld antennas performed much better than their 0dBd/2.15dBi (or unity) counterparts in heavy terrain. An antenna with gain flattens the signal out towards the horizon which avoids sending power in directions that signal may not be needed. By increasing gain we also increase “Effective Radiated Power” or ERP by a factor of 2 for every 3dB increase in gain from zero.
⚠️ WARNING: Pay close attention to the connector type when buying an antenna for a handheld radio. It must be a correct match. Most handheld radios have an SMA Male connector on the radio, requiring an antenna with an SMA Female connector, but you should confirm which is appropriate for your radio before buying.
⚠️ WARNING: Never attach or detach an antenna while your radio is turned on, and never transmit without an antenna attached to your radio. Doing so may damage your radio’s internal electronics.
Available Antennas for Handheld Radios
Note: We are including the NA-701C below because it is a popular antenna that is often recommended. However, it is worth understanding that this antenna is NOT tuned for GMRS, and will not provide the best performance. The other Nagoya antennas available are also not optimally tuned for repeater use.
We recommend the Smiley 46520 6dBd antenna for GMRS.
| Brand | Model | Center | Gain | Length | Connector | Price | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nagoya | NA-701C | 455MHz | 0dBd | 8″ | SMA-F | $15.95 | https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-701c/ |
| Nagoya | NA-701G | 462MHz | 0dBd | 5½” | SMA-F | $15.95 | https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-701g/ |
| Nagoya | NA-771G | 2.6dBd | 15.3″ | SMA-F | $15.95 | https://baofengtech.com/product/nagoya-na-771g/ | |
| Nagoya | NA-701G | 0dBd | 5½” | Multiple | $16.99 | https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-na-701g-5390.html | |
| Nagoya | NA-771G | 2.6dBd | 15.3″ | Multiple | $17.99 | https://www.buytwowayradios.com/nagoya-na-771g.html | |
| Smiley | 46570 | 465MHz | 3dBd | 1½” | Any | $20.50 | https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46570.htm |
| Smiley | 46560 | 465MHz | 3dBd | 2½” | Any | $20.50 | https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46560.htm |
| Smiley | 46540 | 465MHz | 3dBd | 6″ | Any | $20.50 | https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46540.htm |
| Smiley | 46520 | 465MHz | 6dBd | 4″ | Any | $24.50 | https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46520.htm |
| Smiley | 46510 | 465MHz | 6/9dBd | 10-48″ | Any | $25.50 | https://www.smileyantenna.com/product-p/46510.htm |
Mobile / Base Radios
These radios can range in power from 5-watt to 50-watt. They can be utilized as a mobile radio in a vehicle, or as a base station located in a home. Most mobile radios are capable of outputting more power than a handheld radio and tend to cost more.
Note: You may not be able to transmit on or even listen to the low-power FRS channels using a mobile/base radio. Some will exclude those channels entirely, and none support transmitting at 0.5-watts.
Available Mobile Radios
We recommend only the Wouxun line of GMRS radios at this time, with the caveat that we haven’t yet tried the Radioddity radios but have heard good things about them.
| Make | Model | Watts | Price | URL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radioddity | DB-20G | 20 | $119.99 | https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-db20g |
| Radioddity | DB-25G | 25 | $119.99 | https://www.radioddity.com/products/radioddity-db25g |
| Midland | MXT115 | 15 | $164.99 | https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt115-micromobile-2-way-radio |
| Midland | MXT275 | 15 | $164.99 | https://midlandusa.com/product/mxt275-micromobile-two-way-radio/ |
| BTech | GMRS-50X1 | 50 | $209.89 | https://baofengtech.com/product/gmrs-50×1/ |
| Wouxun | KG-XS20G | 20 | $219.99 | https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-xs20g.html |
| Midland | MXT400 | 40 | $274.99 | https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt400-micromobile-2-way-radio |
| Wouxun | KG-1000G | 50 | $369.99 | https://www.buytwowayradios.com/wouxun-kg-1000g.html |
| Midland | MXT500 | 50 | $399.99 | https://midlandusa.com/products/mxt500-micromobile%C2%AEtwo-way-radio |
Mobile Antennas
A good mobile antenna will provide additional performance over a handheld antenna, and can even be used with a handheld radio for an added boost. We refer to them as mobile antennas because they usually mount using a magnet, an “NMO” connector, or some other method that is targeted towards use on vehicles.
Most mobile antennas require a ground plane, which is an area of metal the antenna will mount on top of, and serves as part of the antenna. Vehicles with a metal roof provide an ample ground plane for GMRS antennas. Contrary to popular belief, vehicles with an aluminum roof can still serve as a ground plane, but cannot take advantage of “mag mount” antennas or antenna bases because aluminum is a non-ferrous metal and magnets simply won’t stick to it. For those with a fiberglass roof or mounting location, non-ground plane antennas are available, though they have somewhat lower performance.
⚠️ WARNING: Never attach or detach an antenna while your radio is turned on, and never transmit without an antenna attached to your radio. Doing so may damage your radio’s internal electronics.
Available Mobile Antennas
Available Mobile Antenna Mounts
This is a sampling of some mounts available for mobile antennas that do not come with a mount already attached. There are a plethora of products on the market for mounting antennas in various manners, and we cannot possibly list them all. Here we list basic solutions that are known to work well.
Base Station Antennas
These antennas have the best performance characteristics. They are intended for fixed mounting on a pole or tower and are typically used for repeater installations, base station installations, and sometimes out in the field with a portable mast. They also tend to be more expensive, but are worthwhile when seeking the best possible performance.
Like a mobile antenna, it is possible to use a base station antenna with any type of radio.
⚠️ WARNING: Never attach or detach an antenna while your radio is turned on, and never transmit without an antenna attached to your radio. Doing so may damage your radio’s internal electronics.