I have a pair of these and yes, on GMRS channels you will not get unit to unit range of 35 miles in an urban environment or even flat land (because of the curvature of the earth!) but if someone is up on a hill with a clear line of sight between them you can get some good range. I have a GMRS license and I have hit repeaters that are on mountaintops 32 miles away (and they rebroadcast your transmission even further) but in FRS channels or even unit to unit GMRS without a repeater expect 2 miles.
Good review, I am an ex army radio operator and I actually did not know about the repeater channels, I did a Google+ article on emergency power and communications on my page, that had references to USB charging of the radios.
@Seattlekid8 you will need to check and see if the repeater is "open" or if you need to be a member, most repeaters require that you have a GMRS license. The repeater channels on the radio are marked with an "R", like channel 15 is no repeater, channel 15R is the repeater channel.
Thanks I have been trying to find a video to explain simple use and yours did it for me. There are so many videos that leave a neophyte like me wondering what to do.
These are great radios! I use them when hunting, works great. With minimal use, can go a couple days without having to worry about charging. Ear buds help when you're trying to be quiet. Would love to get another set, great value for your dollar.
how long does the battery last also now that you have had it for a while what do you think and finally last thing do you need any licences to use the radio or certain chanells
I had some midland radios before these... which were 5 watt GMRS radios, but they were larger, clunkier, and hte menu system was more confusing. I like the shape, size and weight of these.. .and the repeater capiblity is awesome. one thing I don't like about them... the earphone/mic port cover is a rubber thing that constantly pushes my plugged in headset puld out! I think I will be cutting the dang thing off!
If you get Motorola Talkabout MS350 Series radios they have a feature called VOX where you can plug in a head set and when you speak it will transmit what you say. They also use iVOX witch is the same as VOX but you don't need to have a headset plugged in. These radios are also water proof and do float in water.
What I really need is a radio like this that does not have the stupid BLEEP sounds everytime I use it, and I have yet to find one. even a vibrate mode is not truely silent, and consumes a lot of power.
I have these radios and I'm severally disappointed. I've had older Motorola FRS radios and they were made much better and worked much better than these. The only nice feature of these is the repeater input frequencies. I have my GMRS license so I'm well aware of line of sight realities etc, but these have been unreliable and anything more than a half mile and they can not be relied upon. Do yourself a favor and get a GMRS license, a Kenwood TK series mobile, Wouxun, or Baofeng. Check to see if the radios you're interested in are part 95 approved, but seriously a commercial 4 or 5 watt UHF HT will bury these cheap pieces of Junk. Anyone want to buy a pair of MR355R's? LOL
I have a pair of these and yes, on GMRS channels you will not get unit to unit range of 35 miles in an urban environment or even flat land (because of the curvature of the earth!) but if someone is up on a hill with a clear line of sight between them you can get some good range. I have a GMRS license and I have hit repeaters that are on mountaintops 32 miles away (and they rebroadcast your transmission even further) but in FRS channels or even unit to unit GMRS without a repeater expect 2 miles.
NO 35 miles is done by entering a PL tone to a G M R S tower
near you then get your licensee then you talking 20 miles on a tower
Good review, I am an ex army radio operator and I actually did not know about the repeater channels, I did a Google+ article on emergency power and communications on my page, that had references to USB charging of the radios.
@Seattlekid8 you will need to check and see if the repeater is "open" or if you need to be a member, most repeaters require that you have a GMRS license. The repeater channels on the radio are marked with an "R", like channel 15 is no repeater, channel 15R is the repeater channel.
Thanks I have been trying to find a video to explain simple use and yours did it for me. There are so many videos that leave a neophyte like me wondering what to do.
These are great radios! I use them when hunting, works great. With minimal use, can go a couple days without having to worry about charging. Ear buds help when you're trying to be quiet. Would love to get another set, great value for your dollar.
I just bought mine yesterday at Amazon and had the same day delivery.Thanks for sharing. Subbed ya.
can you please explain to me what is the I vox feature?, it is something like wireless?
how long does the battery last also now that you have had it for a while what do you think and finally last thing do you need any licences to use the radio or certain chanells
it all depends how often you are talking and monitoring the channel
I had some midland radios before these... which were 5 watt GMRS radios, but they were larger, clunkier, and hte menu system was more confusing. I like the shape, size and weight of these.. .and the repeater capiblity is awesome. one thing I don't like about them... the earphone/mic port cover is a rubber thing that constantly pushes my plugged in headset puld out! I think I will be cutting the dang thing off!
If you get Motorola Talkabout MS350 Series radios they have a feature called VOX where you can plug in a head set and when you speak it will transmit what you say. They also use iVOX witch is the same as VOX but you don't need to have a headset plugged in. These radios are also water proof and do float in water.
nice review. one question Do those take normal batteries as well?
yes thay do but I charge two set's of batteries at home and bring them along for back up.
I've had these for about 2 years now and the one shuts off when you push the ptt and turns back on, kinda pissed about that
change the battery that is why
The mini usb port is for charging only.
These do have a have a voice activated option
just to let you know its 35 mile range in the flat land and about 25 in farmland and 10 in the city
If you get a mile in the city, you're lucky.
@@jasonwilliams6005 depends how many buildings are
between radio's and the fact your running a half watt radio
for F R S service
it activates with the sound of your voice isntead of pushing to talk
these will let you turn the squelch off so that they are totally silent
Thank you sir! I'll definitly check your channel out!
@wolverineX173 Yes sir, it was one of the major selling points for me, its takes AA bat's if the rechargable ones die in the field
or do like I do bring a extra set of recharge able batteries
same problem with me I think its the battery. I have a different Motorola radio.
What I really need is a radio like this that does not have the stupid BLEEP sounds everytime I use it, and I have yet to find one. even a vibrate mode is not truely silent, and consumes a lot of power.
turn nit off in menue
it off im sorry
USB port is for solar charger
for the wall charger this radio is 13 years old why he is doing his I don't know the rules have changed since then and did not know it
yeah radios rely on line of sight
I have these radios and I'm severally disappointed. I've had older Motorola FRS radios and they were made much better and worked much better than these. The only nice feature of these is the repeater input frequencies. I have my GMRS license so I'm well aware of line of sight realities etc, but these have been unreliable and anything more than a half mile and they can not be relied upon. Do yourself a favor and get a GMRS license, a Kenwood TK series mobile, Wouxun, or Baofeng. Check to see if the radios you're interested in are part 95 approved, but seriously a commercial 4 or 5 watt UHF HT will bury these cheap pieces of Junk. Anyone want to buy a pair of MR355R's? LOL