'FRS Radio' Thoughts, First Impressions, and Testing

I bought a pair of very small 'FRS/GMRS' radios online and wanted to see what they can do. (It seems that after the 2017 changes, these radios have been reclassified by midland as 'FRS only').

I've just recently received my GMRS license and am looking to work my way into more powerful handheld and mobile setups. CB radio has been disappointing in my area. The ability to reach out to a repeater would open up my radio usage considerably.

The radios use .5 watts on channels 8-14 and 2 watts on the rest of the channels (as of 2017 revised rules for FRS allow 2 watts).

After reading up and learning about the recent changes I was very happy to be able to make use of 2 watts on the other channels. Working range increased from approximately 0.6 miles to approximately 2.5 miles over the same terrain, and on the same driving route as used in testing.

These radios do exactly what I wanted them to. My fiancée and I can stay in contact easily within a pretty generous local area for how small these handheld radios are. Even on the 1/2 watt channels the radio passed my 'big box store test'.
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[djsoundzentertainment]

Would do better if the radio at home was upright instead of on its back, the antennas need to be vertical for the best results.

[Bootyhunter]

Nice video. I'm not familiar.wirh that exact brand radio but I see you used channel 12, on most of these radios channels 8-14 are lower power than 1-7 & 15-22 are higher powered. Maybe try the test again with the base unit vertically on 1-7 and compare your results.

[classgarage]

better off with set of 4 ansokos top of line frs /gmrs with real antenna built to last, I like Midland but need at least the LXT model or gxt

[Adamdaj]

The really is using FRS like the CB Radios. Of course, you can't expect advertise range. Those Radios are useless over 5.5 mile range flat rural areas. The range drop down when large mountains a heavy vegetation. The range is worse in large cities with tall structures. FRS use UHF and UHF is meant for indoor areas, unless have repeater on a tower. Of course, FRS is strictly simplex. VHF MURS would be more suited for outdoor use camping

[MrCraiglj]

This guy really likes to hear himself talk. Just get to the point.