Whats The Difference Between HAM and GMRS? GMRS VS HAM VS CB Radio - Why GMRS Is Better Than HAM
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- What is the difference between HAM and GMRS? Is GMRS better than CB? Is CB better than HAM? How far can you talk on GMRS? Why Is GMRS better than ham? Got questions? I got answers! I explain why GMRS was a better choice than CB radio or HAM for me.
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#GMRS #HamRadio #CBRadio
I just received my gmrs license after watching your videos for a long time and, I paid the NEW low price of $35.00 for 10 years. The only "test" involved was navigating the FCC websites and, thanks to your instructional guide on "How to get your gmrs license" I was able to manage it. So, I thank you Randy. I have watched all of your videos and learned a lot from them.
Never judge a book by its cover. Who would've thought the pirate would pay for his license.
@@N8_DoubleYouWell I'm not paying. I'm Jewish
The FCC website is about the most confusing part of it, some parts have a tendency of looping you back. I waited until they lowered the price why spend more.
I've signed up Two times and I'm still waiting under two different email addresses for an activation email. There is no place to resend it. You have to sign up again and they won't let you use the same email so this is nuts!
I am going to get my GRMS license soon.
Being a former CB user from the 1970's, I considered getting one now at age 70, and being a widower with few friends. However, your video changed my mind, so I'll be looking more seriously at GMRS despite needing a license. And I also found out there is a national GMRS association. Thank you for the guidance.
40+ years ago at the height of CB, my dad wanted to get a HAM license, he drug me to a HAM radio club meeting, as we were leaving he said “that is a click we will not be joining, we are sticking to the CB” I recently came to realize it was a combination of giant egos and huge price tags that chased cheep ol dad away.
The prices have gone way down, but as I have seen from the comments about the low priced equipment, apparently the egos are still huge.
Your videos are refreshing
there are a lot of assholes in ham radio community.
There are a lot of a$$ holes in EVERY radio community.
@@johnarcher9480 There are a lot of a$$holes in every community.
where are the prices going down? that's the thing that's keeping me from doing ham. i could study and take the test, no worries, but i'm like ... i have to take a test before i spend $500+ to see if i actually like the thing i just took the test for? kwim?
but yeh, i see a lot of huge egos on yt. hope that, if i ever do get into ham, that it's not as bad on the radio waves.
i have a doll that a friend of my dad's sent to me from japan for me before i was born. they met on ham radio. that was 56 yrs ago and is one of the main reasons i'd like to explore it.
One of the local amateur clubs here is quite cliquish. Heaven forbid if a natural disaster occurred on Wed nights at 6pm when they are all standing in line for boneless chicken wings.
Being a Ham radio operator and most likely going to also be a gmrs radio soon. I love that you help people understand radio’s. I think it is important for all to learn about all types of radio.
I'm a truck driver. All my friends still.use CB. But GRMS would be awesome.
It sure would. You only need a 6” antenna.
I agree that GMRS is superior technology, but all of the CB radios I have are exports pushing 50-75 watts. As a side note, in order for GMRS to catch on with truckers, a trucker channel would need to be agreed on and the big truck stops would need to devote a little shelf space for a couple GMRS radios. Walcott in Iowa sells some GMRS radios now
@@timin770 that's easy, channel 19. Same as on the CB.
Sorry that's GMRS 19 which is 462.6500.
So a GMRS radio channel 19 is the same as a trucker 19? Just asking I don’t know.
I've had my HAM for several years, and recently acquired my GMRS license. My club decided, at my recommendation, to go for GMRS, for all the same reasons you mention. Low barrier to entry, functional enough for everything that the club needs, affordable, etc.
And for some people (but certainly not everyone), GMRS is the free sample of crack that gets them hooked, and motivates them to pursue their HAM.
I'm ecstatic that GMRS exists, as it gives the unwashed masses an alternative to CB (which is absolute trash), and helps keep them from mucking up the HAM bands. I can keep a couple of blister pack radios in my truck, and just loan them out to the newbies. In my club, we've already had 2 more people decide to get their HAM license on top of their GMRS license. Because options are good.
I'm glad you're doing these videos. Introducing a whole different audience to radio. And radio is a bit like the 2nd amendment, in that the more people that participate in it recreationally, the more people have skin in the game, and will hopefully stand up to defend it if their congress critter decides it needs to be infringed.
Keep up the good content. I'm a total masochist, so I'll be back for more.
Signing off from the basement.
@ NSFW Harold - I agree with you on the options. I embrace all types of radio comms. I encourage folks to obtain their Ham radio license but if it’s not for them that’s ok too. I believe a few days of study time is a small price to pay to obtain a Ham license as it offers way more options than GMRS. In my area, to use any of the GMRS repeaters, we must pay a yearly fee. The Ham radio repeaters are free to use. Our GMRS machines don’t have the range of our 2 meter repeaters and have similar characteristics of our 70 cm repeaters.
On another note, I’m seriously considering a purchase of the Wouxun KG-1000G radio. Love the form factor and remote head capability. Got to figure out where to mount a second antenna...
Comment of the post my man 👏 well done 👍
C8xy
Well said anything that helps build other up and makes a community stronger is high value in my opinion.
Boy they weren’t joking when they called HAM operators a bunch of self-professed, pathetic Karen’s who THINK they own the airwaves. Get over yourself, Princess. You’re only embarrassing yourself. And who the hell wants to surround themselves with a bunch of arrogant, condescending narcissist fuck like YOU! I’ll pass and sleep like a baby for it! Idiot.
I use CB on the road, generally just when I need it. I have a ham license, and use 2m and 70cm at home. FRS and GMRS is the radio of choice when I'm with friends and doing various activities, like hiking, or looking around festivals, flea markets, etc. Much of this can also be done on cell phones too, unless you are remote. Bottom line it all enhances the fun!
There is no "best" system, all have ups and downs.
Finally...someone said it with out calling the other STUPID and showing their "P*nis envy"! They ALL have their "nitch". I too use all three. Use what the group uses (when in Rome....). All the backstabbing just takes away from the good comments and the content of the video.
I too use all three. The group that we travel with use GMRS for car to car, I use the CB to kinda keep up with the traffic conditions via the semi drivers, and I use ham to make contact with people I will probably never meet in person.
Dude, you're a riot to watch... I'm a newbie to this hobby. Just got a uv5r trying to learn this new language. Thanks for the great info!!!😎👍
i am ordering a uv5r here soon, i wanna listen in to my local fire and ems stations because im about to get on the volunteer fire dept so i wanna know whats going on
I have all 3 for search and rescue. I do recommend having some sort of alternate communication device/equipment.
I use them all. Depends on who you’re trying to get in contact with. IMO, in an emergency, you might want all options. I have my HAM and GMRS licenses and obviously CB is free but you’ll need to invest in the radio more so than other options as there’s no repeater accessibility.
Got my GMRS license and HAM license and I have the ability to use both when needed. Both work for me. Jack K5FIT
What I really liked here is the discussion of the use case. There is no radio service that is ideal for all use cases. For the use cases described in this video, I totally agree with the GMRS recommendation. I wish more people would identify the use case first before giving their recommendation. The one thing where the Ham radio really shines is the ability to connect long distances without a repeater infrastructure. If you are playing in the wold of handheld or mobile rigs and you have access to GMRS repeaters, you can do just about everything you could with similar Ham equipment. On the other hand, if you are dealing with a grid down scenario, a Ham radio transmitting on HF (30 MHz and below) along with a cheap dipole NVIS antenna rig can communicate with others in a radius measured in hundreds of miles without repeaters. An NVIS setup deploys the antenna close to the ground and is able to use the atmospheric skip properties of the ionosphere to bounce signals long distances. Unlike a typical HF setup with an antenna raised high off of the ground, you don't have a dead zone between your radio and the station you are communicating with. You won't be able to contact someone one the other side of the country, but you should be able to reach stations within your county and even your state. Because the signals are going straight up and bouncing back down, you could be in a valley and still hit stations on the other side of mountains or buildings since your are not going through them, but up and over. Worth checking out NVIS if this is something you are interested in, but again that is a different use case than the one described in this video.
Spot on! I have my HAM License, and I enjoy the complexity of it. But, for use as a simple tool, GMRS is a better option, especially for use in a 4X4.
What is a "HAM" license? I have a ham license.
@@tedtube1 how long have you been a HAM operator for?
Poking my oar in the water, I’ve been an amateur radio operator for 15 years. 😊
I think GRMS is a great platform, and as you said, a tool for people who just need to communicate but aren't interested in nerding out on all the science involved. I'm considering getting into it so I can throw a radio in my wife's car and one in mine. We live in a place with spotty cell service. She has no interest in the studying and testing involved in ham, but would use GMRS. By the way, not every ham spends all their time in the basement. My shack is in a tiny upstairs closet. I dream of someday having a basement.
This is sort of similar to my situation as to why I decided to go with GMRS. I mostly would want this to be for family members or very certain people who I happen to know there is no way in a billion years I am going to get them to get their ham license. GMRS is great for that.
Just passed my technician and general ham tests and got my gmrs licence. Looking for practical usage, I’m leaning to gmrs with a slight push from your videos that answered my questions of my options and educated me to make a decision.
As a general you have access to a large part of the HF bands and can talk around the world now. GMRS cannot do that!
Depends on your definition of practical. For me, GMRS is an excellent tool for the trails, not unlike my winch, snatch blocks, and tree straps. It's gear to help you navigate the trails safely and successfully. Amateur radio is less of a tool and more of a hobby into itself. If you need to communicate over relatively short distances reliably and don't care about the hows and whys behind it, then GMRS is the right tool. If you are interested in learning about the radio art, enjoy chatting for the sake of chatting, are curious about international communications, radio contests, improving your gear and so on, then ham is a better choice. Welcome to the hobby, from a long-time Extra Class DXer!
Using Ham simplex between 2 low power HT radios it always seemed silly to me to have to give your call every 10 minutes and then at the end of call. Us old guys just throw it in when we dont think we need to communicate for a while. But when your radio club volunteers to do communications for a car or bike race first thing they tell ya is hold off on the radio id as we know who is involved. So im like ok so why do i have to give my call when im simplex communicating at 5 watts with my wife in the next car over. As you may have guessed listen on ham simplex for a while and youll notice hams dont really do much of the ID thing when talking to friends on simplex non calling frequencies. Us ham guys are pretty easy going so ive never given em any gruff
Because that’s the law. If you can’t give your call sign every 10 minutes means you are lazy!
Yes, in my past interest of amateur radio, I have been discouraged by disrespectful 'ham' operators.
I'm 69 years old, and am a GMRS user, and also like using a CB radio. These are financially within my range as I am on a fixed income. I respect amateur radio operators. They are very important to us in an emergency. Best wishes to every.
Great video!
I believe you are correct, which is why in my two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon JL I have a mounted CB along with handheld GMRS radios.
CB is mainly to talk to my forestry employees, since logging in Oregon mostly uses this form of communication. Whereas the GMRS and my cell phone covers all the rest of my two-way communication needs.
You're being logical. That will never do. LoL
I use CB, GMRS and amateur. Each platform meets a different need or situation.
Thank you for this information and personal preference. I bought into CB with my first car and had it since. I’m trying to adapt to changing times. My co-worker has been pushing me to join HAM but he lost interest in it. I personally feel that GMRS is the way I should start heading into. Not as in depth as HAM but a nice stepping stone imo.
As usual, great video. Very informative and detailed. I just got into GMRS a month ago from using CB 30+ yrs. I’m loving it so far. Not giving up the CB, but using GMRS as primary comms. I don’t have interest at this time for Ham, and unfortunately some of that has to do with the arrogance of the comments I have seen from some Ham-heads. Thank you so much for the great videos.
A lot of HAM folks think they’re better than everyone else.
@@oldrango883 - How so?
@@oldrango883 and a lot of hams don't.
@@oldrango883 I call them "Radio Karens" or "Ham Karens".
@@USAFJUNKIEThe newer breed of hams are a lot less likely to be a Karen than the earlier generations, and its a growing segment whereas the other segment ... isn't.
Our off road group went with gmrs. I've got my general ham license but I knew no one else would want to deal with the BS of acquiring a ham license. Gmrs has great range, clear signal, cheap radios, can't loose. Some bother with the gmrs license, some don't, no one cares.
I was about to start studying for my ham technician license but I'm gonna go your route because I hate TEST...lol, thanks for the video.
Bought the btech gmrs v1 a few weeks back. Love it. Gmrs is the way to go. Forget the test!
Me too!
Hahaha... thanks dude... I might go to jail LOL
Meant forget the ham radio test! Lol.. i have my gmrs licwnces
I may get a grms but I still have my 2 meter radio. He is right use what others use. Grms, murs, ham and or CB. GRMS is the best choice when they lower the fees. MURS don't have a fee and also frs. I like the idea of putting a better antenna on my radios so that has a factor in what I buy.
Get into HF and forget about all these toys. The FT991A is an outstanding all mode HF+UV transceiver at a great price that you can still use for 2m/70cm for FM/C4FM and even SSB..
Watched about 3 videos till I found someone who knows how to clearly explain it and gave me a non biased answer that helped me decide to choose GMRS. I have no time to waste on studying BS to use a simple radio to communicate with my family, I'm not trying to contact Putin, Kim Jong Un or Extraterrestrials, at most I might contact Dennis Rodman. GMRS 4 LYFE!
I've got my GMRS license no repeaters in my area though. I am gonna go for my ham technician license and get some friends to go get theirs too. I am thinking about building a simplex repeater for local comms.
Not sure what your repeater plan is - but you're going to want to run it off of a 50W mobile rig, and turn it down to the "mid" power, somewhere in the 20W range so you don't burn up the finals. Also you're gonna want an antenna as HIIIGGGGHHH up as you can get it. These "ammo can repeaters" are all but useless.
I'm building a duplex repeater, but there are other concerns with that too - a duplexer (and properly tuning it), and the feedline for the antenna ... you need the stuff with silver plated braid, and silver plated connectors or hardline (heliax). Both are REALLY expensive, some of it in the $5 / foot range. I got LMR-400 only to find out it's really not suitable for duplex. Intermod and desense become issues that you don't have with just a base station where the antenna is only tx or rx at any given time... Oh well, I'll use that LMR for a base rig later! :D
@@notsure7874
Don't know where you got your info, but LMR-400 is great low lost coax cable
@@dennishixson1908 Not for a full duplex repeater system it isnt.
You might be surprised at how many ham repeaters might already be up in your area. Repeater book app or website would be worth checking.
Just came across this video. I love your unbiased point of view on the subject. For the last 44 years I have been a diehard CB user. I've noticed over the last decade that the amount of traffic on the CB has dwindled significantly in general. So I switched to GMRS, mainly to be able to set-up an emergency SHTF communication plan for my family. Right now my vehicle has a mobile unit in it and a couple of handheld units.
I’m a ham, but recently bought a GMRS license. I see the utility in both. I’ve suggest GMRS to my friends not quite ready to take a ham test. Once they see usefulness of GMRS, I’ll set the hook on their getting ham license. Passing through Las Vegas this week, I found a lively group of GMRS operators there. I maintained contact with a GMRS friend for 100 miles on one of the Las Vegas GMRS repeaters during my transit to Phoenix. All on a 5W HT and a magnetic mount antenna. My wife won’t let me install a mobile transceiver in her Lexus!😏
I have all 3. And all 3 have their own place in the hobby. Not everyone only wants to communicate on the "trail"
Your videos are absolutely hilarious. The Ham and CB operator impressions killed me. I have a Ham license, getting a GMRS as soon as I get a new vehicle. No idea why it's such an issue for people to use both Ham and GMRS. They have different use cases, potato tomato.
I use Ham for contesting, digital stuff and other modes that are just fun to use. I use CB to talk to locals, keep an ear on the local highway while working from home. I use GMRS/FRS for around my farm since cell service is spotty for me. I use Marine while on my boat. Depending on what I am doing dictates what I use, there is no one radio fits all, if there was I would have it. All of these can be used in emergency situations. As for what one I perfer in a grid down situation, I don't know I have not been a grid down situation yet to truly test it. Each radio/mode has its own benefits and drawbacks. Radio is fun!! I do not like one more than the other, the more frequencies to use the better!! Great Video!!!
I went GMRS mainly for it’s simplicity and expandability. I was gonna be traveling with family and we were gonna be taking multiple vehicles and I liked the idea of having the radios already set to the same channel so that if we needed to chat quickly all we had to do was squeeze the radio and we could chat. It’s faster than messing with a cell phone. Due to the wide variety of products available, I can expand our system amongst friends and family as budget permits. A basic instruction to my daughters took about 5 minutes and we were ready to roll.
Thank you sir. I think you may have sold me on getting my GMRS license. I have my Tech/General Ham licenses and will continue to use the but this sounds like an easier way to get the wife and kids a backup coms capability.
I have my Extra Class Amateur license and the only reason I do is because of my Jeeping hobby. Once everyone started dumping their CBs in favor of GMRS/Ham it brought back memories of when I was in HS and was interested in Ham back then. Took the Technician exam so I could use my Baofeng in the Jeep. Since then I’ve become completely addicted to the ham radio hobby and love combining it with my Jeep hobby. And while I certainly love and recommend ham radio I don’t disagree with anything Randy says here. Plenty of people aren’t going to want to take a test. I do think that GMRS is the new standard form of communication for off roading. It’s superior to CB.
I Agree with most of what you said
But CB is Superior to GMRS
Unless you want to use GMRS repeaters
I'm an absolute amateur and am just beginning to learn. This guys explanation is on point.
Everything has it own application. Used CB since I was a teen in the early 80’s. Was a 10 meter radio converted to also do CB. Put it in the box in the late 90’s. Got my Ham license in Sept 2020. Recently went into the basement and blew the dust off that box. I can now use it for its intended purpose. Have a dual band HT (Anytone 878UV Plus) and a Tri band mobile (Anytone 578UV lll pro). GMRS/FRS frequencies programmed in both for emergencies. All power levels are set to FCC regulations (although can be changed quickly with the push of a button). Plan on obtaining a GMRS license for the family. Also own two Baofeng UV5R. All of my radios are also programmed with the freqs of the fire department I work for. Probably never need them for that but again for extreme emergency. I do use them for the 2 ambulance companies I work for part time on my days off from the FD. Again...everything has its own application. One thing you didn’t touch on is in HAM there is DMR (Digital Mobile Radio). But that’s another animal. I think HAM is more about being a techie. You’re able to build your own radios and antennas. There is the whole legality of the Baofeng but if you’re not interfering with anyone or if nobody complains the FCC has better things to do than come after you. In my area we have someone doing “purposeful” interference on a local HAM repeater. He has been fox hunted and identified. Someone known to some of the people on the repeater. There is an FCC file opened on this. Anyway, I’ve seen a few of your videos thus far. Good content. Keep ‘em coming.
The FCC issued a clarification that still left some unanswered questions but ... the Anytone 878UV is part 90 certified, so it SHOULD be legal for GMRS (but not MURS iirc?). I just got one yesterday, and used the "AT_Options" software to set it to "maintinence mode" (mode 14) so I can still use VFO and program in GMRS channels along with ham repeaters and digital stuff and whatnot. Maintinence mode ALSO opens up the 220 band on it, which is also legal - ham radios don't have to be certified.
I'm hoping I can do the same with a 578 - but my radio budget is blown out for the moment :D
If you didn't get a general ticket, you're going to be restricted to a narrow part of the 10m band, and can only use SSB, not AM, or FM - not really sure about CW, I don't think tech has access to that part of 10m anyway though. I think it's 29.300 - 29.500 on SSB that tech is restricted to.
Edit to add: Don't forget that GMRS channels 8 - 14 are also restricted to narrowband just like FRS - not that it's an earth shattering difference...
Same here. I've been on GMRS for 2 years now and my family doesn't want to take the test either so it works best for our situation. I have the BTECH GMRS-50X1 and a pair of the BTECH GMRS-V1
The best Radio????
It is the one where there’s somebody else with the same Radio type on the other side regardless of mode or frequency
That's essentially what he said
@@wx0mik-testing cb 19 is a option for interstate travel along with cell service using google maps. My gps gives accident reports, my cell offers 911 and emergency weather alerts, both usfull on hiking trails . ... No one is packing a febble assed radio with low battry life and no one to talk to.! GMRS never took off and I expect the spectrum to be repurposed to greedy commercial intrest soon.
@@robertl.fallin7062 Why did I read that in Gus Chiggin's voice?
@@robertl.fallin7062 you are way wrong on that. you just haven't taken the time to take your head outta your own tailpipe to know any better
Thank You Sir! I am brand new to this. As a child I experimented with a Short Wave Radio on my Uncles farm. I enjoyed listening to channels my regular radio would never pick up. He was a Navy man specializing in radio communications. I was amazed what I could listen to. To a kid it was magic. He never let me transmit. I worked hard on the farm by day. At night (with his permission) I played with the dials and listened. I grew up and went away. I would love to pick this back up.
MURS is also another option. 2 watts on VHF
Thanks for helping sort out this confusion. I was once licensed as a cb radio operator. Now we have GMRS & now to learn the tech.
CB radio used to be fun, it was like the internet keyboard warrior of the road. A lot of shit talking happened that was hilarious to listen to.
It still is. It’s pretty much all people do and no, it’s not limited to 4 watts lol. Plenty of people on CB blasting out a lot more than 4 watts.
@@oldrango883 I wish I still had my linear. Truckers had dedicated power just to run the linear!
If you like CB then you would like Ham! Go and check out some ham radio crash course videos
@@oldrango883 Yes, its supposed to be four watts, but the FCC does zip enforcement. Thats a lot of what's wrong with CB today.
@@828enigma6 They do - if you're stepping all over people with huge linears, causing interference and whatnot. It's complaint driven, and they warn people more than once before issuing fines - but there is that risk. And I agree with the "thats whats wrong with CB" - has been historically anyway. If you want to see something ridiculous - look up "keydown competition". They're literally pushing tens of kilowatts to gigantic antenna arrays, all to see who can overpower the other guy to a reciever 50 feet away. Between that, and the guys that get off on jamming other people ... I'm hoping CB does kind of keep dying out. I don't care about some guy on a solid 10M rig modded thats a bit over the power limits, and I don't think the FCC really does either ... but those crowds deserve getting the shit fined out of them.
New subscriber. I ran across one of your videos by complete accedent the other day and am really interested. Planning on getting a cheaper GMRS radio and license. I was into HAM years ago and had the basic liscense. Now adays, I think the GMRS is a good fit for all the reasons you laid out.
I want to suggest making a video on using Chirp to program the UV5R for FRS, GMRS, MURS, Maritime for emergency usage. Its legal to use the UV5R on these freqs for emergecies so there would be no legal issue showing people how to program the radio to use on these commonly used freqs for emergencies. As a side benefit it will trigger the Ham Karens which is always fun.
The problem with licenses is not the test, but the mandatory deanonymization.
I ran CB for decades and most of the time it was SSB with just a minor tune up of power. But even using a PDL2 beam I was still limited to 20-30 miles depending on the Sun 🌞 cycles. But now I’m getting into GMRS and yes I did study for the Ham test and just could not get any one else to do it . So with the entry of these Bofeng UV-5R that everyone got for Xmas I’m pushing them towards GMRS . YES I’m aware of the laws that’s why I’m doing the pushing carefully as not to scare them back to CB amplitude modulation. GREAT VIDEO 👍
20 to 30 miles with a PDL2 ?
Something was very wrong. Especially on sideband.
Just got my GMRS license and ordered a radio ,great info from your videos thanks
Another good video. I have both Ham and GMRS. I like both. Ultimately it depends on what you're doing and the kind of coverage you're looking for. Some areas will be better than others in repeater coverage making one better for your needs over the other. Best thing to do is to do your homework to see what one best fits your needs before getting into any of them.
One thing to add about Ham especially about the 2 meter band, is that it’s on VHF band which propagates better in hilly terrain. Don’t forget about the potential to use APRS, which is built in on some HAM radios. You can transmit all sorts of data, not just position information. Great for sending tactical info...
GMRS is best for me , the family here uses them. And the license is like you mentioned is purchased through the FCC.
I have used/use all of these services!!. This video is SPOT ON. It's all about USE CASE!!!! Well done sir!!!
Just wanted to say thank you for doing these videos. I use your videos in our club to help explain to other members why GMRS is the right choice for our coms and it helps educate new members who have no knowledge of what's really out there. You bring a bit of sarcasm and humor and it really helps keep people interested in what's being taught. It's really tough getting people who have used a certain technology for most of their lives and convincing them that there is a better option out there with minimal work. Continue doing what you do.
My father was a licensing's official for HAM radio, and has been for well over 50 years now. As a young man in high school (1990s), I was extremely interested in computers, as I had been programming since the 80s. When he started hooking his HAM up to a packet system (RTTY) and using a computer to chat / file share with people via HAM years before internet / AOL became a household thing, well I was hooked. I immediately got my license, and eventually the FCC allowed you to request previous call signs, so I now have one of my fathers previous call signs.
It was great times using a Commadore 128D, through a packet and 10 meter system. It was the best! As for today, I just have a 50w GMRS system in a Jeep, and my off-road group keeps comms like that, and I no longer even own a HAM, but I do maintain my license (just in case)... haha
Great video, and I hope you have a great day!
Great videos! I use them all. I think GMRS is the best option for most folks. Just passed my Tech exam today. Rock on!
I am a long time HAM Lic. User 25+ years, have used it for all types of communication, friendly talk to Emergencies.
I recently saw the disaster of the Maui fires a whole town wiped out in less the 10 hours, the recovery and communication were not there… communication spun up with FRS/GMRS and Amateur radio taking longer to come up due to the masses not being HAMs but GMRS saved the day in the days following.
This sparked a new chapter in my Radio life… GMRS…
Dude.. Love your videos, you go straight to the point and your videos are Fast, Fun and Friendly..... and no, I dont shop at Target Stores :)
Having owned and operated all of these two-way radios except HAM, I totally agree with you. For the vast majority of people out there and for most of their communication needs besides a cell phone, GMRS is probably their best option, especially if they have a 50-watt unit.
Great information! I just passed my HAM test last Saturday and now want to work with GRMS radios. Applying for my GRMS license now and shopping in the GRMS market. It seems to fit my needs better on water and in the woods. Thanks for the info in your channel.
I've been using gmrs for years, I got started on it when i lived in oklahoma, when there was no cell service.
It has served me well for coms between the wife and myself, and after moving to florida, which is flat, we still use the radios more than cell phones, with the repeaters in the area, we can pretty much talk in the entire central florida area.
I bought the Wouxun 805G because of your video on it. I then bought the Wouxun KG 1KG. Still learning how to use it, and getting a tone is confusing, but I'll get there
Hear me out... I love all radio coms.. I've been a Ham since 86, and I agree GMRS is awesome for all the reasons you mention. But Ham radio is purely a hobby for me, whereas GMRS is a utility. Ham radio offers contests, awards programs, portable radio activities like Parks on the Air and Summits on the Air, etc. There are many ways to experiment in radio and being a Ham allows experimentation from low band to microwave and satellites. On the other hand, I'm now building a GMRS repeater with the knowledge that I've gained from being a Ham. I'll never regret all the tests I've studied for to earn my Ham Extra privileges. Now I can contribute to the local GMRS community. Thanks for the video. Well spoken, informative, and entertaining!
I’m new to your channel and have seen only about 2 or 3 vids. Thanks for putting the information out there that’s quick to the point while also being a bit entertaining, and more importantly, without long winded intros or attempts at being an over the top personality.
Great info.
I just purchased a ham radio and plan on getting GMRS radios for the wife and I.
Thanks for the great info.
I've got HAM and GMRS. The reason I have both is because I have Windows and Linux, a Civic and a 10 sec Mustang, frozen pizza and flour, tomato sauce and cheese, a TI-84 and Excel, a wife and a girlfriend. Some men do it just because they can and some men would prefer to watch another man do it.
I like your honest & no nonsense approach to these radioes. I’ve checked other sites and found them to be confusing and favorable to their radio.
I’m going with the GMRS because you nailed it for what I’m looking for 👍.
You are hitting it spot on, Randy. I agree with your assessment 100%. I made the decision to go the GMRS route as our mainstay channel/frequency with Operation Overland communications back in 2019. We also encourage HAM frequencies for our members who want to take the hobby up to the next level. CB radios are completely out for us. It's great to see you back on UA-cam, take care, and let's hit a trail together again sometime soon. BTW, Funny video outtakes. LOL!!
Its today July 1st 2021 and I just got my gmrs license cost was 70$
I agree and I am a ham radio operator (don’t live in the basement) ;-)
I agree also I am also a ham radio operator
Me too !!!
I agree too! Not a ham radio operator but I’ve seen enough of their ridiculous comments and...I’ll pass! What a arrogant, childish pack of idiots! Their policing department is hysterical 😂
Im a lics ham operator. I tell you right now ham radio have a dark side. Alot of man boys on ham radio. basically ham radio is a cesspool.
But all my crap is in the basement...
Finally I found a channel that doesn’t leave me more confused that I was to begin with! Thank you sir!
Thank you, I found this really practical and helpful!
MURS may be an option too. There are power limits and only five channels but you can use improved antennas which will give you better gain than FRS, and there will be less extraneous traffic than you'd see on CB. Also no license is required.
Hand down, for the application he’s speaking about, GMRS on repeater networks is the best, when you can hit the repeaters.
Thanks so much for this video. I've been thinking of getting handheld radios for large group bike rides, and I was thinking of doing CB, but I was really worried that it wouldn't work around corners in denser areas with tall buildings, and I didn't want to pay for a couple of handheld CBs only for it to not be practical. It sounds like GMRS would be perfect for this use case because it'll be waaay more than powerful enough for line of sight and likely consistently clear enough for around the corners in denser areas.
The same as all the other videos of this guy I have seen where he is always VERY informative, concise, & also always has some humor (life is so boring without it) mixed in. Another home run. Not only do I always learn something but get to have a chuckle along the way. Thanks for keeping it interesting.
I use all 3. Depending on what I’m doing and where I’m at.
While I still want to go get my ham license, just because, I also realize that if I hand my wife a HT, chances of her taking the time to take the test, let alone passing it, well, I've got a better chance a winning the big lottery ticket..
Most of those FRS radios suggest a 39 mile range; yeah, right ! Half a mile, maybe; Still have a CB radio hand held around here somewhere. Haven't seen it in like 15 years..
Those "30 mile range" boasts are ... extremely optimistic even under ideal conditions - like both of you are on top of 200 foot tall towers ... and it hardly considers that 2w from a rubber duck probably still won't propagate that far. You'll probably get a half mile under average conditions in the great outdoors though - provided there aren't mounntains between the 2 radios.
As for the wife - mine won't go take a test either. GMRS is the most practical for me most of the time.
I think its best to have all of them. GMRS is good for the local people around you and maybe if you have repeater to contact people outside of your group. But in a situation where Cell service is bad, Odds are there are more Ham repeaters near by to make an emergency contact if needed.
Also CB could be good to maybe get a hold of a trucker on a near by highway in a emergency situation.
The way you keep talking down HAM operators One might start to think your wife ran off with one !!!
But I still get a laugh out of what you think HAM Radio ( Amateur Radio ) is all about. Keep those videos coming !!!!!
The way Ham operators keep talking down the rest of the radio spectrum, you'd think they all have short antennas/ Dicks !
@@waynebradley4046 Come on now... we aren't ALL like that. Mostly it's the same old bastards that won't talk to us no-code people except to insult us. The rest of us are just hobbyists that enjoy playing with the toys! And many DO have GMRS licenses as well. I have a G-radio on the way and I'll get the license as soon as the price comes down... might be any day now.
His first wife did, don't ask me how I know! :)
One thing I don’t understand. All these hiking UA-camrs recommend the overpriced $400 Garmin In-Reach for “emergencies”, so you can pay $100 a year to have the ability to text via app, or signal SOS. Not a single one recommends carrying a simple 2-way radio (FRS or GMRS). If a few hikers had 2-ways, and you got in to some trouble, you could reach anyone on that side of the mountain. With a GPS text service, you gotta wait for someone to get to the mountain first. Probably via helicopter too, which you may have to pay for. I always hike with a radio in scan. Mostly to break the silence. But also in case myself or someone else get into a bad situation.
Thanks for the video. I'm sitting here waiting for UPS to deliver my KG-1000G for my home. Any antenna suggestions in the reasonable price range? I'm new to GMRS.
Browning br-6140. It's a beast and Its tuned for gmrs, no swr meter needed. especially good in a hilly area you don't want high gain in a mountainous area you want unity gain. I was shocked when I installed it and it as able to be heard clearly from my garage. My previous mag mount antenna required me to find a hill.
I'm using the pretuned Midland 6db. As far as this one or the Browning, I'd go with the one on sale.
The question is how often you go on trails with lots of foliage and trees. If you're in the east and you get a lot of trail pinstriping on your Jeep then get a short dome-style antenna for the trails in addition to a larger gain antenna for highway use. I had my dual-band 20/70cm ham antenna ripped off my fender by dense foliage on a trail in PA last year. Expensive lesson!
Thank you for this video! Got my FCC GMRS license and now (just for kicks) will go for my Technician license in the future. Many years ago I was ready for the test except for Morse Code requirement.
Randy... did you fail the HAM test? You sound bitter... 😉
We have a CB (not a fan), I’m HAM tech licensed... but definitely see the benefit of GMRS when off-roading with groups. Our CB may be replaced with GMRS soon.
Ha! no.. no interest in taking the test after seeing how other hams treat people online.. It gets tiring to see them post the same thing, over and over and over.. and over.. and over.....and... over...
@@TheNotaRubicon We're not all dickheads, Randy. We'll welcome you into the cult^W^W^W^Wclub. Here, have some kool-aid . In all seriousness, there are jerks in every corner of society. In 42 years of hamming I've met almost all my life-long closest friends, got a career through one for a while, and have accomplished a great deal in the HF bands--because it's my passion. But radio is a serious hobby for me, and if it isn't for you then it's a waste of your time that you could be wheeling or wrenching. Ignore the dickheads but don't give up on us hams.
I was debating between GMRS and Ham. I ended up going with Ham radio. I dont hang out in a group wheeling or anything, I like the APRS capability even with the Baofeng and a phone, and if you are using the baofeng uv-5r you can unlock GMRS anyway for emergency use! I like having more repeaters available, WIRES-X is a pretty cool feature on the Yaesu radios!
Great Video!
I've got all three. Paid $15 and watched some youtube videos for my Ham. Paid $70 for GMRS. It will be the same $35 for both after the change.
Just to correct you slightly. Your $15 wasn't for the license, and it wasn't paid to the FCC. That was the test fee from your local VEC. At the moment there is no ham license fee, but it will indeed be $35 soon, and it will be $35 to renew, to upgrade, and to change call signs. The $15 fee will continue for the exams as well. So the "get your feet wet" cost will be $50 soon.
@@W2IRT depending on who you get tested by the test for amateur radio can be free just check the ARRL website and you may find a free testing group in your area.You can take the Amateur Radio test online now as well. If you use MURS Nobody needs Any tests or license.
GMRS license is now $35 for 10 years, which also covers your immediate family.
Is it true that a pair of old CB Radios can still function as Wheel Chocks?
Depends on how small the tires are
@@oldrango883 Or how big the base station radios are.
Maybe...
I am wanting to get my GMRS license and also ham license. Someone recommended your videos to me. Thanks for the easy explanations!
I absolutely love this guy. So spot on with "go sell your religion to someone else"
Great video. Being a HAM guy, the general public does not care or have the knowhow to pass the HAM General test or even the Technician test. GMRS or CB for the general population with GMRS being the best choice
You are absolutely correct as usual. By all means use GMRS! Works perfect and is the best solution. Stay off the amateur radio bands at all cost
FINALLY a video that simply explains the difference in these radios! Thank you sir. I am going with GMRS. Now I just need to pic one that I can program easily.
I wish everyone and their Mom didn't use CB. I feel like you have to have some sort of CB setup since it's what most people use on the trail.
The biggest problem with CB is 99% of the people that go to walmart and buy a $30 CB have absolutely no idea how to set it up or that it needs to be tuned. I ran CB for many years and it's infuriating to be on a ride with a bunch of Jeeps with CBs and you have everything from the person with super low volume to the one who's overmodulated to people you can't even determine what the hell they are saying all in one group, because none of them know how to tune an antenna or ground an antenna mount. Not to mention the AM sound quality and interference from pretty much everything. "But I can bounce a signal off the space station and talk to Putin in Russia" Oh shut up! With your 50ft antenna and 400 watt power amp boosted CB mounted in your shed? One Time! under just the right atmospheric conditions? Just stop. CB is to communications today what Cathode ray tubes is to TV today.
As a ham, I love the digs on the hams. So much that I can't drink during your videos anymore. Keep up the good work. Don't change your format.
Guys, as an experienced ham + gmrs’er combined, I’m gonna tell you this: do the stuff you care, and ignore the rest.
You had a passion on all those tech? Study for a bit and pass the test.
You just wanna talk to somebody while being off-trail? Spend $70 and walk through that process and obtain your gmrs license.
You wanna go for both? Go for both.
No one’s gonna stop you from ‘doing the things you care’ or ‘not do the things you don’t’. The world is to some extent simpler than what we thought.
Thanks. Answered my questions and convinced me that GMRS is best for me. Maybe I’ll go Ham at some point but GMRS will get me into the game now. Love that dry sense of humor.
Actually, "skip" can last for days and depends on solar conditions. 5 watt CB's in the right conditions can reach out an touch a couple hundred miles, perfect conditions, maybe 5/600 but usually we'd get 30 miles with a whip and with a beam and tower- 60, 80 miles.
I understand that some folks couldn't pass a test if the answers were given to them before the test, which is what you get with a FFC test book, some can't remember what they are saying while talking, I get it. Don't strain the brain, the synapse may misfire.
GMRS is by far the best option for talky types on or off road, mobile to mobile, motorcycle riders, etc.
But, is that the only time you'll use a radio? I'm on a family trip, interstate highway mostly, from St. Louis to Dallas, I'm listening and maybe talking to a trucker still on a CB, best highway condition info out there. GMRS, not so much because I got kids talking to other kids in a convoy of school buses and moms following, but, you can listen. HAM, for intelligent conversation on a long trip, nothing beats the good old Icom 706, I can talk to Dallas from St. Louis, 100 watts HF, no problem! I also get civilized suggestions on where to stay off the HAM rig, but if I'm in the mood for some stripper bar, it's CB or GMRS
Accident on the road, that school bus crashed, I'm on the HAM band and generally in a couple minutes I'm speaking to hospitals and/or authorities while others are calling dispatch on a cell phone.
I was in La. spotted a funnel cloud, my HAM radio goes straight to the National Weather Service, part of what the HAM Radio Service does.
Instead of the sarcastic eye rolling about HAMS because someone is scared to take a test with answers fed to them, along with the time it takes for those requiring instant gratification out of a box, understand there are two different purposes for HAM and GMRS radios. Each has its place, I'm glad chatty Kathy is on GMRS and not the Ham bands too, but we do have rag chewers.
I'm sure there are hobby types in both camps, that's cool, sometimes I'm in the mood for a chilidog, sometimes I want prime rib, both are good with a beer. 73's :)
Thank you Randy. Starting a GMRS radio group out in Maui, Hawaii because of you. Great info. Love the humor, Mahalo!
MURS no license. 👍
Back to the frs argument, availability for non users is almost non existent. Most big box carry frs.
You're totally right! MURS should be discussed. It's another great option for some. In my area, no one is on it. Except if you are near a Walmart. 😉
MURS = cant use repeaters, cant talk to GMRS radios, limited power, and i cant find them at Walmart..
Might be best for you, but not for me or anyone else I know.
@@TheNotaRubicon Oh, you can find them at Walmart easily--because guess what the employees use to communicate! I think almost every Wally World is on MURS. But no, they definitely don't sell them.
Just want to thank you for putting out the information that you do. Because of your videos, I got my GMRS license and have finally put legitimate use to the upgraded uv5r that I’ve had for several years and only used for weather channels and occasional listening of other frequencies. Once getting my license I discovered that my area of Illinois has a huge GMRS community, with a large network of linked repeaters. I’ve now made several great connections in just two weeks of being licensed and am enjoying it greatly. I do plan to get my Ham license purely because I am interested in some things a ham license makes possible. But I feel that Gmrs is my absolute go to for day to day comma. Thanks again. Love the channel.
If your friends don't get GMRS licenses, it may not do you much good. Anybody can buy CB equipment and hand them to anybody for use. Depending on who you want to talk to, this can make GMRS just as bad as Ham radio. For talking to random folks on the highways and back roads, this presents a problem because GMRS's price, even if they lower it, is the cover charge that will keep folks from walking into the service in the first place.
CB's 11 meter band is superior to GMRS's 70cm when all things are equal. If you run the same power, if you have the same gain antenna, 10/11/12 meter will stomp UHF into the ground. GMRS's general advantage is in the fact that the shorter wavelength means higher gain antennas are more often used, because the higher gain antennas are still short enough to stick on vehicles or elsewhere; CB's 1/4 length antenna is the 102" tank whip, so most mobile CB problems and lack of range aren't from lack of RF power, but rather people using compromise antennas that castrate performance. Jeep'ers often make this far worse by putting their antenna on a convenient place on the rear bumper, which means no good ground plane and shielding killing performance, often times castrating it to almost nothing.
A Ham operator on 10 meter, or a CBer' with an amplifier bringing power up to 50 watts AM, and using a ridiculous full size whip, or better yet a 1/2 or 5/8ths base station antenna, will match or beat GMRS. In fact, if pushing long range LOS communication, 70cm starts to have problems, even with big antennas and big power, where HF can easily push easily.
GMRS is a good service, people should look into it and consider it. Still, I think the issues with it keep it from being "best" in many ways. Still a license. A bandwith that NEEDS power to reach out. And getting non family members to hack up the cash and fill out the paper work to get a license is still a barrier that many can't overcome.
CB is dead? Everyone moving to GMRS? I think the only people who say that are the companies who are trying to sell GMRS products. That and their shills.
Did you even watch the video?
I ran CB for decades and most of the time it was SSB with just a minor tune up of power. But even using a PDL2 beam I was still limited to 20-30 miles depending on the Sun 🌞 cycles. But now I’m getting into GMRS and yes I did study for the Ham test and just could not get any one else to do it . So with the entry of these Bofeng UV-5R that everyone got for Xmas I’m pushing them towards GMRS . YES I’m aware of the laws that’s why I’m doing the pushing carefully as not to scare them back to CB amplitude modulation.
CB died with Burt Reynolds....no more Smokey
I have CB mobile, base radios and a defunct CB license KAAV7879 . I am now studying for my ham license. I just bought a pair of Midland GMRS handhelds and a Midland GMRS mobile and 2 ham handhelds. I paid the FCC $70 for my GMRS license. Now I hear they are lowering the fee and before I get my ham license it will probably go up. Grrr. I believe for the general public GMRS is going to be the way to go. There is an almost nationwide repeater network for GMRS and I think it will keep expanding. mygmrs.com/
Your but hurts its okay