I see we need an FRS radio according to the 'What to Bring' section of the website. "FRS Radios (Family Radio Service) set to Channel 7 Subchannel 21"

While reading reviews on Amazon to try to figure out which one to buy, I'm seeing reviews that say you need a $75 FCC license and a call sign to use them on channels 1-7 and 15-22, which includes the one we use.

Can someone clear this up for me?
I wasn't expecting to need to spend over $100 just on a two-way radio.

 

Based on my reading it appears that their is a 1/2 watt max for unlicenced use.

Read here:
http://www.walkie-talkie-watch.com/gmrs-faq.html

Some of the channels are for both FRS and GMRS but FRS is license free and has the 1/2 watt max output. GMRS requires a license and ups the output to as much as 5 watts.

The 1/2 watt radios work great for short range car to car. All these radios are "line of sight" so they will have issues in the twisties when there is a mountian in the way.

You should be able to pick up a pair of them at any "MegloMart" for less than $50 .... sometimes .... a lot less.

 

These are the ones I was looking at... I don't know anything about these radios... any suggestions?

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Talka...pr_product_top

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-GMR1235...8992805&sr=1-2

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-T5500...8993052&sr=1-7

http://www.amazon.com/Midland-LXT380...8993012&sr=1-4

http://www.amazon.com/Uniden-GMR1235...8992805&sr=1-2

 

Any of those would be fine and will work for contacting other MINIs about 6 ahead or 6 behind you when in a caravan.

 

I agree that any of those would be fine, I find Amazons descriptions, as usual, hard to read and not enough info provided to make an informed desision. FRS/GMRS radios that are 1/2 watt require no license, but the 1 watt, 3 watt and 5 watt versions do.
How many watts is each of those? Amazon doesnt tell you so you would have to go to each manufactures web site to find out.

Having said that, I would buy 5 watt versions and just use them....F the FCC!

 

If it is a true half watt FRS radio you do not need a license.

If it is an FRS/GMRS or GMRS only radio you are required to have a license to operate the radio on any of the FRS or GMRS channels. The reason being is that once you add GMRS to the radio a different set of rules apply and the combination radios are allowed better antennas than the FRS only radios. So even if you are on an FRS frequency you have more technical capability and are therefore required to be licensed.

That's the way it works on paper. When you look at enforcement, the literal estimates are that 99 out of 100 users are not licensed and the FCC has acknowledged the lack of enforcement (they have to hear you do it and prove it was you and most of these are so poorly made that they won't get beyond a miles range anyways) to the point they are considering doing away with the license (they did this with CB radios about 30 years ago). I have an Amateur Radio license and want to make sure I protect it so I pay the $75 every 5 years for me and all of my immediate family. Being a licensed GMRS radio operator I also can and do take advantage of all GMRS has to offer and have invested in much more capable equipment and use external antennas. I primarily use an Icom F21-GM however those have been discontinued, things that the true GMRS equipment offers is better range clear signal transmitted and clearer signals recieved. If you invest in a mobile setup such as this radio http://www.gmrsoutlet.com/product.ph...age=1&featured and a 1/4 wave antenna you can see realistic range with other similar setups at 5-10 miles without any static, even through all the hills and trees of the Dragon. With the "bubble pack" radios don't expect anything more than half a mile and if you're lucky you'll get a full mile, and you're going to have plenty of static to deal with.

Take a look for Agranger's experience in this thread https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...epeater-2.html he offers some reports direct from the Dragon.

From the Bubble Pack radios you linked to I've found through talking with others in MINI clubs around the country the Midland LXT380VP3 seem to be the most reliable with reasonable audio and decent battery life.

But if you decide to get the license, I would go with either the mobile I linked to earlier and a 1/4 antenna or get one of these portables http://www.gmrsoutlet.com/product.ph...1&cat=3&page=1 and an adapter and put an external antenna on it. The investment is greater but so is the return and IMO it is certainly worth it. The Icoms are a little more inflexible so you need to plan your programming in advance, you can match up the "Privacy Codes" to PL/CTSS tones and make sure you have the 21 1s and 0s handy.

You may also want to check out these resources for reviews...
http://forums.radioreference.com/gmrs/
http://www.eham.net/reviews/ (works best if you google search the model number with "site:http://www.eham.net/reviews/")

If you're just following in the middle of the pack on a run and keeping an ear out for what's ahead and people are good at relaying then yes things will probably go just fine with a bubble pack but if you get lost, separated (or are seeking to find someone who is) or are trying to lead or caboose, especially in a larger group, the improved capability of the radio, once you experience it, becomes invaluable.

 

Thanks guys. I think I'll go with the Midland LXT380VP3 then if it has good comments from the MINI world.

Edit: A review said it has no sub channels? Maybe it won't work for this...
http://www.amazon.com/Midland-LXT380.../dp/B0039YON5C

 

Yes, you'll want to get a model with sub-channels aka privacy code capability.

 

Help!
I think I've decided on getting this pair of radios. http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-MH230...0109664&sr=1-1 But I don't see anywhere where it says if it does or doesn't have sub-channels. It mentions privacy codes, are those the same thing?

 

You might want to check at Walmart, Target, Academy Sports, or ****'s Sporting Goods.