Baofeng UV-5G Mini
★ RecommendedThe smallest GMRS HT. Put a stubby antenna (paid link) on it and you can just about lose it in a jeans pocket.
5W/2W USB-C NOAA BT Prog CHIRP
Review & specifications Check current price (paid link) →OWNED · USED · DOCUMENTED
Hands-on GMRS radio reviews, comparisons & CHIRP guides
I'm Tony / WRCK692. I own and use every radio listed here and document what I learn.
See my four recommended radios ↓Confirming QSO With
WRCK692
GMRS Station
Operator Tony / WRCK692
Location / Grid Square BELLEVUE, NE / EN21bd
- 14 radios owned
- 4 current recommendations
- CHIRP contributor
CURRENT OWNER PICKS
Recommended GMRS radios
These are the four radios in my inventory that I currently recommend. Open the review and specifications first; retailer pricing is provided as a secondary paid link.
Affiliate disclosure: Price links are paid links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
TIDRADIO TD-H3 GMRS
★ RecommendedSecond smallest GMRS HT, great features and community modded firmware. Feels high-quality.
5W USB-C NOAA BT Prog CHIRP
Review & specifications Check current price (paid link) →
Radioddity GM-30
★ RecommendedOpposite antenna connector gender from everything else so you get to buy more antennas.
5W USB-C NOAA CHIRP
Review & specifications Check current price (paid link) →
Baofeng GM-15 Pro
★ RecommendedSturdy, cheap, and reasonably easy to use.
8W USB-C NOAA CHIRP
Review & specifications Check current price (paid link) →LATEST FIELD NOTES
GMRS guides and field tests
Practical setup notes, measurements, comparisons, and lessons from using the equipment.
GMRS vs. MURS: Two Services, Very Different Tradeoffs
MURS offers license-free VHF with decent range but only 5 channels and 2 watts. How it compares to GMRS, and when each one makes sense.
Read the guide →My Recommended Baseline GMRS Radio Config
A walk through my default GMRS channel programming — why 141.3 Hz goes on everything and how FCC power limits break down by channel type.
Read the guide →Best Budget GMRS Stubby Antenna: A 3-Way Field Test
Field-tested three budget GMRS stubby antennas for handhelds — Baofeng, ABBREE AR-805S, and Airiton — over 7–11 miles of obstructed UHF range.
Read the guide →RADIO BENCH