WSAG543

I guess it makes sense that it can transmit that high on MURS. The limit is 2 watts with NFM on CH 1-3 and wide on Blue and Green dot so I will set that in Chirp when I configure everything. Apparently some of the old business users could transmit above 2 watts on the dot channels but this isn't allowed without a grandfathered license. Do the other MURS users receive you properly at such high power?

Thanks for posting. I was just thinking about programming some MURS channels on my H8 GMRS running in unlocked mode. I mostly want to listen but it would be nice to know I could transmit if needed.

I've found this out as well during my short time with GMRS. I will also only be buying unlocked GMRS radios going forward.

My experience with the Tidradio H8 hasn't been so rosy but most of the issues were due to ordering the radio off of the vendor's website. I have noticed some build quality issues as well as resonance in the case from the speaker at higher volume levels but everything else has worked pretty well. I almost went with the H3 over the H8 but thought the H8 was a better bet due to the amount of testing that had been done at the time, very few people online had the H3. Thanks to your review (and especially the size comparison image you provided), I think I may grab an H3. I like to be able to pocket my radios and the H8 is a bit too thick most of the time. You also listed several Wouxun radios. How does the performance of the H3 (TX/RX) compare to the Wouxun KG-Q10G?

You missed the part where I mentioned DTR radios. They work amazingly well for my use case and I just wished I could get something with similar features with a bit more range. Eh, it's a tough crowd so I guess we'll leave it at that. GMRS and Ham are apparently not for me and won't be in the future given the responses of most users here. I will keep the equipment I have around in case of grid down shituation but I don't expect they will get much use otherwise.

I want encryption and the ability to use one license to cover my family. Ham doesn't do that for me. The best I have right now is a fleet of Motorola DTR radios (410, 650, 700). I don't need 100% secure comms but I also don't want anyone in the area with a GMRS HT or a scanner to easily hear conversations I have with my wife and kids, especially in large public spaces. FHSS on 900 MHz does the trick for the most part and that's what I use now. I could just do with a bit more range. I also don't understand the need/requirement to use callsigns for private conversations (use on repeaters makes sense). I am attracted to some aspects of GMRS and Ham, but I guess my desired use case is just incompatible with what the FCC is willing to authorize for regular citizens who don't want to pay for a limited and expensive commercial license.

That seems to be the majority opinion. I think at some point you have to rip off the band-aid and there have been proposals that address the interference issue within the GMRS frequency range. That said, maybe you are right about Ham being better for this. The question would be whether or not the FCC would be willing to allow this on Ham. I liked the idea of digital on GMRS because only one license is needed for a family talkgroup. With Ham, everyone in the group needs to be licensed to keep it legal.

So unfortunate

This is actually why I got a Tidradio H8 GMRS. It's an unlockable radio but that's just a side benefit for SHTF. The main reason I bought it is for the flexibility with the memory channels. I really like my GM-15 Pros but the limited memory options is a let down, then again they only cost $25 a piece so we can't be too upset.

I also experienced some strange issues configuring the radio with the Android app. I probably could have got it to work but the interface was so bad that I ended up just using Chirp.

I see the argument that these are simple radios but allowing digital and FHSS doesn't need to impact the "normies" that just want something plug and play. I have a small fleet of DTRs (410s, 650s, and 700s) for more secure use. Cell phones don't always work everywhere, it's just strange that acquiring ISM radios is required when allowing digital on GMRS would use the spectrum more efficiently and allow for more privacy. I would probably consider Ham if the government would allow a segment of the spectrum for true experimentation (digital w/encryption, etc). As it is my options are basically DTR/DLR or commercial options with their expensive licensing and frequency restrictions.

I'm happy to see so many oppose the GMRS+ proposal. I have held an FCC license since 2005 but it only provided limited aerospace and marine capabilities. I only recently acquired a GMRS license and had been a long time FRS user. I don't mind the licensing fee, but I was surprised by the need to use callsigns at the end of a transmission or at 15 minute intervals. Most of the individuals in my area that cause trouble (if you can call it that) are using GMRS radios (or Ham radios) like they are an FRS walkie-talkie. They rarely use call signs so one could assume they are unlicensed. This means that to enforce the law you would have to locate them and file a complaint. I would argue that callsigns serve a nice function for identifying individuals in round table discussions but serve little utility in actually enforcing the law. Beyond this, I have been surprised at the lack of ability to use digital technology like FHSS or other types of encoding on GMRS. The need to use plain language without attempts to deceive is also puzzling. Meanwhile I can happily use my fleet of DTR radios with nearly 100% privacy. Seems like many of these GMRS laws are a solution looking for a problem. The QA manager in me will of course follow the laws, no matter how ridiculous and unconstitutional they may seem. It's just that it would be nice to have a little more freedom and privacy without having to go to a corporate license or use DLR/DTR 900 MHz radios. I do think that GMRS could very well (and probably should) end up as a license by rule service like FRS, MURS, 900 ISM, etc, though I know the consensus on here oppose this.