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I acquired a pair of Motorola MR-355R blister pack radios in 2009. It has an admixture of 121 CTSS and DCS tones, and they synch up with the Midland MXT-325s I have, plus I can program any number of radios (whether BaoFengs or Commercial) with the corresponding tones or octals listed in the user manual, and they’ll communicate with each other. https://www.motorolasolutions.com/content/dam/msi/docs/business/staticfiles/mr355_and_mr356_user_guide.pdf Page 4 of 5 in the .pdf file. My Midland MXT-325s match what’s shown in that user manual, as well. But, these may be later models than what was being referred to? I also had a pair of Motorola MJ270s which matched the MR-355R, except those were not repeater capable. I have them to my shop lead, after he said he needed a couple two-way radios. The MXTs are from a box of 24 that someone I know who bid on and won a storage unit acquired, and the two MJ-270s were in that one also. I gave the rest away, mostly to parents who wanted them for their kids to play with. I won’t give out the MR-355Rs. Even though FRGMRS uses split tones on their repeaters, there’s a couple non-network ones using single tone CTCSS or non split standardized octals, and I don’t want the kiddos inadvertently getting on those. If you scan with the Motorolas and it hits an active frequency, it automatically identifies the CTCSS tone or DCS octal in use, if it’s from that standardized list… it seems to default to Tone 1 (67 hz) when it encounters an octal that isn’t programmed to that radio. Haven’t tried it with the MXTs, but I’m assuming they do the same.

Why is simple. Because buyers want it. If someone wants to put up a repeater and use travel tone for all to use, that’s their prerogative. Likewise, if they want their repeater to be private, more the same. It’s certainly less exclusive than various non-compatible digital protocols like DMR and D-Star and P25. If it confuses someone, if only there was some kind of resource you could access on a computer to make those inquiries. If only. How much you think I knew about any of this stuff beforehand? The cool thing about ham and GMRS alike is that a lot of the people involved… well, they’re radio enthusiasts. Good people to touch base with. Oh, they’re kinda particular about BaoFengs? Hey, here’s a guy offering me one hell of a good deal on a TK-380 (or maybe three). Nah, if anything ruins GMRS, it’s the bandits who cause repeater owners to not want to partake in the ORI, and people who don’t actually get to know their fellow GMRS users. I’m a loner by nature - I don’t particularly like people. Yet I’m having lunch today with someone from Front Range GMRS because we both like radio and we found out we get along. You wanna ruin GMRS, treat it like CB, don’t have those interactions beyond RF, don’t participate in group events. Otherwise, you come to FRGMRS, and your blister pack or Midland can’t do our split tones, I’ve got three TK-380s I got at a really good deal. Hoss, I got you for a loaner radio or to sell you one at the same deal I got them for. Or you got the B-Tech GMRS-V1 and don’t know how to program it or don’t have a cable… got you covered (and the guy I’m having lunch with loaned me his cable before I got one). If you’ve got that going on, CTCSS, DCS, split tones aren’t a big deal. That’s the difference between ‘Babbabooey Bob’ on 11m just passing through and enthusiast/hobbyists - there’s a sense of community there. Be a part of it. And this isn’t to say it’s completely dead on CB… I was a truck driver, I’ve had those instances where I’d happen across someone on the CB, we’d grab a cup of coffee then shoot the breeze on the CB while we drove. It’s just unfortunate that CB culture is a bit of a rarity and trailer trash culture has stepped up to fill the void.

If I remember correctly, the Midlands don’t do split squelch tones, which might be a problem with some repeaters. The Front Range GMRS repeaters use split DCS tones, for example. The reason the BaoFengs don’t have Part 90/95 cert. is because they’re programmable from the front face with a VFO mode. My UV-82C is illegal to use on GMRS, but my UV-82C - which is Part 90 cert. on account of the VFO mode being locked out when it’s shipped - is. B-Tech also has the Part 95 GMRS-V1 (also based on the UV-82), as well as the GMRS50-X1 Mobile. I concur with the Kenwood… I have a TK-380 and TK-880, both bought for $50/each with a brand new battery for the 380 and the guy I bought them from hooked me up with a programming cable, microphone you could knock somebody out with, and everything I need to install a car antenna for the 880, plus the programming software (Chirp can’t program them). Always a good idea to have two handhelds… that dual watch feature on the BaoFengs is really more of a hassle than an asset.

Actually, an update. So I found the manual online. Turns out the output is only 1.5w on what was previously the GMRS simplex frequencies, and a more in depth reading on the subject shows that the original FRS frequencies are still restricted to .5w in narrow band both under FRS ant GMRS. So this was a futile venture from the get go. If I’m reading this correctly, them being repeater capable means they’re still classed as GMRS equipment. Does anyone know if they still transmit on narrow band on the frequencies which weren’t the original FRS frequencies? If you flip through the channels (or put it into scan mode), you’ll notice a small, radio-shaped icon towards the upper left of the display. On the original FRS frequencies, it appears hollow. This indicates it’ll only transmit at .5 watts on those frequencies, regardless of which PTT button you push.

DeWalt makes two-way radios? Or markets them, anyhow? I might have to buy one just on principle.

Yeah, I suppose. Sometimes I lose sight that terminology which was commonplace back in the Army days isn’t so much so outside. Thanks for the welcome, all.

This is a pretty common practice.... flaggers,, framers, etc. using FRS and GMRS blister pack radios. There's a lot of construction going on where the old Denver University hospital used to be between 8th and 9th going north/south and Colorado and Bellaire going east/west, plus several shops being renovated along 8th, and all those crews are using them. A few are using MURS and some sort of crew somewhere a bit further out has been running 151.505, so VHF isn't dead.

Probably so. Like I said, I don't really use them, but I keep them as a backup. If I get rid of them, I don't really see a need to replace them... at least, not with the same type. Maybe something a bit higher end. If I were going to get it done, I'd go to the Motorola store and see if they could do it. I just was trying to get some feedback on it before I made the trek there (can't explain it, I like to show up in person rather than make phone calls) and have it done if it could be done and if they didn't charge an arm, a leg, and my firstborn in order to do it. Well, again, I have no intention of making any internal or external physical alterations to the radio. They're five watt radios, and what limits them to the .5 watts on the FRS channels is simply programming in a computer chip. So the question was whether there was an updated software which they could be reflashed with. I'm only looking to see if what I aim to do - entirely on the up and up and IAW current guidelines - is doable. They upped the allotted power of FRS to two watts, which I would do if it were feasible to do so (and in an entirely legal manner, mind you), but it's not something I'm desperate to do. I just figured there was no harm in inquiring about it. But, to set the record straight for anyone else who is reading this, I absolutely am not looking to make any illegal or unauthorized modifications to the radio, I am only seeking answers as to whether Motorola has released updating programming for these particular radios, or even if they're set up to where they can facilitate reflashing, which, I don't know if they even can... I know they're Motorola and all, but they're still cheap blister pack radios someone bought at... I don't know where. I got them from a mom who confiscated them from her kids after she freaked out when she heard someone else talking to them over the air. If I had to take a guess at where, my money would be Dick's Sporting Goods on White Oak Road in Garner, North Carolina, because I know she shopped there frequently and they sold these exact ones, but that's not cast in stone. Yeah, but these radios with the same battery packs run five watts on the non-FRS frequencies, so I'd think they should be able to manage two on the FRS channels.

I was wondering if they could be reflashed via computer somehow. Didn’t really have high hopes for this, but I figured it was worth a try… I don’t use them at all, but if ever I do, I’d prefer they be at the extent of their full legal capability.

Quick question... I have a pair of Motorola blister pack MR-355R radios which were manufactured under the old rules that only allowed .5 watts on FRS frequencies.... is there a way to update these to where they can transmit the now allowed 2 watts on those frequencies?

Thanks. I can hear a repeater on my scanner which I’m pretty sure is the Front Range ‘Metro 600’, so I emailed Front Range GMRS yesterday and I’m waiting to hear back from them. Not sure if I’ll manage to trip it from my location or not… all I have right now is a BaoFeng UV-82HP and a pair of Motorola MR-355R blister pack radios. I’m a few blocks away from the coverage area shown on the map. So, once I hear back from them, we’ll see.

I’m not really good at breaking the ice by casually inserting myself into conversations, so I figured I’d take the direct approach. Figured I’d start with GMRS as a way to get my toes wet before I dove in. I suppose I’ve always been interested in radio ever since I was a kid and used my Archer Space Patrol radios (and I’d piss my parents off by interrupting phone calls with them). Dabbled in CB, especially having worked as a truck driver. Recently inherited a pair of Swan 6 and 10m radios, so I decided to double down on getting licensed. But, once I do get an amateur license, I’ll probably focus on 2m and 70cm… I live in an apartment and on the first floor, at that, so not the most accommodating of places.