Programing a rugged radio GMR2+

[Bongo399]

Hi everyone im new to gmrs. WRYK399. I bought the gmr2+ rugged radios. Im trying to learn how to program offsets and tones into the radio but can't find anything on how to do this. I want to reach a repeater im my local area. The verdugo repeater in glendale, ca. Any help would be appreciated. 

Jay

WRYK399 

[OffRoaderX]

The GMR2+ is a GMRS radio so you dont have to worry about, or even think about offsets - you just select the correct "Repeater Channel" and enter the TX tone and (optionally) the RX tone.. Steps for that are outlined in your user-manual.

HOWEVER -

To use a repeater the radio must be GMRS repeater-capable, and based on the Rugged Radio Product page for the GMR2+, it does not appear to be repeater capable - and if that is the case, then you bought the wrong radios.

EDIT/UPDATE: After reading the user-manual for you i can see that this radio is repeater capable.. I can also see that this is probably the most confuckulating to use GMRS radio I have ever seen.  I give it two thumbs down and would NOT recommend this radio to someone that does not know anything about GMRS, Tones, or repeaters..

[Bongo399]

On 7/19/2025 at 6:09 PM, OffRoaderX said:

The GMR2+ is a GMRS radio so you dont have to worry about, or even think about offsets - you just select the correct "Repeater Channel" and enter the TX tone and (optionally) the RX tone.. Steps for that are outlined in your user-manual.

HOWEVER -

To use a repeater the radio must be GMRS repeater-capable, and based on the Rugged Radio Product page for the GMR2+, it does not appear to be repeater capable - and if that is the case, then you bought the wrong radios.

EDIT/UPDATE: After reading the user-manual for you i can see that this radio is repeater capable.. I can also see that this is probably the most confuckulating to use GMRS radio I have ever seen.  I give it two thumbs down and would NOT recommend this radio to someone that does not know anything about GMRS, Tones, or repeaters..

Yeah it is a lot of button pushing. Lol but i was able to get through it. I worked in the fire service for 27 years and we use king radios for wildland fires. Now you want to talk about a messed up radio when it comes to programming good god, lol. So I was able to get through the rugged radio after a couple of trys. Not that ill ever use the flash light on the ht but holy crap you have to almost put in your social security number and a credit card to turn it on lol.  But I got them programed. I still like the radio though actually its a solid build and feels good innit hand. Doest feel like it will come apart if you drop it. Ok great yeah I didn't have to worry about any offsets on those or my mobile a midland mtx275.  

[nokones]

On 9/6/2025 at 12:33 AM, Bongo3611 said:

Yeah it is a lot of button pushing. Lol but i was able to get through it. I worked in the fire service for 27 years and we use king radios for wildland fires. Now you want to talk about a messed up radio when it comes to programming good god, lol. So I was able to get through the rugged radio after a couple of trys. Not that ill ever use the flash light on the ht but holy crap you have to almost put in your social security number and a credit card to turn it on lol.  But I got them programed. I still like the radio though actually its a solid build and feels good innit hand. Doest feel like it will come apart if you drop it. Ok great yeah I didn't have to worry about any offsets on those or my mobile a midland mtx275.  

It is my understanding using the RT Systems programming software programming a Rugged Radio doesn't make it any easier either or less frustrating.

[WRZK526]

Had a guy very new to radio's ask me to recommend a handheld. I suggested the GXT3000 Midland mostly because I have that one and could help him program in for repeaters and everything else. He chose the rugged radio. The GXT works well for me and I think super easy to use. I would like to compare them, the rugged says 5 watt but does that little extra wattage matter in practical terms except to use the battery up faster?

 

[OffRoaderX]

1 hour ago, WRZK526 said:

does that little extra wattage matter in practical terms

No.

[WSEZ903]

On 7/19/2025 at 6:09 PM, OffRoaderX said:

 

EDIT/UPDATE: After reading the user-manual for you i can see that this radio is repeater capable.. I can also see that this is probably the most confuckulating to use GMRS radio I have ever seen.  I give it two thumbs down and would NOT recommend this radio to someone that does not know anything about GMRS, Tones, or repeaters..

I think you should do a review on it. 

 

[SteveShannon]

6 hours ago, WSEZ903 said:

I think you should do a review on it. 

 

He did. You just quoted it.

[LeoG]

10 hours ago, SteveShannon said:

He did. You just quoted it.

I can also see that this is probably the most confuckulating to use GMRS radio I have ever seen. 

[WSEZ903]

On 2/4/2026 at 4:20 AM, SteveShannon said:

He did. You just quoted it.

I meant a YouTube review.  It would be hysterical!  

[LeoG]

He's always hysterical on his reviews.  Buy that man a new pencil.

[HHD1]

27 minutes ago, LeoG said:

Buy that man a new pencil.

Just like a child with his worn-out old teddy bear, a new one just won't be the same.