Very new to the GMRS World

[WSJE500]

Hello All,

I just recently received my call sign, (WSJE500), and my two new Boafeng G11S radios should hopefully arrive today, or maybe tomorrow.  I have zero experience with GMRS.  The catalyst for embarking on this endeavour, was a hunting trip that I take annually.  Cell phones do not work in that area, and my cheap FRS radios, sound like I'm talking to a deranged popcorn popper.  In addition, I find this subject interesting.  

• I understand that the G11S isn't waterproof, but I very rarely hunt in inclement weather and always carry a good supply of ziplock bags.  
• I know it is only 3W, but they were only $40. 

Anyway, we will see where this takes me.  It'll be me and my two adult sons, all on the same side of a ridge.  The only available repeater is 15 miles away on the opposite side on an adjacent ridge.  We will be down in the hollow.  I have very low hopes of ever being able to hit that repeater.   I will be ordering two additional radios, four total.  These additional two will also be G11S as long as I am happy with the first two.  This decision in based on the simplicity of the radios and the lack of experience that anyone in this party had with radios.

One quick question:

• If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes?  It appears that channels 1-7 are all FRS/GMRS and 5-watt, of which I only have 3 watts available.

WSJE500 in Manchester, Tennessee - Out.  :)

[OffRoaderX]

9 minutes ago, WSJE500 said:

If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes? 

• According to the FCCs, if you are using a GMRS radio, no matter what channel you are on, the answer is YES..
• In the real world, and knowing that nobody listening cares, the FCCs dont care, and nobody will know what kind of radio you are using, the answer is NO.

[SteveShannon]

If you’re using a GMRS radio the regulations require you to identify every 15 minutes when talking and when you stop talking. For most people that really only requires you to say your call sign once at the end of the conversation.

There are no FRS channels that are not also GMRS channels. 

[amaff]

21 minutes ago, WSJE500 said:

 

• If I am using one of the FRS channels, do I really need to announce my call sign every 15 minutes?  It appears that channels 1-7 are all FRS/GMRS and 5-watt, of which I only have 3 watts available.

 

All 22 non-repeater channels are shared GMRS / FRS. "Need" is a strong word. Like @OffRoaderX said, no one knows you're not using FRS radios, which don't require call signs. Especially when you're out in the woods in a hollow where no one else is going to be listening in.

Basically no one I'm out and about with 'doing stuff' (and using radios for comms) with is a 'radio person' and we basically use them like FRS radios. 

[WSJE500]

Thanks folks 

[nokones]

That is not unusual for Pandaland radios to sound like a popcorn popper. Real non-Pandaland radios don't have that problem.

[WSJE500]

They have arrived 

[GreggInFL]

On 7/20/2025 at 7:42 PM, WSJE500 said:

They have arrived 

Well, how do they work?

[Lscott]

On 7/20/2025 at 5:30 PM, nokones said:

That is not unusual for Pandaland radios to sound like a popcorn popper. Real non-Pandaland radios don't have that problem.

I thought I read somewhere the audio popping was due to the DSP core on the radio chip switching digital gain control settings. Apparently some manufactures have figured out how to mitigate the problem.  

The attached files are for the ROC, radio on a chip, used in the UV-5R radios for reference.

Note other well known radios use a similar radio on a chip design, but with much better front end filtering etc. Examples are the Motorola XPR7550's which some won't use anything else, and the newer Kenwood NX-1K series.  

RDA1846 - Edited.pdf RDA1846 Programming Manual.pdf SCHEMATIC Baofeng UV-5R.pdf

[73blazer]

On 7/20/2025 at 5:30 PM, nokones said:

That is not unusual for Pandaland radios to sound like a popcorn popper. Real non-Pandaland radios don't have that problem.

Uh....can you give an example of a part 95E radio that is not a "pandaland" radio?

[nokones]

3 hours ago, 73blazer said:

Uh....can you give an example of a part 95E radio that is not a "pandaland" radio?

Midland, Cobra, and Motorola.

[73blazer]

24 minutes ago, nokones said:

Midland, Cobra, and Motorola.

These are all made in "pandaland". Motorola doesn't even make a part 95E (GMRS) radio, only FRS radios, or business, and their FRS radios (and alot of their business radios)  are China. So are Cobra's that I've seen and all the midlands.

[WSAA635]

When you're ready to move up take a serious look at the AR-5RM or if you want/need GPS the BTech/Baofeng BF-F8HP Pro is an awesome radio. 

Welcome to the Crazy World of GMRS.